Advise please -> Seriously considering a ZD8000

Hi guys. I'm new here and wanted to ask for your opinion.

I've been looking around and I'm almost settled on the ZD8000. I've built a system on hpshopping.com and it comes out to 1,722 bucks.

Here's what it has:

Operating System: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition

Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 630 w/HT Technology, 3.0GHz
Display: FREE Upgrade to 17.0" WXGA+ BrightView 1440x900!!

Memory: 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x512MB)

Hard Drive: 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (planning to get an external too)

Primary CD/DVD Drive: FREE Upgrade DVD+/-RW/R CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer

Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600

Networking: FREE Upgrade to 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM!!

Primary Battery: 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Productivity Software: Microsoft(R) Works/Money


I do have a couple of problems though:

1) Once I buy a notebook, I'm stuck with it for quite a while. No upgrades, changes, etc. So it's imperative that I buy wisely, and that's why I need advice from you...

2) I don't live in the US. I'm planning a trip to Miami at the end of the month for a week. I do have a shipping address in MIA, and I can try the notebook out to make sure that it works correctly. This said, I need to get something that will last.

I've been reading a lot about the ZD8000 and there are two primary concerns with it: battery life (not a huge issue for me) and the heat issue. Some reviews say it's VERY loud. The last thing I need is for my equipment to be louder than four 747 engines, so I'd be embarrassed to turn it on in the plane and end up not using it.

The main uses of this notebook would be entertainment, websurfing, gaming, Email, Music, etc. That's why I need something with a TV-Tuner and a good graphics card. I need it to be fast too. 1,700 bucks is a high price for a sluggish machine.

Now, the bottom line is:

a) How good will this purchase be? Is it worth the money?

b) What are my other options or similar notebooks that include all this.

c) Is the Pentium 630 a 64bit processor? What's the huge advantage of this?

 

You may have warranty issues. Might want to consider one with an international warranty. The Pentium M is the best notebook CPU. It runs cooler and has better battery life.

 

I just bought a new Dv4000, so I like HP...but, if I were looking for a 17" model with features you've listed as important I'd look hard at a Dell 9300.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I do think that the warratny is valid over here, since HP replaced a printer I got in MIA on another trip. I will call and make sure though.

I think the 9300, with those specs, goes over the 2,000 dollar price tag, but I'll recheck.

Any other options?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, a 9300 with a smaller processor does go over 2,000 bucks.

Is there any difference between M processor speeds and desktop processor speeds? In general, I don't see any notebooks with M processors higher than 2GHZ.

 

Davier,

You can't compare CPU speeds by clock speed anymore. With the release of the Pentium M CPU's, they kinda eliminated this rating scale.

Pentium M's were designed from the ground up to be specifically used in notebooks. One of the designs were to allow the processor to perform more operations per clock cycle than the Pentium 4 CPU's. Because of this, it no longer needs to be clocked so high to do the same amount of work. This reduces the amount of power to power the CPU as well as keep it cool, therefore better battery life and cooler running CPU's/notebooks. With the general conversion, a PM 2.0Ghz CPU is approx equal to a P4 3.2-3.6Ghz CPU. Also, there are Pentium M CPU's higher than 2Ghz, but they're a bit more rare and definitely more costly.

Personally, I'd recommend going for a Pentium M notebook. You get similar speed, lighter/cooler running notebook and way bettery battery life. Since it runs cooler from the start, it'll require less fans to keep it cool, therefore it'll also be quieter. Most P4 notebooks in the market require 2-3 fans to keep it cool.

-Vb-

 

Great answer.

I was suspecting that the M processors were faster than they appeared, kinda like a Mac VS PC thing; but I wasn't sure. Thank you for clarifying this to me.

So, I guess I'm right back where I started. There is absolutely no reason to get the ZD8000 and have it sound like an F16 taking off when I can get a 2.0GHZ M processor that keeps the fans quiet.

HP has replied my email regarding their TV Tuner television standard capability. Apparently, it doesn't work with the PAL norm, only NTSC. This is not going to work down here. So I'm going to need to purchase an external TV Tuner that supports PAL.

Now, with this said, what are my other options if I want to keep that 17 inch screen and go with a 2.0 M processor? I'll need it for gaming (mostly Flight Simulator), TV recording, web surfing, email, word processing, etc.

 

I don't think you'll find a 17 inch notebook with that fast a Pentium M processor for under $2000, those notebooks cost a pretty penny.

 

So I'm looking at a loud notebook, maybe a little heat and low battery life?

It isn't drastically bad considering the price tag.

One more thing: What should I upgrade? Faster processor or 2GB RAM?

 

RAM
the faster cpu wont help much, unless your rendering video most cpus are fast enough and an extra .1 ghz wont do much

 

There was just somebody who I think bought an HP and posted a little while back. They had had an issue with the notebook. HP said they wouldn't fix it since it was out of the country. You may want to search the forum for that.

 

I hate to say this but have you considered a Dell 9300??

 

Thanks. I'll do that.

 

I just bought my zd8000

p4 2.8
512 ram
40gb hdd
256 mb ati radeon
wireless b/g and bluetooth
$1190

I love it it rovks it's bigger than my car! the battery life sucks and that is the only thing i don't like but i'll spend 90 bux and buy another one soon other than that once you strip all the BS hp supplies you'll have a fast affordable laptop with many many features i'll recommend it

 

Congratulations on your purchase.

I've been doing a little more research, and I think that I'll get it with standard 512MB RAM and then upgrade via NewEgg to 2GB. It's cheaper and since I don't have the guarantee, it won't make a difference if I open it up or not.

I realize that battery life is almos non-existant, but it's the price to pay for a powerhouse like that.

I also looked at the Inspiron 9300, and the price is too high for me. HP is still a lot cheaper and accesible.

Thanks for the info!

 

Nice choice with getting the 512 ram and going to newegg, same thing I did with my zd8000. I havent had any problems with it whatsoever, I travel with it sometimes, but usually have it plugged in so battery life doesnt really make a difference to me. Screen is awesome, just wait till you see it.

 

Yeah i use my zd8000 to travel almost once a month. Since I've only had it for a few months I want to use it as much as I can so that if anything breaks, it's covered by the mfr warranty. I love the full keyboard and the num pad comes in handy since I'm in the IT industry. I love looking at a full comfortable screen instead of a little half-ass 14". I really recomend stripping most of the bullcrap that hp puts on the machine because I noticed a big difference once I took out a lot of software. I'm also trying to make time to go through and document tweaks to make my machine evan faster with an article in the do it your self section called "optimizing your notebook". I glanced through it and it looks like a good article, just have to make sure you know what you're disabling/deleting etc.

 

I just bought a zd8000 3 weeks ago and I am ultimatley impressed- considering the fact that I knew I was getting short battery life and a notebook that is one of the hottest on the market- in every way- it is immensly fast! And about the "loud fans", you won't find this much of an issue unless you are doing some serious graphics processing, like gaming, but then your too focused on the game to even notice. Under normal operating conditions, the fans won't bother you unless you are in a library... and then you could just put some headphones on and bast some tunes. About the heat, the only troublesome spot is to the right of the touch pad- where the battery rests, but if you type properly with your wrists evelated, you won't find this a problem. And you could also take out the battery if you have the AC plugged in. It comes with a Windows disk and an HP drivers and software disk, so I suggest to wipe the hard drive first thing, reinstall windows and the drivers, and only the software necessary to your purposes, because the factory setup takes a bit more ram than some serious gamers (me) would like. My $1700 setup: P4 2.8, 1GB RAM (533mhz)<--very nice compared to 400mhz of dell 9300 if you like games, 80 GB 5400, 256mb raedon x600, Wifi and bluetooth. In about a half a year or so-when I have more moolah- I do plan to visit egghead and go to 2gb ram and a larger hd if necessary, but the current setup will play my favorite game- SWAT 4- with disgusting precision! :hp:

 

I was looking at this computer and really liked many things about it. I ended up buying the Inspiron 9300 (still hasn't arrived yet). The only thing I will really miss is the full numeric keypad, but to me it wasn't worth not having a Pent M processor. I can always buy a seperate keypad for about $30. I have a couple of friends who had HP notebooks and had a horrible time with warranty work. They have gone to Dell and are much happier with repair service. I believe it's not a matter of if something will break, but when. If you go with the Dell, I know you have around 21 days to return it without a fee.