Thoughts on Costco configured HP Dv6tSE...

Hello,

Im looking to pick up a HP Dv6 very soon for school/main PC. I've been shopping around looking for deals and reading up on these laptops! So far the best deal I've found on a Dv6SE is from Costco! It's almost spec'd to the way id like it and except for the GPU. Do you guys think this is a good price for a Dv6tSE with these options?

Dv6tSE 3163

15.6 HD LED Brightview display (1366x768)
Intel i5-460M Duel Core
6GB DDR3 Memory
Intel HD Graphics
500GB Hard Drive
Blu-Ray Player & SuperMulti DVD Burner
Backlit Keyboard with fingerprint reader

Price: $799.99

The only thing really missing is the 1GB ATi Radeon. Id also like a larger hard drive and a extra 2gb of Memory. But for this price, is this configured Dv6tSE from Costco worth it?

Thanks!

P.S. Yes I know about the HP Coupon codes. But they will be expired by the time Im looking to make a purchase.

 

for me the 1gb ati 5650 is a HUGE deal breaker. the intel HD graphics is fine for streaming HD video content but a lot of video games it will either refuse to play and crash back to windows or have poor framerate.

World of warcraft was playable when paired with core i5-430 but all graphics were turned to low.

 

I totally agree with buttons252.

For that amount of money, you should get your moneys' worth
and not be wasted on a limited GPU.

You mentioned that it will be for school/main PC, you should seriously
consider a configuration with at least the ATI 5650 GPU.

As I mentioned in another thread...

"What if there's a chance you might need the
added graphical processing power in the future be it for games or other applications.
At least the ATI 5650 will be there if needed."

For the $800 price range, there are other HP models, and other brands/models,
in which that amount of money is better spent.

You might have to make some compromises,
like the Blu-ray drive to not exceed your price range.

But it's all up to you if feel the Blu-ray drive is more important than
a more powerful GPU. An optical drive can easily be replaced.

On the other hand, the GPU is a different matter.

Based on the dv6t Select Edition service manual,
you'll have to disassemble the laptop and replace the entire system board
to upgrade to another GPU in the future.

 

Thank You!

That's unfortunate, I was hoping if I wanted to upgrade the GPU or Memory in the future it wouldn't be a huge problem. The Blu-Ray player is not a necessity, but it would be nice to have. I guess the CPU/GPU/Memory have to be configured during assembly? As for the hard drive... 500GB isnt a lot of space. Even though this laptop will be used for school mainly, im not going to act like I wont want to running any games on it!

 

Do not get set on anything, HP releases those coupons like candy, I have seen them expire and re-released a few times now it seems.

Go for the 5650, no reason for integrated alone. By the way, for most people 6gb is more than enough ram.

 

You're welcome.

I'm sorry, I didn't word it properly. I didn't mean to say "there are other HP models".

I forgot to proofread it. Heh!

I meant to say there are other HP dv6t SE configurations with the ATI 5650 GPU.
You can't go wrong with the dv6 series with its awesome aluminum style, performance, and price.

If you're ordering the customized ones from Costco or HP, yes, it'll be configured during assembly.

As for games, hehe! You won't regret the ATI 5650 for games. Especially when compared to the Intel HD
Graphics.

I agree with JVRR. HP releases those coupons like candy. Hehe!
If you're willing to wait, wait for those HP coupons for even more savings.

If you're buying from Costco because of the additional one year warranty,
that's cool, but definitely compare prices with other websites and with HP/HP coupons.

Or you can just use a credit card that'll give you the additional
one year warranty. Make certain first the credit card you're going to use
has that benefit.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys!

I took the plunge and custom ordered my Dv6tSE this morning! Configured it the way I wanted and saved with the coupons! Now I just hope they build and ship faster than the ETA says!

 

It seems standard to receive your HP on the estimated build-by date. Obviously they will not promise that, but it seems most people get it then (I actually got mine even faster).

 

Hehe!

Awesome! That's great!

Make sure you definitely selected a 7200RPM HDD
and of course the backlit keyboard option for $25.

I read many posts of buyers not clicking those options.
So definitely verify it.

You made an excellent decision of not buying the Costco
config with only the Intel HD Graphics.

 

Really? That would be great! I was sort of bummed out with I saw my estimated build date of Jan.3! I understand it being the holidays but 3 weeks... Thats torture!

 

You will be fine with that machine as long as you do not intend to play any of the popular new games. Buttons252 and amdornvidia had some good advice on the GPU.

If there is something I have learned with laptops (after owning about 6 of them) it is you get what you pay for as far as performance and build quality. I have owned several hp laptops and they have always left something to be desired. I have found hp to be a bear to deal with on warranty issues as well.

Look what a great machine you could have ordered for just a few bucks more than an ordinary hp with a wimpy graphics solution:

Alienware M11x starting at $799

The Most Powerful 11-Inch Gaming Laptop in the Universe…

• Now available with the powerful Intel® Core™-I Series mobile processors for superior gaming power anywhere
• With 1 GB NVIDIA® 335M graphics, the most powerful graphics capabilities of any sub 15-inch gaming laptop in the universe
• Less than 4.5 lbs with over seven hours of battery life with NVIDIA Optimus® graphics switching technology

The build quality of an Alienware is impeccable, not to mention performance.

 

The m11x is a decent machine, but it is not really an even comparison to the DV6. They are completely different machines with different purposes. The DV6 with the ATI 5650 (what the OP got) is an excellent solution that surpasses the m11x.

 

JVRR - thanks for pointing that out. I did not see that.

zuckuss00 - Sorry, I thought you got the one from Costco with the Intel HD graphics. I missed that when reading the thread. Good choice on the ATI 5650 discreet graphics. You will be very glad you made that choice. What CPU did you end up with, and how much more than $799 did you end up paying for the better GPU?

Congratulations, and have fun with your new machine.

 

Thank you! I ended going with the Intel i5-460M. I paired that up with 8GB Memory, 1GB ATi Radeon 5650, 750GB Hard Drive (5200RPM unfortunately, It was free though!) Blu-Ray drive and a backlit keyboard. This baby should fly! After the HP discount and coupon, I got it for slightly under $1000! Which is superb! I just hope it doesn't take 2+ weeks for HP to build (ETA Jan.3).

 

As someone posted, they often don't take as long as what they say, but it is Christmas and probably a busy time of year for them. Let's cross our fingers and hope you get this bad boy in time for some Christmas gaming. If not, then maybe just in time to ring in the new year.

 

Many have pointed that out, but good choice going for the Radeon 5650. The one offered by Costco simply would not be sufficient for gaming...

Anyway I feel you should have gotta the 7200rpm hdd instead... 'This baby will definitely fly' if you have gotten that.. But then again, the hdd can be easily replaced in future, to a ssd even if you prefer.

The notebook will not disappoint when it arrives (I think). Have fun!

 

The 750GB 5400 RPM drive will make a decent accessory in a USB external drive enclosure. And, a 7200 (or 10,000) RPM or SSD would be a rather nice stocking stuffer from Santa.

If there is a HDD upgrade in zuckuss00's future, be sure to verify that the drive height (thickness) is not a problem. Some of the high capacity 2.5" HDD with multiple platters are too thick to fit into some laptop HDD bays.