V4000T/DV4000 For Animation/Graphic Design

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all your previous help.
Ive decided to go with a V4000t or dv4000- reason being that it has a dedicated card and is under 1200.

However i have a few questions:
The V2000z laptop which i first wanted comes with an upgrade for Productivity Ports however i dont see that option in the DV4000 or V4000t. DOes anyone know if either dv4000 or v4000t have the 4-1 media card slot - i really would like it for my memory sticks.

Here are my specs for the V4000T
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
– Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 725A (1.6 GHz)
– 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
– 128MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON(R) X700
– FREE Upgrade to 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x256MB)!!
– 80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
– DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
– FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG WLAN!
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


I was originaly going to get a V2000z but after learning that i would need to get a better video card im deciding to with a v400t or dv4000.

The dv4000 is slightly pricier - but it may be worth it for the extra media features and if it has media card reader.

Now where im unsure is - how does this pentium M 725A compare to Centrino or the Turion ml30. How will the heat be and battery/perforamce be comparing this to the V2000z??

Also does the 12 cell batt stick out also in tthe v4000t/dv4000?

Thanks guys.

 

Yes the dv4000 has a card reader that reads... SD-MS/PRO-MMC-SM-XD formats.
Yes the 12 cell battery sticks out in the dv4000.

Processor question... not sure

 

I would expect the CPUs to be similar performance wise.

 

The Pentium M 725A will give you better battery life and less heat than the newer 7x0 series (740,760, etc.). That's because it is one of the older Dothan's, but still a good CPU.

 

Ok guys so im still uncertain which on to get the V4000t or DV4000. Im leaning towards V4000t b/c i like the style of it and its slimmer. I also have read that the DV4000 keys wear out quickly. Which one would you guys go with the dv4000 or v4000t. Keep in mind im a girl who wants something thin and light, under 1200, and can be used for photoshop, maya.

Thankss guys

 

Also which wireless is better?
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG WLAN
Get the full power of Intel Centrino mobile technology when you match an Intel PRO/Wireless card with an Intel Pentium M processor

OR

54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM) ????

 

they don't wear out quickly - the keys just wear "shiny" - no performance problems, just cosmetic. I got the dv4000, as evidenced here. My decision was mostly made because of the HP having QuickPlay where the Compaq does not - they are otherwise the same darned computer. The HP card slot is a 6-in-1, not just 4! Woot!

These aren't "thin and light" so much as mainstream - thin and light tends to be around five pounds, not six and a half. You can see the dv4000 in stores like BestBuy and Costco, so you can go and pick one up and feel it for yourself.

As for the wireless, some of us were just discussing that earlier today near the end of this thread but the short answer is - it doesn't really matter.

 

Your probably going to want to add extra ram - I don't think 512MB will be enough if you plan on running apps like Photoshop and Maya.

 

Ok device thanks for your reply. ANother question i have is - does anyone know if the v4000t is nearly the same size as the v2000z ? other than screen size - is it alot thicker and larger? i really want the v2000z size but since it doesnt have a dedicated card im upping to a v4000t. SO how big is the v4000t compared to the v2000z

 

I've posted some pics of the V4000 for you to see, looks about as thick or exactly as thick as the V2000 to me.

I though you had gotten a notebook a while ago Radha, I can under your frustration of finding the perfect notebook. I'm finding my HP DV4000 to be a little too bulky for my tastes and am thinking about returning it to Costco and getting a 14" notebook. Anyhoo, good luck to you on your purchase!

 

Hey Rahul,
Yea, haha i never got it cuz i new there was somthing better for me than the v200z. So anyway, thanks for the photos, i saw them also on hpshopping and i compared the weight, size and all. I know its a larger screen size but i couldnt tell how much larger overall the lappy is compared to the v2000z. So i was wonderin if anyone who owns the v4000t and has seen the v2000z could tell me if its ALOT larger in thickness (im assuming it must be somewhat thicker to compensate for the larger graphcis card.)

 

Hey guys one more questions - in the V4000t - its Pen M - how does Pen M compare to the Turion processor??? In terms of heat and speed?? Am i better off getting a Pen M or a Turion in other wards is it better to go Intel or AMD in Notebooks???

 

It's about a wash unless you want 64-bit. The P-M is better for battery life. You really can't go wrong with either processor - if you find what you want in a P-M machine, get it. If you find what you want in a Turion machine, get it.

Obviously, I found what I wanted in the dv4000, so I've got a P-M!

 

hey Slappy - thanks for the tip.
So im looking at the v4000t- i wanted the v2000z but the graphics card isnt good enough in there. So the v4000t seems like a step up. Same type of laptop - only Pen M with a X600 card and 15.4 screen. I really like the v2000z so the v4000t may be my answer. However i've also considered the dv4000 but the bulkiness of it bothers me. So im back to the v4000t !

 

Also on a V4000t w/Pen M how much battery life should i get w/6 cell? 2-3 hours or more? You wrote its better battery life compared to Turion.... thankss

 

I get about 2 and a half hours out of my 6 cell, when using the wifi and doing office type tasks... all bets are off when gaming or otherwise using optical drive intensive work.

 

Yep, with the 6 cell I also get just under 3 hours of battery life with WiFi on.

 

Slappy/togus - u guys have the v4000t or the dv4000?

 

I have the dv4000. You read my review, I saw your kind comments!

 

Could you post a screenshot of the desktop so I can check the size of the icons and text. If your setting are not on normal size 96dpi let me know.

Basically looking to check out that XGA on the 15.4 screen

 

It's in my review, the first picture. I have the icons at Windows default sizes. The screen is WXGA, of course: 1280x800.