I am torn...nc8430 v. nc6400

I have been lurking/learning/understanding for a while here. I love this site and there is an abundance of information here. When I started looking for a laptop, I didn't want to get into another consumer notebook. So the hunt for a business notebook started. I think I have narrowed the chioce down to a few different builds:

NC8430 ( RB554UT
NC8430 ( RB553UT
NC6400 ( RB518UT

There is a $100 rebate on all of these models so the price is less then listed on the links. My primary use for the laptops will be as I mentioned in some other threads: Surfing, Office work, some web design, lot's of photos and mp3. Gaming is something I would like the (low priority) option to do. Games that I have played in the past are like NWN, BG.

I am by no means a "gamer" so if the chances are slim that may pick it up again is it worth spending the extra $$$ for a "maybe"? Photos/Music and Surfing will be the main (99%) of the usage. So... am I crazy to think of getting the higher end nc8430 or save the ~$150 and go for the nc6400?

grazzt

 

That's a tough one indeed.

On one hand, the nc6400 offers a better battery life and more portability, but the nc8430 offers more gaming and a larger screen at the expense of a little battery life.

First thing: size does matter. I see you have an nc600 and ze5700...so you already know the screen sizes. Which one would you prefer if you're forced to choose one? What of the weight?...the nc8430 is significantly lighter than the ze/zx series of notebooks by about 3 pounds I think. The 6400 is even lighter than that...but only a pound or so lighter than the nc8430.

Both offer the same CPUs, RAM, HDD, etc...so let's skip that crap.

Gaming is the next big thing...have you tried some of the latest games? If not, I'd suggest you start looking at demos of the games (you know, the online videos that show someone playing them). It'll give you an idea of what you might like, and maybe you can come back to this thread with a few titles you're interested in. The nc8430's X1600 is about twice as powerful as the nc6400's 128MB card. That's something to think about...but like you said: you haven't gamed much. The rest of your tasks can easily be handled by either laptop.

As for the extra $150...it's also an extra pound at the benefit of a larger screen too. I can't decide what's right for your specific circumstances, but I'll tell you what happened to me:

 

What about Mobility?
The NC6400 should be more mobile since it has a 14.1 screen. But the More expensive NC8430 comes with a WSXGA+ screen that might come in handy for photos and web design.

Also i would check if the x1300 in the NC6400 is capable of running NWN and BG at an acceptable setting.

 

I've found the nc8430 to be really mobile as its the lightest 15.4" X1600 laptop I know of. I think it even beats the Mac laptop with the X1600 in terms of weight...but I'm not sure. The nc6400 should provide an even better experience.

 

I own both of these models. The nc6400 is much lighter than the nc8430. You can definitely feel the difference. It is also much more compact, hence fits nicely into a medium sized backpack. The nc6400 is the lightest 14" widescreen on the market.

Battery life wise, there isn't much difference between an nc6400 with an X1300 card and an nc8430 with a X1600. I get about 3 hours on both (slightly more on nc6400) on average use. The nc6400 has a 6-cell battery, while the nc8430 has an 8-cell, hence the compensation over the more powerful graphics card. The X1600 is more suited for gaming because the X1300 card isn't very powerful (1766 3DMark05 score vs 3700+ for the X1600). The Intel GMA950 card, will, however, give even better battery life.

The WSXGA+ screen on the nc8430 is slightly better than that on the nc6400 (WXGA+). The color reproduction is better, while the nc6400's WXGA+ is slightly grainy (you won't notice it unless you're 1" away from the screen). If you're only going for WXGA, then it doesn't matter. I should say screen real estate is very valuable.

So, I think the 2 most important things here are portability and screen. If you value portability more than a great screen, then I'd suggest the nc6400 (the nc8430 if you prefer a better screen). If you intend to play some relatively new games, then only the nc8430 will suffice. Otherwise, the nc6400 is good enough.

Does this help?

 

If you knew that you won't be gaming, then I think the 6515B is a good budget alternative, see links.
You can also get it with the latest 802.11n WLAN, which is currently not available for the Nc6400. Good to have when connecting a HDD/server to your WLAN.

6515B, also here:
Dimensions (HxWxD) 1.33 in (at front) x 13.03 in x 9.57 in 30.3 mm (at front) x 330.9 mm x 243.1 mm)
Weight Starting from 5.0 lb (2.27 kg)
Average Operating Power 12.5 W

Nc6400, also here:
Dimensions (HxWxD) 1.1 (at front) x 13.0 x 9.4 in (29.2 (at front) x 330 x 239 mm)
Weight with MultiBay II weight saver and 6-cell battery 4.6 lb (2.1 kg)
with MultiBay II DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
and 6-cell battery 5.0 lb (2.27 kg)
Average Operating Power 22 W (models with integrated graphics)
29 W (models with discrete graphics)

 

Another thing to consider with the x1600 vs IMA, saving power with the lesser video card would also (presumably) cut down on heat and noise. Chixx, can you confirm?

Beyond that, not much to add except I've found that 14" notebooks are much easier to work with on a flight than a 15.4" one. Kind of sucks when you can hardly use your lappy because the guy in front of you reclines his seat.

Ultimately though I've found 14" screens a bit to small for my taste in general and I don't fly a whole lot so for me a 15.4" screen wins.

 

That's right, you see the power consumption in my post above. The Nc8430 uses 39 W (average, not max).

 

Thanks a lot for all of the responses. I can in the end purchase either laptop. The cost is not a factor. It is the principle of the matter to justify a high end laptop. This laptop mobility will be from the kitchen table to the family room. It will be basically a desktop replacement. I have an 3 year old desktop as a backup.

Thanks again for all your help

grazzt

 

Based on that I'd pick a Nx9420. Large screen, great graphics and cooling system (two heatsinks) and low price. I wanted a Nc8430 so badly, but it was too expensive. I thought that the 17" was too big, until I saw it in a store, next to the Nc8430, Nc6400, and others. I bought the 17", I'm using it as a DTR at home, and I wouldnt change it for a smaller one...

 

Haven't thought about that. Were you concerned with the warrenty? It only appears to be 1 year. The nc8430 is 3 years

Here is the build that interested me the most. $1699 after $100 MIR "smart buy", it's $1599
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-1839153-1839212-3254503.html

 

grazzt,

Try this combo Rb554ut from;

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/HP_Compaq_Business_Notebook_nc8430/RB554UTABA/K76829/

$1458.99 after $100.00 MIR, no tax, free shipping, then add;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220078

$66.99 - $20.00 MIR = 46.99 + 1 @ 66.99 = 113.98 + Ship = 1572.97 + 4.99
= 1577.96 = $avings ( read beer money ) + you have 2Gig ta boot?

Sound okay? regards, don

 

This sounds AWESOME. This keeps me under $1500 and I can add the RAM when the wife is not looking!
Thanks a bunch for this!!!

One question: how reputable is this place. Never heard of them before?

Scotty O "grazzt"

 

I only have the ATI versions, but I believe the Intel GMA card would naturally save some battery power (about 20 minutes gain perhaps). The notebooks are not hot or noisy.

If you're using it as a desktop replacement, you can also consider the nx9420, like Mats said. However, I'd suggest getting a CarePack for that since nx models only come with 1 year pick up and return warranty. nx models also do not have a pointstick and serial port if those are important to you.

 

3 year is important especially spending this much money.