Inbetween configs: ZM-80 vs. T9400 vs. P8600

I'm trying to figure out what config and what model to go with on the dv5 series. both systems im looking at i put the brightview infinity, wireless n, integrated graphics, etc. so the following are the end prices and the differences between.

i dont game on laptops, value heat, battery life, noise (things my current amd 1.6ghz Compaq v6000 lacks dearly) and most of all snappiness when multitasking. i dont use much intensive programs but do on occasion use dreamweaver, cs3, etc. and would like when i use as much as possible at once to maintain as much responsiveness as possible.

whats better for me:

dv5t with/
T9400 (2.53 GHz)
bluetooth (i never use it), fingerprint reader, 250gb hdd
$903 after $400 coupon

or
dv5z with/
ZM-80 (2.1ghz) puma
(minus bluetooth, fingerprint reader, and 110gb of hdd)
$813.99 (772 if the 5% coupon works)

so about 100 bux more will get me a lot more it seems...

i cant seem to get a P8600 config together that prices up to 1300 to get the coupon without picking things that are useless (though if its the best of the bunch here for my needs, i might find a way to get the price up), is the T9500 a noticeable amount hotter running than either P8600 or the AMD above?

 

The DV5Z will be more than enough to suit your needs.

 

in general tasks you won't notice a difference between the ZM-80 and the T9400 except in terms of the thickness of you wallet. lol.

 

I love wallets, can I have yours?

 

well for the extra 100 for fingerprint, lots more harddrive, blue tooth....and faster, cooler, more battery efficient P8600....worth it right?

 

If you're willing to spend another 100 bucks, then go for it!

You should theoretically have better battery life and enjoy more space to download a lot more software!

 

The integrated graphics processor (IGP) in the dv5z is far superior to the one in the dv5t. Actually, benchmark testing results show that the ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3200 IGP in the dv5z is a better performer than even the $100 upgrade discrete graphics processor (256mb nVIDIA 9200M GS) in the dv5t.

If you haven't read the review of the dv5z in the 'Notebook Reviews' section, it's definitely worth a few minutes to do so.

Review link- http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4486

 

Here's a link about the 9200m GS. Near the bottom it has a benchmark result with the ATI HD 3200. The ATI is somewhat better.

However, the Intel processors are the better performers. AMD Puma is 65nm versus the 45nm of Intel.

It really just depends on your preference. The DV5Z will be more than enough to get your tasks done.

 

will the dv5z be more than enough though? like lets say i have WMP, dreamweaver, firefox, and a bunch of other things running....am i going to hit some huge walls of slowdown? will the AMD system start to feel real slow in a year / how much millage will I get before i start to feel i have some dated hardware. I'm the type to keep buying newer stuff....

now that ive dumbed down the DV5Z config (took out non essentials to get the price down...) its more like a difference of $300 between the Z and a decked out T series....

im siding with going with the cheaper option now....i mean, the more i think about it the only real uses i have for my laptop are school, internet, streaming movies off of my desktop (is the wireless on the 5t better?) and watching ****.

i dont NEED a great intel cpu but if its going to give me some notable battery life, responsiveness, and cause less heat then it might be worth it for the long run but if theres no real-world difference for my uses then....well you guys get the point

help plz oh god i cant decide

 

There are three primary components that contribute to overall system performance- CPU, GPU (graphics) and RAM (memory). Rather than focusing on a CPU's clock speed (2.1GHz, etc.), the key is to choose each of the three with enough power so they will deliver BALANCED performance working together in your new system. I'd rather have a 1.8GHz CPU with a 256mb discrete GPU and 3GB of RAM instead of a 2.5GHz processor, integrated graphics (excluding the newest ATI IGP mentioned earlier) and 1GB of RAM.

The 2.1GHz AMD Turion X2 Ultra paired with the ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3200 will provide very good performance for almost any non-gaming usage. To ensure the best multi-tasking performance and avoid system slow-downs when you have several applications running, RAM is the key! That is true whether it's an AMD- or Intel-based system. The minimum amount of RAM needed to smoothly run Windows Vista Home Premium is 2GB.

Since 2GB is standard (free upgrade from 1GB), I'd order the system configured so. An upgrade of 4GB in the future (upon receiving your new system or at any point down the road) could only help boost multi-tasking performance. DO NOT order the notebook with 4GB unless you want to spend an extra $150 for it! Instead, order a 4GB DDR2 RAM kit from Newegg.com and install it yourself- right now, they have brand name 4GB kits for as little as $52!!!

Take a look at the brief article linked below. It explains the primary features that are unique to the Turion X2 Ultra processors and how these new features work to reduce power consumption and heat....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin_(processor)

 

well yeah my intel system had a 4gb order on it. the difference between the systems was 150 last checked, but the intel one had 100gb more HDD (and twice as much ram) on top of the intel being better (and more battery efficient). im forced to get 4gb to meet the coupon criteria....(otherwise im short 40 of the mark)

right now the systems are as follows:
intel 2.4
4gb ram, 250gb hdd
$975

amd 2.1
2gb ram, 160gb hdd
$825

assume i upgrade for $50 like you said that leaves me at a $100 difference between the systems with it all coming down to the performance of the video and cpu

this being the case, is the intel setup worth that 100 in terms of performance? im just not seeing any head to head comparisons to go by

 

If you don't have Vista Ultimate as an option then it won't recognize four gigabytes of RAM in the system.

Just upgrade the warranty if that will allow the coupon to go through, otherwise grab the TV Tuner.

 

i have my own copy of ultimate 64, so thats no issue

warrany i cant do, and tv tuner would never get used.

....will the 9200M GS kill my battery / cause heat if not using anything that needs it?

 

Any discrete GPU (9200M GS included) will drain battery faster than an IGP. I'm not sure if there are any settings that allow you to modify GPU performance to maximize batter life. Heat shouldn't be an issue because the 9200M GS is an entry level GPU and should run cool most of the time unless you're doing something 3D-intensive.

 

Not to put any more stress on your decision making process, but you probably want to place your order as quickly as possible. The $400 coupon can expire any time (2700 uses for the current NB6997). I've missed out on it before because I was debating on a few configuration options....and it was $500 off a $1299+ system. Still makes me sick to think about it- I don't want you to miss out if you plan to use it!!!!

One more thing- are you interested in MS Office 2007 at all? If so, HP has the Home & Student Edition (Word. Excel and Power Point 2007) for $49 which is $100 off regular price. If you can use it or think you'll need it in the future, this is the cheapest you'll ever find it and it combines with the notebook total price to hit the magic $1299 mark! Just FYI.

BATTERY- are you planning to get the standard 6-cell battery or upgrade for $29 to the "High Capacity"? Since battery life is a concern for you, it's well worth the $29!

Good luck....and let us know when and what you order!

 

yeah i got the hi-cap battery in there

already have office...

 

No, if you don't have 64-bit Vista it won't recognize all 4GBs of RAM. HP used to make you select Ultimate in order to get 64-bit but now they offer 64-bit Home Premium which is what I usually recommend (and clean installed on my 4GB dv9000z).