Help with new laptop please

Hey I'm josh, I'm a newbie. My friend recomended this website to me cause he said you all are really helpfull and smart. Anyways with that said I'm about to purchase a Hp dv6000t over the Dell E1505 (with the same configuration) with the 2.0 processor and the cheapest HD they opper(I plan to get the segate 80GB 7200RPM) and as little memory as possible, becuase I too want to replase the stock P.O.S. ram with some good aftermarket ones. Prolly abour 2GB, becuase I'm going to be running Auto Cad Inventor, alot of engineering programs. Anyways my first question is.
1). What would be good brand of memory to go with, withough costing and arm and a leg
2). Would somebody post up a step-by-step guide or link for me to make a partition on my new HD. I'm somewhat knowledgeable about it but don't know how to make my own thanks.

 

I would use 2 of the OCZ ddr2 677 sticks (none of the OCZ that I have sold has failed)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227099
Crucial/Kingston is good memory too - timing wise the OCZ/Crucial are the same (5-5-5-15) both 1.8v CAS 5

If your laptop comes with XP cd - here is a link that you can use -
http://home.jam.rr.com/joshua627/how2reformat.htm

If it comes with recovery console, then you need to either A. get a hold of a OEM XP (pro or home) (depending on your prod key) CD and use the previous website to setup partition and install - or create your recovery cd/dvds (if you dont have any) and use those

 

Is there a performance difference in what HP offers (the 2GB RAM setup) and the link you offered?

 

No, there won't be. Even if HP supply you with 533 MHz RAM, it will perform the same as the 667 MHz, because the 667 MHz RAM has a higher latency value. There is little difference between any two modules, clocked the same, except the brands. Most RAM modules will work in most notebooks, but some have trouble, or are simply just damaged/bad RAM. If you want to aviod this, then it is best to buy from a more reputable brand, like Corsair, Kingston and others.

 

So would HP's RAM sticks be considered good RAM or would you recommend from Corsair, kingston,...etc?

 

Corsair, Kingston, OCZ, Crucial - I am sure HPs ram is not *bad* but I would go with the listed manfs. over any others.