HP dv6 pre-purchase concerns

I'm about to go for a dv6t with 25% Bing cashback, which is proving irresistible, and I need some reassurance about a couple of things. Hugs may also suffice.

1. There was a big fuss about the nVidia blank screen business (my current Gateway has the same problem). Now I know that the dv6 comes with an ATI chip, but are there any signs of hardware reliability problems of any kind? Would you recommend getting any of the extended warranties HP offers, or are there other options?

2. Further to the first point: the switchable graphics on these is the main draw for me, but might that also exacerbate the solder issue (with nVidia chips from before), which was supposed to be caused by excessive heat cycling? That is, it seems like switchable graphics would make the chip heat up and cool down more often and hence stress the solder joints. Or do the ATI chips actually come in pin grid arrays?

3. I am antsy about the whole Bing cashback thing. Are you supposed to see any signs of it working while you perform the purchase, aside from the box at the beginning where you put in your email and are redirected?

Thank you all!

Edit: Talking about this one: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...lp/psg/notebooks/High_performance/dv6t_series

 

I am assuming your talking about HP's new DV6 3xxx series.

I suggest you read my review on the dv6 with an i7 720m

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-compaq-voodoo-pc/487941-new-hp-dv6-2010-user-review.html

1. I have had no hardware problems whatsoever. However when i do overclock i run into problems, since it runs so damn cool.

2. Switchable graphics is only available on the i5, i3 models. It changes between the 1GB HD5650 and intel HD graphics. This feature can be turned on an off from right clicking on the desktop. The only other significant difference between the i7 and the lower models are the color, and power adapter size (its a 120W monster vs the normal 90W). Switchable graphics for the DV6 I believe closes all running programs to change over, so no reboot is required.

3. Cant help you with that, since i bought mine from a retailer

As i was told by another member on the forums, for Americans there is a Dv6t and DV6tse, which has a chassis difference being the i3 and i5 models in the dv6t which have a plastic finish. All models in the dv6tse have an alumium/magnesium finish (although the color schemes between the all the processors are different).

 

No you won't see any signs past when you initially go to the HP site and enter your Bing information. You should recieve an email to your bing account within an hour or two confirming your purchase along with a date when you access your funds. Trust me I had the same shortcomings about bing but it worked for me and I'm awaiting my money back in mid-july.

 

how does this bing cashback thing work? I've never heard of it

 

Cheers, guys.

I'm struggling to see any difference between the dv6t and the dv6t Select Edition aside from the nicer case. Is that it? They seem to cost exactly the same.

 

I only heard of this today. You go to this website, click on HP direct (25%!), then fill in your email. You'll get an email a few minutes later asking for more details to sign up, then, in theory, when you use that link to buy something from HP, Bing/Microsoft will know about it, and credit your Bing account with 25% of what you spent.

 

looking quickly at the customize stuff on HP's website I think the only difference is the Select Edition has the different case AND the option to get a core i7 processor (but then you lose the switchable graphics, and are forced to get the radeon 5650).

edit: The i7 can't use switchable graphics. i5 and i3 can use switchable graphics with the 5650.

 

Ah, that must be it. I'm sticking with an i5.

 

there may or may not be some stuff involving a touchscreen ..uh...screen too with the select edition.


also something about a backlit keyboard (not sure if that's available on the regular one)

 

Yeah you will definitely get much better battery life with the i5. Unless you are doing serious video editing/intensive CPU related tasks the i5 will be great for you.

 

i5-540M vs i5-520M

is it worth 50 bucks to jump up to the 540M?

the most I'd be doing, video wise would be some re-encoding. Sometimes I like recording stuff off the tv with my dvd-recorder and then ripping it to my computer (and editing out the commercials).

 

Further on this: Is it worth $100 from 430M to 520M? The most I would be doing CPU-wise, is probably Civ 5. There were rumblings on the Alienware m11x threads about the ULV not doing well on strategy games.

 

Yep differences between the regular and select version are available touch screen, backlight keyboard with finger print reader and available i7 processor. If any those options appeal to you then the select series will be you. If not you can go regular. In my opinion I would go select series for that touch screen and backlit keyboard with finger print reader but that's just me! Definitely wouldn't opt for i7 processor though.

 

This doesn't have the ULV version. These are the full mobile i5 processors. ULV core i3/i5 aren't available yet from HP on these models. I don't think you will see much of a performance difference between the 430 and the 520 with what you want to do. However I still would go with the higher one just to make sure I have better performance.

 

hmmm....I still think I wanna get the 540 just to future proof me a bit.


I want this laptop to last me for several years (at least 3) like how the G1 did. Kinda proud of this thing for living through a good portion of undergrad. (though the fan now sounds like it's on its last legs. It's really loud but not blowing that strongly).

 

Right, it wasn't really a concern; I wasn't being clear.

Touchscreen sounds like a cool concept, but I wouldn't want to be wiping my mucky fingerprints off it all the time!

 

That probably won't be noticeable, those are definitely a lot closer than the 430 vs. 520.

 

And yeah the touchscreen sounds cool. But eh.


Oh right. How far back can the screen bend. Can it go about 180 degrees or does it only get 'bout 120 or something? (with 90 being what you'd normally use to view it with)

 

You can always upgrade the CPU, no? You know the faster i5's are compatible because they're an option now.

And I still have my old Acer which lasted all the way through undergrad

Edit: I need to unsubscribe from this thread.

 

Heh. I had two computers for undergrad.

Annoyingly the first one died a year or so in. Geforce ultra 6800 burnt to a crisp. I eventually found a replacement on ebay but that was after I had the G1.

and the G1 had a built in wireless card (the older computer had to use a card..and that was kinda annoying. It also was a 17incher. I dunno what I was thinking).

 

about ~140degrees the bottom of the lid get the the same level as the base of the laptop, so you need to be careful about scraping the bottom of the lid when on a rough surface.

 

alright.

Sounds fine.

Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I just stand up and use the laptop while it's on the desk. Wouldn't want to be stuck with something that couldn't do that.


...though this G1 kinda goes overkill. it can go completely horizontal. (the hell would you need to do that for Asus..it's neat and all but damn)

 

Also thanks for the help.

 

Geforce ultra ... I got the most workmanlike Acer (with no GPU) as a high school graduation present and couldn't seem ungrateful.

Relevantly: I've been having to prop up my current Gateway with books for better air intake. Would anyone recommend getting the oversized 9-cell battery for this purpose?

 

I used a standard battery for my soon to by retired dv9500 and it never had any heating issues, bottom stays warm but never hot even with light gaming. As long as you use some canned air every once in a while to keep the vent cleaned you should be fine. These new dv6's are supposed to have even better cooling techniques. 9 cell is great for battery life however! Toss up!

 

I actually ordered dv6T Select edition today. The differences between the regular edition and the select edition besides the case is that ATI 512MB graphics card comes standard in the price. You have the extra options to add, if you wanted to, touch screen, a backlit keyboard, and finger print reader with webcam...

I did the same equivalent configurations with both the SE and regular editions. The SE was cheaper by 5 dollars. (But of course I couldnt find BING cashback for dv6t ..oh well)

 

yeah. That's a good question.

How much does the 9 cell prop it up.

Having battery life would be awesome though.

This G1's battery is still the original. 3.5 years old. holds 'bout a third or 2/5ths of the original charge I think (1-1.5 hours compared to 2.5-3 hours).

 

Thanks, yukstin.

And another question: Is there an empty hard drive bay? This is hardly mentioned, so I can never be sure if a laptop doesn't have one, or if it's just not mentioned.

 

Wait, isn't there a flat 25% on everything if you go through the BCB site?

 

In other words, is this picture to be believe?