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.

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.

LCD Color Accuracy General Performance
Comments Locked

26 Comments

View All Comments

  • JarredWalton - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    They shipped the notebook with an ABG adapter (test setup on page 7). Of course, I don't have an N network right now anyway... GbE all the way, baby!
  • nsparadox - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    Hey Jarred,

    You wrote the entire article in the passive voice. Could you please try to write in the active voice?

  • crimson117 - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    I would prefer the future perfect voice.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    Can't say I was necessarily 100% awake while writing it. Sorry if it was too passive for you. Perhaps in a perfect future I will manage to rewrite things better, maybe?
  • bldckstark - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    Thanks for the article guys, I am sure many other AT readers appreciate the work you hav put in on notebooks recently.

    I would like to see some more tests done on what I like to call "real world" notebooks. The ones I see most people buying for mobility purposes. These usually have 10 - 13" screens and have everything this HP has except the horrid battery life.

    I just bought my wife a Lenovo notebook with a Vista business, Intel C2D, 2GB ram, DVD burner, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, Express card slot, flash memory reader, webcam, fingerprint reader, 6 cell battery and a 12.1" screen for only $1250 after rebate. This one gets 255 minutes of battery life and weighs only 4.4lbs with the 6 cell.

    A friend at work has a 10" screen notebook that gets over 8 hours of battery life. He carries it around like a pad of paper all day.

    I know several people with convertibles that love them, and they all have 12.1" screens.

    My point is that if it has a 15.4" screen it is really a DTR, and should be outfitted like one. Not like a high mobility at the same price, worse battery life, and 50% weight increase. Please try to squeeze some of these into your testing in the future.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, June 22, 2007 - link

    We actually have a smaller Tablet PC that we're in the process of reviewing. I think part of the problem is that companies are afraid we'll tear into the lappys that don't have great gaming performance or whatever. Hopefully, we'll be able to do more ultraportable laptop reviews in the future....

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now