can't decide between the DV1000 and DV4000 ..

I'm in the market for a new laptop .. and have pretty much narrowed my choices down between the DV1000 and the DV4000 .. can't decide which one to get! .. is there really any difference between the models, apart from the obvious screen size? ..

also, I'm wondering .. in practical terms .. (I basically just need to use office productivity software, email, web etc..) .. is there any difference between the 1.8 Centrino and the 2.0? .. or like the 1.7 and the 2.0? .. how does the difference in processor speed effect battery life? .. is a faster process "easier" on the battery, as in less effort .. translating to more battery life? .. or does more computing power mean lesser battery life? ..

really would've liked to have gotten the DELL 6000 .. but the cheap Samsung LCD and the cheap mouse buttons .. (the plastic clicky kind) that I'm reading about in reviews .. have been a major turn-off .. otherwise, nothing beats the 6000's 5 hour battery life .. not to mention the new Sonoma chip and all ..

would really appreciate any advice! ..

Bilal

 

For what you need, you'd be much better off spending a little more money on more memory or a faster 5400 rpm harddrive than on the faster processor. You don't need the faster processor speed.

And yes-- the DV1000 with a 12-cell battery will beat the Dell 6000's 5 hour battery life.

 

thanks for the reply! ..

being in Pakistan, I don't have the option to buy a customized DV1000/DV4000 .. I need to choose from one of the following pre-built systems .. the 2.0 system is a couple of hundred dollars more .. not an issue .. but is it worth spending the extra dough? ..

1)
HP DV1363 Intel Centrino 1.86Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.86Ghz-M Processor 512MB DDR Memory Ram 80GB Hard Drive DVD+R/RW Drive ATI Mobility Radeon Bluetooth 14.1" TFT High Definition Brightview WXGA Screen 10/100 Ethernet Lan&#...

2)
HP Pavilion DV1345 Intel Centrino 1.73Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.73Ghz-M Processor 512MB DDR Memory Ram 60GB Hard Drive Bluetooth DVD+R/RW Drive 14.1" TFT Clear Bright WXGA Screen 10/100 Ethernet Lan WIFI 802.11b/g 56K V.90 Modem Window...

3)
HP Pavilion DV1375 Intel Centrino 2.0Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 2.0Ghz-M Processor 1GB DDR Memory Ram 80GB Hard Drive DVD+R/RW Drive 14.1" TFT Clear Bright WXGA Screen Bluetooth 10/100 Ethernet Lan WIFI 802.11b/g 56K V.90 Modem Windows X

4)
HP Pavilion DV4129 Intel Centrino 1.6Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.6Ghz-M Processor 256MB DDR Memory Ram 40GB Hard Drive Intel® Graphics Media Bluetooth DVD+CDRW Combo Drive 15.4" TFT WXGA Screen 6in1 Card Reader 10/100 Ethernet Lan WIFI...

5)
HP Pavilion DV4139 Intel Centrino 1.7Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.7Ghz-M Processor 256MB DDR Memory Ram 40GB Hard Drive DVD+CDRW Combo Drive 15.4" TFT WXGA Screen Bluetooth 10/100 Ethernet Lan WIFI 802.11b/g 56K V.92 Modem Windows XP Home

6)
HP Pavilion DV4152EA Intel Centrino 1.73Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.73Ghz-M Processor 1GB DDR Memory Ram 10GB Hard Drive DVD+R/RW Drive 15.4" TFT XGA XBRITE Screen Bluetooth 10/100 Ethernet Lan WIFI 802.11b/g 56K V.92 Modem Microsoft Windows..

 

also .. just wanted to get everyone's opinion of the nx6110 and nx8200 models .. the nx6110 (Pentium M - 2.0) and the nx8200 (Pentium M - 1.8) are available for pretty much the same price range .. performance/battery wise .. are they any superior to the DV1000/DV4000 range? ..

any help/advice would be really appreciated!

 

What is the primary intent for this system?

If it's to be a primary system to more or less remain stationary go for the dv4000, if you want something to take with you often, to work, to school, or whatever definitely go for the dv1000.

I really think the biggest error people make when choosing a lappy is underestimating the difference in weight of systems.

With lappys, once you're out there on the road or in the street an extra lb can end up being a HUUUGE difference.

My last lappy was a Dell and I basically hated every moment that is was my primary lappy. I gotta tell ya, after using my dv1000 for a few days more than ever that old thing feels like a cinder block!

I do still like Dell, but for desktops only. I feel like they really miss the sweetspot on all their notebooks.

XPS is nothing compared to the Acer Ferrari or certainly VooDoo, the 700m is over-priced for what it is, the 600m isn't a widescreen, and the worst of them all the 6000 is neither a desktop replacement nor particuarly portable! Actually, it's a brick of a machine that every other putz on the street has.

My advice would be to pick which you want more portability, or more like a desktop. Then, get the best HD and a moderate Pentium M. The Pentium M will give you more battery life, and less heat than the Centrino.

Get one stick of 256 or 512 ram and upgrade aftermarket through crucial or newegg or something.

If you go for the dv4000 get the best and more comfortable backpack you can find. Maybe the Crumpler King Single. Expensive bag but not as expensive as 3 months of chiropractic work.

Also if you go for the dv4000 I'd get the 2 6 cell batteries rather than the one 12. You'll be more stationary than you think with that machine so you can stay plugged in more. With the 12cell that thing's gotta be atleast 7lbs.

Hope this helps.

I did 6 solid months of intense research and am literally thrilled with my dv1000, it's my sweetspot.

 

Get the 1.8Ghz and take the $200 you saved and buy a 5400RPM hard drive and upgrade it yourself. you'll get more bang there especially if you are doing office and web stuff.

 

So you're uses are things like office productivity software, email, web surfing eh? Well, a 1.6 ghz Pentium M will be more than enough for your needs. Don't spend money to get a faster processor, spend that cash either on faster hard drive or more ram.

I was curious about your first option,

HP DV1363 Intel Centrino 1.86Ghz-M
Intel® Centrino™ 1.86Ghz-M Processor 512MB DDR Memory Ram 80GB Hard Drive DVD+R/RW Drive ATI Mobility Radeon Bluetooth 14.1" TFT High Definition Brightview WXGA Screen 10/100 Ethernet Lan&#...


No DV1000 has ATI graphics, only integrated Intel ones, that is a typo.

 

But in Pakistan....? Maybe they're selling something different there, maybe there's some ATI configuration there that isn't sold in the US&Canada? You never know.

If the 60Gig hard drive is the 5400 rpm hard drive, I personally would opt for Option #2, if I were you. Check out the speed of the hard drives in addition to the capacity.

 

Newer models of the DV4000 in the United States at least now have an ATI video card, but every DV1000 model in existence has only Intel integrated graphics.

 

the ATI is a typo .. Intel 900 for the graphics card ..

the 5400 rpm hard drive isn't available .. so will have to stick it out with the 4200 one ..

portability not a huge issue .. so perhaps the 4000, with the bigger screen, might be a better option ..

any thoughts on battery life for the 4000 vs the 1000? .. they're both rated at 3 hours, for the 6-Cell battery ..

 

the Dv1000 will get markedly better battery life...