Which 14" HP should I get ?

My NC8430 decided to die on me after 5 years of passionate love and I'm now looking for its successor ! I used to need a 15,6" screen to watch movies but now that I have a 42" TV at home with HDMI port I think a 14" will be big enough to make me happy.

Use :
Simple softwares (skype, word, powerpoint), Internet (browsing, youtube,etc...), Music

I'm currently hesitating between the Envy Beats 2001 TX and the Probook 4430S as they are about the same price here (Japan) = 1100 dollars



Envy Beats 2001 TX

14.5"
Core i7-2630QM
4GB（4096MB×1)
Radeon HD 6630M
640GB (7,200rpm）


+
speakers
USB 3.0

-
weight (2.55 kgs)
screen (glossy)


4430s

14"
Core i5-2410M
2GB DDR3-1333 (I will definitely buy an extra 4 Gigs)
500GB (7,200rpm）

+
screen (matte)
weight

-
No usb 3.0
speakers ?


Outsider :

HP Pavilion dv4-3122TX

14" (glossy)
Core i5-2410M
4GB（4096MBx1）
AMD Radeon HD 6750M(1GB GDDR5)
500GB (7,200rpm）

 

Personally, I'd go with the 4430s in regard to its build quality. I tend to take my notebook around so a lappy accustomed to mild abuse is a plus.

If you're looking to game or do any graphics intensive tasks go with the Envy 14.

 

ProBooks are much sturdier.

The Envy and DV4 look appealing for your needs. i7 may increase product longevity. Depending on cost, I would choose either the Envy or DV4.

 

I don't see a DV4 with that video card.

I'd go with the Envy, the screen is nice, its sturdy, backlit keyboard, and slot loading are nice. But it also can come with a 6630 Radeon, as opposed to the 6470 that the DV4x at HP has.

 

Thanks for your input !

Those references are the ones I can get in Japan.

cf. HP - ?? | ??HP (????????????)????????

Envy
http://h50146.www5.hp.com/products/portables/personal/envy14_2000/specs/envy14_2001tx.html

DV4
http://h50146.www5.hp.com/products/portables/personal/dv4_3100/specs/d_cto_core.html

Probook
http://h50146.www5.hp.com/products/portables/4430s/specs/cto_model.html


With the specs in the first post, the Envy and Probook are both 1500 dollars (~125k yen, I got the convertion calculus wrong in the first post) and the DV4 is 950 dollars (77k yen).

To be more specific about my uses, I would say music is an important part of it, and I don't want to have to rely on external speakers (I am not a musician or anything so if the sound is loud and crisp enough that will do). I also would like to have a nice display on my TV though hdmi (does it depend on the quality of the screen or solely on the quality at which the video was encoded ?)

 

patatest, see the thin-and-light link in my sig for some great 14" units. Samsung Series-7, MSI X460DX, Lenovo Y470/T420/T420s/E420s/U400, Toshiba R840 all worth a look. From your shortlist, the DV4 has one of the most powerful dGPUs in a 14", the Probook with a sturdier build plus expresscard slot. Hmm.. different systems for different purposes.

 

I havent had experience with the new DV4, but I did own an Envy 14-1210NR. Performance wise it was great, sound quality was the best i've ever heard on a laptop. But it was still laptop quality. I havent had experience with the new DV4.

The Dv4 looks like a good bang for the buck, but i'm not sure if it will be as quality as the Envy 14.

 

Broken links.

 

Anyway to import that version of the DV4 to the US?

 

No need to import, here's a link to the DV4 you're looking for...

HP Pavilion dv4 and dv4t series | HP Official Store

 

The US models have no HD6750M dGPU option.

 

I would go for the ProBook. Like your nc8430, it's a business laptop. I found once I went business, I could never go back. Started with an nx9420 and moved up to my 8730w. Rock solid reliability.

The ProBook should have adequate power to do what you need it to do, and it should last you for a while.

 

I would vote for the Envy 14 Beats Edition! You will be blown away from the moment you unbox it to the last moment you use it, simply one AWESOME Laptop! You will be the talk of the town when you tote it around and will be able to do anything with it. Grab it, suck up the cost a tad and never look back!

 

I have the dv4-3006tx; the only real difference it has to the 3122tx you quoted is the hard disk. Mine's got a WD Scorpio Blue 640GB 5400RPM unit. If you don't mind a glossy 768p screen (and I know 768p has its haters), the dv4's a pretty good machine. It'll accept any USB3.0 devices you have and it actually has more of the new ports than it does USB2.0 (two USB3 + one USB2).

The 6750M on my laptop sees use playing Mass Effect 1; so far so good.

Try to see if you can get the dv4 with a back-lit keyboard.

 

I'm using an 8460p and although it's quite 'thick' it's built like a bus and also has the extended ADP (Accidental Damage Warranty!). Additionally the battery options are fantastic with the CC09, BB09 and st09.

Other than that if you've the cash... an 8460w!