Question:
Help me decide, lots of specs
Build 1
DV6000T
$1,127.99
Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.66 GHz)
Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
Personalization HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone
Memory FREE Upgrade to 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)!!
Hard Drive 100 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
Build 2
DV9000t
$1,588.99
Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!! edit
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.66 GHz) edit
Display 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) edit
Graphics Card 512MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600 edit
Personalization HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone edit
Memory 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024MB) edit
Hard Drive 160 GB 5400 RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (80 GB x 2) edit
Primary CD/DVD Drive Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support edit
Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth edit
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control edit
Primary Battery High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery edit
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money edit
Build 3
$1,399.99
Toshiba Satellite P105-S6114
Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Processor
Intel® Core(tm) 2 Duo Processor T5200
Processor Speed
1.6GHz
Level 2 Cache
2MB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed
533MHz Frontside Bus
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported
2.0GB PC-4200 DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 4GB)
Memory Configuration
(2) 1.0GB SO-DIMM Memory Modules
Memory Slots Available
(0) Available 200-pin SO-DIMM Slots
Hard Drive
160GB 4,200RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
Multimedia Drive
SuperMulti Double Layer 8X DVD±R/RW
Display Type
17.0" Widescreen WXGA+ TruBrite Display
Video Card
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Video Chipset
Video Memory Installed
Up to 128MB of Shared Memory
Internal Max Resolution
1440 x 900
Video Output Supported
NTSC
Sound Card
Integrated Audio Chipset
Sound Output Mode
Stereo Sound Output
Modem/Communications Device
56K V.92 Fax/Modem
Network Features
Intel PRO/100 VE 10/100 Network Adapter
Wireless Network Features
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3915ABG Network Connection (802.11a/b/g)
Ports and Connectors
(4) USB 2.0 Ports, (1) IEEE-1394 FireWire Ports, (1) VGA 15-pin Port, (1) TV out S-Video Port, (1) RJ-11 Modem Port, (1) RJ-45 Network Port, (1) Headphone Jack, (1) Microphone Port
Memory Card Reader
5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter
Memory Cards Supported
Secure Digital, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card
Expansion Slots
1 (1 free) Cardbus PCMCIA type I/ II Slot; (1) Express Card/54 Slot (supports Express Card/34)
Built-in Devices
Harman/Kardon Stereo Speakers
Input Devices
Keyboard, Touchpad
Notebook Security
Finger Print Reader, Password Security, Security Cable Lock Slot, Hot Key Security
Action Buttons
Internet button to launch default browser; Express Media Player CD/DVD launch button; CD/DVD control buttons (Skip to Previous/Next Track, Play, Stop)
Power Supply
Universal AC Adapter
Battery Included
6 Cell Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Computer is going to be used for basic day to day tasks. I have a desk top so this is going to be a laptop thats going to be moving around with me all the time. Im not sure if the difference between the 15 and 17 screens are going to be a big difference. There might be a game maybe once a month if that much. I might use it for a game if i go to a land party but for the most part i wont be.
So i will be using it to take notes on in class, movies when traveling...
Basically its not going to stay on one place. Ill use it for a main comp on weekends when im not at home but otherwise its going to stay in my car.
Is there something else i should look at. I like the looks of these 3 so i kinda checked into these 3. im also going to look into the HEL80... Anything else?
Thanks
Joseph
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
If you will be taking this laptop with you all the time Joseph, I would suggest against getting a 17" machine - have you seen one in person? There is a big difference between 15.4" and 17" in my opinion; 15.4" is not that portable as it is.
Of the laptops you posted, skip the Toshiba; it has an integrated graphics card, which will not allow you to play any modern games. Its quality also does not match up to the HPs.
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
With what Chaz said in mind, I'd recommend either a HP dv2000t or (better) a Compal HGL30, which is light (5.5 pounds), small enough to carry around but big enough to play games on (14.1"), and fairly cheap at around $1400 for a good configuration.
C.
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
Thank you very much for your help. I think im going to rule out the 17 inch screen from what you guys have told me. So i guess it would come down to the HEL 80 and the DV6000T. How do they compare to one another. Why would i pick on over the other? They are basically the same price.
the Hel80 is a Matte screen, what would the benefits/drawbacks be?
Claudione314: im going to look into the HGL30 but i dont think i would be happy with the DV2000t. Thank you for the HGL30 suggestion though. Also for the price you listed would it be better to spend the little extra for the hp?
Thanks
Joseph
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
You should consider that Toshi has worst reliability for mobile drives and worst support as well as slowest turn around. Not sure how their laptop division is but i am sure the apple dont fall far from the tree. Any manufacturer who used or uses their MK series notebook drives made a big mistake
If you considered build #1 then you should consider the asus s96j or z96j. Both identical except resolution and bluetooth and price.
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
Matte screens are viewable in sunlight, contrarily to glossy, although the colors may not be as vibrant. If you visit the Compal forum, you'll only hear very good things about the screen on the HEL80.
HEL80: better video card, better overall build quality, better customer support, higher-res screen; "flexy" keyboard, and a tad heavier chassis.
dv6000: better keyboard, lighter, easier to find; lesser video card, not as good customer support, lower-res screen.
C.
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
Ok im all but sold on the HEL80
Need some help. Should i get the Matte or the Glossy screen. I really like the ultra sharp look of glossy computer. What would be the benefits to getting the Matte over the Glossy screen. I usually have all my computers at 1024 x 768 anyways... I dont usually look at multiple windows at the same time. I usually Alt+Tab through them.
CPU: I want the best performance with the best batery life possible. What should i go with. I will often go without charging my laptop so this is somewhat important. Most of the time, im within an outlet however while im using it.
When i purchase the lapop should i get a barebone system or get it all put together already?
1 GB or 2 GB of Ram
im going for the 100 gb hard drive 7200
Is there anything else im missing?
Also when should i purchase my laptop. Should till January to see whatelse comes out?
Thank you everyone for your help
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
1) If you're used to 1024x768, then the glossy WXGA is going to be fine.
2) Core Duo and Core 2 Duo have pretty much the same battery/performance ratio.
3) I would recommend against a barebone system unless you know what you're doing. Assembling a laptop is quite different than putting together a desktop computer.
4) Get two batteries and you'll be fine.
5) Says the wiseman, "You never have too much RAM." Go with 2Gb.
6) Says the wiseman, too, "Buy when you need: something new comes out every 2-3 months: if you're always waiting, you're never buying."
7) I agree with your choice of hard drive.
C.
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
Is there any benefits to the matte or the Glossy... one better then the other?
Thanks again
Answer:
Re: Help me decide, lots of specs
Read post #6 in this thread.
C.