Going to buy an HP... many questions

Hopefully the good people of this forum can come through one more time before i purchase my notebook. I decided on an HP simply because complaints v.s. compliments are about 50/50, and usually it overwhelmingly leans towards complaints because happy customers are usually content and do not go to forums like this to voice their satisfaction. Here are my preferences:


1) What is your budget?
1300 or under

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

14-15.4 is good, i would like widescreen

3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Some gaming, but mostly college work

4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I will take it to class, home on breaks, and to work.

5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
BF2, EA sports games

6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Well, i would like dell if they had AMD prcessors.

7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
3-4 is optimal

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I would prefer online actually.

9) What country are you buying this in?
USA

Screen Specifics

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

WXGA is fine... i guess?

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

I prefer glossy screens
Build Quality and Design

12) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Black or silver is best
13) How long do you want this laptop to last?

Through college... but im not nieve.

Notebook Components

14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
Lowest ammount, i can always add a larger one later, this is of no importance.

15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?

DVD would be nice, but i dont necessarily need burning.

I like the size and most of the features of the DV5000z series but, i hear that the DV2000 and v3000 notebooks will be coming out with dual core turions and better features. Here are my questions: 1. Do I wait for these newer models (my budget is about 1300 before warrenty) and 2. Should a purchase a warrenty through HP? i am a 17 years old and my history with small electronics leads me to believe i should. I will also be a poor college student and could not afford to buy another laptop. Are they a solid company to work with in terms of warrenties? My gaming needs are minimal, maybe some BF2 but i plan to double major so i won't have a whole lot of time....

Thank you so much for all of your help, this members in this forum are easily the most dedicated i have encountered, it is much appriciated!


Samuel

 

Tough call between waiting for the dv2000/V3000 Turion X2's or getting a good deal on a dv5000z now. Or... waiting and seeing what other X2 notebooks HP comes up with. Computex Taipei on June 6th is rumored to be very interesting in terms of Turion X2 product announcements.

 

If you can wait, thats what I would suggest to do. The Turion X2's are around the corner. HP is scheduled to release the dv2000 on 5/24/06(according to their website).I dont know if they are releasing the Turions at the same time or just the Core Duo's. But I guess it is another 8 more days before we will really know.

If you need the laptop right away the dv5000z should be a good choice as well for your uses. If you do need a better gaming experience then the Intel based versions which HP sells with better graphics card choices will be better.

On the warranty HP allows you upgrade your warranty until the end of your standard warranty. So, if you do decide down the line that you need better warranty then you can upgrade until 1yr after the purchase of the laptop. I dont know if there are any other conditions to this but that is the basic window of oppurtunity.

 

Since your a student, and are poor (like me!) take advantage of HP's APP program which allows you to get discounts on already good deals. The dv5000z is a really good choice for a college student, but I would say wait until June, mid July to buy the notebook as then their might be more discounts on these notebooks with back to school sales.

 

I think it boils down to the following question.

What functionality do you really need from the laptop?
If you plan on doing any serious gamming then I would wait for the
next gen machines. If you plan on doing the basics. Web surf,
papers, spreadsheets, some light gaming then the DV5000z is
a great machine.

From what I understand, BF2 will run, so long as you don't turn on all the bells and whistles.

It's truly amazing the amount of computing power we have available today.
Everything less digital video editing and hard core gaming are pretty much
a breeze for today's modern laptops.

Mike

 

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS!! one question, does anyone know a price on the new HP/CPQ notebooks coming out? i would imagine turion X2's will likely be out of my $1300 price range with 1 gb ram, 60 GB ram and a good video card...

 

Actually, I think it'll be well below $1300. With the student discount (link in sticky at the top of this board), I can get you a DV5000t with GO7400, T2400 Core Duo 1.83GHz, 1GB RAM, DVD burner, Wi-Fi, 80 GB HDD, Brightview, and a 12 cell battery all for only $1200. AMD is usually cheaper, so I'm sure you'll be able to get a good Turion X2 system. Be careful though, as HP is notorious for giving AMD systems bad graphics.

 

yeah, im starting to think i could just go with intel on this one... as much as it hurts an AMD guy to say... 7400 GO v.s. 200m isnt even fair. Plus, its 333 ddr in the AMD v.s. 533 mhz ddr2 in the intel. In terms of the processor, is the T2400 1.83 similar to the ML-40 turion single core?

 

The ML-40 is a good processor,and is comparable to the Pentium M and Centrinos.Some people on other websites have been able to lock up the AMD version of the dv5000z. Until the X2 comes out, there is no comparison to the dual cores. If your going to hardcore game and want the best quality from your latest games, go with the Intel and Nvidia combo.

 

Turion X2 is launched

 

Finally!

Great Find. Posted it in the News and reviews section as well.

 

I own a dv5000z, $1200 before warranty, auto adapter, and expansion base.

Good laptop. Myself, due to my knowledge of the manufacturer for the 1000/2000 series, I'd go with 5000. Different manufacturer, and better quality.

As far as whether to wait, etc.. up to you.
HP has probably the most lenient warranty for Customer Induced Damage at the moment.

Check this link out for more quick info.

 

Who's the manufacturer for the 1000/2000?

 

wow, strange how in a day's time my opinion can go so many ways... the X2 processors really aren't that expensive but, it depends whether or not hp will find a way to make them expensive. Does anyone know if an NVidia dedicated option will be on the new hp and compaqs? Also, szadek, what do you mean by lienient? I know the meaning of the word but does that mean you can get away with accidental dammage on a regular plan or they will repair outside of warrenty? i plan to get an accidental warrenty but its good to hear that they are good!

Thanks for you help everyone!
Samuel