Test Setup
As we mentioned at the outset, the results we currently have for other laptops were gathered using Windows XP, and we're now in the process of switching over to Windows Vista benchmarking. We have not yet been able to evaluate any other laptops using Windows Vista, but we will add results similar results in future laptop reviews. Here's the test configuration of the HP dv6500t that we were sent. The configuration of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop article.
Needless to say, while the Core 2 Duo T7300 may be slightly faster in terms of theoretical performance, we expect the 4200 RPM hard drive and integrated GMA X3100 graphics to result in performance that's lower than the other laptops. Don't even worry about gaming results -- though we will have a few words to say on that subject in a moment.
As we mentioned at the outset, the results we currently have for other laptops were gathered using Windows XP, and we're now in the process of switching over to Windows Vista benchmarking. We have not yet been able to evaluate any other laptops using Windows Vista, but we will add results similar results in future laptop reviews. Here's the test configuration of the HP dv6500t that we were sent. The configuration of the other laptops can be found in our previous laptop article.
| HP dv6500t Test Setup | |
| Processor | Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 4MB Shared L2, 800FSB) |
| Chipset | Intel GM965 + ICH8-ME |
| Memory | 2x1024MB DDR2-667 5-5-5-15 (Nanya NT1GT64U8HB0BN-3C) |
| Graphics | Intel GMA X3100 |
| Display | 15.4" WXGA (1280x800) AU Optronics AUO 2174 (Jan 2005) |
| Hard Drive | 200GB 4200RPM (Toshiba MK2035GSS) |
| Optical Drive | 8X DVD+/-RW LightScribe |
| Networking | Intel 3945ABG (802.11A/B/G) Mini PCI Wireless |
| Audio | Realtek HDA |
| Battery | 6-Cell 47WHr 12-Cell 95WHr |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Business 32-bit |
Needless to say, while the Core 2 Duo T7300 may be slightly faster in terms of theoretical performance, we expect the 4200 RPM hard drive and integrated GMA X3100 graphics to result in performance that's lower than the other laptops. Don't even worry about gaming results -- though we will have a few words to say on that subject in a moment.
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JarredWalton - Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - link
Funny you should mention the E-155-C.... :DFant - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
Seems HP shipped you a badly specced machine. They should have used a 5400rpm drive and the nvidia graphics chip as well as the extended 6-cell. All three would have improved your benchmarks. Out of curiousity, did you use a clean vista build or the out of the box vista build that hp supplies with loads of extras installed?JarredWalton - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - link
HP's install, minus a bunch of software that I didn't want running. Although, when I ran SYSmark 2007, I ahd to do a clean install first. (Now you know why the lack of GbE was annoying - image a HDD over 100 Mbit and I averaged 3 MB/s instead of 12 MB/s with GbE. Not sure why, but Acronis only manages to use about 25% of the Ethernet bandwidth.) Anyway, I like to make the testing close to "real world", and most people don't buy an HP, Dell, Gateway, etc. notebook only to install their own operating system. (Businesses are different story, but let's not go there.)I actually don't think that the configuration they sent was all that bad. It may not perform as well in benchmarks, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people get way too hung up on benchmark results. Do you want a faster hard drive, or do you prefer having a bit more storage? There is no right answer, although personally I would generally go with one of the 120-160GB 7200 RPM laptop drives if possible. As for the battery, they did send me the 12-cell for testing, and the only thing I really would like to know is the capacity of the extended 6-cell. The basic 6-cell is a 47 WHr, so if they extended capacity is 65 WHr it would increase battery life by about 35-40%. I'm trying to get an answer from HP about the capacity of the other 6-cell offering.
Fant - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - link
I have a dv6500t with the extended 6-cell. I havent done any formal testing but I probably get just under 3 hours with the HP Recommended / Balanced Power Plan in Vista and a bit over 3 hours when using the Power Saver Plan. I did notice that the cpu seems to stay at the lower speed with the Power Saver Plan but seems to stay at the higher speeds with the HP Recommended / Balanced Power Plan even when I am not doing much cpu intensive tasks.JarredWalton - Saturday, June 23, 2007 - link
Can you check the battery and see what the rating is? Usually it will say something like "10.8V ~= xx WHr". I want to know the Watt-Hour rating. I'm not sure why, but the notebook I have almost never runs at minimum CPU speed. Weird.hubajube - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
I was waiting to read on how this laptop performed when watching HD DVD's. I'm interested in buying this for my wife for her to use as a work laptop but at the same time I'd like to use it as a HTPC. Oh well guess I'll have to spend the money to find out. :(JarredWalton - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
Yeah, they didn't send the HD-DVD version. I'm not sure if the 8400M GS is required for that or not - maybe X3100 can do enough to handle it (but I doubt it). Anyway, we've tested 8600 cards with HD-DVD, and I don't see why the 8400M wouldn't handle it fine. Problem is, the display is still pretty poor, especially when you consider that video overlay can have a color correction profile applied.shady3005 - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
I was gonna consider this laptop but was turned off by the lack of gigabit ethernet. Dint know about the horrible display at that time. So i was waiting for an upgrade to this laptop but sadly none came.Then I set my eyes on the new Macbook pro. Just 500$ higher that top dv6500t config but worth every extra penny. Amazing display , much lighter , thinner , sexier and CPU (2.2Ghz) and Graphics (8600GT M) upgrade with much better battery life.
Please review the new MacBooks with Santa Rosa ..... I would like to hear how awesome they are ..
crimson117 - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
I lol'd pretty good at this one :)
BPB - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link
Maybe I missed it, if so please excuse me, but I think you simply used the ABG wireless setup. I was wondering how well the N wireless works, and how well it talks to other N devices such as my Belkin N1. My wife's HP works quite well with the Belkin N PCMCIA and router, but for our next notebook I'd like to have the N built-in.