Laptop Buying Help (DV2700TSE)

Hey guys, I'm considering buying a new laptop. My DV6113US was recently stolen. Although it did have LoJack installed, my battery was bricked (doesn't turn on unless it's plugged in) so I don't think they'd go through the trouble of buying an $80 charger to use it and even then, they'd still have to get through the PW. Tough luck, anyways ...

I've decided to go with the DV2700T Special Edition with this specific configuration

-Windows Vista Home Premium (32-Bit)
-Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1GHz 3MB L2 Cache 800MHZ
-2GB RAM
-128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
-Imprint Finish + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader + Microphone
-Intel A/G/N Wireless
-120Gb HDD
-Lightsribe 8X Double-Layer
-High Capacity 6-Cell Battery

So for my questions

1.) I plan to clean install as soon as I get it to get rid of all that preloaded crapware on there and I already have a Windows Vista Home Premium Disc. Even though I got it with my old laptop, would I still be able to use it to clean install on my new one ?

2.) I kinda want the extra battery life that the 12-cell offers (7-hours) but I don't want my laptop to be super-awkward because of that chunky battery. Does anyone have a picture (besides the one on the website) that I could possibly see to know exactly how much of an inconvenience it may be ?

3.) HP's website advertises the 6-Cell High Capacity Battery gets about 4-hours and 15 minutes of life. Can anyone verify if it really does get this much life ? The only time i'll be using my laptop off the charger is for when I'm taking notes in class, so the most i'll have open at once is Microsoft OneNote, Internet Explorer, iTunes and possibly Photoshop CS3.

4.) Do I lose more battery life with a more powerful processor ? Let's say a 2.1GHz VS. a 2.4GHz processor (Both Intel Core 2 Duo with a 3MB L2 Cache, 800MHZ)

5.) What does "Discrete Graphics" mean ?

6.) I MAY get Bluetooth just for the hell of it. I know Bluetooth is a battery KILLER, I can turn it off completely, right ? Like, i'd get the same battery life with it OFF as if it were never there, right ?

7.) I'm getting Wirless N anyways but I'm still curious. Will N's features still work with G products ? For example, N gets like "5x the range of G" right ? Even though I have a G router, my Notebook will be N, so will I still get the range of N ?

8.) Even though I'll NEVER use it, LightScribe is free. Is there any reason NOT to get it ?

9.) I remember reading in one review that there's a specific configuration of the DV2700T(SE) that only comes with 2 USB ports, instead of 3. Can anyone verify this or know what configuration this is ?

10.) I also heard that it comes with HDMI ?

11.) Anything else I should know or recommendations or personal experiences ? Pros or Cons ? Anything you've heard ?

Sorry for all the questions, any and all help is appreciated. Thank You

 

1) yes you can use any vista install disc providing you use the same licence that came with your new laptop

2) Check the dv2000 reviews, they had closeup pics of it from what i remember

3) High capacity 6 cell is around 2 hours mins - 3hours max, manufacturers always lie

4) Yes higher the clock speed the more voltage it requires to run, not really a biggie on battery life

5)discrete = dedicated card. Usually it uses a third-party card like nvidia, instead of the integrated intel gfx cards

6)Yes you can turn it off along with the wireless.. Theres a switch

7) They both need to be N's to have the N speed/range but it will still work with a G router

7) No, its pretty cool to have. I though it came standard these days..

8) laptops with Dedicated card like 8400m GS will only come in 2 USB ports because the 3rd USB port turns into the hdmi port. If its integrated gpu card then you get 3 usb ports

9) yes nvidia dedicated gpu laptops come with HDMI

10) search around the forum

 

1. yes, provided it is not just a recovery disc but an actual os install disc.
2.sry, too lazy to look it up,but i remember that one of the dv2XXXt series review units had a extended 12 cell batt, look into the review section to find it, it was done by nbr.
3. im using a 6 cell extended now and I average around 2 hours 30 min with normal use, never believe manufacture posted times. you'll prob have a slight improvement over my time since ur gonna spec with 45 nm processors.
4. don't think so, same voltage, maybe indirectly since higher clock will put out more heat, so more fan usage for cooling.
5. discrete is a dedicated graphics cards, ie, anything other than the intel x3100 or gma 950 or some ati integrated (doesn't apply to u), go with the 8400 gs if u are involved in graphics intensive tasks. dont go with it if u value battery life more, in that case, go with integrated.
6. yes
7. no
8. the one with dedicated gfx, nvidia 8400 gs replaces one of the usb ports with a hdmi port.
10. im running fine after a 7 or 8 months, no problems yet. fan noise is on the high side with the dedicated graphics, but its a nonissue.
ps. alot of this info is in the faqs and reviews of the laptop

wow flipfire, 1 min too late i guess haha.

 

3. i have a 9 cell a 1.5ghz c2d, 8600gs, 17 in srceen, two hard drives and i get 3.5 batt life so you will maybe get the same as me or moe with a 6 cell

 

Sorry for the late reply, as I mentioned before, my HP was stolen so I have limited PC access nowadays >< Haha

Anyways, thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate it.

I think I'm just gonna stick with the 6-cell Hi-Cap since the 12-cell probably isn't "7-hours" as advertised either ... Looks like one of the main battery killers here is the the 8400, yeah ? I was contemplating about NOT getting it but I do ALOT of Photoshop work so I think i'm gonna ultimately need it.

Thanks again and i'll post back if I have any more questions.

 

Let me add that I jst recieved this systm (spec in sig) a few hours ago(uburning recovery discs) and it is truly awesome!

Haven't tested battery life yet but it barely gets hot at all and is very quiet.

 

nice bro, let me know how it works out. all your likes and dislikes or anything else you think i should know, haha.

thanx

 

You dont need discrete graphics for photoshop work , photoshop is a CPU-intensive program and so it does not need GPU.

Use your money for a faster cpu.

 

Ok I've had it a day now so here are my first impressions:

It's REALLY fast after a clean install, the screen is really nice, especially the colours they are really vibrant, brightness is adequate.

It really doesn't get hot at all, when just browsing etc, cpu intensive stuff does make it quite hot but still not very hot.

I love the keyboard and the speakers are very good for integrated notebook speakers.

A couple of dislikes are the fact that the fan runs on a low speed setting all the time, even when just web browsing and the battery only lasts 2 hours with wifi and max brightness (i'm used to 3 hours with an m1330). Note that my battery is the standard 6 cell, not high capacity.

Also the 14.1" screen size is perfect in my opinion, after using a 13.3" for a while on an m1330 and finding that too small, I love the screen size.

Overall I highly recommend it, I prefer it to the m1330 I have been using for the past 5 weeks.

Hope that helps!

 

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

What I don't undersatnd is how you got the FASTEST processor, the MOST amount of RAM possible, the LARGEST hard drive, but NOT the high-cap battery lol ?!? XD

Another thing I don't get is why HP charges more for the DV2700 series than the DV6700 series ? Wouldn't a bigger laptop cost more to make ?

Oh and just thought of one more, how come only Apple's MacBook Pros and the Air are the ONLY laptops on the market that have backlit keyboards ?!?! (as far as I'm aware) Is it REALLY that hard ?! I mean, EVERY cell phone has it so why not notebooks ?!

And congratulations. I will soon be enjoying the same joys of a DV2700TSE as you in a couple of months, haha.

 

14.1 laptops are usually more expensive than 15.4 laptops.

Also, the samller the size the more heat sensitive, so not many small laptops have dsicrete Grasphics.

This is why the Dell 1330 is an amazing laptop to me , it is so small and powerful, I hope this DV2700T to be smaller , maybe as small as the Dell XPS M1330.

 

That was because here in the UK HP only sell pre-configured systems and only one configuration of the dv2700 special edition

 

I just sent my dv2700t se back due to a noisy hard drive. I am having it replaced with the exact same lappy though.

Impressions.... seems like a solid laptop for a great price. However, it's only worth it if you get a great coupon or something. Great features, etc. As far as battery life goes, I noticed 3hrs on the hi-cap doing absolutely nothing. 2hrs and change with highest brightness, wireless, and moderate use (lots of installing). The battery life was disappointing to me, then again, the Acer c300 I am retiring got 6hrs brand-new so maybe I'm just spoiled. I also own the 12-cell battery and while I dont have pictures, I can say it's not too obtrusive. It doesn't fit into the neoprene case that comes with it very well, but it sits great on a desk, give the processor more room to breath and increases your battery life up to 4-5hrs depending on usage. And it gives a great handhold when you want to carry the laptop somewhere.

 

well, another option for backlit keyboard is the thinkpad,its not really backlit but i find the thinklight to be perfectly acceptable.

 

haha, i learn something new everyday. i also play a good amount of games.

if i did buy the 8400, what other areas would i see improvements in besides gaming?

how much battery life would i gain?

and would someone like me really need a dedicated graphics card? if not, what do you recommend instead?

 

What kind of games do you play? Games like Warcraft do well even on an intergrated chip. Obviously we're not talking about games like Crysis or Bioshock or you wouldn't be getting the 8400.

I suspect that a discrete graphics would suck up some of the life off your battery, though I'm not sure by how much.

 

i dont think it does (well not nvidia) because of powermizzer. and the the clocks goes down on idle. also i believe the intregred would use more because it uses the system ram it will make the cpu idle less

 

Mostly Counter-Strike Source and I'm planning to get Orange Box when I get my laptop. But now that I look at it, I probably won't be gaming as much since I'll be in College and I have a PS3 anyways.

But yeah, would those 2 games run fine without the 8400 ?

And is it better to upgrade the CPU or the RAM ?

 

CSS will run on max gfx settings on 4xAA easily. Orangebox games should be a breeze aswell

I suggest you choose to upgrade the CPU because you cannot upgrade this later (well you can but its a pain and its not worth it). whatever you do, do NOT buy RAM from HP, they will charge you x2. Aftermarket RAM is cheap and better

 

Oh ok, that's good. So I may not end up getting the 8400 after all. Save myself $70, an extra USB port, and some battery life too.

One question, is there anything besides gaming that the 8400 would increase performance in ? Like, would DVDs look better and what not ?

And if I upgraded from a 2.1 Ghz processor to a 2.4 Ghz, how much increase in performance would I see ? Is it even worth the extra $50, for someone like me ? I'm not a hardcore PC freak but I use my PC alot for everyday stuff. IE Photoshop, Web Browsing, iTunes, Movies, etc

 

Don't forget if you drop the 8400 for integrated gfx you lose the HDMI port, which gives you digital quality video and audio in one cable when connected to a HDTV.

 

Haha, no problem for me. I don't think i'll be needing an HDTV in college. I'd rather have an extra USB port to be honest so I can have my iPod, External HDD, and Logitech VX Nano all plugged in at once, haha.

 

You might regret choosing an integrated card later down the road. As you know gfx cards cant be upgraded on a laptop. What you buy now is what your gonna be stuck with.

If you want more USB ports, get a hp quickdock. 6 extra USB ports plus a load of other ports.

 

Seeing as I don't really know AT ALL what I'd use the 8400 for besides hardcore gaming (and like you said, CS:S and Orange Box should run fine without it) I doubt i'll regret it that much, haha. And I'd sure as hell love that 3rd USB port after only having 2 on my last one.

And if I do decide I need an HDMI and dedicated graphics, there's always room to hand down the DV2700 to my little brother and upgrade to the DV3000 or whatever it's gonna be in a couple of years, haha.

Hopefully I'll still have my job at Hollister lol

 

I am also planning to buy the same model only thing is the processor will be only 1.66/2mb/667fsb(only choice available ).I am bit confused @os stuff.From all the related discussion i am pretty positive dat hp does not provide the os as dell.now this will be my first lp and I do not have a copy of vista.My qs is,If I dload vista home premium frm somewhere will I be able to use the key which will come with the lappy?(since hp says it has genuine vista installed I guess the key they will provide).If yes can u suggest some website where I can get vista for downloading?Also the quick play stuff..If I clean install,from where will I get the drivers n the quick play softwares?
Sorry if the qs sound very stupid.
Thanks
babai

 

yes you can use the same product key on your laptop
but the driver you can get from the hp website

 

any idea on where I can get a copy of vista for download..all sites I have come across allow to dload only after the purchase.

 

here : http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/08/windows-vista-free-direct-download-link/

just follow the directions as instructed

 

Thanks a lot.