Questions on dv9500t - Need answers from owners

I thought I'd post here in addition to my thread over at the "Which Notebook" forum, because I want the direct opinion of dv9500t owners.

This is what I had in mind. I configured it with a 20% off coupon and intention to upgrade the RAM and Video Card myself.

Aside from the screen upgrade (+ 2.2GHZ processor) it totals to $1,155 with coupon. Figuring RAM + video card upgrades + XP CD = 1594 w/o tax. Even upgrading to 2.4GHZ (by HP) it still is well under my budget range.

HP dv9500t
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) If budget allows, will be upgrading to 2.4GHZ by HP because I'm unfamiliar dealing with these
17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) (Will be upgraded to 2-3GB by myself)
511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit) (Just incase I want to go back to Vista? Should I bother?)

.. Here's the part where you dv9500t users come in. Are you satisfied?. I plan on reformatting and installing Windows XP.

How easy is it to upgrade RAM on these laptops?
Honestly, this is my first laptop. I've been working with computers for 11 years but have more knowledge on the technical issues, not hardware. This will be the first time I've installed RAM or other components in a computer before.

Can I expect removing the keyboard to get to these components or is it a matter of what door to open on the underside?

Any reason to look into Dell's Vostro (1500-1700) and Inspiron lines instead?. Yes.. this laptop configuration is marginally cheaper.. but I want it to last.

EDIT: Just noticed they released a 30% off coupon.. Also editting to replace graphic card with the 511 (256MB)

 

Ram is incredibly easy.

I'm fairly satisfied with my 9500t, save a few issues related to build quality.

There is a rattle or two that drove/drives me mad. I fixed one by literally tearing it apart haha.

The screen is great, the keyboard is nice, i have some alignment doubts about mine the left side seems raised higher, but this doesn't effect typing.

As far as upgrading video card, i believe thats not possible as it is soldered to the motherboard.

 

That looks like a good laptop. I have a similar 9500 and am very statisfied with it. Here are my suggestions:

As Eallan said, you cannot upgrade the video card yourself. You will have to buy it when you order and HP does not offer a 512MB card. The best you can get is the 256MB 8600GS.

Do not bother with the system recovery DVDs as you can make them yourself when you get the laptop.

Dell's Vostro line is a business line of laptops and will be somewhat significantly more expensive - especially considering the current 30% coupon HP is offering. AFAIK you will also have to wait a while to get it with Dell's shipping problems.

 

You can see the memory cover opened at the back of my 9500 - just click the link in my signature. A lot more things including photos are there. Welcome to OUR family!

 

Thank you for the fast replies.

Ahh, I appreciate the video card mention. Thought something had to be too good to be true.

kaj777, you said HP does not offer a 512MB card. Unless I'm mistaken, there is an option for a 511MB. Let's see.. 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS. Other option beside the Intel Accelerator is a 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS.

Regardless, it's still under my $1850 budget.

The design concern is one that bothered me. This will be completely replacing my desktop. Although it will not be moved often (save every 4-6 months), I want something.. well.. 'sturdy'.

Edit : Unless.. are the video cards just named differently?. I've never heard of a 383MB card now that I look at it..

 

Get the 8600M GS card.It's not a real 511MB...It's 256MB Dedicated and the rest shared from your RAM. But 8400M GS is 128MB only.

 

price wise you can't beat this laptop vs. the dell conterparts. You can't upgrade the graphics card like a desktop as the part is built directly on. The 8600GS is good enough for every game out now.

This is my first Vista computer so far and after getting rid of the standard HP bloatware and optimizing vista thru the msconfig function this sucker runs quick. I see no reason to go back to XP. If you have 2gb or more ram vista will run smooth without issue. I haven't had any crashes or quirks while running vista. Also if you use microsoft office, 2007 office is freakin amazing too.

Build quality is solid as well. Some flex in the screen but not too much. As Eallan noted above there is an occasional rattle in the keyboard but it is easily fixed. All in all well worth it!

 

it is a 256 MB card that can get to 511 MB be using extra system memory. This is where getting at least 2GB of ram can help you out.

 

The 8600GS only has 256MB of dedicated memory. The rest is shared memory from your system RAM. It is not the same as having a 512MB dedicated card. I don't think it should be a big concern, I just wanted to clarify in case you were specifically looking for 512MB dedicated card.

 

I'm not specifically looking for a 512MB.. But I do want this laptop to last. I know a lot my friends are upgrading their desktops to the 512 and I just wanted to stay ahead. A 256 would suit my needs fine (as long as it can run a few good games like WoW for entertainment).. I was just looking at the road ahead.

Thanks for clarifying that.

As far as RAM, I heard without a 64-bit you can't utilize 4GB so I thought about upgrading to 3GB. Either way, adding an extra $150 to upgrade to the 8600GS is fine with me -- again, I'm still under my initial budget.

 

About the Video card, Memory is not that important. The important thing is clock speed. doesn't matter how much memory they can put on a Intel Integrated Graphics card, It still sucks bad.

 

In what aspects is the dv9500t significantly better than the newly released dv9500z?

am I wrong in believing that the c2d and turion 64x2 are roughly equivalent in performance (non-gaming)? any evidence, proof, tests anyone can point me to? I don't game but do watch videos and dvds. The specs I've run onto don't seem to show much of a difference. gaming maybe a diff story. also, I read amd is now coming on board with linux driver wise, so that should take care of linux's amd fears.

I've also looked at the vostro 1700 and it seems to be a good, reasonably priced laptop. I can't find where it's 'significantly' more expensive. It offers WUXGA, but lacks 7200rpm drives, hd-dvd and hdmi port, all of which the dv9500z has.

dell has had some issues with wuxga screen problems and shipping delays due to screen supplies. unfortunately hp doesn't even seem to offer wuxga anywhere I can find.

installing memory on most laptops is easy. seach google video for install memory laptop/notebook or similar, theres a few videos that show you how easy it is. a screw or two, lift cover, slip in mem chip, replace cover, done. sometimes part of mem is on bottom and part under keyboard, which of course makes it a little more difficult.

If it makes any diff. I dual boot Linux and Win.

thanks, contemplate

 

im actually looking at maybe sending back my inspiron for one of these with the 30% OFF its def a hell of a deal

 

There are only two big differences between the two dv9500 models, the processors and the video card offered. The highest processor in the dv9500t is the Intel 2.4 core 2 duo and the highest in the dv9500z is the AMD 2.33 TL-66. Now I've heard from a lot of people that at the moment Intel cards have better performance than the AMD and better power usage. The other difference between the two models is the video card that each one offers. The dv9500t offers the 8600m GS and the dv9500z offers the 8400m GS, and obviously the 8600m GS is the better of the two.

Those are the only two differences between the two models, and I really can't understand why HP doesn't offer the 8600m GS in the dv9500z (In my opinion they need to offer better video cards for all their laptops).

 

Check my last post inside of Student Discount and Coupons, it will describe how you can save a little more money with the warranty.

 

I just priced a Vostro 1700 that is very similar in features to my 9500t. It came out to more than $1800. I got my 9500t for $1300. I would call that significantly more expensive. This is not even including the 30% coupon that HP is offering right now.

 

yeah and i priced out a pretty loaded one for just over 1300 with taxes included...

 

Isn't it amazing how good we humans are at finding support for our beliefs?

 

New thread :
Located here at "8510w/p vs. dv9500t - Last thread before order"

Abandon ship!

 

I only believe what is true.

True statement: Vostros are more expensive than the equivalent 9500.

 

The video card does only have a dedicated memory of 256, however the 511 that they tell you about is if you only have 1 gig of ram in the laptop. With 2 gigs of ram, the video card pulls 767mb of shared memory from the ram so you're up to 1023mb of total video memory. So, this thing is a beast. I've taken MS Flight Simulator up to full res and it runs perfectly while maxed out. It also blows through Photoshop CS3 with files from my Nikon D200 which is a 10mp and has some pretty large files. I have 4gb of ram in it and need to figure out how to get it up to actually using all of it as the system still only recognizes 3gb. I've heard that I need to upgrade to Vista Business instead of Vista Premium. I'd gladly do it, however I'm confused as to whether I'd still be able to run all of my programs properly as well as still having the Media Center software as I like to be able to share files with my Xbox 360 elite.