Opinions on this 8510p?

Configurable - HP Compaq 8510p Notebook PC
Base $812.00 1 $812.00
Product
HP Compaq 8510p Notebook PC
RQ557AV
Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista® Business (note)
GA274AV#ABA
OS Label
Genuine Windows Vista® Premium Logo
RQ047AV
Processor
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2-GHz, 800-MHz, 4-MB L2 cache)
RQ591AV
Processor label
Intel® Centrino™ Duo Label
GA914AV
Display
15.4-inch diagonal WXGA anti-glare (1280 x 800 resolution and 16M colors)
RQ593AV
Video/graphics
ATI Mobility RadeonTM HD 2600 with 256MB of GDDR III video memory and 512 MB HyperMemory
GH729AV

Memory
1024MB 667MHZ DDR2 1 DIMM

Hard drive
120GB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive

Optical drive
DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe Drive

Keyboard
Dual Point Keyboard (touchpad and pointstick)
RQ632AV#ABA
Wireless LAN
Intel 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi Adapter
GA902AV#ABA


Modem
MDC V92 modem
RQ561AV
Security
Fingerprint Reader
GH736AV
Adapter
90W ac adapter
RQ633AV#ABA
Battery
8-cell (73 WHr) Lithium-Ion battery
RQ618AV
Energy Efficiency
ENERGY STAR® qualified, EPEAT™ Silver

Warranty
3/3/0 Warranty


I would add another gig of RAM for $50, but the only issue is the only warranty option I have is 5 (5!) years accidental for $374.00! That is STEEP. So the total would be about $1274.00. Does that seem reasonable or is it to expensive since new Montevina laptops are alreay coming out.

Also, how are these laptops as far as durability. I'm going to be needing to carry it through rain and snow a few miles a day to class, up and down hills, walking or on bike. It's going to get used pretty hard just because I have to, I have no choice. Will this be a laptop I can rely on to be tough and live for 3 or 4 years with harsh use. It's not that i'm rough on my laptops, I'm actually overly protective. But this one I'm going to be needing to carry everywhere for grad school, its going to see a lot of travel and use.


*edit*

I'm also confused about HP's warranties. I can't change the warranty for the above computer, but just shopping in their online store in general there are usually 4 or 5 options for warranty:

Warranty and service upgrades - Pickup and Return




Warranty and service upgrades- 9x5 Next Business Day Onsite




Warranty and service upgrades- Accidental Damage Protection





Warranty and service upgrades- with Computrace




Warranty and service upgrades- with Disk Retention



Warranty and service upgrades- Travel Next Business Day


So HP's computers usually come standard with 1 year parts and labor. If I want to extend it to 3 year parts and labor WITH 3 years accidental damage coverage, do I just buy the 3 year section under Accidental Damage Protection? Or do I have to buy Accidental Damage Protection AND upgrade my warranty with the Warranty and Services (either pick and return or next business day)? Or is parts and labor covered in the Accidental Damage Protection?

 

Wow, that's a really good deal, especially due to the screen. It should actually be closer to $1400-1600, which actually makes me somewhat weary. Make sure the place you're buying from is reputable. All 8510p come with a standard 3 year warranty. Your 8510p has the 3/3/0 warranty. That warranty covers a limited standard parts and labor. In other words, no accidental protection. You can also get on-site assistance. I would definitely expect the laptop to last at a minimum 3-4 years. I hoping my will last closer to 5-6 like my last laptop.

Check here for more information on a few different warranties: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF08a/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-3355678.html

 

This is a deal through my school, but its specific to them. The only issue for me is the warranty. But a question: Do you know If I upgrade to the 5 years of accidental warranty, does that cover parts and labor for 5 years or just accidental warranty stuff. In other words, if I buy the 5 years accidental damage warranty update, and the HDD fails due to manufacturer fault after 4 years, will that be covered under the warranty? Or do I have to accidentally damage it for it to be covered.

I ask because it's the only warranty upgrade I can select, but it mentions only accidental damage covered and no labor/parts.

 

It should cover both. Call up HP or your school to clarify. I've never seen an accidental protection warranty NOT cover parts and labor since they usually go hand-in-hand. Just think, if accidental protection for whatever reason didn't cover parts and labor, then you could always say it was an accident that the HDD failed. Hence, accidental protection usually includes parts and labor.

 

once you buy it can't you buy 3 year accidential damage from HP ? i comes with 3 years limited . i bought mine from tiger , the registered with HP and bought 3 year nbd onsite accidettal damage warranty for $228.00. go to HP web site and look through accessories for that model .
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF13a/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-3355678.html