dv6000t vs. 6500t: worth the extra cost?

I'm on a rather tight budget, so I'm having quite some trouble deciding on whether or not the jump in specs is worth the jump in cost. Also I've been tearing my hair out. Please help.

Does the 6500's core 2 duo T7100 (1.8GHz/2MB L2Cache) perform significantly better than the 6000's dual core T2080 (1.73Ghz/1MB)?

Same goes for the GPU: is the new 8400m gs a lot better than the 7400? Or, even, is its DX10 compatibility useless as the 8400 might not even be powerful enough to play DX10 games anyway?

In other words, is it worth the price jump? (Also: when is it best to buy? Is it better to wait for back-to-school promotions?)

Thanks in advance for the help. God I can't believe how much sleep I'm losing over this.

 

I think it depends most on what you're doing with it.

The C2D 7100(1.8ghz) vs T2080 1.73... yes I think you would see a difference if you were encoding video. Off the top of my head, probably a 30% increase with the 7100. If you were using Word, writing email, surfing... you would see no difference at all.

With the GPU, I haven't researched these cards because I'm not a gamer. I assume you're asking because you want to play games... if I were playing games I'd get the 8400m just to ensure DX10 compatibility. Will it play them? I don't know. The numbers I've heard tossed around are significantly in favor of the 8400m.

What games are you playing, and at what settings?

I believe it's probably best to buy in a few months. These things just came out, and the biggest selling season in late Summer right before school. Personally I'm holding out for the killer deals.

 

There are many configurations available for both the dv6000 and the dv6500, not merely the two you mentioned.

I don't see the dv6500 as being worth more than a higher-end dv6000. Is playing games an important part of your computer experience? Make sure you get the best graphics card you can at the outset, because I don't think you can change it later, as opposed to the CPU or adding RAM.

Probably the absolute very best time to buy is with the back-to-school promotions. However, good deals can be had throughout the year, but you have to be aware of what's out there so you know a good deal when you see it. For instance, a day or two ago a big box store had an HP for sale: $400 off (2 rebates). The starting price, though, must have been what the computer was selling for last fall.

When I look at the lappie I bought for the price I paid ($1299 + tax) for the uses I have, I don't see the dv6500's worth the extra price for features.

Best,
Bill

 

I think the 6500 is only worth it if you plan on using features not supported on the 6000, like HDMI compatibility, HD-DVD, higher performing graphics card.

As far as the prices go, it seems like it's a pretty significant jump from 6000 to 6500. And I don't know about waiting...maybe for back-to-school. But, I bought my laptop the day after thankgiving, last year, and I'm sure glad I didnt wait, because prices have not gone down, at all on the HP website!!!

I got my laptop for $850 at Circuit City (the only sale was like $150 rebate).
dv6000:
-T2250 Intel Core Duo 1.73 (1MB L2 cache)
-100 GB hard drive
-2 GB RAM
-webcam, mic, imprint finish
-dvd/rw , with lightscribe
-media reader, remote for QuickLaunch
-Intel Media Accelerator

The only thing it didn't have that I wanted was bluetooth and Nvidia Card, but I can say this...people always want the best, latest features on their laptops, at least I do. But after a couple of weeks they really don't seem to matter that much (unless you use them of course). And the extra cach is nice to have when you need it.

For ex: I was excited about LightScribe (haven't used it in months)
-was excited about webcam/mic (hardly ever use it)
-was excited about dvd/rw (hardly ever use it, could live without it)

Just my 2 cents.

 

I couldn't agree more. Real world usage is often different than Cnet or PC World or PC Mag make it out to be. I've got components on my lappie that I figured I may use someday, but I don't really use them much. Decide what you need the computer to do, then buy accordingly.

Best,
Bill

 

One thing about the dv6500t and it's Santa Rosa chipset that makes it worth the increase in price over the dv6000t is the longer battery life it offers. This advantage, coupled with the twofold increase in graphics performance (Go7400 vs 8400M) and faster processor make the dv6500t worth the extra money, in my opinion.

 

What do you think is the average battery life of the dv6500t with a High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery?

 

Thank you all for your replies, I really, really appreciate it. I think I will wait it out until the back-to-school sales. Dell might also be offering something more powerful in the coming months.

 

A little over 3 hours, though it may be less with the nvidia chip.

 

not trying to steal the thread, but what is the expected battery life of the 12 cell vs the high capacity 6 cell??

 

I get about 3 hours of battery life on my dv6500t with average usage. This is with the intel video card. I paid $1200+tax and I agree with the previous poster (I could have done without the faster 2ghz cpu, I could do without lightscribe, I dont really need webcam, fingerprint scanner is useless for a home machine where I autologin anyway, etc). However the extended battery life of the santa rosa was something that i wanted. I was tired of having to plug my laptop in after every 2 hours. Granted 3 hours isnt that much better.....if I had to choose again, I would prob do that $850 deal at CC for the dv6000. Then I wouldnt feel as bad if after a year I tradeup for a different one.

 

Fant: Do you have a regular 6-cell or the Extended 6-cell ?

 

Yeah everyone was really telling me to go for the 7300 for $75 more but getting a 12cell battery the 120gb HD seemed like a much better option as I would actually notice the difference.

 

12 cell goes up to 4 hours, makes for a nice carrying handle, and props up the back of the note book to let air flow better.