New "Wife" - Compaq V6500z - !!!

1. Overview and Introduction:
I’ve been looking around for a portable laptop (<5 lbs) with at least 3.5+ hrs of battery life. There are a few models out there that I considered:
• IBM T61
• IBM X61
• V6500z
• HP “VB” (I don’t remember the model number. This is the code name when it’s under developed).
Reasons why I don’t choose IBM:
• More expensive (even if I used SPP or EPP).
• Driver issues (been reading lots of troubles about driver/BOSD about the X series).
I ended up with this Compaq V6500z. I’ve done a little reasearch about the AMD processor used in this model and I think it’s at least as good (or even better) the Intel CPU. It consumes the same level of power (31-35W), has less L2 cache, but BIGGER L1 cache.

2. Where and How Purchased:
I ordered it through the phone and here is the spec:
* AMD X2 “Tyler” 65nm. TL-58 1.9Ghz 1MB L2 31 W
* 15.4' WXGA Widescreen (1280x800, glossy)
* NVidia GeForce Go 7150 (borrows 128Gb RAM)
* 2024 MB DDR2 RAM (2 Dimm)
* 80 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
* DVD and CD-RW combo drive
* 802.11b/g wireless
* 12 cell battery
* Vista Home Basic
* Standard finish (no swirl imprint)
o 2 USB 2.0 ports
o 1 VGA output
o 1 S-Video output
o 1 Lock slot
o 1 Modem/Phone port
o 1 Network/Ethernet port
o 1 Expansion card slot
Total (including Tax and Shipping) is $700.xx. It got to my door within 2 weeks and man.

4 Build & Design:
Another thing I forgot to mention is that I work in HP lab and I have literally played with almost all HP (business line) laptops + a few HP+Compaq commercial laptops (including this V6500). The look+build+cheap is the biggest reason for me to pick this laptop.
The whole case is made out of plastic, shiny glossy plastic w/ imprint texture (even though it is not as good looking as the HP Verse). However, the plastic is very sturdy with minimum flex when I try to press very very hard.
The 12-cell battery raises it up, which I think is an advantage. It helps increase air flow, hence reduces the heat (and it’s true. Comparing to the 6-cell model I had played in the lab, mine is a lot cooler).

5. Screen:
The screen is 1280x800 and glossy. It, unfortunately, has 1 dead pixel in the bottom corner. I wish HP/Compaq had offered higher resolution, but I think I can live w/ this.

7. Processor and Performance:
The CPU is very very fast. Upgrading from a Pentium M to this X2 is a big jump in performance to me. I playsimulation games like Football Manager, CM, Civilization, etc. and I can see the difference in performance b/w this CPU and Pen. M. I usually had to wait 30 sec to 1 min everytime I “end my turn” in the game (and the computer will calculate its moves … lots of calculation going on here) but now I don’t have to wait anymore. It takes less than 10 sec for the computer to calculate its move  
I don’t usually measure booting time, but I do see that the time waiting to boot is fast and acceptable. If you want, I can try to measure it one day.

8. Heat and Noice / Battery:
It’s a 65nm CPU and so the heat is vey low comparing to the other X2 90nm I have used in the lab. Even when I play w/ 100% power, it doesn’t get hot at all. The 12-cell battery does help increase airflow to the CPU by lifting the laptop a little bit. W/ this 12-cell, I can get 3.5+ hrs w/ max. screen brightness, Wifi on, HDD constantly running (installing and removing bloatwares). Under normal use, I can get about 4.5+ hrs (brightness ½, wifi on). Draining the battery completely is a pain in the bxtt but I’ll try to do it one day to see how long it can be.
This is not a review. It’s just my experience w/ this new lappy. I’ll post pix later once I have a chance. Discussion about this v6500z is welcome in this thread. I’ll post my experience when installing Ubuntu linux on this one later.
Peace,
Luxuguy