HP dv6500t: A "Minivan" Notebook

HP dv6500t Specifications and Features

Like most large OEMs, HP gives customers the ability to customize their particular notebook. Here's a quick overview of the configuration options available on the dv6500t.

HP dv6500t Configuration Options and Features
Processor	Core 2 Duo T7300/T7100
Chipset	Intel GM965 + ICH8-ME
FSB Speeds	533/667/800 MHz
Memory Speeds	DDR2-400, DDR2-533, DDR2-667
Memory Slots	(2) x SO-DIMM, up to 4GB, DDR2, Dual Channel supported
Graphics	Intel GMA X3100 NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 383MB
Display	15.4" WXGA (1280x800)
Expansion Slots	One ExpressCard/54
Hard Drive	80/120/160GB 5400RPM, 200GB 4200RPM
Optical Drive	8X DVD+/-RW LightScribe HD-DVD w/ 8X DVDR
Networking/Communications	Integrated 10/100 Ethernet and V.90 56K Modem Intel 3945ABG (802.11A/B/G) Mini PCI Wireless or Intel 4965AGN (802.11A/G/N) Mini PCI Wireless
Audio	24-bit High Definition Audio with 2.1 Speakers
Left Ports	2 x USB 2.0 1 x mini-Firewire Flash reader (SD, MS/Pro, MMC, XD) 1 x VGA TV-Out Expansion Port 3 (for Docking/Port Replicator)
Right Ports	1 x USB2.0 Optical Drive<.br>ExpressCard/54 Power Connector
Front Ports	Infrared Microphone 2 x Headphone
Back Ports	None
Keyboard	86 Key QWERTY (US)
Extras	Microphone Webcam (Optional) Fingerprint Reader (Optional) ExpressCard TV Tuner (Optional)
Battery Options	6-Cell 47WHr 6-Cell "High Capacity" 12-Cell 95WHr Lithium Ion
Dimensions	14.05"x10.12"x1"-1.69" (LxWxH) 6.14 lbs. (6-cell battery)
Power Adapter	65W
Operating Systems	Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit Windows Vista Business 32-bit Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Looking at the available features, it's pretty clear that this is not intended as a high-performance notebook, but rather it focuses on the entry level to midrange market. Processor options are limited to the T7100 and T7300, while the faster T7500 and T7700 are only available on higher end HP offerings. Considering the price increase and relatively small performance boost that comes with those faster CPUs, that's not a bad compromise. The platform is technically backwards compatible with earlier Core 2 Duo processors, but there's really no reason to use something other than one of the new 800FSB models.

Graphics options are similarly limited: you can stick with the standard integrated Intel GMA X3100 or you can spend $80 more to get NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M GS. While the X3100 is technically a fully featured DirectX 9 part with Shader Model 3.0 support, the 8400M GS offers DirectX 10 support and more importantly it has drivers that function properly with all DirectX 9 applications. The 8400M GS certainly isn't the fastest graphics chip on the planet, but it should still be able to run circles around the X3100. The laptop we were sent uses the X3100, but we should be getting some competing notebooks that use 8400M GPUs in the near future for comparison. We'll have a bit more to say about the graphics later, but if you're interested in even moderate gaming we feel the $80 upgrade is money well spent.

As with nearly all notebooks, the dv6500t comes with two SO-DIMM slots. Memory support tops out at 4GB, although you would want to install a 64-bit operating system in that case. HP does give you the option to install a 64-bit OS, but only if you choose to upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate; at present, all of the other Windows Vista versions are 32-bit only.

Storage choices cover the usual gamut, with hard drive sizes ranging from 80GB all the way up to 200GB. As battery life is adversely affected by the faster 7200 RPM drives, only 5400 RPM models are available for selection, except for the 200 GB drive, which is a 4200 RPM model. Using the lower RPM drives also helps to keep prices down, which is again in keeping with the midrange target audience. We recently took a closer look at Intel's Turbo Memory technology, but HP doesn't bother supporting the feature on this particular notebook. An 8X SuperMulti DVD burner (with LightScribe support) comes standard, but HP does offer one high-end storage option with a $400 HD-DVD upgrade. The unit we were sent did not include an HD-DVD drive.

Standard 10/100 Ethernet and a 56K modem are included, but we wish they would have opted for a Gigabit Ethernet controller. Many people might not notice the omission, but we definitely missed the feature as during testing we routinely transfer more than 100GB of data over the network connection, and its inclusion certainly wouldn't have impacted price much at all. Wireless networking is provided courtesy of the typical Intel 3945ABG adapter, or you can choose to upgrade to the newer 4965AGN adapter with Draft-802.11n support.

Most of the remaining features are pretty typical and don't require further explanation, but there are a few noteworthy items. First, there are no display choices, so all users will get a standard 1280x800 LCD panel (more on that later). In the battery department, there are three different capacities available: a standard 6-cell, a high-capacity 6-cell, or an extended capacity 12-cell. We asked for and received both the standard 6-cell as well as the 12-cell. One of the more useful additions is a second headphone jack on the front of the laptop, so if you've ever sat with your significant other on a plane trip and tried to share a single set of headphones -- or even better tried to listen to the audio via the integrated speakers over the noise of an airplane -- HP has you covered.

An optional webcam and fingerprint scanner are also available, and our test unit included both. If you get tired of typing your password, the fingerprint scanner can be a very convenient and relatively secure way of locking/unlocking your computer. After a brief training session where you can scan multiple fingerprints, a quick swipe of your finger is all that's required to login to Windows. Once you're logged in, a second swipe will lock the computer. (Just try not to lose your finger....)


The webcam is also a bit different from most of the webcams we've seen integrated into notebooks lately. It has a lower resolution, but it manages a much higher frame rate, and HP informed us that it's also tuned to work better in low-light situations. We did some basic testing of the webcam and found that most of their statements were true. In particular, the higher frame rate was definitely noticeable, and while the 640x480 resolution didn't provide as much detail as the 1.3 megapixel webcams, getting a lower resolution 30 FPS feed was much preferable in our opinion. As far as working better in low-light situations, it did appear that the camera managed this, but it came at the cost of drastically increased noise levels and a lovely green hue (night vision goggles, anyone?). One other complaint about the webcam is that the integrated microphone doesn't pick up your voice well at all unless your face is about 6 inches away, or else you scream at your computer. That's not unusual with webcams, though.