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    HP ZV5420CA vs Toshiba M40

    Discussion in 'HP' started by puppydg68, Mar 13, 2005.

  1. puppydg68

    puppydg68 Newbie

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    I just purchased a ZV5420CA from Futureshop, and to my dismay the power adapter is a tank, and adds at least 1.25 lbs to the already heavy notebook. I was hoping for better battery life than the Toshiba M40 I'm also testing.. I'm trying to decide which is the notebook to keep.

    I've noticed that with both notebooks side by side.. the HP loses wireless connection more often than the toshiba.. The screen on the toshiba is slightly nicer, but the battery life on the M40 is brutal.. lucky if I get 90 mins at conservative settings.

    I prefer the layout/look and build of the HP, as compared to the toshiba, just flexes a little too much and doesn't seem quite as durable.

    I was very impressed with the onboard graphics card on the HP, even with shared memory it played half-life 2 and world of warcraft like a dream. Of course the toshiba is better with a dedicated nvidia.
    Sound wise, the toshiba is also much better than the HP.. Although the HP sound is much better than many others..

    I guess I'm stuck on my decision, as durability and battery are a lot to me.

    Toshiba M40 Pros:
    Amazing Screen
    Dedicated nvidia 128 MB video
    Small Power supply
    Lightweight 6 lbs + light power supply
    Good Speakers

    Toshiba M40 Cons:
    Lower durability than HP
    Brutal battery life < 90 mins
    Keyboard a little more flimsy than HP
    Touch pad a little small for unit (no mousewheel at side of touch pad)


    HP 5450 Pros:
    Excellent Build look and durability
    2 + hours battery life
    Excellent screen
    Good video card even though it's shared.
    Mouse wheel at side of touch pad.

    HP 5450 Cons -
    Weight 8 + lbs
    Power Supply is huge and 1.25 lbs approx
    Sound not as good as toshiba - but good overall

     
    puppydg68, Mar 13, 2005
    #1
  2. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    Neither. Get an Athlon 64 based zv5000 series. Better battery life (despite only having an 8 cell battery in the retail models, the P4 zv5000's have a 12), dedicated memory nVidia GeForce 440 Go video (not as good as what that Toshiba has but it beats shared), 64-bit capable (64-bit WinXP ships next month) and Enhanced Virus Protection. Same power brick though. P4's have no business being in notebooks.
     
    brianstretch, Mar 13, 2005
    #2