Help me understand and decide: HP Envy 15, HP dm4t, HP dv5

I'm trying to find a cross between a desktop replacement (for its power) and an ultraportable (for its weight--I would love to keep my new computer to 4 pounds or less, but figure 5 pounds shouldn't be too bad).

I would love something that can crunch databases with millions of records and manipulate radiology datasets. I currently do this on a desktop with 2.8 mHz processor, 8 G RAM, not sure about much else. However, I'm moving around quite a bit more lately and can't be tied to a desktop. I currently have an Acer Aspire netbook at home and it is woefully inadequate in terms of power and screen size, but so nice and light. I need something that can go with me on airplane trips, back and forth between home and work, and between different departments at work.

I am looking for a 14-15 inch screen, matte finish, lots of power and lots of space (individual data sets can be about 1GB each and I work with many at a time). I plan on adding RAM on my own (if it's cheaper), and can either buy a bigger HDD upfront or get a laptop with a smaller one and replace it. I'm looking to spend around $1500 (US) in total.

1. I don't know how to compare the HP envy's quad core processor at 1.6-1.8 GHz to the dm4t's dual core processor at 2.6-2.8 GHz. I don't know if it's worth the money to max out on the processor available for whatever model I end up buying.

2. I also don't know the real-life, noticable difference between a 5400rpm and a 7200rpm HDD.

3. Is there any difference between a no name wireless card and an Intel one?

4. Also, there have been a LOT of coupons around for other HP models (dm1z, dv6t, dv7, etc.). Should I be considering one of them?

This is what I've found so far:
HP Envy 14: 5.3(?) pounds
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Quad Core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz

I could change this to:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM Quad Core processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz
+$100.00
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-840QM Quad Core processor (1.86GHz,8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz +$400.00​

• 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 DDR3 graphics [HDMI]
• 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm) - I would add another 4GB on my own
• 640GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 6.0 hours
• 14.5" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1366x768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
• Backlit Keyboard - I like the backlit keyboard, but it's not a deal-breaker not to have one.

HP dm4t: 4.4 pounds
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-560M Dual Core Processor (2.66 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz - there are 2 higher processors available here, too.
• 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 6370 DDR3 Switchable Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 640GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
• 14.0" diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)
• Standard Keyboard

I'd really appreciate it if someone could step me through this stuff. I'm rather clueless--last time I bought a real computer (not a netbook) was 6 or 7 years ago.

 

Just wait until the Envy14 is refreshed with a "Second Generation" i7 processor. Should be no more than a month, but more likely a couple of weeks. If you can't wait, go with a dv6t quad edition. (15.6" screen)

 

Gotta agree with one33_bpm...

If you can wait - wait for the Envy 14 Sandybridge, it has a fantastic id, and it will be out with Sandybridge soon... The non sandybridge model is still a solid option... I am not quite as optimistic as One33

- From what I am hearing it could be a little while for Envy 14 sandybridge with the issues Intel had when they first launched Sandybridge I know most manufacturers are dealing with supplies constraints...

If you can't wait and you want Sandybridge... which I would recommend based on the needs you listed - I would go go with the DV6T Select Edition. It currently has Sandybridge options it is a little heavier due to the screen size (5.7 lbs) but will be much faster than the DM4t. Also if you will be hitting it with consistent High power demands the bigger DV6t will run cooler... although heat is not that big of an issue on the Sandybridge machines...

 

Just had a thought,

We are all talking about Sandybridge... you may not know what that is... If you do ignore this...

Sandybridge is Intels new processors that just came out...

You will see them reffered to as 2nd gen processors... On HPs site they will look a lot like this... there is also 2630 and 2820 you will see on some HP laptops.

2nd generation Intel(R) Dual Core(TM) i5-2410M (2.3 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
2nd generation Intel(R) Dual Core(TM) i5-2520M (2.5GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz
2nd generation Intel(R) Dual Core(TM) i5-2540M (2.6GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz
2nd generation Intel(R) Dual Core(TM) i7-2620M (2.7GHz, 4MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz


With one of these processors, a 1 gig graphics card, and 8 gigs of ram you should be set...

 

So, the ones you listed as 2nd generation are the sandy bridge processors, or are those the 2630 and 2820 ones?

Sandy bridge processors will come out in both i5 and i7 varieties? And the i7 varieties are just faster versions?

Also, do you have any opinions about the real-life differences between a 5400 rpm and a 7200 rpm hard drive?

 

All the processors listed are 2nd Gen Sandybridge processors... You are correct the i7 are just faster processors...


The QM and QE models (example 2820QM) are quad core models (have 4 cores) where the other models (example 2657m) are dual core models.

You will notice you pay a premium for the quad cores on laptops where they are available...

Here is the complete list of the i7 Processors You're mostly going to see those on the 17" laptops available right now...

Here is the list of the i5 processors

The easiest way to know what ones are 2nd gen (sandybridge) is they have four digit numbers (Ex 2620 as oppossed to 720)

As far as HDD speed you do not want a 5400 rpm drive if you are working with massive databases... they are slow, kills your seek time...

also your PC takes longer to boot up...

Now days 7200 speed drives don't cost that much more and if you are looking at a 5400 RPM drive for size just keep in mind the PC's you are looking at have an ESATA port you can run an external 7200 rpm drive for back up and large files pretty much as fast as an internal drive...


Hope that helps...

 

i have the dm4t and it is powerful little laptop and very light, which i like. I think it would fit your needs nicely but you may want to consider a quad core as others have suggested to help future proof your purchase.
Definitely get the 7200 rpm hdd. The boot time is better and the price difference is so minimal that I wouldn't even consider a 5400 rpm drive.
I got the intel wireless card because in my older laptops it always seemed like the intel cards had a bit more range on the wireless. Not sure if that still holds true though.
I wouldn't go for the all out cpu upgrade though, especially if you go quad core because it is an easy upgrade down the line and by then the prices will be much less than if you by it now. If you go core i5, I would get the one that you feel is the best bang for the buck and you can upgrade that later as well.
I wouldnt wait for the sandy bridge if you can find a good deal now but if you're in no hurry then it would be a nice upgrade.
I would definitely use coupons, (Logicbuy) has some good ones. I bought my dm4t for $814 last month which I thought was a good deal for what i got. that was with me using a $150 logicbuy hp coupon plus $150 instant hp rebate.
Oh and not sure how much battery life you want but the quad cores will have a lower battery life, mine gets between 5.5-6 hours on the battery with 50% screen brightness and doing light stuff like playing on the net etc.
Good luck and have fun choosing!

 

You must wait for Sandy Bridge IMO. They have four digit model numbers starting with 2, like 2310, 2410, 2630, etc.

The slowest Sandy Bridge quad, the i7-2630qm introduced in January for $346, is faster than the fastest prior notebook CPU, the i7-940xm, which was introduced just last June at $1149. The mobile Sandy Bridge CPUs still aren't as fast as the really fast desktop CPUs however.

Once into the Sandy Bridge quad line there isn't much more gain to be had. The $200+ difference between a 2820qm and a 2630qm raises your passmark CPU score from 6400 to 7500.

PassMark Intel vs AMD CPU Benchmarks - High End

 

I don't think that is totally correct. I have dealt with every angle with HP. In fact, this is my third HP laptop over the last 5 years. Sure HP is not really the best of the bunch, but if you do push the right buttons, everything works to your favor in the end. Trust me, I have seen many NBR users go through the same conditions that you went through, but they still managed to get what they want by going through the system correctly. I have been in your case as well, but in the end I got what I wanted from HP and I am still in the sense, satisfied with their corporate products. However, I am starting to drift away from HP for my next purchase since their consumer products are starting to lack the quality like they used to. However, in terms of support, they are still negotiable and considerate people. You just need to push the right buttons and say the right words.

 

I own 4 hp laptops, the oldest being a 6 year old hp dv1000 and the newest being my dm4t and the only thing that I've ever had to replace is the HDD. I replaced 2 HDD because they were only 40 and 60 gig so they were getting too small for my needs and one because it actually failed after 5 years of daily use.
I dropped one of them straight on the ground, picked it up and turned it on. Two others my kids spilled water into them while they were on causing them to glitch and shut down. I turned them upside down, drained the water out over night, next morning they turned on and are still working to this day.
Until I experience otherwise, I will keep buying HP.

 

Have you looked at this poll:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...hat-quality-condition-your-new-envy-14-a.html
According to the poll, 5.63% of Envy buyers rated their product as "horrendous" and 12.60% rated their product as "poor." In other words, a little over 18% of buyers voted "send it back."
I realize that this is by no means a statistical sampling of all buyers, and I suspect the percentage of people who got lemons is likely to be much lower. But even so, this is a surprisingly high percentage and it should make buyers focus more carefully on the company's track record for customer service, since you never know if you are going to be the one who gets the lemon.
I haven't seen a post-purchase customer service poll. Is there one? If so, where? All I can say is that an anecdotal inspection of the customer service comments is not a happy one.
You also need to distinguish between the quality of customer service given to corporate buyers (particularly large corporate buyers) and to stand alone consumers. The former is obviously far better than the latter.