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Thinking of purchasing the dv8000t for college...

post #1 of 50
6/25/06 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 
With all the graduation money, I could finally afford a laptop! Anyways, that's the good news, now the bad news... my parents aren't allowing me to buy anything until I come back from Korea, which would be like late July... (Isn't Merom supposedly coming out in August? //source: wikipedia)

Anyways, with some research, I've decided on purchasing the dv8000t for my everyday college use. I heard it's heavy, but that's expected from a 17 incher. I'll be using this mostly in my dorm room, as a desktop replacement. I'm not a gamer so a kickass gfx card is not needed. But I am photographer (as a hobby for now ) and I use Photoshop CS2 excessively. I've also gotten into music composition and will be using softwares such as Sonar, Cubase, etc. I occassionally use Adobe Premiere, so I'm sure I'll be taking full advantage of the Core Duo Intel Processor.

My estimated price range: $1600, would like to spend as little as possible though. Yes, I am very frugal... I would get Dell, but they just look ugly and feel too cheap.

Some issues about the dv8000t I've heard:
- The dual HD is a scam? Bracket is missing and HP does not have them in stock
- Keyboard sometimes missing key strokes

If I'm wrong, please correct me...

Since school doesn't start until mid September, I can wait a little longer if the upcoming of Merom, holidays will drop the price. Until then, please help me understand more about this laptop. I've never owned a laptop before so please forgive me if I said something wrong.

So what do you guys think of my selection as a college laptop?
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post #2 of 50
6/25/06 at 5:46pm
It will definately do. Some suggestions are to look to costco, as they are cheaper/came price, but come with a 6 month return policy. Just in case you do get that bad keyboard. I've read the same thing about the bracket, but you have a fairly high budget so you could just order two HDD's with it.

As with the CPU, the 1.8 Ghz duo will be plenty for what you need. You just need the RAM, which I would buy from Newegg or another store as it will be cheaper. Also, there is a chance of upgrading it to a Merom at a later time. Has anyone tried this out?
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post #3 of 50
6/25/06 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
is there a huge difference between 1.8ghz and the 2.0?
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post #4 of 50
6/25/06 at 8:27pm
The extra $65 they charge for the T2500 is well worth it. As for the bracket you are right, from everything I have read you just can’t call Hp and order one up. In my opinon the extra $139 for the dual 80gb hard drives isn’t that overpriced when u consider the price of 2.5” SATA drives and the hassle it sounds like it takes to get the bracket right now.

Since you have until the middle or end of August to order one, depending on when your semester starts, I wouldn’t exert too much effort shopping for a notebook right now. A lot can change in the next month and a half. Hp started putting the nvidia 7600 in the dv8000t like a month ago, and the same goes for Sony putting the same card, but with 128mb, in the FE series, and they just release some really nice 17” AR series laptops, they are pretty pricey right now, mainly because Sony is charging $230 extra for the T2500 upgrade. So in a month you could have more options, either from companies adding features to current laptops, or because of reduced prices.

If you are really interested in the dv8000t check back in a few days, mine should be delivered early this week, and I’ll be posting a review and photos. I’m also going to make sure I use the keyboard heavily for the first few weeks, so if I have a problem I’ll be sure to post it.
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post #5 of 50
6/25/06 at 8:40pm
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post #6 of 50
6/25/06 at 9:35pm
Chiaroscurist,

Just add to what has been said above since I have a dv8000t -See parts in BOLD


Anyways, with some research, I've decided on purchasing the dv8000t for my everyday college use. I heard it's heavy, but that's expected from a 17 incher.

8.1 with battery, 6.8 without, 1.3 for battery... A/C brick about a lb, very small in size

I'll be using this mostly in my dorm room, as a desktop replacement.

If so, don't keep the battery installed all the time, Remove battery if running on A/C power if you can

I'm not a gamer so a kickass gfx card is not needed. But I am photographer (as a hobby for now )

With the 7600 series GPU you should have NO problems.. read this link for info on the GPU's what to buy, what NOT to buy... The 7600 should be plenty fast for you

Mobile Graphics Card Comparison Chart

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread157799.html


I've also gotten into music composition and will be using softwares such as Sonar, Cubase, etc. I occassionally use Adobe Premiere, so I'm sure I'll be taking full advantage of the Core Duo Intel Processor. and I use Photoshop CS2 excessively.

7600 + Intel Duo Core =good match -GET THE 2.0ghz CPU... it's only a few dollars more... and allot less than the next step up!!!

My estimated price range: $1600, would like to spend as little as possible though. Yes, I am very frugal... I would get Dell, but they just look ugly and feel too cheap.

Order unit with base 512, order ram 3rd party -Buy extra battery at time of order "if needed" as it's allot more if you buy one later thru HP $169... vs $83 at time of order thru Costco

Some issues about the dv8000t I've heard:
- The dual HD is a scam? Bracket is missing and HP does not have them in stock

Correct,,, but one could be made... I'd order with the biggest 7,200.. and then get an external hard drive enclosure like this to store, transfer, backup data to.... BEST Option would be to get TWO of the external hd enclosures, keeping one somewhere else, backing up you hd, your data to.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...397725?ie=UTF8

Currently you can get the USB version here for only $24.99... which btw is a VERY good price. Description is for the DTC as in the above review by me , but it's the DT... USB 2.0 model

EDIT Jun1, 2006 here is the CORRECT link: http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=294942

- Keyboard sometimes missing key strokes

Ummmm. External Keyboard may be a way to address that issue. I haven't had that issue. All this hardware in the dv series I beleive is pretty "new" so theres bound to be "bugs".... For all you guys having that problem, Or concerned... get on the stick and e-mail HP everyday.... That's how things get "fixed".

If I'm wrong, please correct me...

You're pretty much on the money, I see you've been doing some reading- BEFORE asking a million questions!

Since school doesn't start until mid September, I can wait a little longer if the upcoming of Merom, holidays will drop the price. Until then, please help me understand more about this laptop. I've never owned a laptop before so please forgive me if I said something wrong.

Wait as LONG as you can, new cpu's are comming soon.. and that being said I wouldn't want one of the first CPU's off the line.

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread158624.html

So what do you guys think of my selection as a college laptop?

Think you will be very happy with the unit. Has a VERY nice screen... good build quailty... Doesn't feel cheap.


You will really like the numeric keypad if you enter numbers at all.

When you order it, consider the "bluetooth" option...
and be sure to select the $10 OS backup disc...



While you're waiting you may want to check out the QuickPlay thread and snag a copy of the QP 2.0 install disc while you can...
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread141817.html


You may want to check out these threads as well...
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread159136.html
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread158093.html
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread158382.html


About the only other thing to consider is the differant screen options

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread159136.html
http://www.notebookforums.com/post2233398-34.html

Post #10 by a photographer that is quite senitive about visual differences is interesting.
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread155956.html

Best place to buy?

The BEST place to buy is COSTCO. Each of the options is cheaper that going thru HP directly... Plus you have a 6-month return window...

This is the CTO link (Custom to order). To give you an estimate on a delivery time frame I placed an order thru COSTCO the LATE PM around 10:45pm the 2nd, with a estimated SHIP date of the 12th... and the unit SHIPPED late Friday afternoon (3:54pm)... and the unit was delivered the 10th, 8:30am. Arrived 2 days before it was supposed to even ship!
http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPConfigur...&model=EX177AV
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post #7 of 50
6/26/06 at 12:00am
WeAreNotAlone is your keyboard leveled? I've read some reports saying the keyboard is not leveled, and when I checked dv8000 at compusa I noticed that some keys are noticably higher/lower than the others. There are a lot of potential buyers around me who are worried about this. I hope this is only on few defective units since other than this problem, the notebook is a real beauty...
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post #8 of 50
6/26/06 at 12:43am
Thread Starter 
Thank you ew2x4, jav1856, and WeAreNotAlone for your very awesome replies! For now, this is my setup: (will be purchasing from Costco CTO, thanks WeAreNotAlone for the heads up)

::drum roll::

Configuration Summary

Selected Features:

* Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2500 (2.0 GHz)
* 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x256MB)
* 160 GB 5400 RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (80 GB x 2)
* FREE Upgrade to LightScribe Super Multi w/DL!!
* 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
* Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
* 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900)
* Genuine Windows XP Professional
* Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* HP Mobile Remote Control
* 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Genuine Windows XP Professional Backup CD
* No TV Tuner w/remote control

Costco Member Price $1,599.99
Shipping & Handling $0.00
Estimated Shipping Date : 7/4/2006

That's right on the boat. Hehe... but it's mostly because I chose the 160 gb DHD option.

I also took some time to look for a better deal on ram and through pricematch.com, I found neweggs carrying OCZ 1gb 667 ram for around 70-80 dollar range. Great deal? It's much cheaper than buying from hp/costco. I'll be opting for 2gb ram eventually so I need to bring down the price down on the laptop a little. But then of course, like you guys mentioned, with the Merom coming and holidays, july 4th, etc., I'm very sure price will drop. I hope hp will upgrade their graphics card once again. I mean, not that the Go7600 isn't good, but who wouldn't want a upgrade if it came free, right?

I'm currently using a 6 year old HP computer, 800 mhz, 256 ran, huge monitor, integrated gfx... so this new upgrade will totally blow me away. I've been doing photoshop and couple other application on this computer. Let me just say, my patience level has grown well above the average for most teengers. hehe. Any suggestions on my set up? I will keep reading posts here on the forum as well as WeAreNotAlone's suggested links. I really like reading about this laptop as it makes me feel excited, yet not as desperate... haha i don't know how to say it, but it keeps me patient.
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post #9 of 50
6/26/06 at 1:08am
Ps on that machine? Holy cow! Looks like you'll have yourself one heck of an upgrade. One suggestion is spending the $20 or so for the remote control. It's a small thing but I'd think it could be a big deal.
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post #10 of 50
6/26/06 at 2:58am
Thread Starter 
Thanks ew2x4, for pointing that out. Is that the remote control that slides in on the side port of the laptop?
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post #11 of 50
6/26/06 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chiaroscurist
Thanks ew2x4, for pointing that out. Is that the remote control that slides in on the side port of the laptop?

Yes... and it's $13..




On the hd's.... 7,200's may be a better option....
(wish HP would out the 2 cent bracket in)

Think about the use, how much storage space you REALLY need on the laptop itself...

100gig 7,200 if your using programs that depend on fast transfer of data back and forth may be a better option....

Me personally I'm going with the 7,200 next go around... More than likely (1) drive.... Using an external hard drive to backup data to. Don't know about your plans, but I think anyone with half a brain is a fool not to buy one of the units I linked to.

You can image the entire hard, backup your data.... Use it to store files like "movies".. stuff that really doesn't warrant the extra cost of the 2nd drive... The trade offs in going to (2) drives.

One trade off being all the dual drive options are 5,400rpm... Extra heat generated by second drive... a little extra weight (not much)... On the heat aspect... with the 2nd bay empty you got a little air space in there to keep the heat levels down.

Check out the link to the Apricorn EZ-BUS-DT-KIT.... For the money and considering you can get like a 250gig hd for like $50 these days after rebate it's a very cost effective option.

Say your in college.. and someone steals your laptop... or you drop it and you have a bad hd crash? Where you going to be if all your DATA is gone?

Heck if for no other reason consider it for the imaging aspect of it...You do a fresh install of the OS, apps, then make an image,,,, If something happens later... it's a simple process to re-image everything back to the drive.... Instead of days to re-install... your back up and running within an hour.... with NO reboots, no waiting... Just start the restore process and walk away.

Is that worth $24.99 + the price of a hd you got cheap?...I think so.... Much easier than backing up to CD/DVD....
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post #12 of 50
6/26/06 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Wow... you're so convincing! The only reason I chose the 160 DHD was because of the bracket, and some space because I store lots of photos. But after reading your post, I think I'm going to keep it at 80gb @ 5400 RPM or take your advice and go for the 100gb @ 7200.

Using an external harddrive, like you said, might be the better option. I agree with you that with a second drive, my laptop will be heavier, hotter, and less portable since it'll probably eat up more battery.

But I'm still wondering, is there a huge difference between 7200 and 5400? I tried a quick search here, but haven't really found much to convince me to pick 7200. All I know is that 7200 is offers you faster loading time on programs. Coming from a 800mhz computer, I'm sure my upgrade will be a huge shock for me. But if purchasing 7200 instead of 5400 has huge benefits, please let me know. I wouldn't mind spending the extra bucks.

Thanks!
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post #13 of 50
6/26/06 at 5:50pm
http://www.storagereview.com/article...otebook_1.html

http://barefeats.com/hard61.html
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post #14 of 50
7/1/06 at 12:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nosugarplease
WeAreNotAlone is your keyboard leveled? I've read some reports saying the keyboard is not leveled, and when I checked dv8000 at compusa I noticed that some keys are noticably higher/lower than the others. There are a lot of potential buyers around me who are worried about this. I hope this is only on few defective units since other than this problem, the notebook is a real beauty...

My keyboard is level.
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post #15 of 50
7/1/06 at 12:23pm
Ok well I am going to go for one of these monitores on this laptop but what is best. I am leaning towards a WSXGA+ as it has the larger resulation. Considering I am use to a 21" monitor before getting this job (and having to move around a bit) I was thinking this may be best. How much of a diffrence well there be between the 2 screens

17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) [add $42.00]
17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900) [add $85.00]

Now as for the hard drive issue. I am looking at the 200 gig option as I know I well use the space. I know people are saying the 7200 is fastr and they are dam right, but if u got the ram then it well take a little longer to load say a game but then it should make little diffrence in the actual runtime of the game. Again u nead the ram for this to be efective, else you end up doing a lot of work to the page file on the hard drive and thats just anoying. the external hard drive well be slower if its through USB, but I know someone going to tell me there is faster ways to connect a external hard drive to a laptop. Most of my PC experence is on desktop's. but in the end its all up to you what you get. You may note that you wish to have the extra hard drive with you when you bring the laptop to school, which is just somthing else to pack and set up at the school. The internal one atleast its always there and the waight is not a big issue, those things are light. But if you relay don't nead to much hd space when you take the laptop to school or wherever, then defentlay go for the speed option here. Hell knowing me I well end up with the 200 gig option with a external drive as I am so much of a packrat. I just wish hp would smarten up and get 2 x7200 option as I would pay for it.
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post #16 of 50
7/1/06 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_Hawk
Ok well I am going to go for one of these monitores on this laptop but what is best. I am leaning towards a WSXGA+ as it has the larger resulation. Considering I am use to a 21" monitor before getting this job (and having to move around a bit) I was thinking this may be best. How much of a diffrence well there be between the 2 screens 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) [add $42.00] 17.0" WXGA+ Ultra BrightView Widescreen (1440x900) [add $85.00]
I got the : 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050) [add $42.00] On the Dell 1705 they offer a screen with a higher resolution.... But I think 1680x1050 is about as high as you really want to go on a 17, unless you have really good eyesight, and especially if you're trying to show something to someone looking over your shoulder. Going any higher than 1680 and you'd better have a magifiying glass to hand them so they can see it.
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post #17 of 50
7/1/06 at 12:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_Hawk
Now as for the hard drive issue. I am looking at the 200 gig option as I know I well use the space. I know people are saying the 7200 is fastr and they are dam right, but if u got the ram then it well take a little longer to load say a game but then it should make little diffrence in the actual runtime of the game. Again u nead the ram for this to be efective, else you end up doing a lot of work to the page file on the hard drive and thats just anoying. the external hard drive well be slower if its through USB, but I know someone going to tell me there is faster ways to connect a external hard drive to a laptop. Most of my PC experence is on desktop's. but in the end its all up to you what you get. You may note that you wish to have the extra extra hard drive with you when you broing the laptop to school, which is just somthing else to pack and set up at the school. The internal one atleast its always there and the waight is not a big issue, those things are light. But if you relay don't nead to much hd space when you take the laptop to school or wherever, then defentlay go for the speed option here. Hell knowing me I well end up with the 200 gig option with a external drive as I am so much of a packrat. I just wish hp would smarten up and get 2 x7200 option as I would pay for it.
Ram.. max it out set page file manually to a fixed size... with two drives putting it on another drive from the OS. 2nd hd? Yes weight isn't a big deal... (I do sort of like that extra space inside the case though to help keep the heat down) Speed, for most people 5,400 to 7,200 is a toss up. With whatever drive(s) you get I think people are fools not to get an external HD enclosure. PS: The Apricron Ez-BUS-DTC-Kit is Usb 2.0 and Firewire 400.... So you can connect via the FIREWIRE port...
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post #18 of 50
7/1/06 at 1:01pm
Well I honestlay don't know much about heat in laptops. In the pc;s I always toss in somthing l;ike 4 stealth fans so the pc is quiet and cool. For laptops I realize thats not as easy. I would LOVE to know how much a diffrence such a small bit of extra air coing to make in a laptop.

O and just a note, for people looking on the cosco site for the dv8000t, they DON't add the 50$ rebate in the price while HP site doose. So add another 50$ to the HP site pricess.

O and that Ez-BUS-DTC-Kit, is that from HP or do I just buy it at say circuitcity (insert any store here).
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post #19 of 50
7/1/06 at 4:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_Hawk
Well I honestlay don't know much about heat in laptops. In the pc;s I always toss in somthing l;ike 4 stealth fans so the pc is quiet and cool. For laptops I realize thats not as easy. I would LOVE to know how much a diffrence such a small bit of extra air coing to make in a laptop. O and just a note, for people looking on the cosco site for the dv8000t, they DON't add the 50$ rebate in the price while HP site doose. So add another 50$ to the HP site pricess. O and that Ez-BUS-DTC-Kit, is that from HP or do I just buy it at say circuitcity (insert any store here).
Yes HP adds in all discounts when showing a price. Costco shows the price, does not add in any "instant" rebate, does not add in the HP rebate... On the EZ-BUS-DTC-KIT... NO that is NOT thru HP... and CC, BestBuy, etc don't carry enclosures like the EZ. The EZ-BUS-DT* series uses both PASSIVE and ACTIVE COOLING... They also use the BEST chipsets (stable) on the market. I ordered mine direct thru Apricorn. Talked with Chris Sothras, Channel Manager. Tell him the guy who did the write up on Amazon.com sent you. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...152063?ie=UTF8 http://www.notebookforums.com/post2254040-4.html Search this thread with my user name to find posts that detail "why" this is "the" unit to buy.... http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mess...hreadid=496281
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post #20 of 50
7/1/06 at 5:33pm
Anoyiong little thing I noted is I can't find the lether case for the laptop that fitst the 17" screen size of this laptop that is avable on the HP site. Onluy thing on the cosco site is the backpack that well fit the laptop. Little anoying as was hopping to get the compleate package in one shipment. Guess I well have to hit a store in the area to find somthing or get the backpack.
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