dv1000t.... any good?

I'm just wondering if anyone has this laptop yet and taken pictures, reviews, etc. I'm thinking of getting one for school (web surfing & word processing), maybe some media stuff (dvd watching, picture & minor video editing), and very minor gaming (e.g. Red Alert 2........ i know it's old).

I live in Canada and I noticed that Futureshop here has the Centrino Duo dv1000, which is considered as the dv1000t in the US. They have it as the dv1635, dv1650, and dv1680 here. The first two just have different RAM, but the last one has the T2400 Centrino. Is the Intel GMA 950 any good for the stuff I plan on doing? Thanks in advance.

Here's the link for the dv1680 @ FS:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sort=0&page=2&list=0665000FS10073125

 

The DV1000T is a pretty good laptop. I can base this on the fact that the DV1000's other series were reletively well build budget notebooks made for portability.

The GMA 950 would probably be fine, I'm assuming Red Alert 2 is several years old? If so, then it'd be fine.

You could also go to the What to Buy forums and will out the FAQ and we could help you out there.

 

b_
I have this on order. In fact, I'm out of town, and FedEx has already tried to deliver it to my house, but I wasn't there to receive it

Anyways, every review gives this laptop high marks, as long as you aren't a serious gamer.

VERY fast computer, it's also HP's lightest model. I've gone to Best Buy and seen the actual machine, and it looks very nice.

It is NOT built as well as, say, a Thinkpad, or Sony. However, for the money, you get a lot! Dual core processor, remote control which can be used for playing DVD's and movies and stores away in the ExpressCard slot when not in use, decent Altec Lansing speakers, quick play so you can play movies or dvd's without booting up to Windows....

Overall, a very nice looking full features machine which, for general use, is FAST!

Again, only criticism is, if you want to play the latest hi demanding games, this isn't the machine. For general use (Photoshop, MP3's, Word, Spreadsheets, etc.) this thing is supposed to rock!

(Laptop mag had an aricle on Duo Core's last month, and had the dv1000t on it's cover, and also rated it Editor's Choice)They reviewed four duo core laptops, and rated the dv1000t the highest! (Based on value and features)

 

Thanks Reize and Shel. Based on what I've read so far (reviews and stuff) the dv1000t sounds a good laptop with bang for your bucks.

At first, I was considering an Asus w3j or w3v, but I'll be broke if I do. But upon further consideration, I don't consider myself a serious serious gamer, so the Intel GMA 950 should be fine for me. I mean the most advanced game I'll most likely play in the future is Age of Empires 3. And I don't really play a lot of RPG games (like Doom). Probably CounterStrike, but that's about it.

The only thing I'm really considering is if the dv1000t is good enough for some Photoshopping and some video editing. I'm thinking of getting into these things in the near future, but for the moment, I'm into more typical university stuff (web surfing, powerpoint, word). But as you said Shel, it sounds good.

I'm also wondering about build reliabilty. It won't break after a short time, will it? I'm the kind of guy who takes care of hit gadgets really well. I mean all of my DVDs have no scratches. It's that good. So should I expect the dv1000t to last me at least 3 years? Thanks again guys for the reply and help.

 

Just wanted to add my thoughts-

Just got my dv1000t last weekend, actually got the dv1569us from Circuit city:
-Duo core 1.66
- 1 GB RAM
- 100 GB HD
-- Web cam
--- Built in prowireless
-- $1299, $1099 after rebate
First, when I got the computer from the store the AC power adapter was bad, no problem getting a new one from the store the same day. According to circuit city about 1 in 50 HPs have bad AC adapters, that seems high though...

Anyway, Extensive use over the last week proves that I love it!! The wireless is super strong, I get "free" wireless from my neighbor >10 houses away. I haven't put it though the processing paces yet, but any burning/editing files etc are no problem. The battery seems like about 2:45 with heavy hard drive/CD and or wireless use, although I haven't timed it out yet. Anyway, should be long enough to watch a movie on the plane.

Other than possible AC adapater QC issues, seems like a great laptop, especially at the price.

 

I just got a dv1688us from compusa, lovin it!!
1.86 duo core
win xp pro
1 gig 533mhz ram
100 gig 5400 rpm hd
webcam
bluetooth
dvd+-r w/ lightscribe
$1299 after 200 rebate, got a free printer too!

This machine is FAST! The only thing I dont like is the flex on the keyboard, it's really really springy on the arrow keys too. But overall, this is prolly best value notebook for a duo core 14" thin and light notebook.

 

Where did the $200 discount come from? I am only seeing a $50 mail-in at HP, Costco, and CompUSA.

 

take a look at v2000z, it looks nice too. IT is probably the best value notebooke, it's so much cheaper than dv1000t. I got it for only 700, shipping and tax included.

 

May as well add my two cents, now that my dv1000t has arrived!

dv1000t from www.costco.com
1.86 duo core
win xp home
1 gig 533mhz ram
100 gig 5400 rpm hd
remote control
12 cell battery
dvd+-r

Really like it so far!

Only minor quibbles for me are, mouse buttons don't have a great tactile feel to them, and location of headphone/speaker jack. The jack is located at the front of the computer, which, when you're watching a dvd and want to use headphones, it's a great location (allows you to close laptop while listening to music with headphones) but, while sitting on my desk, it puts the cord for my external speakers right in front of the laptop. Not a big deal, but...

The screen is simply beautiful! Watched 15 minutes of Lord of War, and was blown away by how nice the screen image is.

Love the lights on the access buttons... gives the computer a nice look at night, and makes it easier to find quick access buttons.

Computer is FAST.... I've had it scanning hardrive with Norton (it started to scan my harddrive automatically, so I just let it proceed), burned CD and browsed the web, even downloaded, and didn't notice any slowdown!

Also, great size! Small and lightweight.

 

just a quick question. would a 1.86 duo core be substantially better than a 1.66 duo core? the price difference where i am is $300 with the 1.86 being more money. btw, the prices are in canadian. but anyway, would there be any noticeable performance improvement between the two chips?

 

b
I believe I read somewhere that it's about a 10% increase in speed.

Noticable? Maybe, but I doubt it would make a major differnce. If you can afford it, go for it. If not, get the 1.66 and you'll be very happy!