Good deal?

I can get an HP zx5000 series laptop with the following specs for $1,849.60, do you think I could do better?

15.4" WXGA Screen
3.06 Mobile P4
1.0 GB PC2700
80 GB 4,200 HD
2x DVD+R Burner
64 MB Radeon 9200
Lastly 802.11g Wi-Fi

Good or no?

 

Also, I do want to game on this laptop and do video editing. Two questions I forgot to ask pertaining to these activities. Firstly, will the 9200 vid card be ok for playing games? I know a year ago I (and everyone else for that matter) would have KILLED for one of them in my laptop, does it still cut the mustard? Secondly, will the hard drive have any effect on GAMES? I don't care about boot up times etc. or if it takes longer doing the video editing. If the hard drive speed isn't going to effect my games, I think it looks like a good purchase--especially for the money. But I ask because you guys know.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Slat

 

I resell them so I get a fairly large discount. . .but only on their production models, so if I custom configure one. . .I get nothing off.

The video card is upgradeable? Are you sure?

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by beckham

 

Have you looked into the zd7000 laptops? I don't do really any video editing, but I think I would like the big 17" screen that the zd7000 has. Also for editing I would think that if you can upgrade the hard drive to at least 5400 you might want to consider that. Just a thought. Otherwise your selection doesn't seem that bad (hehe especially the 1GB RAM). Good luck.

HP zd7000 :: 17" WVA WXGA+ (1440 x 900) :: P4 3.06 GHz with HT :: 512MB DDR :: 64MB GeForce FX Go5600 :: 54G Wireless :: 60GB 5400 RPM HD :: XP Pro

 

Oh, I have. And they are MOST tempting. Around the same price as well. My decision is FAR from over. I didn't even have to think this hard about my car purchase! Lol.

Actually, one last question for you schmalfeld, if you could. Do you do any gaming? Have you run 3dmark2001/03 on your laptop? That information would be most helpful if you have done either of those two. I've not heard good things about the Geforce FX Go series (that they can't run games well). Would just like to find out if that is indeed true.

Regards

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by schmalfeld

 

Hello all,

First off, I'd just like to say this is one of very few sites that make sense when it comes to notebooks! The moderators and admins seem very helpful and I'm hoping to get some advice here.

I'm in the market for a notebook under $1500 and I saw this on costco.com ---- http://www.costco.com/frameset.asp?trg=subcat%2Easp&catid=84&subid=4365&hierid=4366&log=&NavTop=

(In case the link doesn't work it a refurbished HP ZD7058CL, and the specs are posted below)

I'm looking for something that I can travel on a plane with to watch movies, as well as record music on as well. The only problem is I can't find any reviews about this model anywhere online.

Does anyone know of any pros and cons on this model or series? Any help is appreciated.

Here's the specs:
$1400

Processor & Memory:

Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor
512KB L2 cache
533MHz Front Side Bus
512MB (2 x 256MB) 333MHz DDR SDRAM;
maximum memory 2048MB

Drives:
80GB EIDE hard drive (4200rpm)

CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive

Graphics & Video:
17.0" WXGA+ WVA TFT (1440 x 900) display

NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5600 graphics with 64MB DDR SDRAM (discrete)

Communications:
Broadcom 54g MaxPerformance 802.11g

Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

Integrated v.90/v.92 56K modem (RJ-11 connector)

Audio:
16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio

Internal harman/kardon® speakers

Keyboard & Mouse:
Notebook keyboard with integrated numeric keypad

Touch Pad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll pad

Expandability:
4-in-1 integrated digital reader for Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Sticks or SmartMedia cards

One Type I/II/III PC card slot with 32-bit card bus

Ports:
4 USB 2.0 ports

1 Parallel SPP/ECP standard interface

1 port replicator/connector

1 VGA (15-pin)

1 TV-Out (S-video)

1 RJ-11 (modem)

1 RJ-45 (LAN)

1 IEEE 1394 (Firewire)

1 FIR (Fast Infrared)

Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows XP Home Edition
Additional Software:

Microsoft Money

Symantec™ Norton Antivirus™ 2003 (includes 60 days Live Update)

Microsoft Encarta Online Deluxe

Quicken New Users Edition

Additional Information:
Approximate Weight: 9.3 lbs.

Dimensions: 15.67" L x 10.94" W x 1.67" H

120W AC adapter; 12-Cell Lithium-Ion battery

Security: Kensington MicroSaver lock slot; power-on password

Thanks in advance,
Devilsden

 

Slat-
I have not got any games onto it yet (had it for about a week) but plan to. A great place to check the benchmarks for it are on http://zd7000forums.com/viewforum.php?f=4

Devilsden-
It seems almost the same as my computer that I have right now. I paid $1700.00 for mine with a 10% coupon and no tax. I am a worrier and would be cautious of re-furbs. Check if you can still get teh warrenty or what kind of warrenty is included (I got the 2 year one on my new zd7000). If you can get a warrenty then I would consdier that. With a warrenty I would say you are about to get a very nice machine.


HP zd7000 :: 17" WVA WXGA+ (1440 x 900) :: P4 3.06 GHz with HT :: 512MB DDR :: 64MB GeForce FX Go5600 :: 54G Wireless :: 60GB 5400 RPM HD :: XP Pro

 

Thanks schmalfeld,

I was concerned about the refurb as well, but saw it had a year warranty on it, here's what it lists on the site:

This Hewlett Packard notebook has been refurbished by Costco, an HP/Compaq Authorized Refurbisher, and is covered by a one-year manufacturer's warranty on parts and labor.
HP warrants that this Pavilion notebook is free from defects in materials or workmanship under normal use during the warranty period. The warranty period commences on the date of purchase. Your dated sales receipt is your proof of the date of purchase. This warranty extends only to you, the original purchaser, and cannot be transferred.
During the warranty period, Hewlett Packard will repair or replace HP defective parts with new parts or with serviceable used parts that are equivalent or superior to new parts in performance, at no additional cost.

Thanks for the quick response!
Devilsden

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Devilsden

 

hello all,

the ZD7058CL refurb is now $1299. still a good deal cp. to comparable models by other manufacturers (e.g., Dell refurb)?

thanks in advance,
bmedy