dv4000 vs. dv1000t Can't Decide!!

Each has its merits: the dv4000 is the right price, with the larger display. In fact I was all set to buy one when I noticed a 14" notebook alongside it, and that dv1000t is small and streamlined, plus it has Core Duo.

Here's the configuration I'm considering for the 4000:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 745A (1.80 GHz)
256MB DDR2 SDRAM (1x256MB) (I'll get at least 1, maybe 2 GB elsewhere)
80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG & Bluetooth(TM)
15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

And for the 1000t:
Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2400 (1.83 GHz)
256MB DDR2 SDRAM (1x256MB) (again, memory I'll get elsewhere)
60 GB 5400 RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
14.0" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

The dv1000 is maybe $100 less custom configured through Costco, but can be had for less if I choose a pre-configured one without Bluetooth and a slower processor but with 1 gb RAM. Is the faster processor really necessary, or would it be overkill in my case?

Anyway, does anyone know if the screen size of the 14" will be a problem for my middle aged eyes? Or will the total smaller unit size (portability) and Core Duo make up for that?

Oh yeah, I'll be doing Photoshop, Dreamweaver, web surfing and slideshows with it.

 

You should definitly go with the DV1000t. You will see a significant difference running programs with the Core duo processor. Also if it is cheaper, there is no reason not to get it. You are also better off getting more ram or a faster harddrive than getting the fastest chip. You will see a more significant performance boost with either of the two. Lastly, I own a 14in Asus W3V and its screen is not a problem for me. However, you should probably go to a store and examine it yourself, just to be sure.

 

I'd definitely go with the dv1000t, hands down. The dv4000 used to be a good value when it was offered with dedicated graphics, but since it's no longer the case there's no point in getting it. If you're not going to play games, the 14" form factor is a much better size to have.

I don't think the text size on a 14" screen will bother you at all. With the 12-cell battery, you'll get great battery life, too.

 

Go for DV1000T definitely. The only reason I got the DV4000 is because of the better video of x700 which is no longer available. The DV1000T comes with QuickPlay2.0 which adds more functions to it and it has duo core CPU. I had a similar question 5 months ago whether to go for a DV1000 or DV4000. After using the DV4000 for 4 months, I found it a bit heavy.

 

Thanks, you guys have been a big help.

When I said "$100 less" what I meant was that I had configured the 1000 with 1.83 ghz processor, smaller hard drive and less RAM, while the pre-configured one comes with a processor 1 step down (1.6? ghz), a larger hard drive and 1gb RAM for about $100 less because of a $150 coupon they have which is not available for the custom one.

 

How much hourplay do you get with the extended battery? does it bother you that the extension is underneath? not lap comfortable?

 

Does anyone know if which Core Duo is the best for this unit? The choices re these: 1.66 GHz, 1.83 GHz & 2.0 GHz. I was thinking of taking the middle road here, for no other reason than I just don't know what to get.

Does the processor factor into the battery life at all?

 

I have the dv1000t with the 2.0 ghz processor. I would recommend buying the fastest processor you can afford since I've never heard anyone complaining that they purchased too fast of a machine.

 

If you are not going to play games get the dv1000t. It should work fine for you.
Tim

 

Nope, no games. So, I'm looking at Newegg for RAM, but I can't figure out what I need.

ubrgeek?


ETA: I just re-configured with the 2.0 GHz processor. That added quite a chunk of $$$. Ouch.

 

It uses 533mhz DDRII SDRAM. Please note that dual channel is only supported if you have symmetric memory. So if you want to optimize the memory architecture, you need to buy another 256 to match the one you have already configured. Since I'm suspecting you want more than that, you either need to get a bigger single stick from HP or eat the cost of the 256chip.

FYI - I have a colleague who has the dv4000 and neither laptop allows you to configure the system with a separate GPU, so if you were interested in playing the newest games on the laptop I would pass on both.

 

Thanks so much for the help, ubrgeek. I figured I'd need to eat the cost of that memory, anyway. But there's no way I'm giving HP $200+ for RAM.

Is this along the lines of what I'm looking for, for instance? 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200)

BTW, its not likely that I'll be playing much in the way of games on it, either, but you made an excellent point for anyone who would be looking for that kind of machine.

 

I believe the memory you have referenced is a desktop chip. I believe you need the 200-pin SO-DIMM (Check with HP to be sure)

FYI - When I priced out the memory for this laptop, the other vendors didn't have a big enough difference in price.

 

This is the stuff you want to be looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000170381+1052408147&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=381

I bought the Mushkin 2x1GB pack. You may even get lucky and get 667 memory for the price of 533!

The dv1000t is a sweet machine. If it had any kind of dedicated graphics card, I would have pounced on it months ago.

Good luck!

 

Thanks, guys!

I just realized my mistake about 6 minutes ago, ubrgeek; and found that correct page about 3 minutes ago, Bossy.

This stuff is not at all easy, is it?!

 

LOL! Nope. Took me about 3 1/2 months to decide on a laptop. The whole shopping process was making me crazy.

 

OK. Well. I went ahead and ordered through Costco (really like their libeal return policy) I'll order the RAM in a day or two.

So. Now we wait. It gave a March twenty-something ship date. Not too bad, I guess.