Finally ready to buy...but a few Qs

OK, I've narrowed down my choice for my next notebook to the HP DV4000. I was also looking at the ze2000t (because I initially preferred the XGA display), but figure I'll be glad I went with a widescreen down the road. Here's what I need a little help deciding about:

I can afford to buy the DV4000 with a 2GHz Pentium M. I'm tempted to, because I stick to the principle of buying "just below" the fastest processor available (talking about Pentium Ms only). But...

the 2GHz costs about $100 more than the 1.86. The 1.86 costs about $70 more than the 1.73. So, _if_ I can afford the extra $170 for the 2GHz, what might be the downside? Will the incrementally faster CPU drain the battery noticeably faster? Also...

This notebook (DV4000) only comes with integrated graphics. I've concluded integrated will work fine for what I do. But I'm wondering if it's even worth it to "splurge" on a faster CPU, if the notebook's performance is "hampered" by integrated graphics. That's all I'm trying to estimate: will I really notice the snappy 2GHz CPU on this model?

That's really all I'm still undecided about: I know what HD size, how much RAM, which Optical drive, Wifi, etc. to get. Thanks for any opinions.


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I have the dv4170us, and it has the 1.73, 1gb ram, and 100gb hard drive and DVD+-RW and is perfect for my needs.

If I were you, i'd probably spec it out with the 1.73 or 1.86 ghz system, then get 1gb ram, and a 80gb 5400rpm hard drive. Everything else is really up to you.

I don't think you'll notice the 270-140mhz difference between them...but the ram will help the fact that you have integrated graphics.

 

I also have ordered dv4000 with 1.86 Ghz...I think slight difference in the clock speed does not matter for most of applications...If you decide to buy 1.86 Ghz, then you might consider compaq v4000 which is basically the same notebook minus remote and quickplay feature, but you can get few bucks cheaper than dv4000. I also saw today at dell, they have reduced price of Inspiron 6000 considerably. Inspiron comes with 128 mb dedicated graphics and screen with more resolution. With inspiron 6000 you can order 100Gb harddrive with 5400rpm.

 

I understand and agree with you: more RAM will help speed up the graphics system. But, if the machine is quick with 1GB RAM and a 1.86 GHz CPU....it'll be even faster with 1GB RAM and a 2 GHz CPU.

I know CPU speed is not like hard drives: with drives you must buy as big as you can afford. But like I said, I've always bought CPUs just behind the "bleeding edge" of CPU speed, to save significant money.

Awfully tempting to go with a 2 GHz CPU....but still haven't decided. Thanks for the post.


f

 

I don't think the extra processor upgrade is worth it because in most cases you'll never even notice the difference. I recommend that you invest that money in a 7200 rpm drive.

 

Can you recommend a 7200 drive?

Thanks

 

Hitachi and Seagate are the only two companies making 7200RPM 2.5" drives and, fortunately, they're the two best HD builders. The trick is finding a store that has them in stock. The older 40GB and 60GB Hitachis (I have the 60GB model) are fairly easy to find but the newer 100GB drivers are pretty much nonexistant.