need your advice: dv6500 or dv9500?

hi all! i'm from the dell forums, mostly. have had terrible problems with dell and their screens so i'm converting to HP. i would sincerely appreciate your opinions. should i buy a dv6500 or a dv9500? here are the specs and prices i have selected for each:

dv6500:

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7700 (2.40 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics Card 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
HP Imprint (Radiance) + Microphone
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965ABG Network Connection
FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM from 120GB 5400RPM!!
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
No TV tuner w/remote control
High Capacity 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007

price: $1027.29



dv9500:

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7700 (2.40 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Microphone
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
FREE Upgrade to 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2) from 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
No TV Tuner w/remote control
High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

price: $1259.14





both these deals look pretty sweet. let me know what you think! if there is anything i should know (like the 12 cell for the dv6500 sticks out, maybe?), i would appreciate it!

 

The dv6000 will offer better mobility, but without having a clue as to what you plan to do with it, it's kind of hard to help.

 

The 12 cell on the DV6500T does extend an inch from the bottom, but I actually like it, as well as some users, because it allows for airflow and it tilts the keyboard making it much easier to type.

If you like higher resolution and better GPU, the dv9500 is the choice, plus two hard drives. The downside is it's kind of big for portability.

I myself, have the Dv6500T and I really like the portability, and it it sleek looking! I checked my screen and it's made by LG, and no dead pixel!

 

The 12-cell for the dv6500T not only sticks out the back, it also sticks out the bottom, so it will elevate the notebook when lying on a desk. It's well worth it, though, since I've heard the 6-cell provides pretty meager battery life.

As for the dv6500t vs. dv9500t: They both look great. The dv9500t is a slightly better deal with the larger HD and more powerful graphics; but on the other hand, the dv6500 is smaller and lighter. If you want more power, go with the dv9500t; if you want more portability, go for the dv6500t. 17" models tend to be bulky and heavy (though the dv9500t is one of the thinner and lighter 17's), so just keep that in mind if you get the dv9500t.

EDIT: I just noticed the dv6500 has Office 2007, the dv9500 has Microsoft Works instead. For that reason alone, unless you need the extra power and storage capacity, I would go for the dv6500 in a heartbeat over the dv9500.

 

i appreciate your responses! i think i may be leaning more toward the 9500. i think i want the higher resolution. if HP had a higher resolution 6500, i think that might win out. oh, and zaz. i plan to use it as a, uh, computer. lol. no, seriously. also, zaz, have you reviewed the 6000? i'd like to read your review if so.

i will most likely be using it for a desktop replacement. some light gaming. watch dvds, surf the web, mp3s, etc. here is a question- do you guys think movies look better on the higher resolutions?

i also want any info you guys have on the platforms if you have any. for instance, the dell 1520s have a lot more LCD issues than the 1720s. is there anything like this happening with the 6500 and 9500 HP models?

i'm going to look for a thread with pictures of the 12 cell battery. if you know of one, direction would also be appreciated.

word.

 

My partner has a dell 17 incher... it is huge and heavy when he has everything with him. He purchased it last year and now it sites at home (where it should, I guess).

I also went with the 6500... right mix of power and portability with me since my current laptop is a 15 incher... plus, I can plug it into my 19 inch monitor.

All boils down to what you need.

 

I actually just returned a DV9500t. I returned it only because I needed a better graphics card because I do a lot of gaming (one of the main games I wanted to play was Bioshock). I used the laptop for about 2 weeks and brought it over friends houses and used it all around my house. I didn't think that mobility was a problem with the DV9500t and actually thought it was quite comfortable. I enjoyed the 17inch screen very much and the quality and crystal clear picture on it was amazing. I would definitely suggest going with this laptop if you only plan on doing light gaming because it is an amazing machine. The style of it is amazing and all the little bells and whistles it offers are great too! The first laptop I owned from HP was the dv6000z, which is he same thing as the 6500 except for the internals really. My brother now owns the 6000 and let me tell you, after owning the 9500 the 6000 feels really tiny in comparison. The 9500 is a great laptop and I definitely recommend you go with it over the 6500, I mean its only a $200 for a bigger screen and better video card, its a no brainer especially if you're using it as a desktop replacement.

 

hey, envision. thanks for the info! i will probably not game much at all, and i'm too chicken to carry my laptop around everywhere anyway, so i think it's going to be the 9500. the 1520 i am returning is pretty hefty for a 15.4 inch screen, so i don't think the 9500 will be a huge increase from that. plus, i really want that clear LCD you commented on. dell's LCDs on their new machines suck donkey balls, so i'm sure it will look amazing! shame on you dell!

 

I did not review the dv6500, but did do the dv6000z which is as noted is pretty much the same notebook except for the internals.

 

000111, just make sure you don't wait too long, because the 30% coupon won't be here too much longer, even though they will probably run it again soon. Through seeing the coupons they are running, especially the frequency they are running the 30% coupon now, that HP is trying to get rid of there current notebooks. This would tell me that they are planning to bring out a new line soon.

 

if you had a 1520 you should have 0 issues with the weight an size of the 9500t. the 9500t is a very slim and lightweight 17" notebook. i myself simply for future proofing could not bring myself to get a 8400gs card . not that the 8600gs is a fantastic card but its a world better than the 8400.

and yes my friend who is a manager at a local office depot said they were told hp would be releasing some new systems soon so i guess ther could be some truth to that, cant be sure though..

but if you want a high res and the 9500t's i have seen have all had very nice screens on them nothing like the crap dell dishes out i think you willbe fine even if you do carry it around with you..