Questions/advice on dv9700t

Within the next 7-10 days I plan on getting me a brand new dv9700t. This will be my first laptop purchase ever and I had some questions and wanted to get a little advice from experts, like you guys.

Here is what I plan on getting:

Components

* • Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* • 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
* • 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 50% OFF 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS!!
* • FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone!!
* • Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
* • 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
* • 50% OFF HD DVD ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer!!
* • No TV Tuner w/remote control
* • High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


1) I am wondering if I need to have the HD-DVD drive in order to get the HDMI cable? I tried emailing HP and the email was a little confusing (don't think English is her friend) and it seems like I do need it for the 8600M GS card. This is what they said However, if you select 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS along with High-Definition DVD optical drive, you will get built in HDMI port.
So it looks like I do need it.

2) I am planning to get the following ram from Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231132
This should work for this laptop correct?

3) Is the 1680x1050 screen worth it? I have this resolution on my current 20" monitor for my desktop but I'm wondering if this resolution would make things too small for the 17" screen.

I plan on using my laptop for school, light gaming, and for movies on my HDTV. Any advice or suggestions would be great. And thanks in advance.

 

1. HDMI comes with dedicated graphics. HDDVD drive has nothing to do with it.
2. Yes, but it already comes with 2 GB.
3. Purely opinion.

 

I think the extra screen real estate would be worth it, especially for watching HD-DVD movies. The 1440x900 is good, but I would definately go for the 1680x1080 as it doesn't make everything that small. I saw a friend of mines have it on his machine and in my opinion it looked pretty nice. Would be useful if getting the HD-DVD player on it. Plus with the way things are going between the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD and Warner Bros going to Blu-Ray, look for HD-DVD movies to go on the cheap side. I'm hoping for $10 HD-DVD movies!!! Hoping...

 

1) I have received 2 dv9500's (both as replacement units for damage by HP). Both times I was not given an HDMI cable, then again I didnt have the HDDVD option.
I have never heard about HP giving out HDMI cables.

2) you do not need this. The machine comes default with two RAM slots, and your RAM option (2GB 2DIMM) will be occupying them both. This purchase at newegg is worth nothing to you considering it is the exact same RAM you will have in the unit.

What you need to look for, assuming you want to upgrade the RAM to more than 2GB, is 2GB DIMM's, not 1GB.

3) See my post with screenshots here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2824307#post2824307

If you are not getting the UltraBrightview WXGA screen, then you might as well upgrade to the WSXGA+ screen since the default WXGA screen and the WSXGA+ screen will be the same brightness. But if you are looking to get the UltraBrightview WXGA screen, you have to determine if you want more screen space or a better looking screen.
I have had both the WSXGA+ and UltraBrightview WXGA screens next to one another. There is a ridiculous difference between the two. The UBV WXGA screen is like 2.5x as bright as the WSXGA+ screen, and the colors are more vibrant.

Though, if you use the standard WXGA or WSXGA+ screens for prolonged periods of time, you would never know better anyway.

 

Okay, some great info here. Thanks guys. So the laptop only comes with 2 dim slots then. That's good to know. I'd like to get 4GB if I go with Ultimate 64bit.

Tokar, if I read what you typed correctly then the ultrabright doesn't come in the bigger resolution. Does the default screen still pretty good at the higher resolution? Thanks for the link to your other posts.

 

You can find 4GB of RAM on newegg for around $100. Just make sure you only buy the 667Mhz (PC5300 and PC5400), because that is the max speed that the laptop supports.

I've owned two HP laptops with the regular Brightview and the higher resolution and it still looks great. HP has one of the best screens I've seen on laptops, you won't be disappointed. The only thing that UltraBrightview does is add an extra lamp behind the screen to make it brighter. Yes it will look a lot brighter, but it will also suck up more battery and you will have the lower resolution, so at least in my opinion its not worth it.

 

More good info.
So Envision, you are saying that even though the Intel CPU has 800Mhz FSB this laptop only supports up to 667Mhz? If that's is so then this ram should work right? ---->> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144066

Also, it looks like I just may go with the higher resolution if what you say is correct (I know it's opinion, but I'll take your word on it )
I think this weekend I'll go to some local stores and look at the HPs to check the quality of the screen.

One other question, does HDMI output also carry the sound, or just the video? Thanks for the help.

 

Even though the CPU bus speed is 800MHZ, the bus speed of the RAM is only 667Mhz (which is really stupid on HP's part). Even if you purchase the 800Mhz it will only run at 667Mhz. HDMI carried video and sound all in one.

The RAM you listed there will work great with your laptop. I still can't believe how overpriced HP is on their 4GB of RAM!

 

Nice point confirmed, Thanks.
But what if it got anything to do with tweaks like over-clocking....

 

The only thing you will be able to overclock on this laptop is the video card. They put a limited BIOS on the laptop and restrict all overclocking for the CPU and RAM. With a program such as Rivatuner you will be able to overclock and mess around with your video card.

One other thing you still can do with the CPU though is undervolting. Undervolting means you are reducing the voltage your CPU uses, which in turn will decrease the CPU's heat output. By keeping the processor at low temps under full load you will not only increase the longevity of the CPU, but ensure that it is in fact running at full speed (CPU's will decrease their speed when they get too hot as a safety factor so they don't burn out). I will lookup the program I used on the dv9500t when I had it, but you can also lookup in the forums here how to undervolt as well.

 

Thanks pal,
What's the flip side of undervolting. OK I will google also..

 

I would search around this entire forum for undervolting, it's how I learned about it and was able to undervolt my old dv9500t.

There isn't really a flip side to it, even if you undervolt too much its only software you are using to undervolt so a reboot fixes the problem (just make sure you don't set it to load the configurations until you are done with the voltage settings). But basically there are programs that run stress tests on the components and will notify you when there is an error. So basically it is trial and error until you get the right configuration. You set a volt, then test with the stress test program and so on. After I figured out the best voltages for my CPU the temperature came down about 5-10 degrees celsius and I noticed a difference when playing games.

 

Is it really limited to 667Mhz? If you look at Crucial's website, it says we can use the 800Mhz but I'm guessing it'll downclock to 667Mhz? Oh well, I think I'll go with the 800Mhz one anyway.

I'm getting my dv6700t with 2.2Ghz T7500 with the PM965 Motherboard with 256mb 8400m GS. I saw a 4gb kit for $85 running at 800mhz from neweggs website by the manufacturer iPaq and got good reviews. I might as well get that since a lot of the 667mhz versions run at the same price.


*Confirmed from Intel's website: http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/pm965/index.htm
*On the box-chart on the left, it says 667Mhz. Sucks!

 

You can purchase the 800Mhz RAM, but it will only run at the 667Mhz speed.

Also, you aren't getting the 9700 anymore?

 

I'm still planning on getting the 9700, sendmarksmail is getting the 6700. I saw on laptopvideo2go that they have all the info on using Nvidia's drivers so I'll probably do that as well as under volt the CPU as well. I saw a great write up in another thread on this site.
I'm thinking I might forgo the HD-DVD as I won't be using it that much anyway but will get the higher resolution screen if everything looks good when I check them out in the stores this weekend.

 

alienfog, I also got the HD-DVD and a higher resolution screen, most likely a 24" LCD with 1920x1200 reso. A lot of panels are coming out with HDMI inputs which would work out really well.

You might as well get the HD-DVD as it's only 75 bucks more. I also think you should get the 1680x1080 resolution option. It would be much worth it then that brightview option. You should be able to watch HD-DVDs quite decently on that resolution. Almost 1080p but a bit better than 720p.

Are you going to be using that 400 off coupon with purchases above $1199+? It's NB9400.

Are you getting bluetooth? Worth the 25 bucks. There's no external dongle to deal with if you ever want bluetooth. Just buy a bluetooth mouse and bluetooth whatever, and you're set.

 

Before I purchased the DV9500t I went to BestBuy to check out the screen resolutions and all they had was the lower one (I think its the 1440x something). I hope you are able to find one with the higher resolution though so you can see if you like it.

 

I wish HP offered that resolution 1440x900 on their dv6700t instead of the 1280x800. Apple does it standard on their Macbook Pros which are also 15.4" and also Dell. That would be a good idea for their dv6800 series I guess.

I also tried to look at BestBuy, I was thinking of adding a 17" incher for multimedia purposes. The dv6700t is for school. They only have the standard reso.

Goodluck deciding alienfog. But for me personally, I'm gonna go for the 1680x1080 for sure.

 

well i have the dv9500t which is pretty much the same as the dv9700t, you dont need the hddvd drive to get the hdmi port. also you might want to get the blue-ray drive just because it looks like hddvd is going to lose, also the ram you linked is just 2 sticks of 1gb, you will need 2 sticks of 2gb, the dv comes with 2x 1gb sticks...

i have the 1440x900 and for me it works great, if you want the higher res it should be fine the text wont be to small...

 

Hello bustanut456, I have learned that the 9700t only has two dimm slots so I'll be getting the appropriate RAM for 4GB. I am trying to keep the price around $1400, adding that Blu-Ray would push the price near $1500. I'm not jumping on the HD-DVD or Blu-Ray bandwagon anytime soon. So I'm not sure which way I'll go just yet. And it does seem like HD-DVD is losing a lot of support lately. Oh well, that's a discussion for another day.
I'll be going to a couple of the big box stores not only to find the higer resolution screens but the regular screens as well so that I'm assured that they look good. The last time I looked they seemed pretty nice.

Is Ultimate 64bit worth it? I know that's kind of an open ended question based on just opinion. But there are some extra things in Vista Ultimate that aren't included in the premium version. I'm just worried my apps won't work with it. I use mainly Photoshop CS, Outlook, MS Office, Nero, etc. so I'm thinking I should be alright. Anyone have this OS want to give some pros and cons that would be great. Thanks for all the help.

 

well i don't have vista ultimated, but i have vista premium. i think the biggest different is better security, i have 32 bit thought and that supports more programs. personally i like vista a lot, it runs photoshop cs3, nero, all that fun stuff smoothly.

 

alienforg, I had Windows Vista Ultimate Edition x64 on my AMD notebook with 4gb of RAM. I have to say that it runs really well and is compatible with 32-bit applications. If you plan on installing 4gb, then it's a no brainer on getting the x64 bit edition. Just make sure you do a clean install after making the system restore disk. The drivers for you system should be on HPs website. They have x64 drivers.

Also, with HD-DVD seemingly on the brink of defeat (maybe, maybe not), maybe you should just hold off on getting a stand alone player. I'm sure they are going to get cheap real soon.

I got the HD-DVD option because with most of Hollywood shifting towards Blu-Ray, I'm hoping and thinking that HD-DVD movies will go on the cheap price side soon. Then I can just grab all the movies I can. I'm planning on buying a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo player as soon as they start coming out @ the right price.

Anyway, in my humble opinion, get the Ultimate x64 if you're getting 4gb on it.

 

Well, I went to a couple of stores today and of course they didn't have any higher resolution screens. And I only found 2 HP notebooks that were 14" screens. Best Buy of all places had NO HP laptops. I guess Dell is making them take them out. I've decided to go with the Ultimate 64bit. I checked software compatibility with what I use and it seems okay.
I also think I'll get the higher resolution screen as well. Does Vista have options to make the font and icons bigger if I need to? I know they are there in XP, but what about Vista?

 

You can change font dpi and icon sizes in Vista. You can size the icons by right clicking on the desktop, clicking view -> large/medium/classic

You can change the font dpi by right clicking the desktop, then click "Adjust font size" in the left hand pane.

J

 

Just a quick update here. I have placed my order. I went with the higher resolution screen and Ultimate 64 bit and NO HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. I wanted to keep the price down. I did however go for the upgrade to Bluetooth. Thanks for all the help guys. I'll let you know how it goes once I get it.