Question:
Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
Hi all,
Ok its my 1st post, I have read a whole lot before registering and know there is a ton of these kinds of posts but I havent seen on yet with these 2 systems pinned against each other.
I also realize there is a question form, but I have already narrowed it down I think between these two models so I figured I would make a more informal posty to start.
What will I be using the notebook for?
My day to day is typicaly spent going back and forth between a Mac and a PC, I spend my entire day working in a slew of applications such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Excel, Word. some windows web based apps and a few apps specificaly coded in .net aswell as winapps for web dev.
For a while now I have been very hot on buying a T60, giving all the great response it has recieved aswell as its praise for build quality, security, great keyboard etc. These are very important to me, I spend ALOT of time typing in my day to day activities so a good comfortable and responsive keyboard is a must have.
So on to the machines....
To be honest I had not really considered the HP line as I thought of it to be too much on the consumer side and felt the line had to give up quality somewhere to be able to provide so much at such an attractive price untill I read the review of the NC8430 today on this forum.
So lets just list the specs of the 8430 (most know them already):
--------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Approximate Dimensions: (WxDxH) 14.1 in x 10.2 in x 1.1 in
Approximate Weight: 6 lbs
Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, Bluetooth antenna
Embedded Security: Fingerprint reader, SmartCard reader
Processor: Intel Core Duo T2500 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory: 2 MB - L2 cache
RAM 1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 533 MHz ( 2 x 512 MB )
Card Reader Yes
Hard Drive 80 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage: DVD±RW (+R DL) / DVD-RAM - integrated
Display: 15.4" TFT active matrix 1680 x 1050 ( WSXGA+ )
Graphics Controller: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 - 256 MB
Telecom Fax / modem - MDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad, pointing stick
Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery: Lithium ion
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty
Retail Price: $1614.99
When I read these specs I thought this system has it all! Its too good to be true... Well clearly based on peoples reviews and users on this site its a great system at an incredible price!
Ok so lets discuss the Lenovo T60 line. Obviously there are so many variations of this notebook its crazy, but there is something about the system I drawn too, I tried to find something as close as I can that has comparable specs at a similar price point to the NC8430 and it was very difficult, the Lenovo just cost more no matter how you cut it.
The two biggest factors between these 2 systems I am looking at is the fact that the HP offers a 15.4" WSXGA+ where as with the lenovo I would end up geting most likely a 15" SXGA+
So anyways on to the specs of the Lenovo T60 I think would be as comparable as possible with a similar price point (please keep in mind its not so easy to match these up based on specs and price to get similar products).
Lenovo T60 Think Pad:
Approximate Dimensions: (WxDxH) 13.1 in x 10.6 in x 1.4 in
Approximate: Weight 6 lbs
Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight, Bluetooth antenna
Embedded Security: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
Processor: Intel Core Duo T2500 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory: 2 MB - L2 cache
RAM 1 GB (installed) / 3 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz - PC2-5300
Hard Drive: 100 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage: CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - plug-in module
Display: 15" TFT active matrix 1400 x 1050 ( SXGA+ ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 - 128 MB
Audio Output: Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking: Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless: NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Input Device: Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Power: AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery: Lithium ion
Run Time: (Up To) 3.5 hour(s)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty
Retail Price $1859.88
So, these systems are similar, the HP has a better video card and a widescreen format which works out well for Photoshop pallets and also assists with speadsheets in excel.
I think at this point I am just so confused I cant make a decision on my own, I have spent a month researching systems and it just gets you more confused as time goes along.
So I guess the question is, do you think the T60 is just such a good system that its worth the lesser video card and non wide screen format plus $230.00 extra to have the Lenovo quality or is the NC8430 just so good and offers so much its a no brainer?
I just want to thank you all for taking the time to read my some what long winded 1st post. I truely appreciate any input you may offer to help me put this decision to rest.
Cheers!
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
With respect to the video card, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Excel, Word, windows web aps and .NET stuff generally do not require a powerful graphics chip. The fact that the HP has a better graphics chip should probably not be the deciding factor for you.
I've had some experience using an nc6220, and I was favorably impressed with the build quality and the keyboard. It's not as good as the ThinkPad, but I think it's far above average.
The one wild card is the display. The FlexView displays on the 15" SXGA+ and higher ThinkPads are generally superb for graphics work. I don't know how good the display is on the HP. The tech specs on HP's website: (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/q...Specifications) say 170 nits, which doesn't compare favorably with the ThinkPad's brightness of 200 nits on the FlexView displays.
So it's a tricky tradeoff -- more desktop space or display brightness... based on my experience I would choose the ThinkPad. The FlexView display has excellent color reproduction, brightness, and viewing angle. This will benefit you greatly in photoshop.
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
You get it for under 1,500 at resellers.
Is that safe? I don't know much about reselling, sorry. I mean, can the warranty and whatnot transfer? I also asked becaused it seemed like he was looking at the website when he got that figure
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
Best Buy, CompUSA, Newegg and the such are considered resellers. I have had good experiences with the small laptop retailers as well. The warranty is the same 3-year warranty through HP.
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
Keeping in mind if you buy for $1500 from an online retailer you won't get HP's 30 day return policy. It is the cost for getting it so cheaply.
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
Ohhh, haha...well now I feel stupid. I'll see if I can find it at one of those places for that price. Thanks again.
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
Thanks for the replies,
Any one else care to chime in on the actual question? Sorry but you guy kind of hijacked the thread whith the pricing questions hehehe.
Thanks!
Answer:
Re: Cant decide, Lenovo T60 or HP NC8430 - Need assistance please.
The one wild card is the display. The FlexView displays on the 15" SXGA+ and higher ThinkPads are generally superb for graphics work. I don't know how good the display is on the HP. The tech specs on HP's website: (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/q...Specifications) say 170 nits, which doesn't compare favorably with the ThinkPad's brightness of 200 nits on the FlexView displays.
So it's a tricky tradeoff -- more desktop space or display brightness... based on my experience I would choose the ThinkPad. The FlexView display has excellent color reproduction, brightness, and viewing angle. This will benefit you greatly in photoshop.
Can anyone weigh in on this (nc8430's screen quality/brightness)?