HP zx5180us anyone?

I'm getting a HP pavilion zx5180, and I just wanted to know if wnyone had any feelings about it.

Here's what it has:
• Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with HT Technology (3.00GHz)
• Windows® XP Home
• 512MB DDR SDRAM
• 80GB hard drive
• DVD+R/RW and CD-RW combo drive
• 15.4" WXGA TFT display with wide viewing angle
• ATI® MOBILITY™ RADEON™ 9200 graphics
• 54g™ integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader

It's a desktop replacement that will travel occasionally (I'm thinking of transferring to school in RI, and I might need to take amtrak rather than drive). I have a lot of music downloaded already and plan to get more. I take a lot of pictures with my digital camera and sometimes scan in photos that I take w/ my SLR camera. my major requires multimedia presentations and maybe some video editings. Since it's a desktop replacement, battery life isn't really a problem (i dont think... this is my first laptop).

So, got any reviews or opinions for me?

HP Pavilion zx5180

 

If you're going to buy the zx5000 series you should get one with the Radeon 9600 GPU, otherwise you should go with the zv5000z series that has the better Athlon 64 CPU (though the Radeon 9200 is still a bit better than the zv5000z's GeForce 440 Go, won't matter if you don't do serious 3D gaming though). Check out the configure-to-order versions of both series on hp.com, the 1680x1050 or 1920x1200 res screen options would be very appropriate for photo editing and multimedia (I have 1680x1050, 1920 wasn't available at the time). You'll be able to configure Bluetooth (great for wireless mice, newer PDAs, etc) and a 12-cell battery instead of the standard 8.

 

Purplepeace,

Although this system does look like a good match to what your needs are, I just can't help thinking you will probably want to go with a Pentium M notebook instead. Although this unit will be a DTR, you're probably gonna want to listen to music, watch movies or edit photos for presentations. A longer battery life will definitely help when you're on the road or on the Amtrak and want to listen to music or complete a presentation. A Pentium M notebook will run for upto 3+hrs, comparable performance and has all the features you listed in an overall lighter package.

You didn't list off a price on how much this unit costs or what your limit is, but I'd definitely look into the HP ZT3000 series, Compaq X1000 series or the HP Compaq NX7010 series. I'm sure you can get a similarly spec'd Pentium M system at about the same price.

-Vb-

 

well my dad got it from Best buy for me and after the rebates it comes to 1500, i think

HP Pavilion zx5180

 

So the laptop came, and it's a total dud. It wont recgnize any of the drives, and I dont think a hard drive is even installed. Best Buy CS was completely useless and I have to send it back to HP on Tuesday. They said that I should get it back within 7-10 business days (ie, two normal weeks). Does anyone agree that it's only fair that I get something for my troubles?

HP Pavilion zx5180


HP Pavilion zx5180

 

When you turned the unit on, did it not boot into the OS at all? Did it give you any error messages?

For the hassles, I'd demand that something be thrown in for free or a bit of the price dropped. Don't know if they'll give it to you, but it's worth the try.

-Vb-

 

Venonbite,
I am also thinking of buying this hp laptop, but you recommended Pentium M instead. My question is how good is Pentium M 1.5 in terms of video editing compare to P4 3.0 HT?


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

 

Dede,

For multimedia purposes, a P4 would be better suited for this task. If your main usage would be Office apps (Word, Excel, etc...), then a Pentium would be the better choice. If you will be mobile a lot and would be doing work while on the go, battery life may be an important part in deciding on a notebook. P4's will encode video faster than a Pentium M. Here's a link that does a good comparison between a P4 and Pentium M (Banias & Dothan) CPU's in both office apps and multimedia.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2129&p=1

-Vb-

 

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