Can someone please help me with a "custom build" on the V2000Z?

Hi everyone, I have had a terrible time deciding on a new notebook computer and am now looking at the HP/Compaqs. Someone here suggested a V2000, so I was looking at them on Compaq's website. The basic V2000Z starts at $399. I really want to stay under $600 if I can, so when I did a customization to upgrade it a bit, this is what I got. This totals $594.00 (not incl. tax).

The main things to me are to have a good processor, good memory and want at least 60gig and being able to work off my wireless router is important to me. What do you think for my needs? I am totally "green" when it comes to computers and really hope to get some good feedback here if I can.

Custom Build: Compaq Presario V2000Z:
Operating System Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
Display 14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768)
Graphics Card ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M
Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
Hard Drive 60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive FREE Upgrade from DVD to DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Networking Integrated 56K Modem + 10/100 Ethernet LAN
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Here is the FAQ I filled out for my needs:

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
Less than $600

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

b or c

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen


3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Email, browsing the web, playing basic online games, photo downloads and editing, word processing. I often run a few programs at a time, speed is nice, I download music from iTunes sometimes, too.

4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

take it with me on occasion, but not too often

5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

very basic games like yahtzee on games.com, etc.

6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

had a Compaq Presario for 8 years with no problems, it finally died. Loved it.

7) How many hours of battery life do you need?

a few is fine

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

well, that depends on what sort of recommendation I get

9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?

USA

Screen Specifics

10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Widescreen, but not imperative

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

I don't really know much about this stuff below..

Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.


12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

I think a matte screen, don't care as long as it is crisp and clear

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

so so, I prefer to use a touchpad, but otherwise, looks and keyboard set up not so critical

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

as long as possible, on tight budget

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?

at least 60GB

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?

Not sure, but would be nice to have

 

You will be hard pressed to find a configuration like that for under $600.00 and get a decent notebook in my opinion. Your configuration of what you want is sound for what you intend to do but I would say just be very picky on your processor chip type. That is vital.

Is it possible to get the system you want for your price? Yes, but it might take some hard looking. Be patient and buy what you feel is needed and want.

scott

 

Thanks Scott, I am a bit confused... so the specs I posted are what I can curently get for under $600.... is that a good deal then, or do you think the AMD Turion that is listed is not a good processor? Sorry to sound so dippy about this, but as I said, I just don't know a lot.

 

EDIT: Ah, didnt see you had not selected wireless...In that case go with a Sempron and probably select the non Brightview screen. This might be a better config...

AMD Sempron(TM) 3300+ (2.0GHz/128KB L2 Cache) or get the 3100+ if you need a bigger HDD.
14.0 WXGA Widescreen (1280x768)
ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/productivity ports
512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
FREE Upgrade from DVD to DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive!!
54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Price: $539.99(pre Tax/shipping)

 

v2000z is a nice computer and HP offers a great deal on it. For your needs, you may consider a higher clocked Sempron, which will bring down the price and invest the saved amount for a faster HDD - 5400 rpm.
I would get the option for productivity ports (card reader, additional USB, firewire) and a wireless card.

 

Vassil and Miner, you rock, seriously!

Miner, thanks for taking the time to answer in such depth and get those specs for me.

So these updgraded productivity ports, they will come in handy beyond the basic they provide in the price?

And I guess I was thinking that Sempron was a thing of the past, and was only thinking I should get the Turion as an investment in the future. lol

I am glad you suggested to upgrade to a bigger hard drive. That makes total sense to me.

Again, I really appreciate the advice!!

(Vassil, loooove your avatar!!! So sad he is retiring soon)

 

You could probably upgrade to a Turion in the future anyway (as long as you know what you're doing). The Sempron is pretty good though.

 

The productivity ports add a media card reader(useful if you have a digital camera), an extra USB port(total 3), firewire. it is a good idea to get these since it can be useful in some situations.

Sempron is a fine budget processor. The only thing the Turion has that it does not is 64bit and a little bit of performance. But it(64bit) is not going to become mainstream for atleast a year or more. Windows Vista(next version of Windows) is going to be available in both 32/64 bit flavors. So, the laptop with the Sempron should last 2 or more years without becoming obsolete. Although you will probably, a year or so from now need to upgrade the memory and hard drive to keep pace with the software.

 

So, if I am hoping to get this puppy to last as long as possible - hoping for about 4 years at least, should I really consider spending the extra now on Turion, or not worrying about it yet and then as MGS suggests, upgrading to Turion in the future if I need it (although clearly I would have to have some help with that, wouldn't be able to do that on my own).

It is so easy to get sucked into those upgrades when customizing those computers.

I think I am getting in over my head here and should just go with what you (Miner) suggested originally for the $539. Man am I confused.

Thanks again for the support and assistance!!

 

Not all Semprons are 32-bit-only. The newer ones do 64-bit too. I forget how to tell which are which though. To be safe you should spend the extra money for a Turion, which will also get you a much larger L2 cache. It's not critical (AMD chips aren't anywhere near as dependent on cache as Intel chips are) but it doesn't hurt.

 

I would say it depends on your budget....if it is $600 incl Tax/shipping, then probably you will have to exceed that to get the Turion. If you dont mind going over the budget, then definately get the Turion. You will have to pay more upfront in any case due to the $100 mail in rebate.

Do you qualify for any student/education rebate. If you do then you can probably knock off 6% off that price and the Turion will probably end up being in your price range.