Newbie to notebooks: Opinions on dv9500t config

I've posted before, but I'm much closer to making a purchase, after some extensive research. I'm considering the HP dv9500t series . Note: I'm not a gamer (so I don't need the BEST gpu) but I do want a "budget" notebook that will have fairly recent technology. I'll be performing basic work processing, internet browsing, and various multimedia applications. Here is my FAQ: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=132703
Here are the specs for the config:

HP dv9500t:
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
PROCESSOR: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/4MB L2Cache)
DISPLAY: 17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
MEMORY: 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
VIDEO CARD: 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
WIRELESS NETWORKING: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
HARD DRIVE: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
OPTICAL DRIVE: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
BATTERY OPTIONS: High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
OTHER: HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader +Webcam

Final Price: $1,296.65 (w/ free shipping)

This comes as fully discounted as I could possibly come up with. What are your thoughts on the config, as well as the pricing for the system? Any thoughts/opinions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much in advance!

 

I would increase the screen resolution. The extra real estate is nice. However it does make things a bit smaller. Just something to consider.

 

If you don't mind the slight extra weight, but want more battery power, you can upgrade to a more powerful battery.

 

Get the higher resolution 1680x1050 screen. It's only like $50 or something and well worth the upgrade. You can always increase your font sizes, icon sizes, etc. if you find them too small. Screen resolution is like RAM or HDD space - you can never have too much!

Depending on what you're doing with it, you might consider the 7200 rpm hard drives (2x 100GB). A little less capacity, but they are faster drives and if you're using Vista (puke) you'll need it. You can always get a nice big FireWire external drive if you need additional space.

I'm a little confused since you said you're looking for a 'budget' notebook and then you reference the top-of-the-line model, the dv9500t. What are your goals here?

 

I didn't realize there was a larger battery option available. What is offered and what is the cost?

"Budget" is all relative. All I meant was in comparison to some other brands, where we've got people paying upwards of $3,000. My budget won't permit that kind of spending, so I wanted to make sure the suggestions wouldn't go too far overboard.

 

Can I get a bump on the subject?

 

My mistake, I assumed because my DV6500T offered the 12 Cell battery that the DV9500T would as well. I would recommend you to upgrade your resolution and hard drive. That's seem to have covered all the hardware you will be able to upgrade.

 

if you don't play games on the system, then downgrade from the 8600 to the 8400. That will save you a few dollars. As I said increased screen resolution is nice, the high capacity battery will add around 30-45 minutes longer, and having 2GB of ram for vista is very good.

 

More like the 2GB of RAM is NECESSARY.

 

If you decide on the 8400m instead of the 8600m, and you select only a single hard drive instead of two, and the lower 1440x900 screen - why are you even looking at the 9500??

Get the dv6500 instead. The 2nd hard drive option, 8600m, and high-res 1680x1050 screen are the ONLY three things that set the 9500 apart from the 6500.

 

You mean other than the fact that the 9500 is a 17" screen? That's what I'm specifically looking for. And my specs listed the 8600m, not the 8400m. I'm not a gamer, but I do a lot of CAD/3D Modeling that I need a dedicated GPU for. While I'm upgrading to the 8400m for $75, I may as well spend an extra $25 for the 8600m.

 

I agree. The video card upgrade does not cost that much money, so I definitely recommend going with that. As for the hard drive and resolution, it's not as big as a deal to me, but if you want it, go for it.

 

Glad to hear you're going with the 8600m. For CAD, 3D modeling, or any visually demanding tasks, I would recommend an external monitor. I'm using the hp w2007 monitor. It has the same 1680x1050 resolution as my dv9500t, but it's a larger 20" size, it's brighter, has better contrast, and is just easier and more pleasing to look at. I don't know how much travelling you plan to do with your notebook, but if it just sits on your desk all day like mine does, go for the external monitor (and kbd and mouse), your eyes (and hands!) will thank you!

 

I do most of this 3D modeling at school and at work, but I need my laptop to be capable of handling the software as well. It's not like it's the exclusive computer I'll be working with, I just can't be carting around a monitor, that's why I need a notebook! Why would I purchase a 17" notebook so I could simply hook it up to an external monitor? I would just purchase a desktop instead.

I think you're missing the point of my question - I don't need to know HOW you would perform my tasks. I simply wanted to know if the notebook config sounded like a decent system that was priced well.

 

I think you're missing the point of my answer. It is not possible to say whether a given hardware config is 'decent' without knowing how you intend to use it. Since you never told us that, I told you how I'm using mine. If you want a more specific answer, ask a more specific question next time.

 

The next time you reply to a thread, don't just jump in halfway but read the original post. I cleary stated my intended use and asked how the config would function and if it was priced adequately.

 

You're still responding? What are you looking for a refund or something? You solicit free advice and then you complain about it. I did read the original post and it was as clear as mud. If you somehow conveyed your intended use in there somewhere, you NEED to be in school. Here's a tip: Take a few 'communications' courses.

 

I never complained, I simply said I think you were missing the point of my question. I'm allowed to say that, since I made the original post. It wasn't to bring you down, but I react when you begin making negative remarks aimed at me. And PLEASE tell me how this statement does not convey my intended use: "I'll be performing basic word processing, internet browsing, and various multimedia applications," not to mention I included the FAQ list. Believe me, the next time you go to grad school for an engineering degree, you can tell me that I need to be in school. Until then, I'll accept my own level of intelligence.

 

Dajoip, I honestly don't believe Lupin is trying to tell you how to do your job, but instead offering his perspectives on how he uses his DV9500T in relation to his daily tasks. There are far less intellectual people offering their "opinions" on this board who we can turn our "educating" to.

 

If you're doing CAD then you're probably better off with the 8710w which is pretty comparable to the dv9500t but the graphics cards are a workstation class and tuned for CAD/CAM/3D modeling instead of 3D gaming.