HP dv2500 vs Dell XPS M1330

Matthew. · 07-10-2007, 01:13 PM

You guys may have noticed from my other posts that I am more or less set on getting an M1330 provided I can find the money somewhere, but the recently dv2500 review, a notebook that I have previously looked at, made me go back to the HP website and to my suprise found that a dv2500 was available for £605 - a pretty good spec one at that.

My problem is this. Do i go for the dv2535ea with the following for £605:

Quote:

1.67 GHz Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5450
Level 2 cache 2 MB
2048 MB (2 x 1024 MB)
NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M Up to 831 MB total graphics memory with 64 MB dedicated

Or do I go with the M1330 with a lower spec processor (1.5ghz) and the Intel Media Accelerator X1330 with 2.5GB memory (I would purchase a single 2gb myself and upgrade) with a total price of around £790.

I like the M1330, it's very portable, good spec - it's exactly what I need. On the other hand, the HP is not so portable (still good at 14.1"/2.43 kg (5.33 lbs)) but does come with 2gb ram as standard and has a slightly better spec processor.

My main issue with the HP is it's not as portable on paper and it is capped at a maximum os 2GB ram. Do I want to purchase a laptop that has this limit? The dell has a max of 4GB and as I mentioned I would keep one of Dell's sticks and add my own 2GB to make 2.5GB with an easy opportunity to upgrade to 4GB (which i would do eventually - BUT, then i encounter problems with Vista 32 only handling 3GB...does dell come with the 64bit version??)

What do you think guys? Both systems have their ups and downs (actually the only downside of the Dell is the price)....

I have highlighted the quoted text from the HP website about the 8400M GPU. What does itmean up to 831mb total?? Does it really take 700+mb from the systems memory??? I am confused about that....

John Ratsey · 07-10-2007, 01:39 PM

First, I am sure that the HP can handle 4GB RAM if you want to upgrade in the future.

Judging by the Deals that people are getting by phoning Dell, you might be able to negotiate a lower price for the £849 model which comes with the T7100 and 2GB RAM.

I can't comment on the GPU and the memory issue. However, I would note that while Dell explicitly states that the M1330 has the 8400M GS, the HP spec just says the 8400M, so it might be the bottom of the range 8400M G (see my Samsung Q70 review for some performance results). The GPUs are compared here. I also note that the HP packs a 90W PSU, which will add to the travel weight compared with the M1330 (65W PSU).

The bottom line is how much you value do you place on portability? In most other respects the HP has a better hardware spec.

John

choy · 07-10-2007, 01:39 PM

u can't use 4gb ram anyway unless its a 64 bit os.. yes the graphics card is a 64mb one... with the remaining coming from the amount of RAM you have...

If you can I think the XPS is a better deal.. the dv2500 also tends to heat up a lot as per the review... and if you can bump up the processor a bit...

shrike · 07-10-2007, 02:07 PM

It's a tough choice. But by the sound of it, you don't game as you are looking at M1330 with X3100 graphic card and not Go84000GS. Why noot to look at HP with X3100 then, this shoul lower your price too. Note, that as stated in HP review, it gets very warm with Go84000GS, someting to concider too.

Then, the choice is quite clear the M1330, because it is much lighter and easier to carry around. But then again, if you don't mind the extra weight, then save youself a bunch and get the HP.

I wouldn't worry about 4gig of RAM vs. 2gig of RAM. 2gig is already plenty enough and 3 or 4 gigs may only come handy under extreme gaming or other havy use of graphical applications usuming you find a use for 64bit OP and acutally find 64bit applications.

Matthew. · 07-10-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

First, I am sure that the HP can handle 4GB RAM if you want to upgrade in the future.

If that's true it would probably be a deal breaker for me. The HP specification page says there is a 2GB max, why do you say it could handle 4?

Quote:

Judging by the Deals that people are getting by phoning Dell, you might be able to negotiate a lower price for the £849 model which comes with the T7100 and 2GB RAM.

There is an 899 model not a 849. I could customise the 699 with the T7100 for 830~ish but since I would want the 2GB ram (which I could get elsewhere for £80ish) I would effectively need that processor upgrade for free to keep within my already optimistic budget.

Quote:

I can't comment on the GPU and the memory issue. However, I would note that while Dell explicitly states that the M1330 has the 8400M GS, the HP spec just says the 8400M, so it might be the bottom of the range 8400M G (see my Samsung Q70 review for some performance results). The GPUs are compared here.

I noticed that as well while looking up specs on the 8400M. Gaming is not that important to me honestly - I would imagine even the low end model is fine. My problem is says up to 831mb shared memory...is that memory permanently unavailable to the OS? Could this explain the cheap price? Even though it would have the 2GB ram, I would certainly not want 40% of it lost to a low end GPU I would not use half the time...

Quote:

I also note that the HP packs a 90W PSU, which will add to the travel weight compared with the M1330 (65W PSU).

Battery life is actually more important to me than the added weight from the charger. Ideally I want something with a minimum of 3 hours but the HP website lacks any information on battery life or the actual battery itself so i cannot check it...does anyone know what battery it would ship with form the UK site?

Quote:

The bottom line is how much you value do you place on portability? In most other respects the HP has a better hardware spec.

It's important, but not so to the point where I think realistically I would pay out for the admittedly very attractive M1330 over it. I just have a few....gripes...with the HP right now.

Quote:

It's a tough choice. But by the sound of it, you don't game as you are looking at M1330 with X3100 graphic card and not Go84000GS. Why noot to look at HP with X3100 then, this shoul lower your price too. Note, that as stated in HP review, it gets very warm with Go84000GS, someting to concider too.

Shockingly (I can't understand it, aside from the processor degrade which would explain some of it) the HP model with the X1300 is more expensive at £700. I am a little worried about it getting warm (or rather, hot)...something to consider as you say.

Quote:

I wouldn't worry about 4gig of RAM vs. 2gig of RAM. 2gig is already plenty enough and 3 or 4 gigs may only come handy under extreme gaming or other havy use of graphical applications usuming you find a use for 64bit OP and acutally find 64bit applications.

Right now I am not, however since I would be using this laptop for 2, maybe 3 or more years I would like that option to expand (in fact if i was being a bit cheeky, I would say I would like the option of 3gb...)

Apple2PC · 07-10-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew.

The dell has a max of 4GB and as I mentioned I would keep one of Dell's sticks and add my own 2GB to make 2.5GB with an easy opportunity to upgrade to 4GB (which i would do eventually - BUT, then i encounter problems with Vista 32 only handling 3GB...does dell come with the 64bit version??)

I don't think you can put a 2GB stick in with a 512 stick, I believe they have to match.

Thanks!
Mike

Matthew. · 07-10-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apple2PC

I don't think you can put a 2GB stick in with a 512 stick, I believe they have to match.

Thanks!
Mike

You can put sticks of different sizes in just as you with any other desktop or laptop, the only advantage you may loose is the dual channel ability however it's arguable (and in fact I posted a topic here asking the question) whether it is better to dual channel or just to add more ram

Since a 2gb stick would have made it easier and cheaper to upgrade to 4gb long term, I would have done that.

Matt

John Ratsey · 07-10-2007, 04:57 PM

The HP has the new Intel chipset. Both that and the previous chipset can address 4GB RAM. My own experience suggests that 3GB of RAM will give better overall performance than 2GB running as dual channel.

As already noted, if you don't have any serious 3D gaming needs, the Intel X3100 GPU would be a better choice since it uses less power (and thereby improves battery life and reduces heat generation).

At the moment there is a £849 Dell M1330 here. If you phone Dell and ask for that model downgraded to the X3100 you should be able to get £70.50 off the price provided you point out that that is the price of the GPU upgrade on the other M1330 versions.

I would hope that the M1330 with the X3100 and a 6 cell battery will get past 4 hours, but you can include extra batteries in your order for much less cost than buying them later.

John

kbc · 07-10-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Ratsey

I would hope that the M1330 with the X3100 and a 6 cell battery will get past 4 hours, but you can include extra batteries in your order for much less cost than buying them later.

John

Hi John, don't wish to hijack this thread - but what battery life can I expect with the M1330 with a 6-cell and the Nvidia card?

Matthew. · 07-10-2007, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the link John! If I called them and knocked off the dedicated card and the 2gb memory to 1gb memory, I may be able to shave about 170 of that price which would be good as I could get a £80 2gb stick bringing my total to around 750.

On the other hand I could go for the HP and use my £40 off code which would also enable me to get the higher specification processor and the model with the X1300. (all be it without the HDMI port)

Hard choice...my only problem now with the HP is battery life - hopefully as you say it can handle 4gb memory.