HP DV6054NR Video Question

Hello everyone I'm new to these forums. Here's a little background about myself. I'm a grad student looking to get a laptop. I've built many custom desktop systems from the ground up but I've never done anything much with laptops. So that's what brings me here.

I've been looking around for the past few weeks at different models, makes, and prices. Here's a few conclusions I've come to as far as what I want. This laptop will be used for some web surfing, some e-mail, some processor intensive programs like matlab and labview, some gaming, and word processing. I will be carrying it around mostly in a laptop backpack. So anything larger than 15.4 is out of the question.

Ok here's the wish list:

X2 or Duo processor
at least 1 gig, 2 preffered, must be DDR2
dedicated video card, non turbo or hyper mem a +
14 or 15.4 screen
at least 80 gig HD, 7200 RPM is a plus but not required
DVD/CD burner
wi-fi and bluetooth

Here's what I ran across in a Best Buy flyer yesterday for $1199.99
HP DV6045NR

Product Weight 6.6 lbs.
Processor Brand AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2
Processor Speed 1.8GHz
Display Type WXGA high-definition widescreen with BrightView technology
Screen Size 15.4"
System Bus Up to 1600MHz
Cache Memory 512KB + 512KB on die Level 2
System Memory (RAM) 2GB
Type of Memory (RAM) PC5300 DDR2
Hard Drive Type Serial ATA (5400 rpm)
Hard Drive Size 120GB
Optical Drive Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Speeds Drive speeds not available
LightScribe Compatibility Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce Go 7200
Video Memory Up to 256MB TurboCache (shared video memory uses part of the total system memory for video performance)
Networking Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45)
Wireless Networking Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
S-Video Outputs 1
Speakers Built-in Altec Lansing
PCMCIA Slots 1 ExpressCard/54
USB 2.0 Ports 3
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1
Battery Type 6-cell lithium-ion
Operating System Windows XP Home



So it's pretty much what I'm looking for, and for a good amount cheaper than most places I've found. There's a few things I'm not thrilled with, kind of weak battery life, a weak video card, and lack of bluetooth.


So my main question today, is the video card upgradeable? Could I buy an NVIDIA 7600 or something of that nature in the future and swap it out? I'm assuming yes due to the fact that it's a dedicated card but I want to be sure. I don't want to be locked into this one card it comes with.

As far a a weak battery, well I can get a 12 cell and get about 3 hours of normal use out of it, although it does add weight.

And the bluetooth, it's a shame because when you go to the HP web site and customize that laptop, internal bluetooth is an option, just best buy doesn't offer it.

So that's my situation. Any video card recommendations or just laptop recommendations or tips in general would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

99% of laptop gpus cannot be upgraded. Except some high end xps dells, alienwares and sagers, pretty much every other laptop in the world (whether it has a dedicated or not gpu), u cannot upgrade its gpu. I would suggest looking elsewhere if u dont like this gpu.

 

I would suggest looking at the Asus S96J if you want a strong GPU - its Radeon X1600 256MB dedicated is extremely powerful and can handle any game. The Nvidia Go7200 on the other hand is very weak and you will be forced to play just about all of the newer games on the lowest settings.