Would a Netbook be faster than what I have now?

Hey all,

I have an old DV6565us Pavilion. It runs EXTREMELY slow. I did a clean reinstall, but it is still pretty darn slow.

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
System Model HP Pavilion dv6500 Notebook PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5250 @ 1.50GHz
Memory 2GB
HDD 160GB
Video Intel X3100

I'm looking to replace it with a netbook or another 15.4" widescreen notebook. I mainly use it for office productivity (powerpoint, word), internet, and some multimedia (hulu, etc).

This current notebook does it's job. But its pretty slow once I start to open up a number of applications. I can trade this notebook for cash ($250). Not sure if this is a good deal or not... But anyway...

How does a netbook stack up to this laptop now? Any insights and input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

A netbook would be much slower. You should keep your laptop.

 

What is the main culprit for the laptop now?

My thought (in order of affect on performance)

HDD (5400RPM)
RAM (1GB)
CPU (T5250)

 

your CPU is way better than what you can get in any netbook.

I suggest getting one of these:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4936086

and then buy a small SSD, install windows on it and use your current HDD for your other files.

Also win7 and win xp are faster than vista, so upgrading or downgrading your OS would improve the speed.

 

I would love to upgrade to Win7. Problem is...school requires the use of Cisco Clean Access. They are currently not supporting it. I assume I can run it as administrator with Vista Compatibility on.

SSD mod seems cool, but I have no time to do that...

Thanks for the input!

 

When you say clean install, you mean a complete re-install of just the operating system, right? Not a recovery of the software HP originally put in?

You're specs should be fine running Windows Vista without issues...

Anyway, what's your budget for a new notebook? Maybe we could help guide you to a really snappy one. There are a lot of options out there right now, even CULV processors are snappy enough to handle day to day tasks.

For the tasks you plan on doing, a CULV processor should run fine as long as it's a Core 2 Duo, not a Solo. Stay away from Atom CPU's since you plan on multitasking, Hulu, etc...

 

I'd try out another operating system in the first place and see if it's a hardware "problem" or just your Vista which blocks the speed on your computer.

 

Yeah, clean install = complete wipe and reinstall of OS without bloatware.

My budget is very low. I don't wanna exceed $400. I already have a very capable 13" Macbook Pro. I just don't wanna bring it to school. This HP that I'm talking about now stays in school.

If I can upgrade/replace this notebook without breaking my wallet, then I'd entertain it. Keep in mind, if I do get a new one, I'd be trading/selling this one. As of now, cash for laptops is offering me $250. They are legit, I've dealt with them before..

 

I also think it could be Vista.

Vista runs pretty slow on my Mac. This is when I run it in Boot Camp or by virtualization. Windows 7 has been amazing on my 7 year old desktop (Pentium 4, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD).

The only thing holding me back from upgrading this laptop to Win 7 is the software that I need to run on it and organizational support.

 

Most Vista software run perfectly fine on Windows 7. Is it only Cisco Clean Access that doesn't seem to work? Like you mentioned, you could always set in on "Vista SP2" compatibility mode.

Another option is to install XP. I think it's odd that Vista doesn't run well under an Intel Core 2 Duo even though it's only 1.5 GHz. You have all drivers for it installed?

 

Upgrade your RAM to min of 2GB (4GB better) for a world of difference.

You'll probably be satisfied with just that considering what you use your notebook for.

If you really want to jazz things up a whole 'nother level... get an SSD. No need for the optical caddy mod. Simply get a 60GB or 64GB with a Samsung or Indilink controller built in. A OCZ vertex or G.skill Falcon. Simply replace your current HDD with it.

Benefits of SSD are numerous. But load times for most apps with seem as if they blink up. Full OS boot up will be around 30-35 secs.

 

I'm curious what runs slow on your laptop....

Your laptops looks more than capable.

 

If you decide to get Windows 7 for that notebook, you can run the Clean Access Agent inside of Windows XP mode if you get the Pro version, works for me without any problems, although I never got it working in 64 Bit Vista.

 

Thanks for all your input!

It seems to me that my CPU (T5250) supports 64-bit.

If that's the case, I'm more inclined to get the 64-bit version since I plan on adding more memory (up to 4GB in all).

However, is that the only prereq to install a 64-bit OS? I would think my other hardware would be okay.

Thanks!

 

Core 2 Duo is in no way SLOW trust me
I were still using a pentium III half year ago.
Follow some of the advises above will help you get the most out of your notebook. If you are trying to play some graphic demand games, then you may find your notebook very slow because it is using an intergrated X3100 intel graphic card. Compared to most netbooks that only capable for internet surfing and text editing, your notebook certainly can do a lot more. I think the current Atom CPU has the power equivalent to the Pentium III, or slight better than Pentium III. (Pentium III is a CPU from sever to eight years ago )

 

This will have faster X4500MHD graphics, harddisk and cpu than you current system.

11.6" US$399 Acer AS1410-2285 SU2300-1.2 2GB 160GB 1366x768 W7HP

 

a netbook with some options added runs you like $400. for about $150 more, at around $550 or so, you can pick up a nice dv7 unit from staples. they have them on sale like every other month or something. you'd be getting a way better processor than a netbook (assuming you want to do things other than surf the web), 320gb hard drive and 4 gigs of ram. netbooks are a great idea but i cant see spending $400 on a machine with such limited use restrictions as opposed to a machine that's only a little bit more money.

that being said, i do not own a netbook and i am not against them in any way. i simply like my $ bringing me the biggest bang for the buck

 

similar to the dv7 in a lot of ways --

http://www.staples.com/office/suppl...logId=10051&partNumber=827770&cmArea=CIRCULAR

 

You just need more RAM.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

My HP is one of those pre-built units.

Do you know/how can I find out if it comes with two sticks of 1GB or one 2GB stick of RAM? Experience tells me two 1GB sticks.

Thanks for all of the inputs and suggestions!