Hello guys!! I just bought a new HP DV9700t

I just place an order this morning for a new hp DV9700T. I could NOT find any coupons to use for a dicount. i chose HP because after looking extensively at the lineup and options from Dell, Toshiba, and the rest, I believe you get more bang for your buck with HP. Here is my configuration:

- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) 64 bit OS's are slowly gaining in popularity, so I am investing in it. It should really start taking off in the coming years.
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) It was the best they had to offer with this system.
- 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
- 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS!!
- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2)
- Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer (Finally took the HD Plunge, now that the HD format war is over)
- High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)---- I think I will need this to do a cleen install of the OS when I receive my unit.
- Microsoft(R) Works 9.0

I chose the 2 Business day option for $39.00 bring my total to $2265.24 (tax included) with an estimated ship date of 3/28/2008. Hopefully it gets here sooner! I believe that this system has the new Intel Penryn chip built on the Santa Rosa platform. What do you guys think? Do you have any advice for me?

 

sounds like you made a good choice!

 

Thank you. Can't wait to play with it

 

I am shopping for the same laptop - though maybe not as fully decked out as you chose. Come back and report.

I think that overall, this seems like a great deal for the money. I know some folks don't like HP - but there are people out there who have bad experiences with any brand. I have an HP 5600+ desktop w/the 22" flat screen and that thing is SWEET!

 

Congrats on your purchase. May it serve you well.

And yes, the T9300 is a Penryn. The chipset is Santa Rosa. The Montevina chipset comes out around June.

 

Not to worry. I imagine I will be posting quite a bit (Good and Bad) once it arrives. There just isn't enough info about this particular PC out there.

 

GOSH!!!! I didn't realize Montevina was just around the corner. I thought it was still far off. Should I have waited? It's not too late to call this thing off. How MAJOR are the improvements in Montevina over Santa Rosa?

 

Well, the real question is what are you going to use your lappy for?

As far as the improvements go, there may be a lot of them if you look at it as a total package. By that I mean, models will change, perhaps some radically. You may see HP retire the ~3yr old, but wonderfully classic, Pavillion styling. I have no idea which line is going to get the illuminated keyboards, but they have been confirmed to have been bought. I suspect the new 16" LCD model and HDX will get them. There will be AMD PUMA based platform with hybrid graphics (ability of integrated + discrete running simultaneously) models which may run circles around Intel's integrated graphics. There will be ATI discrete cards (For PUMA and Montevina) which should bring performance up to equivalent Nvidia GT levels from current GS level offering. They'll also be DX10.1 and Shader 4.1. Something Nvidia hasn't bothered to do yet.

Then for Montevina, you'll have 1066mhz front side bus, up from the current 800 mhz.

Then initially you'll have the option of DDR2-800 RAM, up from current DDR2 667mhz. Perhaps even option for power saving DDR3-800 RAM.

Displayport is another thing if that turns you on.

Robson 2 might actually work. Unlike Robson 1.0 which HP properly determined was useless with configs with greater than 1 GB RAM. AMD PUMA platform will have something similar. No specs on it yet. Robson2 is supposed get us closer to "Instant on" or at least greatly reduce boot times.

Also systems will come pre-installed and tested to work with Vista SP1. No biggie because it's a free download anyway.

Oh yeah, upgrade path to quad core Penryns. Not sure if they will work with Santa Rosa even though they will be socket P. But they will definitely work with Montevina.

Wireless USB built in may be offered also. Dell offers it already. Imagine printing without wires? Just get your lappy about 20Ft of so near the printer and print. Get a Wireless USB hub and you've got a docking station which only requires that you be in the vicinity of it.

A few other things I can't remember offhand.

But... if you need a lappy now and those things won't make or break you, you're fine. Plus consider, you'll for certain be paying a higher price then than now notwithstanding HPs' usual back to school sales. Another thing to consider, HP may totally flub on style next go around. Change isn't always good. But HP has been very good with styling for a long time. For most, including myself, looks mean almost as much as specs. I'm looking to buy a "fully armed and operational" HDX shortly after Montevina's release. By May, there should be enough insider leaks that we should know what the real deal is. But I may have to wait until late August, early September. I want that ATI Radeon Mobility 4870.

 

The big changes that Montevina will bring are DDR3 and 800MHz bus.

 

Wow!!! Thanks for all the info. I am reminded of the old ancient saying of the tech world: If you continue to wait to purchase an electronic gadget until the latest model arrives, you will NEVER purchase a gadget. Looks like Montevina and PUMA will bring a lot that is probably worth waiting for. But, as you pointed out, it will likely be a heck of a lot more expensive than what I am paying for a new lappy now. PLUS maybe this will be a good thing. Perhaps when I get ready to purchase another lappy, the QUAD CORE chips they'll probably have will be considerably cheaper. But still, if all of what you guys are saying is true, then I'll be playing with a kiddie toy compared to what is in the works...