HP Sleekbook with Trinity APUs - Which should i get?

[gregck]

So i am looking for a laptop for school and i want an ultrabook but for non-ultrabook prices. I stumbled on the HP ENVY Sleekbook 6z-1000 which sports the new Trinity apus from AMD. For +100$ i can upgrade to the A10-4655m APU soc.

Now, i've read the anandtech reviews on the trinity apus and was pleasantly surprised by their performance. But, the APU reviewed on anandtech was the notebook version apparently (a10-4600m w/ 7660g). The APU on this sleekbook (ultrabook form factor) is the A10-4655m w/ 7600g.

My main concern is not being able to play diablo 3 on it. It's only 1366x768 and yes i realize ultrabooks and notebooks are NOT ideal for gaming, but it is still a requirement for me before i buy. I don't mind if it's only low-medium.

My question: Does this just mean it's a low-voltage APU, will i get similar performance from a regular a10-4600 apu or will i be severely gimped because it's "low-voltage"

My other option is a dv6-7000 series with an A-10-4600M APU (w/ 7600 series gpu)

These are my two choices:

AMD Quad-Core A10-4655M Processor (2.8GHz/2.0GHz, 4MB L2 Cache) + HD 7600G Discrete-Class Graphics
AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M Accelerated Processor (3.2GHz/2.3GHz, 4MB L2 Cache)

If you have any other suggestions let me know, i need to keep my budget under $750 and i am planning on selling that xbox i get for being a student for at least $150.


1. Price: $750 max
2. Size: 13-15.6"
3. Screen Res: 1366x768 is fine
4. Use Environment: ultra-portable please
5. Battery Life: doesn't matter
6. Gaming: Diablo 3 - medium settings
7. Uses: MS office, diablo 3, videos etc.
8. Storage Capacity: upgradeable - have a 256gb m4 i need to put in it.
9. where to buy? wheever
10. Product Life: 2-3 years
11. Optical Drive: not needed
12. Brands: anything but dell/toshiba, i do not like plastic, i prefer the brushed metal like on the dv6.


updated.

 

[mrdoubleb]

Hi gregck,

I am looking at the exact same 2 models, so let me give you my 50 cents on this.

6z-1000
This one has a very sexy design (balck/red), thin (<2cm), light (just over 2kg), and, as you said for $700 it`s yours with the 25w A10.

Even though it only has a 4 cell battery, it does come with the ULV 25W APU so it might do 5+ hours (not gaming).

I did see an early test of the 25W A10-4655m and it put it on pair with the 35W A8-4500m, and just above the "old" A6-3400m, but that test only had CPU related benchkamrks (wPrime and AIDA64). I think looking at gaming benchmarks of the A6-3400m should give you an idea as for the lowest performance you can expect.

The only drawback to this sexy beast: the form factor itself. This sleekbook is not user upgardable. You could do it, but before taking off the whole bottom cover (1 piece) you have to disassamble the complete LCD screen to pieces! So you are better off taking it to an HP service station. (WARNING: the 6z comes with only 1 RAM in the basic config, which would cut your gaming FPS by up to 40-50% so you definetley want to add 1 more stick!!!). You can order it with more RAM from HP, but the premium on that is absurd: $100 for the additional 4GB RAM. Plus it would still leave you with the SSD issue.

dv6-7000
For sure, the 35W top APU will give you better FPS than the ULV part, and this one is very easily upgardeable with more RAM/SSD. It comes with 1x4Gb and 1x2GB RAM, so it`s dual channel and 6GB should be enough. I it also has a DVDRW drive and a 6 cell battery (which is good as this APU needs more juice). The basic config with the A10 comes in at $650, and you have options like upgarding to Blu-ray (+75), 1080p screen (+150).

Drawbacks: heavier (+ half a kilo), thicker (maybe +1cm) and has a more conventional design.

I am in a better position than you are, as I don`t game much, so for me the "ULV preformance tax" is not an issue. Still I am equally torn between my brain (easy upgrades) and my heart (sexy design).

 

[gregck]

I've also heard about the possibility of x-firing the APU GPU and the 1Gb 7670 that is optional. Seems far fetched to me but that would be beast. Looks like i'll be waiting as i can't decide what to get! Although i have this crucial m4 thats been sitting here for a month now...