HP Pavillion zv5000z Review

I've had the 1680 x 1050 and 1920x1200 side by side. The higher res screen was noticeably superior in image detail and brightness of colors. Noticeably. The size of fonts can be enlarged in almost any program so in my opinion that is usually going to be a nonissue for anybody with basic computer skills, which probably means most people considering this model.
Before you get a lower res I highly recommend comparing them side by side, lest you happen to do so after your return period and regret your purchase.

 

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

 

alekkh

My personal opinion, it would be a sin to have such a state-of-the-art processor/computer and a XGA resolution screen.

FYI:

"UXGA=Short for Ultra Extended Graphics Array, a display specification that is capable of displaying 1600 x 1200 resolution, or approximately 1.9 million pixels."

"SXGA=Short for Super Extended Graphics Array, a display specification that is capable of displaying 1280 x 1024 resolution, or approximately 1.3 million pixels."

If we are talking about a zv5000z none of the above display acronym's are applicable.

Here are HP's screen descriptions with the correct terminology.
15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768)
15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
15.4" WVA WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
15.4" WVA WUXGA (1920x1200)

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

alekkh

My personal opinion, it would be a sin to have such a state-of-the-art processor/computer and a XGA resolution screen.

FYI:

"UXGA=Short for Ultra Extended Graphics Array, a display specification that is capable of displaying 1600 x 1200 resolution, or approximately 1.9 million pixels."

"SXGA=Short for Super Extended Graphics Array, a display specification that is capable of displaying 1280 x 1024 resolution, or approximately 1.3 million pixels."

If we are talking about a zv5000z none of the above display acronym's are applicable.

Here are HP's screen descriptions with the correct terminology.
15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768)
15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
15.4" WVA WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
15.4" WVA WUXGA (1920x1200)

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

Well, I will confess my ignorance: I have no idea what an "artifact" looks like. I guess I've never seen one on my 1920x1200 screen. It sounds like a double image or flaw in the picture. My screen is flawless in games, internet, dvds, Office, etc. I do no advanced video stuff, so maybe it has to do with that type of work? Somebody shine a light for me!
If I had never seen the 1920x1200 screen I would have been perfectly happy with the 1680x1050, or even the 1280x800. And I used to drive a Buick, until I drove a Toyota. Why not get the best when you can?

 

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

 

i just heard that whatever your native resolution is @ ..be it 1280x800 or 1680x1050 , that is what the lcd pixels are designed for. There have been couple of people around this forum & other sites which had issues when going down from 1680x1050 to 1280x800 with clearity. It wouldn't be as crisp as an original lcd made for 1280 x 800. So if 1680x1050 is too small, which i don't think it is now...why not just opt for the 1280x800.

I already ordered my laptop yesterday, my choice was for the 1680x1050 wva wsxga+ after researching a good amount.

w00t![ ]

 

alekkh wrote "It's a pain to change the default font sizes in windows and in every application you are using." I found it to be a one-time, easy process with all applications I use (Office, Firefox, Netscape, Explorer, Thunderbird, etc.).

"Some apps wouldn't even let you control the font sizes, so they are not as convenient for you anymore." I have not encountered this issue. I'd be curious to know which applications will not let you do this.

"Some apps would let you control the font size, but their menus will become unreadable because all the text is compressed and letters sit on top of each other. Now, you are stuck because you cannot even change the settings back because you cannot read the options anymore . Even your Windows's XP's winodws may show such artifacts with text compession." I have not had this problem. I am highly sceptical of this statement. What apps have you heard of which do this?

"Many websites will have fonts that are either toooo small or toooo big. You'll be changing font size evry time you go to a different webpage." No, just use the browser option that forces sites to use your choices, or in Firefox (and maybe others) set a minimum font size. Easy. Not an issue.

I have had none of the issues that alekkh (and others, to be fair) warns of. For me, the bottom line is that pictures (including movies), icons and text are crisper and sharper and EASIER to read with a higher resolution screen. Forcing applications to display larger fonts and icons is easy and a one-time process. There may be applications out there that have the problems that alekkh alludes to, but in my research I have never seen anybody post the name of an application that would be negatively affected. Furthermore, even if there were applications that would be unusable, worst case, with a high resolution, there are always choices in software one can make. Microsoft's applications have no problem, and that includes the Windows operating system. For the average purchaser of the zv5000z, higher will be better. Check it out in person for yourself.

 

"Some apps wouldn't even let you control the font sizes, so they are not as convenient for you anymore." I have not encountered this issue. I'd be curious to know which applications will not let you do this.

SigmaPlot, HiDownload, VMD for example, many more in the list.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Some apps would let you control the font size, but their menus will become unreadable because all the text is compressed and letters sit on top of each other. Now, you are stuck because you cannot even change the settings back because you cannot read the options anymore . Even your Windows's XP's winodws may show such artifacts with text compession." I have not had this problem. I am highly sceptical of this statement. What apps have you heard of which do this?

WidowsCommander just to name the program I had this problem with yesterday. And even Window's native Task Manager will do that if Iincrease window's system fonts to my liking.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Many websites will have fonts that are either toooo small or toooo big. You'll be changing font size evry time you go to a different webpage." No, just use the browser option that forces sites to use your choices, or in Firefox (and maybe others) set a minimum font size. Easy. Not an issue.

Ayou aren't serious. "Set minimum font size" [?] This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! I use Mozilla and I do have my chrome directory tweaked, and I know how to press Ctrl+/-. Still, font readability is somtimes an issue with SXGA.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Furthermore, even if there were applications that would be unusable, worst case, with a high resolution, there are always choices in software one can make.

Not always does similar software exist. Second, who has time to re-learn and money to re-purchase software only because their display messes the convenience up??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Finally, don't you simply believe that there should be a sufficient reason for people to use 1024x768 routinely on their CRTs??? (please don't say that you and all your friends have the CRT's res maxed up for better visibility [ ], no offence )

 

Well, alekkh and I are speaking different languages.
As I see it, the only potential downside to the higher res screen is that the font may be smaller than you like in what I admit are programs I will never use. The upside is a better quality picture.
Alekkh, I don't understand your response to the browser font size "issue." If you want a specific font size, set it in your preferences. I use 16 pt. The text I'm typing is 16pt. The text below on the web site is 16 pt. Google is 16 pt. yahoo! is 16 pt. Ebay is 16 pt. I thought you were trying to avoid Ctrl+-. In Firefox try Tools-Options-General-Fonts&Colors, set the sizes you want and check the "always use my fonts" box. Hope that helps.
I don't know what to tell you about your problem with Task Manager.
Anyway, if you are trying to decide which resolution to buy, I'd advise you to purchase the higher resolution and try it out. Spend a few minutes or hours tweaking the settings and see what you think. If you have problems you can always return it for a lower quality, I mean resolution, screen if necessary. HP and Costco don't charge you, or even seem to care, if you do. Alekkh bets you will. I bet you won't. May the better screen win!

 

My 19" CRT general purpose desktop I run at 1152 x 864, while it easily could be 1280 x 1024, but for my older eyes 1152 on a CRT is preferable. On my video editing desktop 21" CRT I run 1280 x 960. I would not think of running either at 1024 x 768. But my notebook at 1680 x 1050 I spend many, many hours editing in Adobe Premiere with perfect comfort!

Another subject:

Has anyone run a LCD panel off the rear panel VGA connector as a second display surface with satisfactory results?

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

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

 

alekkh

I GUESS YOU DID NOT WANT TO READ MY LAST SENTENCE!

"But my notebook at 1680 x 1050 I spend many, many hours editing in Adobe Premiere with perfect comfort!"


Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

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

 

BTW:

Didn't I write a while back that higher res is good for any visual applications? So your Adobe case is exactly what I referred to as suitable for higher res, and your point about comfort with Adobe Premiere is strange (as you seem to be using it to nail my oppinion down)

 

I guess the point I was making is that CRT readability seems to be different than digital LCD readability!

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

Hi-
When I first bought my zv5000 amd64 3200 I got 256mb and added 1gb from Memorysuppliers.com.
This memory worked perfectly but the invoice said it was kingston but the chip was labeled wintec pc2700/1024mb-200P.
I just got my second 1gb sodimm from memorysuppliers it is invoiced and labeled KTI 1GB DDR-333 and it gives blue screen of death on xp pro 32bit and panics the kernel on suse 9.1 64bit.

I think a wintec pc2700/1024mb-200P should work but I can't find any on net. Memorysuppliers sent me a sorry note this AM but haven't said anything since.

Questions:
1. anyone know where I can get 1 wintec pc2700/1024mb-200P sodimm and if it should work? (I can stop visa payment and send kti back)
2. Any other suggestions?

Thanx

 

Return what memorysuppliers sent you. There's no excuse for them advertising Kingston but sending you the cheap stuff.

Your best bet, short of spending the big bucks to buy directly from Crucial, is this Micron SODIMM. I don't know anyone who's actually bought one yet but I've got a pair of Crucial/Micron 512MB PC2700 sticks in my zv5000z. Micron memory has been very reliable in these machines.

 

Having one stick of memory work does NOT mean that two of the same will work also.

One stick of Adata 512x3200 works great in my zv5000z, two sticks of Adata 512x3200 will not work.

 

Memorysuppliers responded after I left work. I am faxing them photocopys of my memory and invoices. I will post resolution whenever it occurs

 

Anyone bought a zv5000v with the 3700+ yet. I am wondering if it is worth the extra$?

 

Memory again.

Memorysuppliers wants to replace the wintec 1gb (which works with in top and bottom slot with original 256mb in bottom or top) with a KTI 1GB which crashes system in bottom if wintec is in top. I will of course test the KTI 1gb in top w/o bottom chip and with 256mb bottom chip. My question is: anyone running with KTI 1GB pc2700 in either slot?

Thx

 

I just got an email response from Monarch Computer saying they would not be handling the Athlon 64 3700+, I was also wondering about performance, but in my case I was thinking of an upgrade to my current unit. I do not know if AMD will be selling retail units or if it is just an OEM only chip. Would also like to hear any results with the 3700+. Just to check on the full information on my chip I did pull the heatsink off my CPU. It is an AMA3200BEX5AP. The second number is CAA0C03590XPMW. NewEgg has a 3400 chip like this it is $288, but no 3700 yet. Not at all difficult to replace the CPU, I assume that you would have to upgrade the BIOS to accomodate an upgrade.

The HP $200 charge for the upgrade probably is very inexpensive upgrade cost!

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

Memory Again-
Their email was confusing they will swap the KTI for Wintec- So question is I anyone running multiple wintec chips?
I will report how 2 1gb wintecs work the the week of 20th if I get back from Chile.

 

anyone know the exact dimensions of this lappy w/ a 15.4'' ? buying a hard case sleeve & not sure. Let me know if you guys have any links to hard case sleeves or know any ways to protect this laptop w/ fitted case...snug fit plz. let me know

thanks

 

FYI, below is the AMD press release on the new 3700+ for the zv5000z, contrary to some trade journal releases it is not the new 90nm process and it is not a "mobile" version. It is quite a bargain from HP. The base configuration 3000+ processor chip OEM price at http://www.amd.com/us-en/pricing is $218 and the 3700+ chip is $500, a difference of $282. HP is only charging the customer $200 more for this chip upgrade.

"SUNNYVALE, CALIF. -- August 17, 2004 --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today introduced the AMD Athlon™ 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks, extending the award-winning AMD64 processor family to new heights with the highest performing 32-bit/64-bit processor available for mobile PCs.

AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks is the most advanced PC processor designed for notebook computing, offering outstanding 32-bit power today plus compatibility with tomorrow’s 64-bit software. The AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks features HyperTransport™ technology for extraordinary application performance, plus an Enhanced Virus Protection security feature designed to prevent the spread of certain malicious viruses when enabled by Microsoft® Windows® XP Service Pack 2*.

“AMD has again raised the bar for notebook performance, giving consumers and business professionals even more power at their fingertips, plus added security with Enhanced Virus Protection enabled by Windows XP SP2,” said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group, AMD. “We continue to set the pace, meeting and exceeding industry demands for high-performance PCs.”

HP and VoodooPC are among the first suppliers to offer notebooks based on the new AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks.

"Our customers want the power to create, experience and achieve more with their notebook PC. The HP Pavilion zv5000z and Compaq Presario R3000Z series notebook PCs, powered by the latest AMD Athlon 64 processor, really deliver," said Sam Szteinbaum, vice president, Consumer Computing Organization - North America, HP. "With Enhanced Virus Protection for the upcoming Windows XP SP2, our customers benefit from peace of mind plus the performance of a desktop PC anywhere they go."

“VoodooPC builds extremely fast and incredibly desirable performance PCs designed to excite our customers,” said Rahul Sood, president and CTO, VoodooPC. “We prefer to use AMD Athlon 64 processors in our flagship ENVY notebooks because of the performance and flexibility of AMD64 technology. The bottom line is AMD has a lot to bring to the party, so we invite them as often as possible.”

Configure-to-order notebook systems featuring the AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ are available now from both HP and VoodooPC.

AMD offers high-performance processors for a wide array of mobile PCs with extended system battery life enabled by AMD PowerNow!™ technology, as well as the benefit of wireless compatibility with today’s most popular wireless solutions, for outstanding computing on the go.

Availability
The AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks is available immediately worldwide.

Pricing
The AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ for desktop-replacement notebooks is priced at $500 in 1,000-unit quantities. For pricing details please visit http://www.amd.com/pricing."


Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

I appreciate all the input I've been able to soak up over the last couple days on this forum. I have just ordered my zv5000v on Sept. 8th. I had one in my cart, off and on, for almost 2 weeks prior to this, but was hesitant about ordering, due to the 4200 HDs as the only option, even though, as most everyone here knows, other Pavilions come with options for 5400, and even one with a 7200rpm option. I was going to just get the cheapo 30 gig and dump it on eBay, and throw a faster one in there. On Sept. 7th I decided to have... uhhhhhhhh... conversations... with 3 managers in selected departments about their failure to 'invent' a way to have better HD choices with this unit. Lo and behold, the next morning by 8am PST, the 30 gig HD was gone and now, in addition to the 4200-80GB, there is now a 5400-80GB option as well. It's not 7200rpm, but I figured that for what I do on my compy, it was a decent compromise, especially since the 5400 is only like 25 bucks more than the 4200. So I updated my cart with the 5400 and ordered it. I'm glad that I decided to get the two 512 DIMMS right from HP for my 1GB ram, as I see that many ppl have had challenges adding ram after delivery (but I'd sure appreciate any feedback on whether I may still encounter problems when I run memtest86+). BTW brianstretch, I have read with much interest, all of your posts here, as well as on the other forum you were posting on when you first got your zv5000 (that's how I found THIS forum). I appreciate everyone's posts and insights. I'm also curious if there is anything I should be watching out for (BIOS, memory, etc.), now that many of you have WAAAAYYY more experience with these bad boys than when you first bought them. My great appreciations to all of you in advance. Cheers!

Stevo


zv5000z: Ath64_3200+ (2.0GHz) - 1GB DDR - 80GB 5400rpm - 64MB 440 - 15.0" XGA - Win2k

 

Processor upgrade?

I bought a ZV5000v earlier this year with a 3200+. With new processors coming-out regularly an upgrades seems like a reasonable option. Has anyone done a processor upgrade?

 

Col. Stevo: Thanks! And thank you for figuring out how to get HP to offer decent HDs, I tried to do that repeatedly without success.

It sounds like you won't have to do anything other than maybe upgrading WinXP to SP2, if they haven't already installed it. HP is advertising their new desktop Athlon 64 lines as coming with SP2 preinstalled.

 

Heya brianstretch,

As far as I see, yeah, all the OSes are XP w/ SP2 now. As far as the HD, it's not a 7200, but I figure I'll still get about a 20% read/write bump over the 4200. Also, I was actually thinking of installing Win2k Pro, since: A) I have a licence from my last lappy which got damaged (hence, the new one), and: B) Win2k still seems like a more stable OS with less holes than XP. I have several app suites installed on my PC's, and usually I start getting flaky responses from XP machines with this many apps installed. SP2 for XP seems to have raised almost as many issues as it has solved, but I have not installed it yet on my VMWare machine to test it, so I have been relying on my few dozen hours of reading, from various sources, to gauge the worthiness of SP2. I would love to hear feedback from people who have installed SP2 on machines with a heavy app load. My zv5000z is due to ship on the 17th, and I'm really hoping they'll have it done by the 15th, so my 2-day shipping will get it here by Friday (I guess we'll see).

Cheers,

Stevo


zv5000z: Ath64_3200+ (2.0GHz) - 1GB DDR - 80GB 5400rpm - 64MB 440 - 15.0" XGA - Win2k (tentatively)

 

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

 

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

 

Hi!! m soooo glad that i found this site!

i just bought a zv5255us, specs: Athlon 64 3400+, 60gig HD, 512mb ram, 1200x800 res., from circuit city at a nice price ($1299 after rebates!).

i have a few questions on upgrading this lappy.

1. what brand of memory stick do i buy?
2. since i cant afford to buy a faster HD (hitachi 60 gig 7200 rpm)and additional memory at the same time, which do u advise should i prioritize?

m gonna use this lappy for surfing, some video/photo editing and word processing.

thank you in advance guys!!

 

Hiya AA2,

One question: The 512 of ram you have now, is it 1 512MB DIMM or 2 256MB DIMMS?


Stevo


zv5000z: Ath64_3200+ (2.0GHz) - 1GB DDR - 80GB 5400rpm - 64MB 440 - 15.0" XGA - Win2k (tentatively)

 

thanks for the quick response col. stevo.

found the user accessible occupied with a 256 (i forgot the brand though).

i called the HP tech support to ask if i could return the unit and have them replace the mem sticks to a 512, they said no.. had to try though..

do i just pop in a 512 in the user accessible panel?

 

AA2: stick with Crucial (Micron chips) and Kingston memory. You can replace the internal SODIMM (under the keyboard) but HP would rather you didn't. That's documented here.

I'd upgrade the HD first, before you've got your software all installed and configured.

 

zv5000 on airplanes
Flying down to Chile last nite and back from DC the week before, my cheap best buy airplane/car adapter to 110v started buzzing and didn't deliver enough 110v to run. (I guess airplane to 110v to 120w is too much for airplanes.) (It would charge if off so I went to 3hr off charging 2hr on working). My question is:
Does anyone know of a direct airplane/car adapter (conversion from 12v airplane to 110 to 18.5vdc has to cost some wats) that will allow running a zv5000 from airplane power out?
Thx

 

thanks for the advice brainstretch!

is there a site out there offering a cheaper hitachi HD? newegg still lists it at $172.00.

i appologize for the newbie questions, but how do i clone this stock HD to the new HD? do i need to buy an external USB 2.0 HD case?

thanks!

 

Heya AA2,

Do you have a desktop PC at home, or know someone with a desktop PC that you could use? You can always just set up a simple LAN and make an image of the HD and have the image write across the network to the other PC. Then just bust out the image back to your lappy, once you put the new HD in. There are several good apps out there to do this, such as: Ghost, Drive Image Pro, and others. You can also get a shareware/freeware app called Dolly (named after the cloned sheep), that does the same thing, although I've never actually seen it in action, so I can't testify as to its' performance. You can find it (and other interesting utils) at http://www.sac.sk/default.asp - just go to the search bar and type in 'Dolly'. Also, at the bottom of that default page, you'll see all the categories of utils they have.
If you don't have a 2 computer method for cloning, some of these apps support burning the image to CD or DVD as well, if you have one.
Of course, lastly, there is just the old fashioned method of reinstalling everything onto the new HD, after backing up just your user data and files. Even that would be worth it for the performance gain you'll get from moving from the 4200rpm into a 7200.


Cheers,

Stevo

zv5000z: Ath64_3200+ (2.0GHz) - 1GB DDR - 80GB 5400rpm - 64MB 440 - 15.0" XGA - Win2k (tentatively)

 

That price is already much cheaper than it was when I bought my HD. Go ahead and get one.

I did a full OS reinstall. I bought the drive at the same time I bought the laptop so there really wasn't anything to transfer over.

 

thanks for the info col. stevo!

i have a desktop here i can use. m gonna search for the freeware u recommended. i dont have the HD yet, hopefully newegg might lower their prices soon so i can order one.

thanks again!

p.s. my apologies brian, i misspelled ur name in an earlier post.

 

I just got my zv5000z and I am wondering if the 2h battery life I get out of the laptop is ok. I have the Athlon 64 3000+ and the 16080x1050 display with the 12 cell battery.

Would I get better battery performance with an Athlon-M 3000+ CPU?

Juergen

 

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

 

After a little reseach I found that there is a 75 watt limit on the airline power connector!

http://www.laptoptravel.com/Article.aspx?ID=403

Bill
zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 40GB 4200rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

With regards to cloning, you can install via the recovery cd and have the laptop exactly as it was sent from HP; though, I would do a clean install with Win XP Pro so you dont have all the HP software that you probably won't be using. Also, for your old hard drive you can always keep it in a 2.5" enclosure for backing stuff up.

I bought an external enclosure from www.acortech.com. If like any of their models, you can get free shipping using the code "pricewatch". In all the cheapest enclosure on their website for your old HD would be $9 including everything you would need (ie usb cable, case, etc).

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by AA2

 

www.zipzoomfly.com has it for $171 with free 2nd day shipping. Either way good price. I also paid more just like brianstretch, but the upgrade was more than worth it.

~beast

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by AA2

 

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

 

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

 

Not recently, but Crucial/Micron and Kingston are the best choices. I have a slight bias in favor of Crucial, in part because that's what the HP research tech I talked with said HP tests against. Let the Crucial memory configurator tell you which specific SODIMM to buy for your notebook so you'll get their guarantee that it'll work.

 

Ah and one more thing. After having read thru this entire thread (excellent discussions!, i'm glad I found this site)... I was wondering what the latest information was on adding a 2nd SODIMM?

I bought the 1x256 config so that i could install the 2nd one myself. After reading a lot about different modules not working, which one works best?

I can get Kingston from bestbuy, or crucial (micron) from Crucial's site, but was wondering if anyone had experience with these recently?

Thanks.