Keep HP DV6700t or wait for DV5t?

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, but I wished I found this forum earlier!! Or else I wouldn't be asking this question now.

A little background information. I've been using an IBM T40 for 5 years now, great laptop, but recently it heats up easily even under light-load, like web-surfing. I wasn't really looking to buy a laptop anytime soon, until I saw the $500 off coupon last week the HP laptops. I went to Best Buy to check out the laptop, pulled the plug, and ordered a DV6700t, with the following spec:

- HP Pavilion dv6700t Entertainment CTO NB
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40GHz)
- 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
- HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Microphone + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
- Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
- HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

After the coupon, the total was $918 before taxes. $999.69 after tax.

I thought it was a great deal. Shortly after that, I came across this website, and saw the upcoming DV5t. I'm very tempted to get the dv5t because:

1. Option for higher resolution screen
2. Option for better graphic card
3. Montevina

My laptop is arriving around July 4th, and I have 21 days to check it out. I priced out a DV5z laptop with similar spec, well except for the PUMA processor, HD3450 gfx, and higher resolution screen. It came out to be $1230 before tax. So about $300 difference. I'd expect a similarly equipped DV5t to cost no more than $1400.

I think last year there was a back-to-school 20% or 30% off coupon around September, assuming the same coupon is available this year, it may bring the cost of the dv5t below $1000. Btw, my budget is $1100 before tax.

Now the big question, should I take the chance, return the dv6700t, and wait for the dv5t, or should I keep the dv6700t? I know it maybe too early to ask as I haven't received the dv6700t yet, but I'd like to hear what everyone thinks. I use my laptop mainly to surf the web, download anime, and watch videos. I also like the ability to play games with decent graphic quality.

The new Dell Studio 15 looks attractive too, but I think HP makes better quality laptop, and I priced out a Dell Studio 15 and it's over my budget...

One interesting note was that, a similarly equipped DV6700se (ceramic white) was $5 cheaper than the DV6700t. I almost pulled the plug on the white one, but I like the black imprint better.

Thank you all!

 

If I were you I would wait, unless you didn't want to spend more on the laptop. The new line is going to have better resolutions, a heck of a lot better video card, and to me it would just be worth it to wait.

If you need the laptop now though and need to watch your money, but the current line because there will be a lot of sales not because the new line is coming out and they need to get rid of the old line.

 

It depends on several factors.

First of all, how much is your budget? The DV5t with Montevina platform should be more expensive than the current DV6700t when it's launched next month. I read a review on http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/hp-pavilion-dv5t-entertainment-notebook-pc.aspx about the new DV5t with Montevina, higher resolution screen, new nVidia GPU, eSATA port etc. It would cost around $1500. I'm glad that I could get the DV6700t at about $860 after tax. It's not the best-performing laptop out there, but it's way more than what I need.

How soon do you need a laptop? I was in the same shoes last month, wondering if I should wait for the new DV5t. But I need to have a laptop in June. So I couldn't wait for it. Another reason is that there was a delay in the Montevina launch. Else I would have grabbed a laptop with Montevina.

To me, the main selling point of the new DV5t is the higher resolution screen. But the DV6700t is not bad at all and runs great. IMHO, it's currently the best-looking laptop on the market. I think it even beats the DV5t.

 

Thanks Envision and tangch for the responses.

My budget is $1100 before taxes, so about $1200 if I purchase from online retailers outside of WA state. On Newegg there's an ASUS M51 for about $1200, same processor, better graphic card, 4GB of ram. But same resolution screen, and I don't like to design as much.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220308

My hope is that HP will offer a back-to-school coupon sometime in September so hopefully that will drop the dv5t below $1100. How likely do you guys think that will happen?

I'm not in need of a laptop right now, so I can wait until September. I just got a shipping notice from HP... how long does it usually take to ship the laptop from China to here?

 

Usually 3-5 business days for shipping.

 

They might offer rebate coupons again. From my observation, the lowest price you can get from HP is from Jan through March. Yes, shipping is between 3 to 5 days.

 

I would wait if I were you.

I as well have a new dv6700t CTO notebook. I too download a lot of anime, movies, music, but also need to have good battery power. The dv6700t is working for me in all these areas and I'm very pleased.

The new notebooks that will come out may be better than the dv6700's, but they will be EXTREMELY expensive. It's probably best just to stick with the dv6700 and upgrade in 1-2 years or whatever, esp. since you are on a budget.

 

Thanks tangch and QuietDido. Does your DV6700t has a hdmi port? When I configured the laptop, it didn't say it has a hdmi port, so I was a little concerned because it's a must-have for me.

 

If you chose the nVidia 8400M GS, you will definitely have the HDMI port. Mine has one.

 

Thanks! I certainly hope so!