Just ordered R4000

Just ordered this -

Athlon +3800 (Compaq can't tell me if it's going to be Newcastle or Venice core)
1 GB ram
60 GB HD (5400)
128 mb x200 video
54g w/ bluetooth
XP Pro SP2
WXGA Brightview display
DVD-RW
8 cell battery
Free HP printer
3 year extended service

Got all of this for $1400 after rebates and educational discount (about 5%), delivered (ironically, the zv6000 would have been $150 more with same specs due to price discrepancy on Athlon +3800, so I went with R4000 - I asked sales rep about it, and he didn't really know why). This seems pretty good??

More importantly, would it have been worth the extra $100 plus tax for the Athlon +4000, or not really? Thanks.

 

The screen on that model only worth every buk, and do you really need extra 2% of the performance if you already doing 1000 MPH comparing to everyone doing only 700? It would make sence if that machine had a kick butt video, otherwise... ? Ofcoarse if you like to brag about yer stuffz, yeah, why not, otherwise, why spend the money on things that do no good?

 

That looks very good to me, enjoy your purchase!

It would not have been worth it to have upgraded the processor, you would've seen only a small difference.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking... Thanks for the replies!

 

Well, consider this.

The AMD Athlon 64 processors, Socket 939, are supposed to have dual-channel memory. Unfortunatley, HP has decided to cripple the R4000/ZV6000 and somehow disable it.

So, the performance of the AMD Athlon 64 4000+ in the R4000 is equivilent to an AMD Athlon 64 3600+ with dual-channel memory. As you can see, spending that extra 100 dollars was definatley not worth it.

Buy hey, you can't go wrong with an HP for the quality of the parts and most of all, the price. Good choice and good luck with your new notebook!

 

On the flip side (the unit hasn't shipped yet) - would it be worth saving $150 to revise the +3800 down to a +3500 processor, go to 512mb ram (1x), and eliminate bluetooth (since I don't use it now, anyway)? Or is it better to leave things alone and enjoy! Thanks.

*update*

Actually, I just checked on processor prices at newegg.com and realized that the +3800 is about $100 more than the +3500 on the street (hp is only charging $50) so I guess the processor is a no-brainer! But I can save $100 by going with the one stick of 512 mb ram and no bluetooth - worth the savings for now and later? Thanks.

 

No, 1GB is about right and Bluetooth is next to impossible to add later (except for as an annoying external dongle). I'd keep what you ordered.

 

Thanks to all!

 

i love my r4000.
i just wish i knew how to find the other ram slot!
their is one under the unit but where the other one is i know not
a little help... please!

 

It is under the keyboard.

 

That stuff about dual channel is BS. Yes, it's not here. But can you back up your statement about it shaving the equiz. of 400MHz with some figures?

 

ram under keyboard, seems compaq wants to upgrade my ram rather
than let me do it. if someone has done this ram install before, (presario r4000) id love to hear how to do it, and how not to do it.
doing something for yourself (AND with good advice from someone) is better
than paying & waiting. least i think.

Thanks by the way.
Carthies.

 

Instructions are posted here.

http://www.zv6000forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=323

 

I recently recieved my R4010 Compaq w/ **AMD Sempron. **Which by the way I have become very partial to. Go AMD ..!!

= ) Anyways, the R4000's are excellant laptops. I am quite pleased with this purchase and feel I have outstanding value for the money. this machine offers awhole lot of technology.

Plus ..it certanly is proving to fulfill my needs to the n'th degree. That is ..business apps, some graphics, email ...standard stuff.

Heck ..I've even been playing Splinter Cell and Brothers in Arms on this machine for the past week ..!!

Oh ...by the way, the quality of this machine's build is incredible

 

Just a note: I finally got this notebook and really like everything about it (a day before the expected build date, not bad), but the glossy screen is way more reflective than I had imagined! I had looked at them in a box store and I think the high ceilings and lights didn't accurately portray the settings that I would be using this notebook in (i.e. smaller rooms, lighting, windows, etc.). It's all just personal preference, of course, and I was disappointed mainly because the screen is just beautiful! Yesterday, I returned the R4000 with brightview and I reordered a zv6000 with a matte screen (I also took the opportunity to switch to the zv6000 because of the rounded front end of the notebook - unfortunately, I like the look of the R4000 better, but the square front end is really annoying because of my typical wrist position when using the notebook - again, just personal preference). I'm looking forward to the replacement. HP customer return service was excellent, absolutely no questions asked (of course, I am still within the 30 day return policy for hpshopping.com)and they met all of my expectations! Looking forward to the new notebook when it arrives!

 

how good is the R4000 with playing high-end games?