Dv6500t - Upgrades at a later time?

I've been interested in getting a dv6500t for quite a while, and was waiting for a bank transfer to go through to take advantage of the 30% off discount, but things at the bank took too long so now I'm sort of re-evaluating my financial situation and my options as far as this computer goes. I've got $750-$800 to put towards this thing at the moment, which isn't going to get me every little thing I'd really like, so I'm trying to choose the things I want that I can't put in myself later.

My current setup looks like this:

Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5250 (1.5 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
Display: 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory: 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics Card: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Personalization: HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
Networking: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Hard Drive: 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive: SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
TV & Entertainment Experience: No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software: Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

I know this setup is pretty gimpy at best, but the things I'd (ideally) upgrade in the future would be RAM (add 1 GB), Hard drive space (add more as needed), and maybe a battery upgrade if the 6 cell just doesn't work out for me.

I've got the video card there because although I use my computer primarily for school work (in college), I do play Final Fantasy XI occasionally.

While I understand what all of these things do, I'm not exactly savvy to the manual installation of new RAM sticks or hard drive additions, but I have a friend who is. Would these be easy things to add to my computer? Or should I just wait for a little bit more cash (or another coupon) before I make my decision? I'm just antsy to get a new computer because the one I have is old and in poor shape. This configuration totals $759.15, so I have a little bit of wiggle room for any more modifications. Thanks in advance!

 

From what I've seen, the RAM slots are pretty easily accessible, only a few screws away in the bottom of the notebook. I'm not sure about the hard drive though.

But yeah, it is better to upgrade the RAM later because you can find 2 x1GB sticks at Frys.com usually for around $50 using rebates, so its a much better deal than what HP charges to upgrade from 1gb to 2gb.

 

Ok, great.

While waiting for replies to this thread I was shopping around for RAM and found a 1 GB RAM stick that seems to be compatible with this computer for only 23.99. If I end up needing it, that sounds preeeeeetty good to me.

As for the hard drive, I might end up with an external one - that's what my boyfriend uses and it works fine for him.

Thanks for the opinion!

 

Just keep in mind that you'll want to buy PC5300 (or PC5400) 667MHz, DDR2, SODIMM ram.

You could go with PC6400 800MHz ram, but the laptop will only clock it down to 667MHz anyways (since Intel's current Santa Rosa platform does not fully take advantage of 800 MHz ram... only 800 MHz processor FSB's), so it's not worth the extra price of PC6400 memory.

 

Ok, the one I have been looking at seems to fit all of that criteria, it does say that it's PC 2 5300 - does that make any difference at all?

It's currently out of stock, but I'm not planning on buying it right this second anyway...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208037

 

Yep, it is the right one. PC2-5300/5400, DDR2-667 all is the same (aside from the laptop/desktop pinout differences).....

 

Ok, that'll work perfectly for me, then. Whenever they get it back in stock, that is.

I guess that's probably the only modification I'll end up making to the computer, once I get it, then. External hard drives seem like much less of a hassle than an internal hard drive. At least...for a tech n00b like me.

 

Is there a reason you picked Transcend? There are other brands available that would work too......

 

Oh, no. I just like things that are cheap. That was the least expensive one I saw with 1 GB of RAM.

Is it a bad choice?

 

It's okay. I've used Transcend before and it worked, but then started using PQI and Corsair lately because they seem to have a wider range of compatibility for different units (and I often swap ram).

 

Does what brand (?) of RAM I buy make a difference when considering the way I plan to use my laptop?

I'll use it for: Schoolwork, Internet usage, some photo editing, and one game.

Do other kinds work "better" in any way, or is it all pretty much the same deal? If I can find a 1 GB stick at a good price that'll work the correct way with my laptop, then I'm okay with that.

 

I usually read through the NewEgg reviews and see if a user had success with the ram stick in a specific laptop just to be safe.....

I just worry about ram that sometimes does not like certain laptops, as it does happen on occassion..

 

Oh, ok, I see. I'll make sure to do that before I make a final decision.

Thank you!