Should I get an HP Dv6t or HDX16 with Similar Specs/Price?

Hello,

I'm currently looking for a medium-priced laptop for going off to college that will be able to play games, use graphic and web design programs like Photoshop CS3/Dreamweaver, and play movies. After much searching I have concluded that HP laptops suit my needs the best. I'm posting this in the HP forum as this question is very HP specific and I think that I will get the best advice possible here.

My dilemma right now is whether to get a Dv65 or an HDX16 (both w/ 16" screens)...I am looking between 2 models with exactly the same specs and price points:

- ~$1,600 with extended warrenty
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
- 320gb hard drive, 4gb DDR2 memory
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
- 16" Screen, Blu-Ray

My current understanding is that the Dv6t series is a pound lighter at 6.3 pounds than the HDX16 which is 7.3 pounds. This would make me lean towards the Dv6t, however on the HP website the reviews are much better for the HDX16 and I want this laptop to last for the next 3-4 years if possible because I'm probably going to have better things to spend money on in college.

Also...do AMD processors work well in HP laptops? I found a comparably priced Dv6z laptop with an AMD dual-core 2.3 ghz processor and I was wondering if it was comparable to the Intel dual core 2.53 ghz processor (3mb cache).

Thanks so much! I really appreciate this. I can't wait to finally get a laptop, and after much intense searching and narrowing down my brands to Dell and HP I realized that HP has much better GFX cards and prices.

 

Hello and welcome.

The only differences between the dv6 and hdx16 given that they have the same specs are, the different paint schemes and the fact that the hdx16 has the infinity display where the dv6 doesn't. The inifinity display has glass to glass edge, leaving no screen bezel. It is however more reflective then the regular display. Some like it, others hate it. It has has an issue of dust getting trapped inside and you can't take it out. For more info do a forum search.

Thru my readings here, I've heard that AMD processors + Nvida graphics cards = overheating. They also tend to have lesser battery life compared to Intel. Do a forum search for this too.

Another thing you should note is the coupons. You just missed a 30% off one. HP usually has one every month. Just do a google search. I'd recommend you wait and buy it with coupon has it offers huge savings.

 

Go for the dv6z. Take the AMD Ultra Turion and Radeon 4650.

 

hdx. intel.

 

That's good to know, thanks! The reason I am considering the Dv6z with the AMD is because based on rebates on the site it's the same price as the Dv6t except it's got 280gb more hard-drive space and 512mb more GFX memory...but I would rather have the intel based Dv6t so I guess I should wait for a 30% coupon to help equalize the prices between them .

Pranalien, if prices remain the same I probably will get the dv6z w/ AMD just because it comes with the better HDD and GFX card at the same price.

sublime313, why the HDX? If it's the same price and a pound heavier why should I get it over the Dv6t? Have you found it more reliable?

 

And also for people familiar with HP, is "Instant rebate -$220.00" a good rebate? I'm not sure whether or not this includes coupons that are included too like free upgrade to 4gb memory?

 

I would hold off on that $220 rebate - the 30% discount will save you more green than that.

You didn't mention what screen res you're looking at. The HDX offers 1920x1080 which is much better suited for work and 1080p playback. The HDX is also available with a backlit keyboard, something which may be of interest to you.

My best recommendation for a college notebook, however, would be with the dv4t - it's a lot more portable, has the best battery times and offers very solid performance when fully-loaded. Feel free to read my review here.

 

I would say amd dv6z + radeon 4670 would be the best for the price. Intel might be better but at what cost? It also depends on what intel its not just intel is better then amd its what intel vs what amd

 

Please avoid AMD on the mobile front, unless there are budget concerns.

Intel offers superior performance, which in the long run will prove to be very helpful.

It runs cooler. It's more efficient (25watts vs 35watts), and gives better battery life.

I am not going to get into another one of these AMD/Intel debates. I am just listing facts here, not opinion, and that simply is that Intel Mobile processors are superior to AMDs.

The 2.53 Intel would absolutely destroy the 2.3 AMD...
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html
The 8700 is ranked 19th.... the 2.3ghz AMD Turion X2 Ultra is ranked 60th.
Go through the chart.... basically, any Intel CPU will beat the Turion X2....I mean, unless you're talking about an Intel CPU running at 1600mhz... lolz.

You would be much better served getting Intel.... again, unless there are budget concerns.

You're wanting to use this for the next 3-4 years, I would seriously recommend you go for the Intel CPU... it will tide you over way better than the AMD.... not to mention running significantly cooler.

Regarding the DV6/HDX dilemma, I would have to say customize both of them to your needs, then opt for whichever is cheaper. If they are the same, I guess I would go for the HDX. The HDX does have extra features that you can't get in the DV6, keep that in mind when you're customizing...
Also, 6 to 7 pounds isn't going to be too noticeable. They are both giant laptops, if you're worried about weight you're looking at the wrong laptops.

If you plan on carrying these laptops around to lectures and to the library and what not, then I would seriously consider opting for a DV4T or a DV3T... you don't want to be lugging around a 16in laptop to lecture halls, that I promise you.

G'luk.

 

you're also buying the hdx16 vs the dv6t for their looks. that one big question as well.

 

Thank you very much. I read your review of the Dv4t and it sounds like you got a very good deal and are very happy with your HP . Although I will consider the 14" screen the reason I am leaning towards the 16" is that I don't think I'll have to bring the laptop to most of my classes so I'd imagine for the most part it's going to be staying in my dorm room/the library...but that could change. I wish the Dv4t could get up to 1gb GFX

My big question is how do you get this infamous 30% coupon? I've searched the forums and I'm not sure if it's something that they advertise on HP.com or if it's from some 3rd party site? Do you know if it is for all HP laptops for a limited time or just specific models, and is it offered ~ every month? If I could obtain one of these coupons it might push be to get the HDX16 as I could use the savings towards upgrading the features more...

Thanks for the advice about AMD . I'd heard reports of these getting really hot too, so I think I will avoid these even in light of any rebates that they may entail. If I can get the 30% discount and want a 14" screen I think I will opt for the HDX16...

It's between Dell and HP for me and HP has better prices and graphics cards. I wouldn't mind getting an XPS 14/16 except that for the same price I can get much, much better GFX cards on the HP models.

 

HP releases these 30%-off coupons about once a month for 1-2 weeks. They're usually good for any notebook configuration you go with that's above a certain dollar amount. They do, however, have a set number of uses, so they can expire before the end date. You'll see a "coupons" link at the top of the page here...

 

Okay, thank you very much! I'm just paranoid that I'll miss it! Now I'm really likeing the Dv4t...but the HDX16/Dv6t have much better GFX cards so it's a hard choice

 

Just narrow it down to what you will be using it more for...

If it's primarily going to be sitting on your desk with you playing games on it... go for one of the 16inchers. If you're going to be lugging it around with you a lot, then go for the DV4T. Don't forget, the 105M only has to drive a 1280x800 screen, so it really won't be too bad.

G'luk.

 

AMD has 25 watt cpu's. And not all intels are 25 watt. Honestly i've used my brothers dv7 with an RM-72 vs my dv7 with a p8400 and his felt faster. And no mine had a better hard drive. Benchmarks arent everything. And temperatures i dont think AMD runs any hotter then intel. Most of the time its the horrible thermal paste on the componets that leads to exessive heat.

 

All P series intels are 25 watts, All T Series are 35, X and Quad's are usually 45 watts TDP.

I made the mistake of going AMD last time. Building desktops dollar for dollar amd is cheaper (Fricken Ahtlon X2 7750 Black Edition is 58 bucks and smokes intels within its price range).

But the intel C2D T6400 and up P8400 and up perform better then the higher up RM-72 RM-74 offerings. Just dont get sucked into a cruddy T4200 or something.

 

Man Tippey, you're really following me around... Seriously, what's the story?

Dude. He EXPLICITLY STATED the P8700 and the Turion X2 Ultra. That is why I listed THEIR bloody TDP, that being 25watts for the Intel and 35watts for the AMD.

AMD has ONE 25watt mobile CPU, that being the QL-62, which is based on the ancient Athlon core, not even the Turion. The QL is obsolete in AMD's lineup, let alone when compared to Intel's. The QL-62 is ranked 85th by the way... do a quick Google search, and you will find people in the AMD forums complaining that it's underpowered. If he wants to have a 25watt CPU, he can choose one from Intel or the Ql-62, and I promise you that you don't want to pit a QL-62 vs a bloody Intel P8700, or ANY P series CPU for that matter, because it will get utterly destroyed. Heck, even the Turion Ultra X2 will destroy the QL-62.

You don't think AMDs run any hotter? Well, goes to show what you know. They definitely run hotter. AMD users will tell you they run hotter. It's a known, agreed upon fact, that in the mobile sector, Intel chips are faster AND cooler running. Now, if there is a little rumble about it by some hardcore AMD fans, that rumble disappears when we discuss the P series CPUs due to the fact that they have a 25watt TDP. The P series CPUs run cooler than T series CPUs, anyone will agree to that, because it uses 10watts less! Now, let's compound the higher wattage with the lower efficiency of the AMD chips, and you have yourself a hotter running AMD CPU!

I agree, benchmarks aren't everything, but SOMETHING must be going on when an Intel 2.4ghz CPU is 40 odd places ahead of a 2.3ghz AMD cpu.... there has to be SOMETHING of substance in such disparity between the two.

I don't know about your brothers laptop nor about yours- I wouldn't be surprised if you thought a Celeron running at 333mhz was faster than an i7 at this point. Besides, what did you do on his laptop to come to such a profound conclusion? Open Paint? Notepad?

Get off my balls dude.

 

Don't just rely on this website. Last time the 25% off coupon in March was not listed here. Just do a google search "hp coupons". By my calculations, the next one is some time in the middle of next month.

 

Thanks for everybody's help! Based on reviews and opinions from this board and abroad I have decided on purchasing the HDX16 model sometime in the future. I can't wait to own this HP product! Thanks again!

 

I like the HDX with the higher res screens. But the mandatory infinity feature is worrisome. I like some of the higher end HP business machines but they are insanely expensive. IMO there is too much going to 16:9 and gloss these days. If your set on getting the HDX and its going to be sitting on your desk most of the time I would consider the HDX 18t. IMO the higher res option is better suited with the larger screen and the sound system on that model is amazing.