new 8710 line...any thoughts?

Does anyone have any input on this new line? I was waiting for a refurb 9440, but I may go with one of these...not sure what the difference is between the p and the w versions.

 

W is workstation. P is personal or something like that.

W models are ISV-certified and use workstation video cards (FireGL and Quadro).

 

I don't have any personal input on either of these model's as I have not personally used either.

But I can tell you the difference's. Both the 8710p & 8710w are the exact same model, the only difference being the graphics solution.

The 8710p has:

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 320M graphics, with 256 MB dedicated video memory (512 MB TurboCache)
Microsoft DirectX 10 support

The 8710w has:

NVIDIA Quadro FX 1600M graphics, with 512 MB dedicated video memory
Microsoft DirectX 10 support

I am unaware of there exact performance when compared with each other, only that they are both located in the Performance Line-Up of Nvidia's Mobile GPU's.

At first glance I would say the 8710w would be a better choice for power because it has twice the dedicated memory. Shared memory not only takes away from your system's RAM, but tends to be a lot slower than dedicated memory.

 

8710w replaces nw9440 ("w"= workstation), 8710p replaces nx9420 (here, "p" stands for professional).

8710p will however be powered semi-professional VGA Quadro NVS 320 instead of consumer line as featured in nx9420 (Ati Radeon X1600).

But don't expect 8710w to be cheaper than 9440w - HP will simply install powerful components to keep the price level of workstation models stable.

 

Well the 8710p might just fit the bill...I don't need all the power of the video card of the 9440, but wanted a more than the 9420 so that I can run After Affects smoothly...I don't do any other 3D work outside of that.

How long do you think it will take to get one once I order...I have to have it in hand no later than July 15th.

 

I believe they are shipping now, so you'd have it almost immediately.

The 8510p is delayed for some reason, lots of us are waiting for it.

 

I take it I have to call to get a configured price? I don't want a 5400 rpm drive or Vista....but I don't see a way online to customize. I'll give DELL credit, their online ordering is the tops...maybe HP could take a few hints from them.

 

mbuckingham:
Configuration is not possible now and I'm not sure if it will ever be for this model. Furthermore, I doubt you can have it prior July 15th if you're somewhere in Europe...

Drive - I recommend to take 160GB/5400rpm drive - it is with perpendicular technology - PMR - for sure so it will be as fast as 7200rpm drives without PMR (which will probably be installed into HPs, at least for next weeks. There is no way to recognize PMR that is ordered with laptops unless you are sure that every manufacturer makes concrete size only with PMR - this is currently a case of 160/5400, 160/7200 and 200/7200 drives. Every other capacity/speed can be without PMR, depending on the manufacturer that will supply drives for concrete batch of laptops).

Dell CTO is a great tool, but the problem is that vast majority of people simply don't know what those options mean... In this case, models that are already in stock are better for HP/Dell in order to increase market share, revenue and profit.

 

I'm in the US...I don't understand how it could not be configurable...it says it can have XP Pro on it.

So the 160gb 5400 RPM drive is as fast as a 7200RPM drive...that's cool...I just have to get them to offer XP and we'll be set.

 

Word is that there are delays with the ATI HD 2600 that is going into the 8510p.

 

mbuckingham:
"It can have XP Pro" only means that HP can preinstall XP Pro in the factory. It doesn't say anything about who can order XP Pro. Some models such as 6510b are already configurable even for consumers, but others are configurable only if you order hundreds of laptops from HP. Therefore, if HP decides that no XP Pro will be available in stock items and/or there will be no customizable tool for consumers, you won' be able to get XP Pro unless you're a company paying thousands of dollars to HP for their products.

However, there is a solution to this - Vista Business enables user to use XP Pro legally. All you have to do is to purchase XP Pro recovery media from HP, call Microsoft Activation hotline (no activation over internet) and ask for XP license key so you can install it. After you'll feel that you're ready for Vista, you can install Vista.

 

Very interesting. So I can have the system ordered with Vista...get the XP Recovery CD and do a full recovery...then after the first service pack comes out I can reinstall Vista for no extra cost?

Very nice. It does sound like I can order XP Pro on the machine, I'm not sure about what other configuration...I just have to call and they set it up.

 

Can anyone confirm this?

 

I thought I'd make it three posts in a row...

Anyone have an idea of the performance difference between the 8710p and the nx9420.

My only concern with the 9420 is its ability in video and applications like After Affects.

 

I believe the main difference is that the 8710p uses the new Santa Rosa Platform.

 

I'm just wondering if the Santa Rosa and the better video card is worth the almost $700 price difference from the 9420...I'm also considering the nw9440 though that video card is overkill but the x1600 is a bit less for when I do get into After Affects.

 

mbuckingham:
There is no extra cost for switching back to Vista. It is also the cheapest way to get XP Pro as you won't get a special model with preinstalled XP Pro as a consumer buying one unit (unless they introduce config tool; but again - if you buy it with Vista, you get XP Pro license too for a few dollars - XP recovery DVD and some phone calls to Microsoft Activation Hotline).

 

When I talked to HP they said they didn't have an XP Recovery DVD for the 8710.

I'm also getting mixed information on time to ship. The cart since it will ship on Tuesday, the phone rep said 2 weeks.

Maybe I'll stick with the nx9420 and hope the video card is enough.

 

Well, I'm not sure but Microsoft has in Europe some partners who can provide you with genuine XP Pro installation CD; maybe there are some in USA too. Or you can use any other OEM installation CD.

 

Gotcha...just install overtop Vista?

 

Install Vista, create recovery discs, check them. Then contact Microsoft and only after they will confirm the downgrade, install XP. I suggest formatting the drive so you will do clean installation of the OS.

You can't use Vista and XP simultaneously on that machine if you use this downgrade program - there can be legally only one Windows (either Vista or XP) installed on laptop.

Here is a link to microsoft PDF file hosted at MS:
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

 

I need to use Windows XP Professional also.

I've got full Windows XP Pro media, licensed and all that.

But how will I get the drivers for the 8710w installed? I'm assuming that the drivers for Vista won't work for XP, so I think I still need a way to get the drivers from HP.

I went to the HP site and searched for drivers and got: We were unable to locate the software & driver downloads page for the product "rm265ut".

Is there another solution for finding drivers?

Stobor

 

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=3355687&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=3369264&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=1093