V4000T, is it good?

I am thinking of buying the V4000T. It will be used for gaming and the usual work (internet surfing, word processing, IMing). Will it be good for it? Also, is it portable? What I mean is, the 6 cell battery, how long will it last about on this computer. And the 12 cell battery, does it stick out of the back a lot on this laptop?

Also, what is the height of it? HPshopping isn't helpful in the dimensions of it. The reasn I ask is cause I don't like too thick laptops. And different places I go say different things. So if anyone has it or knows the correct dimmensions of it, can you please tell me.

 

The V4000t is basically a stipped down, cost effective version of its cousin, the HP dv4000. The batteries on all modern notebooks will last you about a year to a year and a half, depending upon what you do with your notebook. The 12-cell battery does stick out though. This notebook isn't really "fat", although if you're coming from a thin and light or an ultraportable, you may think it is fat.

 

About the battery, I was more talking about the time it lasts (3 hours, 5 hours). And I am coming from a notbook that is 1.18", so I just want to know how "fat" this one is, if there is a deffinative answer.

 

Well, I'd say the V4000t is closer to 1.5 inches (check out the reviews we already have of the HP dv4000s - they're basically the same notebook). The 6-cell will get around 2.5 hours of life.

 

What is the difference between V4000T and dv4000?

 

The dv4000 has more multimedia features (QuickPlay, Remote Control, IR port, etc) that the Compaq doesn't have. Other than that, its just the casing.

 

Hey Zorg!

I just ordered one of these bad boys myself! I went with the Compaq because I liked the way it looked more than the HP.

This computer should more than handle most of todays games. It's only major downfall that I can see is the lower resolution. It has a max of 1280x800. Which is a little low for me. But, for hundreds of dollars less than the competition, I'm willing to put up with it.

Here are some links for you to check out...

About that battery - See here how it sticks out of the bottom. Note that this is actually the HP. But as xAMDvsIntelx mentioned, they are really the same machine...
http://www.mobilityguru.com/2005/11/07/a_solid_multimedia_notebook_from_hp/page4.html

It's hard to find close ups of the V4000T. Here's some pics and performance info. This guys also seems to do allot of modding which apparently isn't really necessary. Note his stock score for 3dMark2k5 with a Celeron and half a gig of ram is 2600+...
http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=123127

 

I just got my dv4000 3 days ago with a 12-cell battery so it's a pretty similar experience to a v4000t (though, I've never actually seen a v4000t 12-cell battery).

I ran down the battery for as long as I could with minimum everything (screen, CPU via Notebook Hardware Control, PowerPlay on GPU) while still using WiFi and doing some simply web browsing and got about 5 hours and 30 minutes, give or take 15 min or so. I still have to undervolt the laptop so I should probably get some more battery life out of that. However, I got the 1.6Ghz 400Mhz Pentium M (uses less power than the 533Mhz Dothans which I've been seeing in all the reviews at notebookreview.com) so your mileage may vary.

I thing I would like to caution you is that if the v4000t is anything like the dv4000, I would definitely get NHC, and set the CPU config to "Dynamic Switching" and turning on PowerPlay if you plan on having the laptop on your laptop. The main fan on the bottom can kick in and create some discomfort on your leg. It's nothing to worry about if you are doing light web browsing or the like. DO NOT GAME WITH THE LAPTOP IN YOUR LAP. There is a reason why laptops are no longer called "laptops" but instead "notebooks" by manufacturers.

 

HERE are a couple alternatives to the lap-burn...

I've tried the Targus model. Works rather nicely

 

ZORG - definitly get the v4000t -
it is BEAUTIFUL! I owned one for a few weeks and jsut returned it a couple days ago - it ran very cool (pen m) and had the x600. Its a great step up from the v2000 - it was much more durable ( i also had a v2000z prior to it!). I found that the screen didnt flex at all compared to the v2000, the keyboard is spacious and had a nice layout, from afar it looks like an apple!

The ONLY reason why i returned it to hp was b/c it was 6.5 lbs and needed something lighter (traveling, going to class with it daily). I compared the size of the v2000 with the v4000t and when closed its about half an inch thicker and about 1.5 inches wider - but its a great 15.4 inch lappie - not to mention super cheap ($1000 plus a free printer on hp!).

Also, I had the 6 cell on the v4000t and it ran exactly 2 hours and 45 mins with wifi on and some word docs.

Definitly get it, it is portable for sure (just not when your carrying two textbooks, notebooks and a purse in addition to it!)

 

Just received mine today! Shipping took only 1 day!

Anyways, I love the way it looks, much more simplistic than the dv4000 and doesn't look as "busy"

No problems so far, i was terrified of dead pixels and what not, but i don't seem to have any

 

Just got over 2600 in 3dmark05. 1 min 37 sec for 2m digits of pi. I'm really happy with the performance on this thing.

I got it with Pentium M 750 (1.8ghz), 1gig ddr, 80gb 5400 rpm, ati x700 (obvoiusly)

dont hesitate, buy it!

 

I really like my V4000T. A great design, much more solid than the DV4000. I needed a laptop, not another AV component, so the lack of multimedia accoutrements doesn't concern me.

Pentium M 770, 2GB 533 DDR RAM

1:32 2M Super PI
3DMark 2700

Seems slightly lighter than the DV4000. It's mobile enough for me, I haul it around the house all the time. The battery sticks out some but it makes a great handle. Much more reliable to grip.

If the resolution was any higher it the it would probably give me a headache.

A very good machine.

 

Becarful with that "handle" as you called it!

A buddie of mine has one of the cheaper models. I forget which one. But he tried carrying it around by the battery and it dropped to the floor.

Luckily for him, it was appearently built Compaq tough!

His testiment was one of the factors that got me looking more seriously at Compaq.

 

That reasures my fears of a badly built machine .

 

Eh, so now you say the lappy is 7 pounds w/ the extra battery huh :/

 

I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic or not. But just in case you were being serious, that 12 cell is not really intended to be a handle. The fact that BigMonty is able to carry it at all like that, shows a slight design flaw I suppose.

 

The way it's designed it is impossible to use it as a handle in and of itself. There's not enough of the battery sticking out to constitute a handle. It does offer enough of a ridge where your hand and fingers can clasp over the back of the unit to keep it from slipping away. In essence the entire back of the unit from the rear of the upper deck around to the front of the protruding battery pack is like a handle. Does that make sense?

I'll let everyone know when I first drop it

 

LOL! Ok! that makes sense!

 

Here is a *weird* question. If the notebook is 5-7 pounds, and there is this thing sticking out, does it ever hurt your lap/ thigh when you are using it on your lap? I mean the laptop is SO heavy, but it isn't light, and a with a thing sticking out, you might feel it...But do you?

 

It's best to have the 12-cell battery rest on both legs, so that the main fan isn't obstructed.

 

Not all 6 or 7 pounds are at the back of the machine centered over the battery..