How long would the DV1000 last me?

As some of you know, I plan to buy the DV1000 next month for college and I shall major in Computer Engineering. I don't plan to game on it, I'll use my gaming consoles for that. But it will be my only computer where I'll watch DVD's, listen to MP3's, write my essays and reports, etc.

I plan to keep it until my sophomore year, in fall 2006, where I'll buy a laptop or desktop with the new technology around the corner like Windows Longhorn and the Blue-Ray and/or HD-DVD optical drive.

Just two questions, do you think it will be suitable for me? It is lightweight, portable, and has good battery life. But would I need a more powerful computer for Computer Engineering perhaps?

Also, would I be eligible for HP's student discount even if I'm not currently a student there yet? I have already been accepted though.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

I doubt you'd really be doing anything all that intensive as a CE major...probably some programming and writing your essays, etc.

I got my dv1000 and it has more or less replaced my desktop computer. Given what you said you'll use it for, you should be fine. And you'll have to check on HP's website for the APP discount situation.

-----------------------------------
Scott

Network Guru Extraordinaire

 

If you take care of your laptop well, your grand children should be able to use it as a toy [ ]





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My pavillion N5495 lasted me 3 years without any major hardware problems or reasons to send it in. I bought the extended 3 year warranty with it but never got to use it. Battery died after a year but of course wasn't covered under the ext. warranty.

Just after the warranty was up the HD died and now the LCD converter and or the video cable are causing me grief.

I used it a lot since I travel all over the US and work most of the times in fairly dirty, hot or cold environments. It was on usually all day and until late in the evening since we were working several months 7 days a week 14 - 16 hour days. I travelled with it back and forth to the hotel every day as well.

So if you keep it clean and don't spill anything into it or drop it, it should last you for quite a while.

 

Outside of typing reports on Word, college work really doesn't need anything more powerful unless you will be doing CAD work (highly unlikely as a computer engineer).

You don't qualify for the Academic Purchase Program as a college student but if you're in high school (I assume you're a senior), you can buy by using your high school's name. If you are not a student at any school, you can use your brother or sister's name or something. You will need someone at your institution to vouch that you matriculate there. You only save ~8-10% which is roughly $80 to $100 off of retail.

You can opt for Dell's aggressive online coupons through www.techbargains.com or this website for $500 off which is more that you can get through a military, academic or government purchase program. As a college student you can get a 700m and get the larger cell battery to suffice your wireless needs.

The HP doesn't have a great horizontal viewing angle when viewing from the side.

You're a notebook consultant now and you don't have a laptop, that's great...

Titanium...The metal of choice.

Dell Inspiron 6000
Sonoma 1.6 GHZ
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW

 

Hey, that really seems pretty strange that I'm already a notebook consultant and I don't even have a notebook! I am a high school senior and I don't give a dang about the viewing angles, the display is perfect to me and I've seen several models of it, with the Brightview screen and without it, at a lot of computer stores.

Well, now I'm starting to look at the X6000 as the ability to play Half Life 2, Unreal Tournament 2004 and Doom 3 seems pretty tempting. Would its large size, low battery life and weight really drag me down in college? Do you really need a lightweight laptop with good battery life in college?

 

The lighter the better. College books, if you actually read them, will be heavy enough. Especially in your major: Physics, Calculus, Engineering, and a 6 pack of beer, eh? Battery life would be ideal and you may consider the 12V version for 6 hour battery life. If you're happy with the DV, what are you waiting for?

Just WIFI It!

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
--
Still looking for a case....
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

No alcohol for me, my only addiction is videogames. Now I was thinking about getting the DV1000 for quite a while but now my eyes are turning to the X6000. Like I said, I love videogames and the ability to play the new PC games is pretty tempting. Whatever laptop I'll buy will also be my only computer, I can't like buy a portable laptop with a gaming desktop.

Is a desktop replacement laptop really a bad idea for college?

 

The desktop replacement laptop is not a bad idea for the college.
But I can give you a better idea whether you will be able to carry it to college if you will post a picture of yourself on this thread.You might start going to the gymnasium to buld up your strength to carry the bigger laptop to the college everyday.[ ][8D][ ][ ]






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"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
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1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3


My favourite router http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1741098,00.asp

 

Its not the weight that bothers me, its the battery life. Would my laptop need a long battery life for note taking or could I plug it into an outlet?

 

Then I think a long-life battery with Pentium-M proccesor will be good for you as you cannot expect to find a free socket everywhere in the college campus.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3


My favourite router http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1741098,00.asp

 

If you will be gaming you need a dedicated video card, Yaar. Don't tell your Pitaji that you will be playing games and watching DVDs since you should be studying.

Try the Dell Inspiron 8600 (with an extra modular bay battery to give you 10 hours without a plug and a dedicated video card ~ 8.5 lbs) or HP ZV5000 with dedicated video and a 12 cell battery (~8.5 lbs).

You are better off getting a Digital voice recorder with USB to take notes . A PDA (tungsten C or T3) may be a better option for you for taking notes which is a lot less heavier (ie Documents to Go on the Palm or Word on a Pocket PC).

I don't know what school you attend but in the big city, walking home from the libray at night with a $1500 computer is asking for a mugging.

When I went to college in the old days of horse drawn carriages, the desktop was fine for me. You can get a stellar desktop for half of the price of a comparable laptop. In fact a portable DVD player (7 inch widescreen is about $250, a decent desktop will set you back $1000, and an MP3 player (IPOD) will set you back $250. $1500 and you have it all. Unless you're travelling and need to working on things in different locations a majority of the time, you don't need it. I still graduated top in my class, made Phi Beta Kappa and went to medical school, all without a laptop. I did notice that certain law schools and medical schools now wirelessly transmit notes. I am not aware if this is done in college.

Just WIFI It!

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
--
Still looking for a case....
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

I know you need a dedicated video card for gaming and I'll be going to the University of Houston.

 

If you want something thats not 10 lbs, but games fine, wait a while and see what happens. I mean, in most cases your college would start in early Fall, right? So, wait a month or two, and get the Dell 9300...light for its size, ultra gaming, there you have it. Or you could do the desktop/pda/mp3 player thing, thats also not so bad.

 

""When I went to college in the old days of horse drawn carriages, the desktop was fine for me."""

Ha Ha Ha Ha

You made my day [ ][ ]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3


My favourite router http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1741098,00.asp

 

Soon you will use Star Trek Technology to just Beam to Class and weight won't be an issue with a laptop. My only concern is fusion with another being when being beamed to the same location at the same time. Mom doesn't want you coming back home as some Chimeric being (it scares the neighbors and it's hard to drive a stick shift).

If battery life is key, get a Dell. They have the option for a modular battery to squeek out more battery life. Consider the Inspiron 8600 with a modular battery. You could also wait for the 9300 but it will be a lot heavier.

Looks like the crime is not too bad there:

http://www.uhd.edu/campus/pd/annual2000reportl.html

On Campus Crime Statistics
2001 2002 2003
Criminal Homicide 0 0 0
Murder & Non-negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0
Negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0
Sex Offenses 0 0 0
Forcible Sex Offenses (rape) 0 0 0
Non-forcible Sex Offenses 0 0 0
Robbery 0 1 0
Aggravated Assault 1 3 2
Burglary 0 0 3
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 5 3
Arson 0 0 0

On Campus Arrests
Violations 2001 2002 2003
Alcohol 9 0 2
Drug 7 0 5
Weapons 1 0 0

Residential Facilities Crime Statistics and Arrests
The University of Houston-Downtown currently has no residential facilities

Non-Campus Buildings Crime Statistics and Arrest
There were zero (0) crimes and arrests in this area

Public Property Crime Statistics
2001 2002 2003
Criminal Homicide 0 0 0
Murder & Non-negligent Manslaughter 0 1 0
Negligent Manslaughter 0 0 0
Sex Offenses 0 0 0
Forcible Sex Offenses (rape) 0 0 0
Non-forcible Sex Offenses 0 0 0
Robbery 2 7 2
Aggravated Assault 15 13 8
Burglary 11 5 6
Motor Vehicle Theft 15 13 7
Arson 0 0 0


Public Property Arrests
Violations 2001 2002 2003
Alcohol 0 0 0
Drugs 2 4 5
Weapons 2 0 0


# Statistics for Public Property Crime were compiled for crimes occurring from 1600 North Main and 500 Brooks Street (to the north) to 200 Main Street and 900 Franklin Street (to the south) to 200 Milam Street (to the west) to Top Street (to the east) for non-university property.

Disciplinary Action Referrals

There were two (2) referrals to the Dean of Student Affairs for Disorderly Conduct and Harassment.

Hate Crime Statistics

There were zero (0) hate crimes reported.

Just WIFI It!

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
--
Still looking for a case....
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

I think in todays classrooms you need a tele-transporter to whisk you around the campus in seconds and a wristband mini-computer and dictation machines which will automaticaly route all the lecture sounds and other data directly to your home desktop PC.

[ ]

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"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3


My favourite router http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1741098,00.asp

 

i use my dv1000 in college and its not bad at al.. yes there are smaller one which my friend have but what the heckk.. they are like something girls would wanna use.. come one.. u wanna have a normal key board and not a keyboard like dell 700m which in my opinion is too small.. so.. i wuld buy it.. .. i have it so.. i recommend it..

 

As one of the replies has already stated, you cannot count on a plug in every class being available. I believe that Dell, Sony and IBM have models with a second bay available for a second battery. This would give you all the time you should need for college.
In todays world, size of a laptop does not matter. (Even without Scotty to beam you around campus.) They make nice laptop cases with handles and wheels on the bottom. (Big toes quickly learn to get out of the way.) My laptop case even has compartments for books, files, paper, pens, pencils and just about anything else I would want to carry along.
It has been many years since I have seen a college lecture hall, (When the mountains were flat lands.) But I haul my 16.1" Sony everyday back and forth to work. And I am now waiting for my ZD8000 with it's 17" screen to arrive and take the Sony's place.

 

i never have to plug my dv1000 in.. yes the battery life lasts me about 3-4 hrs.. around.. more like 3 and half.. so.. i enjoy it when i have it in my class..

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by implayaz9

 

It must be cold fussion, that is the only logical answer.

 

Nah,

Its just plain 'wishfull' thinking [ ]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3

 

as a recently-graduated student at both uh and uhd...i would highly recommend going w/ a lightweight laptop (i.e. dv1000). If you've not started classes yet then you haven't quite grasped uh's parking situation. That laptop could easily be carried .25 miles one way from your car to your class everyday. This is probably why NOBODY at uh has a laptop. If you have to have one, go light...been there done that!