Final config - HP dv5000z

This is my final configuration for the HP Pavilion dv5000z I'll be ordering within the next few days. I'm still undecided on one or two features but this is basically what I'm getting. I'm open to comments/suggestions.

Windows XP Home
2GHz AMD Turion 64 ML-37 (or ML-40)
Matte display (undecided- debating BrightView)
32MB ATI Radeon card (since I never play games)
256MB SDRAM (will buy 1GB aftermarket)
80 GB 5400 RPM HD
DVD/CD-RW Combo
54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster
6 Cell Battery
Free HP printer
Printer cables

-with student discount, free shipping

Now I just have to decide whether or not to get BrightView, the ML-37 or the ML-40, and whether to buy from HPShopping or Costco.

For record, the dv5000z is does not have a SATA HD, only the dv5000t.

Besides the memory upgrade, I'll be getting a sleeve, headphones, a lock, and a USB mouse. Any suggestions for those accessories are welcome!

Cost will be about $1100-$1200.

 

Get the Brightview screen. It's fantastic.

All the glare talk is overblown (in my opinion, at least).

Also, I have the ML-37 and I've found it to be great. Very fast. No problems whatsoever.

Cheers.

 

Thanks for your input, FolkStix! I was thinking that the difference between the ML-37 and -40 wasn't noticable anyway and not worth extra $.

 

Upgrading to the 128MB 200m video card will give you an extra usb port, card reader and firewire port which in my opinion is worth the $25.

 

Can't really comment on the difference, unfortunately. But like I said, I've found the ML-37 to be great so far for my purposes.

I don't game either and mostly use my laptop for internet, downloading, music, etc. I also only have 512MB RAM (need to upgrade) so you can take that into account as well. A Gig+ would perfect.

And like I said, I recommend going for the Brightview. Especially, with it being a widescreen. I've found the viewing angles to be very good and the colour and image are bright and crisp. Definitely worth it.

 

Thanks zazonz, I wasn't aware of that. I'm going to blame that on the sketchiness of the HP site.

 

Yeah. It only tells you that if you click on the "Help Me Decide" link and even then it's almost like it's thrown in as a side note.

I agree with zazonz, though. Get the 128.

 

You sure? The HP Site does show it when you click on Help Me Decide above the Video Card option . Just read it through.

 

Great setup. I have the dv5000 with the ML-32 (1.8ghz) and its more than fine. A faster processor is nice for current games out that demand the faster speeds, otherwise not even milliseconds faster for most windows applications. I have the brightview too and its great. And I agree, the 128mb card is nice because it adds the card reader (works perfect for using a SD card for back up needs, etc). I also have the bluetooth option. Not much out for bluetooth accessorys right now but has come in handy for my bluetooth cell phone

 

Plus you 128MB of dedicated video memory instead of 32MB shared memory. Btw, I had some reservations on the Brightview screen after hearing the naysayers but glad I got it.

 

Yeah I was hesitant to get BrightView because people said it'd strain your eyes after a few hours.

 

Absolutely get the 128MB dedicated video memory version. They shouldn't even offer the shared memory version.

Buy one of these to expand your memory. Or two.

I'd seriously consider the Lightscribe DVD burner option. It's easy to swap in a new drive later but the bezel won't match and moving the HP bezel to the new drive is often not possible.

 

Ordered it today! I had to order my baby over the phone though because the student discount site was being buggy.

I confirmed my order on the HP site because I wasn't sure the HP woman picked the specs exactly as I said them over the phone, but she did.

Here's the final config as it appears on the site:

HP PAVILION DV5000Z NOTEBOOK PC

* Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
* AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-37 (2.0GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
* 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
* 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
* 256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
* 80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
* DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
* 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* hpshopping in-box envelope

* HP PSC 1410 All-in-One (free after rebate)
* HP USB 2.0 Printer Cable a-b, 6' (2 m) (free after rebate)

For record, the student discount for me was only $40 and the grand total after rebates is $1016.22, tax included. With the memory, it will come to about $1100, right on my budget.

The build date is April 5 and shipping will be 5-7 days.

 

get the T not the z

 

Nah, I'm completely happy with the Turion and an IDE hard drive.

 

No Brightview?

 

I've decided against it because I don't need any extra eye strain. I'm using a matte screen now and it's perfect as is. No glossy for me!

 

AMD all the way here too. I used to be skeptical myself until a buddy showed me some articles about how AMD blew Intel out of the water. Cheaper too.

 

do you know anything? the intel duo core smokes your cpu

 

And there are rice burners that smoke a new muscle car too. I dont get it, seems to be a sweet set up. A ML-37 (2.0GHz) is no joke. And seems they have some extra cash to go buy themselves a burger too. Not everybody loves rice.

 

I have a dv5040us. It is having keyboard issues after 10 days....an old HP problem. Not sure if I'm going to keep it.

Other than that, the AMD processor flies...I also have 2g of ram...very fast.

****ed keyboard!

 

I bought 1GB from NewEgg and I'm going to keep the 256MB chip with the 1GB until I get another 1GB.

 

Fair enough.

 

So what? The Turion is the perfect balance between performance, price and future-proof machine. Not all the world needs the Core Duo "power" nor we are willing to pay the price of a short-life processor (and I spent more than 1400 in this machine). Merom will hurt Yonah badly.

And when I decide to go dual core, X2 for me

Let the people choose by themselves. That's why there are so many Processor/Brand/Etc guides in this board.