dv8000t vs dv9000t

Guys,
I am considering replacing my dv8000t with a dv9000t.

Can anyone tell me if dv9000t has significant advantages over 8000?
What are the performance benefits?
Have they fixed the keyboard problems?

 

Well, the dv9000t has an HDMI port, 512 MB Geforce 7600 go option, optional larger capacity battery, webcam and microphone, and optional Core 2 Duo processors so you should get better performance but the price has also gone up. From what I have seen/read, the dv9000 does not have any of the keyboard problems associated with the dv8000.

 

The dv9000 is generally better, in short.

 

More???? Price if anything is LESS now..

In April 2006 I place an order for a dv8000t thru Costco which had a $150 instant off coupon (Thru Costco), Plus a $50 HP mail in rebate.... Price after both rebates applied

$1,362

The dv8000t came with a 7400 series gpu, and 512mb of system ram.
dv8000t was the Core Duo t2500 @ 2.0ghz. Below is the Core Duo 2


Just confiqured a dv9000t the SAME: http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPConfigurator.aspx?Prodid=10029570&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&model=EZ379AV

Except it having:

1: An HDMI port !!!, useful to output to a Big Screen TV, Plasma, projector!!
2: Geforce 7600 go (50% faster in 3DMark's than the 7400)
3: Webcam and microphone
4: Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz) , (about 10-20% faster, better battery life, plus is 64 bit)
5: OS before was HOME, now a free upgrade to Windows XP Media Center... and the price to PRO is now $55. (was like $79)
6: Oh, almost forgot, the dv8000t have 512mb ram, the dv9000t spec'd below coming with a free upgrade to (1) gig ram.



Costco Member Price $1,402.99 - Plus a $50 HP mail in rebate.... Total price= $1,352.99

Shipping & Handling $0.00


Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz)
FREE Upgrade to 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)!!
FREE Upgrade to 100 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)
FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
Microsoft(R) Works/Money
HP Mobile Remote Control
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone + Webcam
System Recovery DVD w/Windows XP Media Center

* * * * * * * *


NOTE: If I was to spec one out today to buy, if the 512 7600 is ever "confirmed" to be 512 dedicated (some "rumors" going around it's 256, sharing system ram) I'd opt for that.... plus I'd go with a 7,200 rpm hard drive.

 

I checked out the dv9000t at a local CompUSA store. Here are my first impressions:
- The glossy finish of the area around the LCD looks very cheap. The surface is not a straight plane too -- it's got dents.
- Didn't like the speaker grille and especially the fitment. The fitting strips are visible.
- The keyboard is somewhat different. Not sure why they had to have a small Shift key. Definitely going to be a problem.
- HP imprint finish looks good.
- Trackpad is too smooth.

Overall, the HP build quality seems to be going down with every new model.

For now, I am going to stick with my dv8000t. Or maybe just return it and get a Apple.

 

1) The dents are just that...customers taking it out on a notebook in hopes of getting that slightly damaged unit at a discount (I've seen people try). Or people just being mean.
2) Fitting strips shouldn't be seen AFAIK.
3) That's what HP wanted...that's what they did.
4) Definitely nice...
5) I've used a few of the newer models (went to BB to check them out), I actually think their trackpads are *better* than they used to be.

Except for the major dv8000 problems, most of these notebooks are actually getting better in quality and appearance. I really didn't see any problems (build quality wise) on a floor model of the dv9000t or dv6000z at BB last night.