Help between DV4T and DV3T

These are two of the laptops I am looking at and I just wanted some opinions from people that own them or know about them.

What I would be getting for the two is pretty much the same thing.

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
512MB NVIDIA GeForce G 105M
13.3" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
[For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
Full Size Backlit Keyboard
High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

A couple of my questions for you all are...

Is there a big difference between the P8600 and P8700. Should I up it to the P8700? Pros and Cons.

What is the difference between the Infinity wide screen and regular wide screen?

Does the 105M GPU play light gaming well such as Sims3 and when Diablo3 comes out?

What is the average battery life with High Cap 6 cell battery between the two. Does the 9 cell stick the laptops up in the air more?

This is for the DV4T, does it still have that Hair dryer loud always on fan issue? I hear it is very loud. But it is my first choice. That is why I was also considering the DV3T. Could anyone with any experience with the two give me some advice on the pro's and con's of each Computer. Ill have more questions most likely once some answers and advice pop up.

Thank you.

 

The 105m should be able to play those games, though probably at low settings.

I would 100% recommend getting the 9 cell for the dv3 or the 12 cell for the dv4t.

My dv4t only sounds like a "hair dryer" when you hit the power button to boot it up, it only lasts 5 seconds. It never gets that loud when in Windows.

Personally, I would get the dv4t only if you want to watch tv with the tv tuner (dv3 doesn't have that option), otherwise, get the dv3.

 

Thank you for that info. Do you have a tv tuner for yours? If so, does it pick up a good bit of channels? How long does your battery usually last you?

Could you elaborate on anything you think I should know about it? Or just your thoughts about the computer. Looks, performance, etc...

 

Yes, i have a tv tuner in my dv4t. I use cable tv. I don't use the battery too often, but with the 12 cell it will last you a long time. Performance will depend on the cpu you get. I got mine with the T9550. I would recommend anything p8600 and up. The dv4t has the ability to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive (you have to buy this separate). The dv3 does not have this feature. However, the dv3 is obviously smaller so it will be less weight to carry around. Honestly, if you don't plan on watching tv, I would get the dv3.

 

Thanks again, yes I was planning on at least the P8600 maybe the P8700 not sure if there is a big difference there or not.

 

133 MHz for $75 is not a smart buy, IMO.

You wouldn't notice the difference. Heck you would barely notice the difference in benchmarks, let alone in real life.

The DV4 has a few advantages over the DV3: the ability to put in a second hard drive, the tuner, and expansion port 3.

You could say the DV3 is the newer tech part, it's eventually what the DV4 will evolve into with the backlit keyboard and the LED/Infinity display. Also, the DV3 has better cooling.

It's smaller, it's slicker, and just as powerful...

If the DV3 had expansion port 3, I wouldn't even think twice about the DV4 for me personally...

 

I was actually debating overmyself on wether to get one of the two.
Sp DV3 is better than DV4?

 

Thank you for a couple more things to consider between the two. Im leaning more toward dv3t now

 

I went and saw the Best Buy version for a brief moment. Will have to go back later when I have time. I noticed that the lid on dv3t flexes a lot with little pressure. This seems like a problem since I would be carrying it in a sleeve in my backpack with books. Other than that I did not get to much of anything with it. They had it in some weird best buy color, so I didn't get to see the black or white. The back lite keyboard was nice on it.

I have never had a laptop before, so if I wanted to an external larger screen... Does it run off the keyboard from laptop. Or do you get another keyboard and mouse to from it? I am planning on getting wireless mouse since the pad felt tough to push finger, could be because my hands weren't completely dry.

Some more questions before I return to play with it and buy one form HP

How is the keyboard? Quite when typing, any flex?

The screen on there's is 1280 x 800 I think, the one from HP is different, correct?

Is HP sending them out with the back lite keyboard? There is no option...

What is the expansion 3 slot I saw on the dv4t next to the dv3t I was looking at do?

I will think of more in a few, kind of in a rush to get back out the door.

 

Yes, all you're doing is using a different screen, that's all. You can still use the keyboard/touchpad as you would normally.

I haven't read any complaints about the keyboard...

Screen is 1366x768 if I am not mistaken.
There is an option for a backlit keyboard if you choose the Espresso Black color configuration.

Expansion Port 3 is used to connect to the HP Quickdock.

 

I'm facing the same choice: dv3t vs dv4t..
so is dv3t better laptop if you don't need expansion 3 slot and tv tuner?

 

ya... basically.

oh and if you also don't want to be able to pop in a hard drive into the drive bay.

although man, I would bet money the HD drive tray you use for the DV4 would fit properly into the DV3. only issue that bugs me is that latch or whatever in the DV4....

but ya, besides that, the DV3 is probably the better piece, it's definitely the newer part. you are losing some screen real estate though...