Custom-built vs pre-configured

What's the general preference here? The reason I ask is that I've been dying for the lappy in my sig but I just found out that if I got the 9500t (by tomorrow, of course), I could upgrade the RAM to 4GB if I wanted to.

 

If you like the pre-configured's parts, or you can upgrade them yourself, go for it!

 

I like buying from resellers which will customize your Asus,Compal, or Clevo notebook to your request.

 

Depends on the price. 4GB ram is ususally cheaper to get yourself. Just make sure you have vista 64bit to take full advantage of the 4GB.

 

For me it comes down to getting the best value for the $$$ and being able to live with the purchase. There is always the 'next best' thing or upgrade. to go to 4 mb ram costs $500 or so. you have to use a 64 bit os to access that, i think. i'm not going there.

I'm ok with the layout of the 9543cl as-is, for the price. Sure, i would love a better screen, faster video card (or 2), bluetooth, bigger battery, fingerprint reader, ms office 2007, faster cpu, more ram, hi-def dvd. If i wanted that, i'd by a $3,000 laptop.

I think the 9543 is a good combination of parts. No real disadvantages. Great price. I wouldn't get it if it had less ram, non-dedicated video card, etc. But for what it is, at the price, i can live with it. I can always add bluetooth and software. I don't see the need for more ram, different os, etc. For my needs, anyway.

 

Excellent points. I guess I come from that line of people that think "more is better". The desktop I've been using for the past 4 years has a whopping 512MB of RAM so ANYTHING would be an improvement!

 

4GB RAM (2x2GB) cost $240 on Newegg.

 

Go ahead and get the lappy and you can always upgrade later to 4GB. I think you will fine for now without the upgrade as long as you are not doing anything to intensive. I have 2GB on my desktop with Vista Home Premium and it is plenty snappy. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I bought pre-configured for two reasons - first is the instant gratification and knowing that you have a laptop that works properly without the hassles of sending it back due to shipping damages or defective components. Second is the features I needed/wanted were available in the pre-configured model I bought.

Sure you can load it up with all the latest features and it'll cost a lot more, if that's what you want.

For me, Futureshop had the model with the features I wanted, and the following week it was on sale, so I bought it (back in February) and I'm still a happy camper.

 

I also just bought a HP 9543. I also bought a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate with the 64 bit option. Can HP 9543s run Vista 64-bit or not? I think I just got served.

 

Sure, it has a Core 2 Duo which is 64 bit capable and HP has the drivers necessary in the dv9500t downloads page.

 

mine only has 256mb and im using it right now...lol

 

That's the understatement of the year!

Depends on what version of Vista you got. Retail, upgrade? You can probably do the anytime upgrade for cheaper, but it depends which one you got.

Also, if you only get it for the 64bit support, and not the Ultimate features, you don't need that. You can get 64 bit Premium for about $7 from microsoft. You already have the license on your laptop, you just need the 64bit disc.