HP dv9500 models?

Some questions about the HP dv9500 models.

Which is better, Intel or AMD?

About Processor, is there a big difference between the 2ghz and 2.3 etc?

Is the Ultra Brightview worth the $125 upgrade. It does say colors are 72% better?

I noticed the Intel offers a better graphics card, MB difference.

Looking to use Notebook for Gaming, storage for photos/music etc and for a graphics program (pattern maker pro).

SK

 

Get Intel the processor is much better, secondly there is a deference between 2.0 GHZ and 2.4GHZ. Also a word of advice don't get the ULTRA bright view the resolution is horrible, get the one that costs slightly more then the base version. Also yes the Intel version offers the 8600GS in which I believe the AMD version does not offer. Get the 8600GS if gaming is your objective but you could buy a different notebook with the same amount of money that is better for gaming.

 

Thanks. Are you talking this (1680 x 1050) display? Can one change size of fonts/icons?

About the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection? Is this Wifi? I'm not sure why it doesn't list the 802.11 info?

 

I have this exact question about the 1680 x 1050 display option too. Is that the better option? will the font be too small because of the large resolution? I'm just about to buy this one...

 

I have the 1680 x 1050 on my dv9500 and I'm glad I upgraded to it. The fonts and icons are fully scaleable so yes you can make them bigger. At first I wasnt sure if I'd like the native resolution but the more I use it the better I like it. Now at the office these low res monitors give me headaches, they are just hard on the eyes. As far as the 802.11 info goes, ya that's wifi and it supports A,G,N protocols. I went with the 2.2 ghz Intel chipset and I'm very happy with my laptop performance. The only thing I don't really like is there isnt a dedicated sound card, instead its a software emulation which is ok but now I cant get System Shock 2 to run, the sound crashes. The good news is I can run just about every game in my library except System Shock 2 and Roller Coaster Tycoon(but RCT has always been twitchy so that's nothing new). Check my sig for my system spec's and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

Thanks, this is a big help. After looking at your sig, it looks like I'm getting pretty much the same setup as you. And I know what you mean about it not having a dedicated sound card, but why not just get the express card version of the sound blaster x-fi? That's what I plan on doing and it's only $66 from dell.

 

I have looked at them but I wanted to do more reading on them before I spent any more money on the laptop. Of course once I do get it I'd want another set of external laptop speakers....lol, it never ends ya know? I just don't know if its really with the cash to play two old games. In the end the ability to run external speakers off it may just be worth it for music and movies, I'll think on it.

Good luck with your purchase, I'm sure you'll be happy with the dv9500 I know I am.

-Reby

 

personally, i like the ultra brightview, makes for watching videos and movies amazing. I also never had any issues playin WoW or Orange box on it.

Unless you REALLY need the extra space, at 17 inches the 1650X1050 resolution's just too big, makes everything small. My desktop's Samsung 21.6inch monitor displays at 1650X1050 and i think at times its a bit too small, can't see playing games or nething at that resolution on a 17 inch.

 

Is it possible to find out what sorta screen you have (ultra bright, etc.) by digging in the system/device manager menus?

 

Is the standard screen not that great then?
Don't want to spend money where I don't have to.

 

Okay, so now we have someone saying NOT to get the higher resolution version... arg... the free shipping deal ends tonight at HP, can anyone else chime in about which screen they think would be best?

Also, is the 256MB graphics card worth it over the 128MB for someone who doesn't game at all? I use photoshop CS3 extensively as well as dvd ripping (not sure if that uses video memory or not). I might like to watch hd content on it from time to time as well.

Thanks

 

I just got off the phone with sales and they said that all 9500 series do not come with the option to add a 2nd HDD unless you order it with 2 hdd's. Is that correct? I have spare HDD's ready to go so I dont need their over priced ones.

 

No the HP rep was an idiot, you can order the SATA adapter and HD cradle from the HP Parts site. I got my laptop with only one HD and added another one a month later.

 

yeah, i caught that too. i just ordered mine today with the basic screen. wondering if i should try to get it upgraded or not before my order goes through completely

right, it only comes with the single 160 gb HDD as standard. it still has the open slot so you could upgrade with a cheaper aftermarket one if need be. you CAN order it through hp with 2 HDDs, but i wouldn't spend the money either

 

Would you mind posting the part numbers here or in a PM as I can not locate them on the parts website.

 

I'm pretty sure it was part number 434106-001

-Reby

 

Still trying to decide on the higher resolution screen or Ultra brightview normal res. Plan to order tonight or within the next week.

What are adventure games like on the higher resolution? And if you change the resolution, does it make the screen grainy or fuzzy? Current notebook has 1280x800 res. Will be using this program on the new notebook:
http://www.hobbyware.com/pm.htm

Anyone use the webcam or finger scanner? Trying to decide about getting just microphone.

SK

 

Go with the UltraBright! It's VERY nice. Huge differece from a "regular" laptop LCD. I get comments on it all the time. My res runs at
1140x900. I can also see the higher resolution model being a waste in the sense that the graphics card (8600m GS) it not going to be effective in resolutions higher than 1140x900 for games and it's a 17" monitor anything higher is overkill.

 

I ended up ordering a dv9000t with Ultra brightview. I'm glad to hear from someone who actually has that screen. I can't wait to see it in person.

Do you know if there are any pics online showing the difference between the two?

 

not that i've seen. I got the same exact setup as you. Trust me the screen is stunning. Don't be concerned with performace right out of the box...once you spend a few daying tweaking and setting it up. Follow tweakguides.com and cnets speed up vista tips. Very happy with performance. Also after lots of trial and error I recommend installing the 169.04 drivers and rivatuner not ntune because the new rivaturner syncs the shader core to the normal core allowing you to bring it up to spec. I run it at 600/1200/480 I get 3DMark06 score of 2950

 

youll love that screen. i certainly do its so bright puts nearly every other screen to shame

 

I just got mine in the mail like 2 days ago... I got the same specs as you too...
Lemme tell you the Ultra Bright is the way to go dude...

The screen resolution is excellent... the 1650 res... don't bother... That would look lovely if you had a 22" or 24" monitor... we don't, we have a 17" so... you'll see... huge difference, sooooo crispy...

Load up your new laptop... look at it for a few hours and then goto Best Buy or Costco and look at their model... Night and Day...

Definitely the right choice...

Just make sure you update from HP's website all the firmware u want
cuz the HP Update tool doesn't do a perfect job...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=2093&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3369393&lang=en

 

Wow, nice screen comparison. Our current notebook has regular brightview and always thought it was quite bright. I can't wait to see the Ultra.

What was your build date and shipped date?

 

Ordered it on Nov 17, 2007

They estimated the build date well...
estimated to be built by November 28, 2007.

build date was a day before though... it's weird cuz they build it in China...
so they're a day ahead of us... so they actually built it by the 27th...

anyway shipped out the 28th... roughly... and i chose free shipping 5-7 days...
and i got it in 2 days... hehehe from china to anchorage alaska heh... to chicago... 2 days...

So happy with this laptop... gonna just be using it for law school and watching dvds on occassion... i bought a 2gb ram stick this weekend from newegg... for like $50... so cheap... so i'll take out my 1 gb stick and replace with the 2 and i'll have 3 gigs of ram... much cheaper then getting it from hp... heh 4 gigs of ram they want 400$... yah right...

it runs smoothly with just 2 gb of ram... don't get me wrong... i'm just a junky for upgrades i guess...

If you ever wanna upgrade... our laptops take
200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
Doesn't take anything higher then 667...

if you're interested... i got my 2 gb stick here...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208341

just upgrade all your software manually... cuz some stuff is old...

QuickPlay will need to be upgraded... the one you'll get is version 3.2 something... the most recent is 3.6 somethin... so you'll wanna do that...

upgrade your video drivers manually from the hp website cuz the hp update program won't do it...

Anyway other things as well, but if you got questions about anything, hit me up...

Go thru velocity's website and download his pdf out of the box guide...
http://dv9500t.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks!

So, its recommended to install updated Video drivers from HP? Why doesn't the notebook come with the updated drivers?

 

hey thanks for recommending my guide...
you can view the guide in this thread if you don't want a pdf:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=177289&highlight=out+of+the+box+guide
good luck with your new laptops!!!

 

Yep thats it thanks a ton. There are actually some on ebay right now but be careful as some are asking almost double the retail price from HP and they are not even including the sata adapter.