Dear All,

I would be grateful if you can share with me your experiences with the following HP machines using SL 5.5 or later. SL is the chosen O/S and so compromises can be made on hardware, not change of O/S. I am most concern with:
  ++ the processor performance
  ++ graphics card (for basic but fast simulation display, nothing critical)
  ++ WLAN and bluetooth connections, and
  ++ use of external HD/dvd drive working on SL.

* Would like the touch screen to work for the TouchSmart tm2t series, but it could be sacrificed. I'm aware it might be slower processor, and so may need to run for longer.

* Also, I am happy to wait for SL 6.x to activate features that work on SL 6.x.



1) HP TouchSmart tm2t series

Processor & graphics options:
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-380UM (1.33GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) + Intel(R) HD Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-380UM (1.33GHz, 3MB L3Cache) +512MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5450 [HDMI, VGA]
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-470UM (1.33GHz, 3MB L3Cache) +512MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5450 [HDMI, VGA] 

Network Options:
* Intel Wireless-N Card
* 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)
* Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth

Memory options:
4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) 

External Drive Options:
* External Tray Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
* External Tray Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer 

Webcam/Fingerprinting:
HP TrueVision Webcam and FingerPrint 


2) ENVY 17 series

Processor	Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Quad Core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
Graphics card	1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5850 Graphics [HDMI]
Memory	8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard drive	500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Primary battery	6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 2.25 hours of battery life +++
Display	17.3" diagonal HD+ HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1600 x 900)
Primary optical drive	SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support (Slot Load)
Personalization	HP TrueVision HD Webcam
Networking	Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
Keyboard	Backlit Keyboard


3) dv6t series

Processor	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-580M Dual Core Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.33GHz
Graphics card	1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 switchable graphics [HDMI, VGA] - For Dual Core Processors
Memory	4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard drive	500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Primary battery	High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
Display	15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
Primary optical drive	LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Personalization	HP TrueVision Webcam and Digital Microphone
Networking	Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
Keyboard	Standard Keyboard

Feedback appreciated,

William.