Buy or Wait

I'm looking to purchase my first laptop (and completed the faq a while back). Choices are pretty much narrowed down to HP. This is the set up I'm looking at:

Compaq Presario V5000Z customizable Notebook PC
EE394AV
– $50 OFF!! Windows(R) XP Professional for $29.99!!
– AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
– 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
– 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
– 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (1x512MB)
– 80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
– DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
– 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– $50 OFF! Microsoft(R) Office 2003 Basic for $99.99
– Corel(R) Paint Shop Pro(TM) X

Bottom line: $1356.98
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I don't game; the laptop replaces an OLD desktop. Primarily it will be for internet, e-mail, word processing, low-level Excel. Once in a blue moon a movie *may* get watched on it (5-6 times per year, max).

I know that this model is a recent release. Should I wait a while for reviews to come in (I'm not desperate to change, but I'd like to)? Is this more computer than I'm likely to need? Would a 4200 rpm hard drive suffice?

Thanks, y'all!

 

Oh yeah, a 4200 rpm drive will suffice alright, I do the exact things you do and my 4200 rpm drive doesn't bother me at all, I never notice it, not a problem whatsoever.

Now, doesn't HP offer a 30 day return policy? Why not try it out a bit?

 

It looks like you found everything. You definitely want the 5400RPM drive. I'd consider one of the faster Turions, just because it's not much money and it's very difficult (and warranty-voiding) to change CPUs later, but you really don't need it.

I'd consider configuring the minimum amount of RAM and buying one or two Crucial PC2700 1GB SODIMMs instead. Just don't forget to unplug the notebook and remove the battery before doing any hardware upgrades. PC3200 memory would be better but I'm not sure it's worth the additional expense. HP configures PC2700.

 

I've only had my net notebook for a week and I have already decided to replace my 40GB 4200RPM HDD with something much better.

A 4200RPM HDD is not ideal in any situation as it slows the computer down on any data-intensive task. Windows will boot up slowly as well.

 

Like the others in the thread have stated, upgrading your HD to 5400 RPM would greatly help performance on your notebook. Other than that, it looks like a nice configuration for a non-gamer

 

Just like to point out that there is a Coupon:
HP $150 Off + Free Printer w/Customizable Compaq Presario V5000Z or the popular V2000Z Notebook

(You have to click through the link in this site)
http://www.xpbargains.com/best_deal.php/laptop_deals.htm__pagen--14


Also, if you're a student don't forget about the green apple pricing!

 

yet you can still play some games when you are bored with that machine
i'm not much of a gamer myself but i do have some.

 

I would go with the 5400. Much faster all around. I believe some manufacturers are using it as their standard for even budget models.