HP dv4-1131TX or Sony VGN CS15GN? Pls Assist!

Hi,

Pls help me finalise out of the two models; HP dv4-1131TX or Sony VGN CS15GN.
Price is the same for both the models; [USD 1120].
My laptop use is not very graphics oriented. Need for personal & office use.

HP dv4-1131TX
OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5800
• 2.0 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB
Chipset: Intel GM 45 Express
RAM: 3GB DDR2 [800MHz], Expandable to 8GB
HDD: 250GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)
Display: 14.1” WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display
Graphics Accelerator: NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS, 512MB
Wireless LAN Type: 802.11b/g WLAN
ODD: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
External I/O ports: 3 USB 2.0 (3rd shared with eSATA port), 1 HDMI, 1 eSATA Combo, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ45, Expansion Port 3, 2 Headphone out, 1 Microphone in, Consumer IR, AC Adapter
Fingerprint Sensor x1


Sony VGN CS15GN
OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Business (English Version) with Service Pack 1(Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese Language Pack)
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8400
• 2.26 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066 MHz FSB
Chipset: Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset
Network Connection: Intel® WiFi Link 5100
RAM: 2GB DDR2 [800MHz], Expandable to 4GB
HDD: 250 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)
Display: 14.1" wide (WXGA:1280 x 800) TFT Colour display (Clear Bright LCD Lite)
Graphics Accelerator: Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Wireless LAN Type: Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft n*8
ODD: DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM Drive
External I/O Ports: Almost same as HP but no HDMI & eSATA
Fingerprint Sensor x1

 

Pls Assist!

 

Still awaiting reply.

 

I would stay far away from HP and go with Sony VGN CS15GN

 

Thanx jjgoo for your reply.

Any specific reason to stay away from HP?

 

Are these the only two you will consider? I don't know what's available in India, but if you fill out the FAQ maybe we can show you other options?

 

Hi Hoy,

Thanks for your reply.

I did fill in the FAQ, but no one responded.

Here's the link to the thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342354

Pls assist.

 

I like the Dell Studio XPS 13, why did you rule that one out?

 

Firstly, because I have never used a DELL.

Secondly, Price Factor.
Sony VGN-CS15G: USD 1050 [with carrying case]
HP dv4-1131TX: USD 1073 [with carrying case]
DELL XPS Studio 13: USD 1245 [without carrying case]


Wots your advice between HP & Sony or any other model?

 

HP Pros:
Looks & Style, 3GB RAM Expandable to 8GB, Graphic Card, HDMI & E-Sata Ports
HP Cons:
Old Processor [T5800], Heating Up, Old Wireless LAN Type 802.11b/g WLAN


Sony Pros:
Latest Processor [P8400], Vista Business, Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft
Sony Cons:
Looks, No Graphic Card, 2GB RAM Expandable to 4GB, No HDMI & E-Sata Ports


Pls advice.

 

Could you link some Indian retailers? I don't know any. If we could see what you have to choose from it should be helpful.

 

Found one more HP model dv4-1225ee available in Dubai.
[Actually my brother is in Dubai till Jan 30, 2009]

Price: USD 1070

Specs:
HP dv4-1225ee
OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 32-bit
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P7450
• 2 GHz , Level 2 cache 3 MB
RAM: 3GB DDR2 [800MHz], Expandable to 8GB
HDD: 320 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)
Display: 14.1" WXGA High-Definition AG with BrightView Infinity Display
Graphics Accelerator: NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS, 512MB
Wireless technologies: Intel® WiFi Link 5100
ODD: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
External I/O ports: 3 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI connector, 1 eSata connector, 1 VGA port, 1 RJ45 ethernet connector, 1 RJ11 modem connector, 2 headphones-out, 1 mic-in, remote control infrared port , cable docking connector
Fingerprint Sensor x1

Warranty: 1 year, carry in, parts and labour

*-*-*-*-*-*

This model looks much better than HP dv4-1131TX.

My only concern is: Will I be able to avail the warranty with HP India?

 

personally, i would choose the CS mainly because it looks better to me

however, i think one thing you will notice is that the hp runs on a T processor and also has a graphics card, i can almost guarantee that this laptop will get very hot. the CS is on a P processor (uses much less energy than T = save battery life & less heat) and has integrated graphics.

because neither are really gaming laptops, i dont think you'll care about the graphics card, i think the heat and battery would be more of an issue. WOW would play on either integrated and dedicated just fine.

PS: if you compare the dv4-1225ee with those two, then the dv4-1225ee is probably better spec wise and the better choice

 

Thanx Brawn.

Sony website, mentions RAM expandable upto 4GB only.
Can that be true or its b'coz of 32bit & 64bit?

Out of the two [dv4-1131 & Vaio CS15], I too find CS-15 a better buy.
But somehow find dv4 better in terms of looks.

The reasons against Sony Vaio VGN-CS-15G are;
1) Looks (in comparison to HP dv4)
2) No HDMI Port
3) No E-SATA Port
4) RAM expandable upto 4GB (if true)

 

You mean comparison with Sony Vaio VGN-CS-15G?

The only thing bothering me about HP dv4-1225ee is the Warranty.

Its not clear & confirmed whether the Warranty is International or Country specific.

And whether I be able to avail it in India.

Can you help me out with it?

 

Here are some of the links to models available in India;

Sony Vaio India

HP India

Croma Retail

DELL India

 

you know what don't go sony. they don't invest in thier pc stuff like hp does. sony is ok but i guess you can't go wrong but hp is better.

 

Sony'S build (FW, TT, SR, Z, AW) are better than the usuals, but I can't say the same to the CS series(The most on par with the HP). I don't think heat will be an issue for you. Just take the more powerful machine and enjoy.

 

Thanx for your reply.

My inclination is also towards HP but the model avalable in India dv4-1131TX; comes T5800 processor.

Do you have any idea for HP Warranty?

In case I buy HP DV4-1225ee from Dubai, will I be able to avail its warranty in India.

 

Thanx lunateck.

You mean to say I should stick to Sony.

Can you help me with the following reasons against Sony VGN-CS15'
1) No HDMI Port
2) No E-SATA Port
3) RAM expandable upto 4GB (is this possible, whereas HP DV4 has expandable upto 8GB)

 

Have shortlisted the Sony Vaio VGN-CS15GN & HP dv4-1131TX.

Sony VGN CS15GN
OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Business (English Version) with Service Pack 1(Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese Language Pack)
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8400
• 2.26 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066 MHz FSB
Chipset: Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset
Network Connection: Intel® WiFi Link 5100
RAM: 2GB DDR2 [800MHz], Expandable to 4GB
HDD: 250 GB (Serial ATA, 5400 rpm)
Display: 14.1" wide (WXGA:1280 x 800) TFT Colour display (Clear Bright LCD Lite)
Graphics Accelerator: Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Wireless LAN Type: Integrated Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft n
ODD: DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM Drive
External I/O Ports: Almost same as HP but no HDMI & eSATA
Fingerprint Sensor x1

Price:
Sony VGN-CS15GN: USD 1050 [with carrying case]
HP dv4-1131TX: USD 1073 [with carrying case]

Sony VGN-CS15GN Cons:
Looks, 2GB RAM Expandable to 4GB, No HDMI & E-Sata Ports


Have not been able to find any reviews for the series/ model.
Pls assist me decide to buy Sony or not.

 

What will you be using your laptop for?

FYI there is a what notebook should i buy section where you would probably get more answers.

 

Thanks Willy S for your reply.

I will be basically using the notebook for personal & office use; with less of graphics & gaming usage.

I posted this thread in this zone on purpose for review/ feedback specifically on SONY.

 

DhruvC, do not start multiple threads on the same topic. Your threads have been merged. Keep all related inquiries and topics in the same thread. Thank you.

 

The HP seems a little better suited to your use... The cost, is a slower processor.. I couldn't see a FAQ.. so going by your "home and office use" description, I'd assume no number crunching is involved...

Build quality is fine with either.. and the warranty is also probably identical.. since you don't mention it..

Go with the HP..

 

Hi sesshomaru,

Thanks for your reply.

I did fill in the FAQ, but no one responded.

Here's the link to the thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342354

Pls assist.

 

Yeah, my main use is not very graphic oriented.

Warranty is 1 year offsite for both.

Will heat be an issue with HP?