HP DM1z

[HTWingNut]

You're right. Seems odd that the i3 ULV @ 17W is more powerful or close to as efficient as the AMD A4 @ 35W. Guess AMD needs some work to do in the TDP department with their ULV CPU's! I think I may still get the DM1z though.

[kwhit]

I dunno either. I'd rather see the A4 in this form factor as well. CPU and GPU would be better. But TDP is 45W, which seems high for this type of CPU. But it is what it is, so an 11.6" probably wouldn't have enough cooling potential for that type of chip.

There are variants of the A4 and A6. the models that end with MX are the fastest version for each and use 45 Watts TDP, while the others use 35Watts TDP.
However, the TDP for the i3 ranges from 18W to 35W. I suspect that HP uses the 18W variant of the i3 and is not interested in adding the extra heat from the faster versions.

The e-350 and e-450 match at 18W.

Here is a good link for anyone wanting to get details on processors:
AMD E-Series E-450 Notebook Processor - Notebookcheck.net Tech

just put in i3 or a6, etc in the search at the top and look in the sidebar to the right and you will see the different variants for each model.

[HTWingNut]

Hi yeah, sorry. A4-3300m and A4-3400m are 35W chips. I misread. Still if the E-450 is 18W, I'm sure they wouldn't be able to design a cooling system for 35W TDP for the Intel otherwise they would have done the same for AMD. In any case the 17W i3 ULV has similar performance to the 35W AMD A4.

[darkonex]

I got the dm1z from HP in February this year, and it has the worst touch pad I've ever used. If you think that touch pad is good and about the same as the refreshed touch pad, I'm gonna pass.

You likely had a faulty one, in responsive I meant it followed my finger fine as any other touchpad I've ever used. Now the built in mouse buttons on the old one, horrible, I hated them, they were worthless! The new one is totally fixed in that respect.

[kwhit]

You likely had a faulty one, in responsive I meant it followed my finger fine as any other touchpad I've ever used. Now the built in mouse buttons on the old one, horrible, I hated them, they were worthless! The new one is totally fixed in that respect.

That is my experience as well. If the new one retains the same touchpad characteristics with the addition of the isolated buttons, I'll keep that one. The only question left for me is whether a "dark horse/game changer" comes out before the HP soft-touch is available. The performance of the e-350 is acceptable for my needs, I'd just be willing to pay for a little more for a touch of future-proofing.

[HTWingNut]

So is there any comparable laptop/netbook < $500, preferably closer to $400 to the DM1z? I haven't found one yet, but that doesn't mean I have scoped out everything.

[kwhit]

So is there any comparable laptop/netbook < $500, preferably closer to $400 to the DM1z? I haven't found one yet, but that doesn't mean I have scoped out everything.

Here are three competitive alternates worth consideration:

Asus Eee PC 1215B Review & Rating | PCMag.com
Lenovo ThinkPad X120e Review & Rating | PCMag.com
Samsung Series 3 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
If you look at the lenovo, make sure it isn't the e-240!
The lenovo is the one I'd really like to get side by side with the DM1z!

[HTWingNut]

Thanks. +1 for info.

I guess I looked at the X120e, but it's at least $100 more expensive than the DM1z for same specs, plus they don't have E-450 yet. Although one thing I *DO* like about it is the matte screen. But not sure if that's worth $100 to me. If I could nab one for $450 with the E-450 I probably would though. (edit: nm, seems prices are cheaper than last I looked. E-350 system for $450, but when E-450?)

Didn't realize the Eee had an AMD version of the 1215, but it seems they don't have E-450 yet either. While it's a good alternative, I think the HP is a better value / build, with same specs, at least based on reviews.

Samsung is just too expensive.

[darkonex]

Here are three competitive alternates worth consideration:

Asus Eee PC 1215B Review & Rating | PCMag.com
Lenovo ThinkPad X120e Review & Rating | PCMag.com
Samsung Series 3 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
If you look at the lenovo, make sure it isn't the e-240!
The lenovo is the one I'd really like to get side by side with the DM1z!

I had looked at the Asus 1215b, actually I had narrowed it down to that and the DM1, and I didn't go with it because apparently there is some issue with the trackpad where it just goes crazy, and people found it's because there is something underneath the pad that's touching it from inside and they had to open it and mod to fix. I didn't want to mess with that, also they complained about keyboard flex and I haven't seen any on the DM1.

The Lenovo sounded nice but I can't stand the look of it, they really need to update it's looks it's so 90's looking, geared toward the business man.

[HTWingNut]

I had looked at the Asus 1215b, actually I had narrowed it down to that and the DM1, and I didn't go with it because apparently there is some issue with the trackpad where it just goes crazy, and people found it's because there is something underneath the pad that's touching it from inside and they had to open it and mod to fix. I didn't want to mess with that, also they complained about keyboard flex and I haven't seen any on the DM1.

The Lenovo sounded nice but I can't stand the look of it, they really need to update it's looks it's so 90's looking, geared toward the business man.

LOL, that's because it's a business notebook. I do like the trackpad nub on the Thinkpad's though, better than the touchpad, and the matte screen is nice too. But if Lenovo can't get on the ball and get one out with an E-450 for less than $450, I'm going with DM1z.