Opinions on this HP DV4000 Set Up

Operating System-Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Processor-Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz)
Display-FREE Upgrade to 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen
GPU-128MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON(R) X700
Memory-256MB DDR2 SDRAM (1x256MB)
Hard Drive-80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
LightScribe 8x DVD+/-RW&CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer
Networking-FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Primary Battery-12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

$1,362.00 before $50 rebate from HP

I have a couple questions:

Is the 1.86 worth the $50 vs the 1.73 for the processor and should I spend another $75 to get the 2ghz?

I plan on getting my own ram and upgrading to at least a gig. As this is my first notebook I am unsure as to how easy it is to swap RAM. Also I wanted an Audigy soundcard would that be a difficult install?

Any feedback is appreciated

 

i would actually drop the processor down from 1.7 to something lower and save even more money instead up going up.

ram is easy to upgrade, the user manual should show you what to do. usually it's just 2 screws to remove a plate on the bottom of the notebook and you're good to go.

 

I got the same machine except I went with a 740, 512 in one stick, no double layer DVD burner, and two 6 cell batteries. I just ran Pi to 2 million digits in 1:45... 21c seconds slower than was gotten with a 770 (2.13 GHz)with a gig of RAM. Based on these results, I suspect you would see negligible difference between the performance of a 1.86 GHZ and a 2 GHz chip. Incidentially, here are my initial thoughts about the machine that we both just bought (-:
Initial impressions:
1. Clean looking machine, fairly light weight
2. Bright Clear Display
3. Runs quiet and cool
4. Handles Call of Duty game with some minor stuttering and delay (at default settings), but really not badly. Ran Halo like a champ.
5. Nice keyboard, with no flex or give I like the feel
6. Plays DVDs well
7. The WiFi picks up public networks quickly works well, with
no drops in my few tests.

I'm disappointed with the amount of flex in the lid. When it is flexed, visible distortion on the screen is seen; also the screen distorts when one presses on the back of the lid with some amount of pressure(especially toward the top of the lid). I hope this doesn't become a problem later. The bottom part of the case seems much stronger with a minimum of give when flexed side to side. I think HP put a lot in this machine for the price, but I wish they had built the case a bit more ruggedly.

 

With the additional ram installed could this machine handle a high end game like Half Life 2?

 

I don't think you'll see a big enough performance increase to justify the extra $50. It is better spent on more RAM or a faster hard drive. Those will do more for your performance than a CPU clock increase.