Anyone have this HP?

hey all!

First post here, and its such an awesome resource!!

I'm looking to buy a laptop from BestBuy, its an HP model DV6408NR.

please check the link http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8404283&type=product&id=1180743305065

Or here's the specs:
CPU: AMD Turion, 1.8GHz
RAM: 1GB DDR2
Gfx: GeForce Go 6150
Screen: 15.4" HD Brightview
HDrive: 160GB
Windows Vista Home Premium
etc regular stuff

The price is $640. Is this an acceptable deal? It wont be for any heavy gaming/ video editing. Mostly for a newbie (Dad) to learn how to use a computer.

I'm also wondering if I should look out for HP quality. I didn't find a poll in the HP thread, so I'm still curious if they should be avoided. I also saw the NBR review for a similar model, the dv600z, and I guess that one was rated as being ok.

Lastly, I still wanted to ask some q's about the keys, since I couldn't find anything when I searched it.... Are they big enough like a Sony Vaio's keyboard, or are the keys small like Acer makes them? (I won't be able to check in store since I'm not near one right now and will be ordering it).

Well, thanks very much, and please post if you feel theres anything you can contribute!!

 

Considering the tasks you mention, yes, it is a decent price.

HP notebooks have good build quality, and this notebook is no different.

The keys are pretty large in my opinion.

 

Thanks very much for replying Jetstar. How do you like your HP? Is it your first one? What so you think of the screen (I've seen a lot of opinions on this, all saying its pretty good, but just wondering).

thanks again for the reply

 

i like my hp's screen. its bright enough i think. as long as you don't compare it to other laptops all the time you'll never know the difference. id say the keys are normal size. they don't seem big or small. also, i like the keyboard layout. the left ctrl key is in the proper spot (far bottom left corner) unlike some gateways i have seen.

 

I have a dv6000z, and it is basically the same model as yours. The only reason that laptop has different model numbers than mine is because it is a model that HP made for Bestbuy. The dv6000z is the AMD version of the laptop that HP sells on their website, and for all other variations of the laptop that are prebuilt and
sent out to stores they just have different numbers, ex. dv6xxxx.

Anyways, I love my laptop, not only for the screen (The Brightview is amazing) or the various options that I bought with it, but also for the style. I have had a couple small problems, but nothing that would turn me away from buying another. The only regret I have is not getting a higher model with a better video card because I game alot.

This is a great laptop and one that I'm sure you and your dad will enjoy. After looking at the specs and what you will be using the laptop for, it is good for you, and at a reasonable price. I do recommend getting the warranty with the laptop.

Just keep this in mind:
When buying a laptop or computer from BestBuy or any other retail and you purchase the warranty it takes a lot longer than if you purchased it directly from the manufacturer. The reason is, BestBuy's Geek Squad will need to look at the laptop first, which takes anywhere from a day to a few days, then they send it out to HP. If you bought it directly from HP you cut out the middle man, but you are paying a little bit more for the laptop.

If you wanted to, you can always check out HP's website and see if they have some prebuilt ones for around the same price, as they do have rebates as well on their laptops.



If there's anything else I can help you with let me know.

 

Thanks BMan, the screen and kaypad were some of my concerns-- thanks for the feedback. Glad you like your laptop.

Thanks a lot Envision! My Dad went out and bought the laptop last night-- I had already looked on HPs site for similar models and prices were not too much different to sway me towards ordering online. For a 20$ difference I would rather just buy in the store on the same day I want it.

I was actualy just going to ask about Warranty...


So you recommend I should get it? OK. I called the BB staff and they said I can decide within 2 weeks whether I want it or not. Is there any way I can buy the warranty directly from HP? I guess I can call them. I really don't want to go a few days without the laptop and give it in to BB GS.

I think the laptop might still be sealed. I'm sure if I take it in they would let me buy it without having to send it in. Or would they still send it out to HP? That'd suck.

Lastly, which option of Warranty do you recommend I should get? There's a few, and sorry I can't remember them all. I'm not even sure they cover from spill damage.

Please respond if you (or anyone) can! Thanks again for feedback everyone! Much appreciated!

 

You can still buy the warranty from HP.

Here is a link: http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/category/storefronts/warranty/esps/notebook

 

I definitely recommend getting the warranty, because do you really want to spend another $700 if the laptop breaks at 1 year and 1 month? I would definitely get the warranty with the accidental coverage. I bought the 3 year with accidental coverage and pickup and delivery. I'm not sure if BestBuy offers this warranty, but HP does. It is a great thing to have, because lets face it, laptops are brittle. You can be carrying it to another room, drop it and it could be done for, or you could spill something on it. I just like to protect my investment, and the accidental coverage is a great way to do it.

When you go on saying that the laptop might still be sealed....what do you mean by that paragraph? If you meant, "if it's still sealed can I return it and get my money back" then yes. If the laptop box is still sealed you can return it and not have to worry about a extra fee from BB.

 

I like my HP notebook. Its about 15 months old, and still as snappy and responsive as ever. I love the screen. Its really awesome. And yes, it is my first HP.

 

Great. Thanks a lot for the link

hey Envision. What I meant was I still have the laptop sealed in its original package, so would BB still need to send it in to have in inspected-- or even inspected at all? No worries though- I will prolly buy a warranty from HP online since they have more options. Ultimately I think I will get a warranty. I have one on my acer and like you said, its peace of mind.

 

Is the HP you're referring to the one you reviewed? I read it when deciding what lappy to get, and I just wanted to confirm that your screen was HD Brightview, and not UltraBrightview. right? 17" must be nice

The one me dad got is HD Brightview, and I haven't seen it yet. I'm sure it will be great-- I'm just asking out of curiosity. Thanks!

 

WabbaJ, you must have misunderstood me.

What I meant by saying that you have to take your laptop to BB first, then they send it to HP, is only when it breaks. I was only stating that if you have a problem with your laptop where you need to bring it in to get fixed under warranty (if you buy the warranty through BB, not HP). The reason I told you that was just so you know that if you have a problem in the future it will take longer to get it fixed and back into your hands. If you do end up buying the warranty through HP you won't have to worry about taking it to BB.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Nothing to apologize for Envision.

Ya, I misunderstood. I thought you meant that in order to BUY the warranty, BB will have to inspect it, and send it to HP, which sounded pretty weird.

I now see what you meant was that if I need to use my warranty after buying it from BB, they will look at it and if needed send it to HP. I get what you meant now.

Cool. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

Yep, and now since you are going to buy the warranty directly through HP and not BB you won't have to deal with BB if you have problems.

Good Luck with your Laptop!!!

 

hey guys!!

sorry I didnt post back for a while-- I had too much to do this weekend and didn't come into contact with a computer at all eek: )...

So I saw my dad's laptop and the screen is great!
I spent some time uninstalling all the bloatware crap that came with it on vista.
The keys are spaced differently from my Acer laptop, which I'm pretty used to, so I keep hitting the wrong keys that'll take some time.
Not really much to complain about... I guess the hardware is good enough to handle what my dad needs it for. I might upgrade to another gig of ram, but I'll give my dad a month to see if he really wants to.

But honestly the screen is just awesome. Its so nice and glossy, a big change from my matte acer.

Now i just gotta find the thread that has to do with un-checking stuff from msconfig. Should be fun.

Thanks again for all your posts guys!

 

WabbaJ,

You said that you might be upgrading RAM in the future. Keep in mind that HP laptops only have 2 RAM slots. Since your laptop has 1GB of RAM total, it is separated into 2x 512MB sticks of RAM, so to upgrade you need to buy 2 sticks of RAM. HP does that so if you want to upgrade you spend more money.

There is a post on this message board that has RAM specials and people update it pretty frequently. If you have any questions in regards to what RAM you can buy for it, etc you can post a message on there or read through it as I'm sure people have asked similar questions, and I can help you too if you need it.

Good Luck with your laptop!

 

Thanks Envision. I knew HP split up RAM (which company doesn't now ), and ya, I saw the RAM thread in the deals section of the forum, but thanks for mentioning it

I'll be letting you all know if theres problems or if i need help so thanks for offering! see ya round!