XPS 15 or XPS 15z or HP Pavilion dv6t

I've been trying to decide between the Dell XPS 15 or Dell XPS 15z, but now the HP Pavilion dv6t specs look interesting. the HP Pavilion dv6t is lighter than the Dell XPS 15, has an additional USB port, and includes a numeric keypad. So far, the HP Pavilion dv6t looks like it might be a good contender instead of the Dells.

But, what am I missing, if anything? IOW, what are the issues with the HP Pavilion dv6t that I should consider: what are the negatives of it?
Does HP Pavilion dv6t use Sandybridge?
Are its graphics cards comparable with the Dell XPS 15 and Dell XPS 15z?

Help me choose between these three laptops. I do prefer a lighter weight if possible, but want good screen and keyboard.

Here are HP Pavilion dv6t specs:
HP Pavilion dv6 and dv6t series | HP Official Store

 

Why are you considering the Pavillion?

 

It is lighter than the Dell XPS 15, has an additional USB port, and includes a numeric keypad. If the processor and graphics card are comparable to the Dells (hoping knowledgeable folks can answer that) and if it's Sandybridge, then it seems like a good one to consider.

Why, do you know reasons why I should not pick the HP? That's what this thread is for, if you know something please post it.

 

HP Pavilion dv6t:
- does not have quad core processor - highest processor is the i7-2620M (only i7 option, all others are i3 or i5).
- don't think there is an option for backlit keyboard (someone correct me if I'm wrong)
- Radeon gpu's don't have optimus (do they have something equivalent? I don't know)

Have you seen notebookcheck.net at all?
Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

HP Pavilion dv6t higher end option is (from my basic understanding) the best gpu option over the Dell choices. The HP lower end gpu is the worst option.

 

I got the XPS 15 L502X (i7-2630QM, 6GB RAM, Nvidia GT 525M, 720p display) for $710...it's damn nice.

That being said...I'd might've considered the HP if it was available for around the same price w/ those specs since it has the ATI 6770M that's significantly better than either the GT 525M or GT 540M. Depends how much gaming you do.

The dv6t does have Sandy Bridge CPU's...and the option for a better GPU than the XPS 15 offers since both GT 525M and GT 540M are tier 2 mobile GPU's while the 6770M is first tier: AMD Radeon HD 6770M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

I've heard many times the Dell 1080p display is the best...though I've never had an HP myself so I can't comment on it's supposedly high failure rate/poor build quality that some people complain about. Though I mean...people can complain about the same things for Dell in some cases, right?

Quad edition dv6t: HP Pavilion dv6 and dv6t Quad Edition series | HP Official Store

Here's a recent deal (expired now I think) for the dv6t to give you an idea...
HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Core Laptop: Intel i7 2630QM 2.0GHz CPU, 6GB DDR3, 15.6" LED (1920x1080), Blu-ray ROM + DVD-RW, 1GB Radeon 6770M, WiFi N, 6-Cell Battery, Win 7 $927 + Free sh - Slickdeals.net

 

I have heard that the HP DV series laptops are built poorly and are constructed of cheap parts.

If I were you I would try and find a retail store where you can physically go in and use it.

I have had two HP laptops in the past year and both broke down in the first two months!

 

I've generally heard that too about HP...cheap construction and high failure rates:



Laptop reliability survey: ASUS and Toshiba win, HP fails -- Engadget

 

can we get the quad edition in Canada?
HP Pavilion Home Notebook PCs - comparison results Home & Home Office - HP

I haven't seen it on Canadian website. There is a 17" quad core Pavilion.

 

Both the xps 15 and dv6t have quad core Sandy Bridge CPU options! Both now have 1080p screens but the xps 15's screen is better in quality/contrast/gamut. The dv6t has a better graphics card (Radeon 6770) which IS SWITCHABLE. The xps 15 has more powerful speakers with a GOOD subwoofer. Both systems get about the same battery life (about 4 hrs).

The selling points of the xps 15z is the thinness and the battery life. If portability and battery life (6-8 hrs) are important to you then you should get the xps 15z. The GT 525m is clocked 70 mhz lower than the GT 540m. Basically a downclocked version on the xps 15.

 

I previously got the refreshed Sandy bridge HP dv7t Pavilion and I returned it for an XPS 15, so I have pretty good perspective on both. Do not get the Pavilion. Somebody mentioned previously about build quality, and I second that. I returned mine because the "faux metal" rimming around the computer is super super flimsy and was already separating from the computer. If you plug in and pull out a USB device a couple of times, it's only a matter of time before the whole rimming gets ripped off your computer. Also, Beats Audio? Oh my god... was I a chump.. compared to the XPS 15.. night and day.. Dr. Dre should probably be a bit more careful of what he endorses if he wants to maintain his reputation. Also, there is no backlit option for the dv6t / dv7ts and while there are 1080p configurations now... I mean, everybody can attest, it just can't beat the XPS 15 screen. The only plus it has, is a way better graphics card.. but you'll be using the graphic card with an inferior sound system and a not as good screen.

 

If you plan to use your graphics card heavily (e.g. Crysis, BF3, CAD), I wouldn't even consider the XPS 15 or 15z. Otherwise, I would suggest one of the Dells for the reasons listed above, adding that the dv6tqe also lacks a backlit keyboard.

 

Engadget's data are from an extended warranty provider, so that skews the results. Plus the data are from 2009, so two years old

Here's a more authoritative independent source: Consumer Reports. The notes accompanying their latest Reliability data say:

And here's the chart:

 

Not that data from 4½ years ago again...

 

That's why I went and got the Consumer Reports data which are more trustworthy and more recent. According to their data, HP laptops are marginally more reliable that Dell, but both are at the bottom of the pack.

 

Thanks for posting the more updated data. I've never used HP and only heard negative things, but honestly you can say similar negative things about every manufacturer.

I don't see any reason to not get the HP if you want the better GPU honestly...looks like you're just about as likely to get a brick laptop with any brand besides Acer and Toshiba. The XPS 15 does have a nicer screen though. Keyboard is also chiclet style, but it looks the same on the dv6t.

 

The HP now has a 1080p screen option. Are you comparing the Dell's to that one, and judging that the Dell's screen is still superior? And, is it just the XPS 15 that has the superior screen, or is the 15z screen also better than the HP 1080p screen?

The better graphics card is a nice plus, but I especially like that the HP is lighter than the XPS 15. I would definitely use the numeric keypad, too.

Not sure if HP can have a backlit keyboard. Some reviews say that the HP has it as an option.

Some reviews mention fan noise on the HP, but there are similiar complaints about the two Dell models. Maybe this is the case with many laptops in this class.

 

There might not be that big of a difference between the HP and Dell 1080p displays...I'm not sure.

I'm just going off what I've read and heard from many different people with the XPS 15 1080p display...that it has probably one of the best laptop screen out there. Also, the JBL speakers are great.

Not saying that the HP screen won't be great anyways, but it might be worth it to get the HP if you'd prefer the lighter weight and numeric keypad.

I don't think there's an option for the backlit keyboard...according to this thread at least: HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Core Laptop: Intel i7 2630QM 2.0GHz CPU, 6GB DDR3, 15.6" LED (1920x1080), Blu-ray ROM + DVD-RW, 1GB Radeon 6770M, WiFi N, 6-Cell Battery, Win 7 $927 + Free sh - Slickdeals.net

As for fan noise, I think you're going to get it with any laptop with a i5 or i7 CPU and dedicated GPU, but from my own experience with the XPS 15...it's goes on and off at times. You can definitely hear it, but I don't find it to be unreasonably loud...

 

I'm not sure either. The 1080p option on the HP is recent, so there don't seem to be any major reviews yet. As for backlit keyboard, a couple of user reviews say it is an option, but I don't can't find it on the HP site.

You may be right about the fan noise. Without sitting all three side by side, it's hard to know if one of the three models is actually worse than the others.

 

For performance the HP does come out on top but recently i've read that HP released some new drivers that required to user to assign a gpu to each individual program instead of just being able to switch between them. The XPS 15 seems like a much better overall multimedia device.