dv9500t right for me?? (nongamer, programmer - multimedia)

1) What is your budget?
$1,500

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

ideally, if its in my budget...but will be hooking up to 20" monitor for extra space too... = Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
will move down to less than 17" if price doesnt fit...

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Open mind to all

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Programming in Netbeans, Eclipse, Viewing movies, Listening to music, Optimizing databases

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
90% on desk, 10% moving around -> but not using on the road most likely

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Nope

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
3 is fine.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Open minded.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Latest = greatest. Prob windows

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets. <<<< Will settle...
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets. <<<< I think this is preferable...

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Open about this...

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Nah.

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
3-4 years?

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?
100GB+ 7200 RPM

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive?
Nope..

Other things:
Thinking T7500, 2 gig ram, HDMI or DVI out, full keyboard + 10 digit pad would be nice...

I guess to be consistent ~90% of the time will be hooked up to second monitor.
Do I have to use a docking station? I was thinking of just using whatever HDMI/DVI out that comes with the laptop into the Samsung 204BW to dual monitor. Watch a movie over here...write some code over here...that sort of thing

I like the idea of double desktop space for multitasking. I'm looking for something powerful so that its basically lag free when I am running some compiler and watching some movie...

I'll probably be moving it around maybe once or twice a month, and thats a reason I dont want to get a desktop.

HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
RL653AV

* – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* – 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* – $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
* – HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
* – 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* – FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope


This video card, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, comes with DVI/HDMI out right?

 

It looks like the 9500t would be a good fit for you.

The laptop will come with an HMDI port as long as you configure it with one of the nVidia cards.

Just my $0.02, I would skip the fingerprint reader unless you're sure you're going to use it. It will take away one of your USB ports and it gets in the way if you use the number pad on the keyboard. I would also consider the 8600GS video card. You may not absolutely need it, but if its in your budget, it can't hurt to have some extra graphics power just in case.