NP5790 - is it that much better than a HP dv9500T? $700 better?

I have narrowed my next laptop down to either a Sager NP5790 or a HP dv9500T. I'm on the fence right now, and the issue is price.

Right now, HPs got a $300 off coupon on the 9500. Basically for roughly $1300 I can get:

17" 16x10 screen
2.0 C2D
2GB RAM
8600M GS 512MB (I know it's really 256MB) <--the video card is the sticking point!
160GB 5400 RPM HD
Wireless N + Bluetooth
DL DVD Burner
Vista Home Prem
And a case!

I've not found an identically equipped 5790 for any less than $2,000. The only diff being that the 5790 has the 8700GT video card; which I know is a far superior card. But is it $700 superior? Is the rest of the laptop that much better?

Obviously, intended usage means everything. This will not be a desktop replacement; I already have a killer gaming rig. This laptop will be used on the road when I travel on business. After doing the spreadsheets and emails (which I can do on a 10-year old Dell laptop) I like to get my frag on. UT, Dark Messiah, Doom3, HL, etc, etc.

I know the 8700GT is a better card. But how can I (you?) justify the extra $700.

I really would like to hear the pros/cons and your opinions. Thanks!

*edit*
Fixed my typos.

 

the 8600M GS is very low in performance compared to even the 8600M GT.... let alone the 8700M GT or 7950GTX.

 

Yeah, unfortunately, you're right. The chart on this page puts the difference in 3DMark06 at 2,000 points.

But basically, that means I'm paying $700 for that video card. That's more than an 8800GTX superfuperplatinum desktop card!

I know it's hard to compare quality b/t Clevo and HP if you've not owned both. Can anyone chime in on that aspect, please?

 

You are not just paying for the card... Its the whole latptop that counts.

 

with sager (i own a 9260), you get awesome build quality, hardly any bloatware (i got nero, a DVD player, and something i cant remember the name of), and top notch performance for a very reasonable price.

i will not comment on HP, since i have never owned one...but the Sagers are worth every penny IMO

 

Why does the thread starter keep mentioning the 8600GT when talking about the NP5790?

 

Also take into consideration the style. HPs are stylish, but the Clevo/Sager will turn heads.

EDIT: I LOL'd when I saw that 3DMark comparison chart. 8600M GS is about the same as the Go 7700.

 

No your not paying 700 for the graphics card because the HP screen will not be the same resolution as the Sager. The screen is a big part of the price of a laptop.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Actually, the screen resolution will be exactly the same; 1680x1050. I configured them identically, save for the video card. I do agree that the Sager is the better looking machine...allthough that's not terribly important as looks have nothing to do with performance.

What is so funny about the chart showing 8600M GS is about the same as the Go 7700? I've not used either card. Is the performance not the same in real life?

 

the 8600M GS will be very low in the mid-range GPU category... especially for new games.

The Clevo M570RU is the better notebook in pretty much every aspect:
- its not a plain-jane notebook (unique and not identifiable... making it ever so sweeter)
- superior build quality
- videocard is high-end (7950GTX, 8700M GT)
- videocard is upgradeable with highest-end MXM-IV slot
- amazing thermal design
- resellers/vendors will beat any and all support that you can ever get from HP

So you will be paying for:
- better service and support
- better build quality
- better future proofing (videocard and such)
- better GAMING
- being 1337 (I do not think anyone would considered themselves that with an HP... LOL)

 

Thanks very much, Gophn. That was a really comprehensive post. Thanks for clarifying about where on the ladder the 8600GS is.

The fact that the GPU is user-upgradeable is a big deal. That's one of the things that makes most laptops obsolete so quickly; the fact you can't upgrade them.

I've indeed read that the thermal design of the 5790 is good. That's a plus IMO; my Acer gets really hot, especially when gaming. It gets a bit uncomfortable after awhile.

Thanks again!