dv9500t comments == dv9700t question on blu-ray

Hello all I am new here and new to the laptop/notebook world. After months of research I ordered a dv9500t in Dec during the 30% coupon frenzy. This discussion area was so helpful in my pre-sales research, so thank you to all.

The dv9500t is a fine machine and has an absolutely beautiful picture that I've output via HDMI-to-DVI cable on a Samsung 24 inch monitor...it makes things look almost 3D. I have the HD-DVD drive and it renders a nice picture, but is occasionally choppy.

I was checking out the new dv9700t and now that I see what they are offering (a 512 video card might help with that choppy deal) I would sure like a do-over. The other thing I would change is the fingerprint reader -- I did not realize it's existence would deprive me of a USB port (so it has 3), plus it's more of an annoyance than a convenience...it always takes multiple swipes to read the finger print and I've since turned it off.

This is now my only pc (I retired a 5 yr old Dell desktop) and it's important to me to get an optimal advanced config for at least a few years to come. That said I placed a call to HP last night but unfortunately they were not sympathetic to my needs as I am outside of the 21 day return policy (took out of the box Christmas night),

so....

* Anyone know where I can sell a almost-new, only-30-days-outside-it's-box laptop?

* The blu-ray drive now being offered says it will play HD-DVD's as well, did I read that correctly? Will it really play both? Does anyone have this drive that can offer feedback?

* The top processor being offered now is the Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB), any comments?

Thanks for any feedback, it's so cool to have so many enthusiastic HP laptop owners to bounce ideas off of.

 

It's always annoying that when you buy a computer, a new model comes out pretty quickly. Even worse when it comes out a few weeks after you just got it. However, the difference between the 9500 and the 9700 basically comes down to the design on the case. Extra video RAM really makes no difference, and the difference in the CPU speed is only a few percentage points, which you will not notice unless you re-encode a lot of video, and even then it will only be a few seconds faster (or have to correct a lot of run-on sentences).

It's simply not worth the price you are going to have to pay to get the 9700, just to say you have it. You're going to lose money selling the one you have, then buying a new one at the higher price. At least a few hundred bucks, if not more. For basically an identical system.

So be happy with your system and know that you have one that works well. Worry about it in 2 years when those few hundred bucks will get you a lot more of a difference.

PS. Can't answer about blu-ray, but IMO it's not worth spending so much on a drive that will be 1/4 the price in a year, and there's really no content for them anyway.

 

The BluRay drive plays BluRay only, though the movies are in HD.

Orev, what changes were there for the case design?

 

Thanks Orev, I hear what you are saying and I am enjoying my new laptop. The real kicker was new system was going to be about the same price that I paid for the dv9500t.

I will say the video ram certainly makes a difference in the desktop world, but perhaps it's different on the laptop.

I will probably upgrade to 4gig of Ram and call it good.

 

Thanks Lithus for the blu-ray comment, I figured I was misinterpreting their use of the words "HD content".

 

Not really the design of the case, just the pattern they printed on the plastic. Really lame to be touting as a new feature.

Maybe the video RAM makes a difference if you're playing some really intense game, but it makes no difference in terms of performance for dekstop apps, watching video files, or even most games. All of that is just marketing and in your head you think it's better. Or maybe some benchmark says it's better, but in real world performance, no way. On the laptop, the limit is the graphics chip too, not the Video RAM.

PS. You have 30 days to get a refund for the difference in price, but I'm not sure if they will give it because they changed the model number.

 

Really? I thought the pattern was the same radiance design.

 

the case and design is the same. i am in the same shoes as you, i got the dv9500t on Christmas, then 2 weeks later the dv9700t comes out with better specs for less money. kinda lame, why dont they release the new models right before Christmas so everyone isn't getting screwed over. i still like my dv9500t thought. i was planning on keeping it for 3 years, before i get a new laptop. ill probably get a nice Desktop for games in between that.

 

If you've only had it for 2 weeks you can return it and get the new one, and HP will pay the return shipping. You have 21 days from when you receive it to return it under this policy.

 

Thanks bustanut456...yep, it does seem like they would want to tout the new model for the holiday season. I can't complain though, with that 30% discount coupon I got a $2000 notebook for $1450. That discount was better than my HP EPP I get through my company.

 

Hi. I just got a DV9700 with blue ray. I have an LCD with DVI input instead of HDMI. I would like to know how are you dealing wiht the sound when you watch movies through your computer?

 

You'll have to use the audio out jacks on the front of the laptop to connect it to external speakers.

 

Thank you for your quick response.

I am using that method right now. I got a Y cable (3.5mm jack to RCA left & right). However, it is not a digital signal. I have an Pioneer AV receiver wich has Toslinks inputs. I would like to feed the sound from my computer to the receiver directly using a toslink cable. It is that possible?

 

I'm not that familiar with using digital audio. You might want to read this thread which goes into more detail about it.

 

I believe the 2nd headphone output is SPDIF digital out. There is an adapter out there that looks like a 3.5mm jack > Toslink that should enable you to hook it up digitally.

Like this one :- http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/audio-cables/digital-audio-optical-toslink-cable/pof-t3-mr-2m/prodPIM00054.html

 

Hello davidm992, looks like your question has been answered. I learned something myself reading the responses. I did not know one of the headphone out jacks was digital. I have the HP Quickdock which has an SPDIF digital audio out jack that I plan to use. Now that I can play HD content I need to upgrade my speakers, they are ok but are not digital and do not provide that "surround" sense. So far I don't know of any computer speakers with the digital input, only home theater, but I haven't done extensive research just yet.

 

Thank you all you guys!

I just bought a Digital Optical Toslink Female to 3.5mm Male Optical Adaptor.
here is the link:

http://www.national-tech.com/specs/30f2-71200.htm

I have a toslink cable, so I as soon I get the adaptor, I will let you know if that worked out. Thank you for your responses.

By the way, is there a way to know if the headphone jack has digital output?