HP Zv6000

I heard that Hp was going to redo the Zv5000, Is this true??

 

Yeah, the ZV6000 will be released pretty soon, the middle of March I think.

 

Any details yet? If the pictures here are accurate they're sticking with the zv5000 form factor, so they have no excuse not to put a decent GPU in the AMD version this time, and the timing suggests the likelyhood of 64-bit WinXP (AMD only of course) being offered too.

Or I'll wait for a Turion (in June?)... but they'll probably put lame shared memory GPUs in those.

 

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12377
here is what we know about the zv6000 so far

zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 22,856

 

thanks, but what is the AMD Turion processer

 

The Turion is AMD's "Centrino Killer". 25W or 35W max power consumption, perfect for thin-and-light notebooks. They'll continue using the Athlon 64 brand for higher wattage mobile CPUs. Mostly AMD wanted a brand that people would instantly associate with thin-and-lights, otherwise it's another Athlon 64 variant.

If I were confident enough that HP is smart enough to offer proper GPUs in their Turion notebooks I'd probably wait for them. If they're smart enough to offer GeForce 6600's in their zv6000's, I'm probably not waiting.

 

I've been interested in the zv5000x (nearly bought one) but finally decided to wait for the zv6000, since HP will release it soon, apparently.

As for the Turion CPU, I've also been reading a lot about it. If you're like me, and you don't care about battery life or portability, I see no reason to wait for the Turion, would you agree?

Also, Brianstretch speculated that HP will marry the Turion with integrated graphics (ugh), and I think that's a real possibility considering the various articles I've read, i.e. that HP will use the ODM Arima for their Turion-based books. Anyway, I have no interest in integrated graphics.

So ... I'll wait for the zv6000 and, like Brianstretch, hope HP has put a good video card in it. Then I need to kick myself and finally buy something!! [ ]

 

Looks like we'll see Turions in April:

http://www.msi-computer.de/news/mitteilung.php?Typ=1&News_id=166

If MSI has them in April, HP will have them no later than then. I wonder what HP will come up with?

 

I have "maybe" a goofy question, but does HP have am exchange program of old notebook for new laptop + small fee.

 

Well I was planning on buying the HP ZV5000 or the Gateway 7422GX, but with the ZV6000 possibly coming out soon I decided to wait.
I like the look of the ZV6000, but I really hope they decide to put a better GPU in there.

In my mind that would make the 6000, the best laptop without a doubt in its price range.

I did a search for the Zv6000 on HP's website, and came up with this

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&cc=us&product=453185&dlc=en&

It really doesn't have much information, but it provides some FAQs and manuals... and I take that to mean that they are gearing
up to release it soon.

EDIT: Does the ZV6000 looks like it has a infared port on the front of the laptop between the volume buttons and the mute button ... or is it just me??? Maybe it's something else if you happen to know please fill me in.


"If you find yourself in a hole, it's time to stop digging."

 

Props to anomaly for finding this! I also was going to get the HP zv5000, but decided to hold off until the zv6000 series, anticipating a better CPU and GPU.

Based on the page that anomaly sent, here's what I found

-LightScribe DVD/CD writer (Manuals page)
-Bluetooth or Bluetooth compatability (manuals page)
-Digital drive option
-NAV 2005 (big stinkin deal...)

I'm sooo looking forward to this notebook to be released!!!

 

Not sure if anyone is interested but HP has updated the accessories that will available with the ZV6000 so far, the xb2000 expansion base and a 12 cell battery...nothing you couldn't have guessed.

Also the built-in wireless card now comes with a 802.11A option something the ZV5000 series doesn't have.

"If you find yourself in a hole, it's time to stop digging."

 

There's an equivalent Compaq R4000 page now too.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=453183&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&submit.y=0&submit.x=0&lang=en&cc=us

Nothing very interesting there either... yet.

 

The zv6000 thread here points to this thread here which points to here:

http://openmind.gr/product_info.php?cPath=21_32_218_221&products_id=1041&osC

European retail model of the zv6000. Athlon 64 3800+ (not a Turion but likely 90nm E0 core w/SSE3), ATI Radeon Xpress 200M SHARED MEMORY GPU!

There had damn well better be a Radeon X600 upgrade available on the CTO models. Surely HP isn't so monumentally stupid as to not offer a proper GPU on a state-of-the-art 64-bit notebook, AGAIN? As of now, I see no compelling reason to upgrade from the zv5000z.

 

Nice work brianstretch finding that information...

The video card, the Radeon Xpress 200M that the webpage says will be in the ZV6000, has a review at http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q4/radeon-xpress200/index.x

The review only compares the video card to other similar mobile video cards, but it performs well in those comparsions cards... based on this it's an upgrade to the geforce 440 thats currently in the ZV5000...
just quite not the upgrade that we were all hoping for.

"If you find yourself in a hole, it's time to stop digging."

 

The zv6000 is supposed to be available now, according to this:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/03/29/HNhppavilion_1.html

But it's not on the HP website as I type this.

That techreport.com article says the Radeon 200M has a lower fill rate than a X-Box, which pretty much says it all. They really, really need to offer X600 upgrades. It wouldn't be that big a deal for HP to add the appropriate card slot, I just don't know if they did.

 

HP offers shared GPU once again? Can't believe that. SHARED GPU. HP offers SHRED GPU in zv6000z. I think it's a crime.

 

There had better be upgrade options, why is Dell the only company who has paired high end graphic cards (geforcego6800) with mobile systems, are they the only ones that can see the benefits of pairing a low power / low heat processor with powerful graphics? And shouldn't a processor upgrade to a turion chip be possible? I thought I read somewhere that you could interchange the chips on current athlon mobos.

 

The HP ZV6000 is now available on HP's site, it only comes with the 128mb radeon xpress 200M unfortunately. It also appears to be missing some of the options it was supposed to have including some options that the ZV5000 had.

"If you find yourself in a hole, it's time to stop digging."

 

It looks like the "upgraded" GPU has 32MB of dedicated memory and the rest shared, like some of the desktop Radeon 200 chipsets do. nVidia calls their version TurboCache for the GeForce 6200TC. It's lame, but less lame than all-shared memory.

No high-res screens, $50 for the 12 cell battery, another weak GPU... I'm not upgrading. Maybe they'll do something different for the R4000 when it comes out in a few weeks, or intro a decently built Turion thin-and-light, but I'm not hopefull.

 

From what I saw on HP's website of their explanations of the video card and on the review, I think there are two versions of the Xpress 200M, one has 32mb of shared memory and the other has full 128 dedicated memory on the video card.

Its still a disappointment, but I think I am going to go ahead and order the ZV6000...just cause its the only reasonably priced laptop that meets my requirements.

I have a couple questions, first after you buy the laptop, can you upgrade the processor and can you upgrade the memory in the first memory bank.

If so what are the specs for the processor and memory, from the information that I have seen its the AMD Athlon for socket 754 and 200-pin PC2700 SODIMM memory.

If there is any more information that I need, could someone please provide it. Thanks for all the help.

 

I could be wrong, but I think HP's advertising copy is misleading/wrong. They say they're not shipping the things until May. Someone should get a review version sooner? If it really does have 128MB of dedicated memory, that would be interesting. I would think they'd charge much more than they do for that though.

Hmm, they don't say what speed RAM they use?

I'd hope that you can swap in different CPUs and RAM like you can in the zv6000, but until someone actually tries...?

Maybe I'm being overly harsh about the GPU. The lack of 1680x1050 res screens, well...

 

The price difference between the 32MB version and the 128MB version is just $24...which is on the lower side...leads me to believe that there wont be a very significant increase in performance between the 2.

From other manufacturers the upgrade from a lower end to a higher or medium graphics card generally has a price difference of around $75-$150.

Ofcourse I might be wrong since I have no knowledge about the performance of the 200M, but IMHO dont think there will be much performance difference between the 2.

Compaq Presario R3340US
AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512MB, 80GB 5400rpm
15.4" Brightview Widescreen.
------------------------
Compaq Presario V2000
Intel P-M 725, 14" Brightview Widescreen
60gb 5400rpm, 512MB RAM.

 

Does anyone know anything about hp's general policy on the options on their customizable notebooks, the reason I am asking is, there are a couple things missing from the HP ZV6000 that based on previous information should have been provided, such as ...

the 1680x1050 screen resolution
faster AMD processor
dvd burner with double layer support
dvd burner with lightScribe technology

Is it possibly that HP would add these options sometime soon?

 

YES I TALKED TO THEM AND THE DAUL BURNER DVD WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON MAYBE A COUPLKE OF WEEKS .

SO WILL THE FASTER PROCESSORS

BIGGER CACHE SO FORTH AND SO ON

I'M GOING TO ODER ONE TO BUT I'M WAITING FOR THE BETTER PACKAGE

LIFE'S UNFAIR O WELL , PATIENCE WILL BE REWARDED !!!!!!

 

Hmm, the more I read HP's site, maybe I am wrong and the upgraded version really does have 128MB of dedicated memory. I don't think there's any technical reason why they couldn't do it (we're talking 4 small square RAM chips), even if the desktop version didn't, and still have the HyperMemory thing for adding additional shared memory on top of that (though with 128MB dedicated, I don't see the point). That would be a really smart thing to do, and make the performance halfway decent... hmph. We're just going to have to wait for someone to get one and review it.

 

regardless, the 200m's performance is comprable to a radeon x300, and I dont think thats what the majority of us were looking for in a graphics "upgrade".

 

Very true. There's no excuse for not putting in a card slot in a hulking desktop replacement notebook. I could forgive HP for using this in a Turion thin-and-light, but not a big DTR.

Article about the Radeon X300SE desktop card, which should be roughly equivalent to the 200M, here:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=22249
"ATI X300SE HM falls behind 6200 TC".

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by brianstretchWe're just going to have to wait for someone to get one and review it.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Mine is on its way.

You all should really read ATI's website on the 200M. It's actually the first of its kind... ever. Here is Tom's review from tomshardware.com:

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050217_125107.html

And information from ATI:

http://www.ati.com/products/radeonxpress200m/

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by brianstretchATI Radeon Xpress 200M SHARED MEMORY GPU!<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Shared memory? Only if you're talking about the 32MB GPU. The 128MB GPU has dedicated memory.

 

It does sound like a very nice chipset, and the 128MB dedicated memory version (yes, my initial pessimistic guess was wrong, HP's site was right) ought to be a nice low-end solution... but is it so freakin' difficult to put in a card slot for a high-end Radeon X600 in a full-size notebook? This isn't ATI's fault, this is purely HP's decision. ATI has a nice mini PCIe slot design for just this purpose. I was looking forward to having an excuse to buy a new toy and HP dashed my hopes [V]. The Radeon 200M integrated GPU was intended for thin-and-lights where there's no room for a high-end GPU and its required cooling system.

 

I remember the Dell 6000 started off like this - integrated only. Maybe by mid-april may they'll give an ugprade option, then again the best upgrade option the dell 6000 got was an x300.

 

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

 

Well I agree with you there MrSumbody, if that's the usage you have planned for your notebook, then the Zv6000 is probably the perfect choice for you.

Just out of curiosity what customization options did you select to get the price up to $1800?

I have decided to get the HP ZV6000 myself and I have a few questions about HP, I wanted to know if anyone could answer.

1)Does HP bill you the full cost at the moment of the order or does it pop up sometime after ordering and before shipping?
2)Can the dvd drive be changed aftermarket? and if not
3)Can you make changes to the order, or do you have to cancel the order and then order again with the desired changes?

The reason I am asking is because I wanted to know if I can order the zv6000 now with the dvd burner and then if HP should release it with a dual dvd burner before it ships, I can then upgrade the drive to the dual burner.

I wanted the dual dvd burner, but I also want to get the laptop as soon as possible and I was hoping that doing this would cut down the delivery time especially seeing its already a month away at best.

 

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

 

Changing the optical drive doesn't require disassembling the notebook. There are two screws securing the optical drive sled in place. Remove those and it slides out. You'll see what to do from there. That's with the zv5000 series, I'd guess that the zv6000 is no different.

 

Question for you guys. I am a college bound senior and i am trying to find a good notebook. I want to be able to play atleast Hafe-life 2, sid miers Pirates, and counter-strike source. I was wondering if this zv6000 could support all of this. If it could then what specs would i have to upgrade? i was atleast thinking 512 ram 128 video and atholn 64 3200. if this computer can not handle those games what notebook would be best and still affordable? also what are some cons of the zv6000? does it get too hot?

thanks

 

The 128MB dedicated video version should run all of those well. Valve's software is very good about scaling itself to fit whatever hardware you have and especially ATI GPUs. Even the nVidia GeForce 440 Go in the zv5000z plays HL2 smoothly (just without the eye candy, the zv6000 won't have that problem so much). If you want to play Doom3 at 1280x800 res with full detail... that would be a problem. I would bet on Valve getting 64-bit versions of their games out this year, so you'll definitely want an Athlon 64 notebook.

The zv6000 should run cooler than the zv5000z, which runs cooler than a P4 notebook. The specs you listed are about right. I'd consider 1GB RAM, the 12 cell battery (you can never have too much battery), and definitely get Bluetooth (because you can't add it later).

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Allsop1386

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by brianstretchdefinitely get Bluetooth (because you can't add it later).
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Actually, brian, you can. In the form of a USB adapter. They're pretty cool, you know. Just pop it into your USB port and you have instant bluetooth. Hell! They even have a USB sound card. These things are similar to a USB micro drive. Here's the link: http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Bluetooth.html

 

thanks guys. I think im going to get the zv6000.

 

one more question. this is going to sound stupid but when u order a computer over hp website, do they mail it too you or doyou have to pick it up somewhere? sorry im such a newb at this lol. thanks again

 

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

Actually, brian, you can. In the form of a USB adapter. They're pretty cool, you know. Just pop it into your USB port and you have instant bluetooth. Hell! They even have a USB sound card. These things are similar to a USB micro drive. Here's the link: http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Bluetooth.html
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I think brianstretch might have been refering to the fact that you can't add integrated bluetooth later on.

Also I spoke with HP customer service, and they told me that the zv6000 will be offering the faster processor within the next month along with a dvd burner with double layer support and lightscribe technology. They also said that they should be adding the larger resolution display but couldnt give me a time frame.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Allsop1386

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Allsop1386

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Allsop1386

 

I guessing by the serious coin that they want for their ram upgrades that it's proprietary like the zd8000. I had one for a week I had ordered a gig stick from newegg that was the ddr2 3200 just like what came with it. When I went to drop it in it was the exact same chip except all the pins were shifted over a 1/16 of an inch so that it wouldn’t fit. I searched and searched for ram I new for sure would fit. I finally found Kingston made some and it was 100 dollars more expensive than the other ddr2 3200 gig stick that Kingston made for notebooks and it also zd8000 in the model # of the ram. Plus I’m guessing that hp is putting their new proprietary power adaptor with it like the zd8000 so if you want a car adaptor you can’t just buy a universal one on sale for 20 bucks you have to order it from hp. With all that plus the thing gave me hernia every time a I tried to lift it and I only got a little over an hour of battery life I sent it back and good riddins.

If any of my guesses are wrong about zv6000 please correct me. I’d like to see it be a better machine than I think it is.

I don’t want it to seem that I’m totally against Hp there customer service was great. They had no problem taking the machine back they sent fedex to pick it up and it didn’t cost me a dine and when I checked my account a couple of days after they picked it up the money was already back.

I pretty much loved every thing else about it. The sound was amazing for a laptop and the bright view screen was gorgeous even though 1680 X 1200 is only kind of hi def it handles 720p but if you wanted 1080i it would have to be at least 1920 X 1080.

Any way I would buy another hp any day.

 

I doubt it. The zv5000z used all standard-issue gear (I've replaced just about everything that can be upgraded). I'd expect the same for the zv6000, but since no one actually has one yet I can't say with absolute certainty. The zd8000 uses a helluva lot more juice than the zv6000 so that would necessitate a new power adaptor I suppose. The zv6000 should be more power-efficient than its predecessor.

 

I contacted HP regarding whether or not they will ever offer a Turion processor upgrade for the zv6000 series anytime soon. Obviously, they didn't give me a flat-out yes or no, but their answer possibly hinted that it will be offered sometime in the future. Here's what I wrote:

Do you plan on offering an AMD Turion upgrade option to your zv6000 series notebooks in the future? I was going to purchase the zv5000, but held out because I didn't like the graphics card, but now I'm holding out from buying the zv6000 because it really doesn't have the latest AMD processors like you say they do, because the Turion 64 processors are the latest. Please offer the Turion upgrade option so I can finally buy this notebook!

And their reply:

I understand you have a question regarding when the AMD Turion processor will be available with notebooks offered here at hpshopping.com. Regretfully, we do not become aware of release dates until shortly before they are available to our customers, and as such, cannot provide an exact date.

Although it may have been a slip of the keyboard, their response answering "when" when I asked "if" could hint something, which hopefully will turn out to be true, hopefully very soon!

 

do you guys think it will come out soon? i should hold off buying the zv6000 until the turion processor? if so how much of an increase of price are we looking at over the regular 64?