Alright so I was wondering whether the dv9700t would be a decent notebook for college and light gaming.
 
Here is my config:
    *  – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
    * – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
    * – 17.0" diagonal WXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
    * – 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
    * – 50% OFF 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS!!
    * – FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
    * – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
    * – 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
    * – LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
    * – No TV Tuner w/remote control
    * – High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
    * – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
    * – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
 
Which comes out to $1403.99
 
I'm also getting the 3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Pick Up and Return Extended Service Plan for HP Pavilion and Presario Notebook PCs (Not included in price I posted)
 
Is this a good deal?  Also has anyone heard or experienced any problems with this notebook?  Cooling?  Battery life?
 
I plan on down grading the OS to XP pro when I get it, and I was wondering if finding drivers are going to be a problem.
 
If anyone has any suggestions on different brands that offer a similar set up around the same price range please tell me ^_^
 
Thanks in advance!

It's okay for college. It'll be a weak gamer. Even when HP carried the 8600gt's, they were still only DDR2 cards.
If you ask me, your machine is top heavy on the processor. Unless you're doing any real audio or video editing, I wouldn't go past 2.2GHz. Doesn't matter much, I suppose. I would opt for a lower processor and a higher resolution display.
I custom made one up for my cousin, very similar to yours..2.2GHz, 8600gt, 160bg 5400rpm disk, 17" 1680x1050 display. The machine runs beautifully. Doesn't overheat ever, I believe. his was 1600 total, I think, without the plan, so i think that shows some HP price adjustments.
Have you tried customizing a dell or a sager? Dells are...well, an option, and sagers are much higher quality.
 
XP pro is a bad idea. Drivers are impossible to find.

It will be fine if you dont play Crysis or other demanding games.

 
Don't get too excited, lol.

I've looked at HP laptops for a while now. The seem to offer the best performance/price ratio compared to Dell and Gateway. While Gateway does offer some better discrete video (8800M GTS) they do not offer customization or many coupons to lower their prices.
 
A few weeks back HP had a coupon offered for the computer you were looking at - $500 off if configured over $1499, I would wait for something like that before you buy to save some cash. www.LogicBuy.com posts coupons like that real quick.
 
Another decent laptop but more for gaming (at least compared to most laptops):
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 5599780039
 
Just some ideas for you.
 
Greg

Second on that gateway P-6831FX.  I really want one and its 8800m gts will rip apart that hp 8600m gs plus while its not customizabe it seems to be easily upgradeable (not the video card though).  
 
The hp will handle your college stuff fine but the gateway will let do your light gaming at much higher resolutions.  
 
http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3273
 
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDI [...] 934.0.html
 
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDI [...] 707.0.html
 
I need a new laptop but I don't think I could do 17inchs.  Probably going after 14in and just game on my desktop.  

 
Well I did try a dell but I remember it coming out over my budget, either that or was a couple hundred more for the same config.  I took a look at the sagers but that 3 year warranty with accident forgiveness thing is something that I would like and they don't offer it.  One think that I was looking out for was the 500 dollar off coupon that HP offers once in a while, just recently they had a 30% coupon but I have time so I opted to try and wait for a 500 dollar off coupon.
 
As for drivers I found this site http://www.laptops-drivers.com/hp- [...] 9700t.html but I'm not sure if the drivers are up to date or whatever.

 
 
Oh, about that, I just copied and pasted the specs from the check out thing on HP's site lol.  I'm really not THAT excited about the 50% off although when I saw your post I had to laugh.

 
Dell seems to be too expensive and I didn't like how I can't customize the Gateways.  
 
Yeah I was waiting for that $500 coupon, I almost got it with a 30% coupon but I opted to wait since I have a few months.
 
Thanks for the idea, although a 3 year accident forgiveness warranty seems to be a must.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.
 
I guess I should post what I'm looking for in the laptop.
 
-A 3+ year accident forgiveness warranty
-Windows XP would be nice, I would just need it to have drivers for it as I already have a copy of XP
-A decent graphics card 8600m or higher
-Price around 1500 (Waiting for a $500 coupon from HP if I decide on that one.
-7200RPM HDD although 5400RPM would be ok
 
I'll add onto this list when if i think of anything else.
 
I'm still not very sure on what to get anymore help would be greatly appreciated ^^
 

Hi
 
The HP system - HP Pavilion DV9700T XP PROF SP2 Already built and available for sale
 
one is with 320gb and another one is with 640gb
 
http://www.laptopsandparts4less.co [...] 40-10.html
http://www.laptopsandparts4less.co [...] 37-10.html
 
400Gb 7200rpm with T9500 Also available blazing 5.2ghz  
 
If anyone need 1TB = 1000GB - 1 Tera byte system let me know we can get it for you
 
costs - $2900.00
 
thanks
sekhar somu
302-834-8679

Ya best for college.
 
 
 
-----------------------------------
virtual call center solutions

 
 
Hmm, don't buy from this guy.

Yeah... I might go for a Gateway system probably this one.
 
Gateway® P-172S FX Edition
http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668033.php
 
The only thing holding me back from getting the Gateway is that HP offers some great deals now and then.