Ordered R3000z, but zt3000 has $100 instant rebate

I've ordered R3000z on Sunday(08/28), with:
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.20GHz
256MB RAM
15.4 inch LCD
60GB 4200RPM HDD
WLAN G band
DVD/CDRW
64MB Nvidia GeForce 440 Go
12 cell battery
and a backpack for $1
total = $1,125.00 after $100 rebate

But today (Monday), I just noticed the zt3000 has an extra $100 instant rebate!!!
and with about $1,160 after $100 instant rebate and a $100 MIR, i can get:
Pentium M 725 1.60GHz
256MB RAM
15.4 inch LCD
30GB 4200RPM HDD
WLAN G band
DVD/CDRW
64MB ATI Mobility Raedon 9200
8 cell battery

this is very attractive for me, because this system can give me at least extra 1 hour battery time
and the size and weight is thinner and lighter
also it should run cooler
And the GPU is probably better, right?
is it right that the Athlon 64 3400+ would be better than the PM 1.60GHz, working power-wise?

Is it worth the shift? If it is, should I order it now in order to take the $100 MIR instead of $50(after 09/01), and have the R3000z returned after I got it?
Will that be probable to return it for the reason other than issues of the notebook itself? Will HP refuses to accept the return if it's not because of notebook problems?

Sorry for the many questions, I would like to thank in advance!

(I will do a lot of programmings in university and go back home with it every weekend.
I haven't had an AMD CPU before, but I heard that it's really powerful.
When I ordered R3000z, the price difference and the 64bit CPU made me to choose R3000z
but now, they are at the same price with similar specs, and the zt3000 has PM with 2MB L2 cache, better GPU and thinner, lighter case. that's tough decision in 2 days before the $100 MIR expires...)

 

Tough call. The CPU in the R3000z is quite a bit more powerful than the P-M in the zt3000, plus it has hardware-assisted virus protection (aka DEP, EVP) once it's enabled by WinXP Service Pack 2. Figure 3-4 hours of battery life with moderate usage on the R3000z (3 hours of DVD video in my test), I'm not sure how that compares with the zt3000. The Radeon 9200 is certainly superior to the GeForce 440 Go but both are considered low-end. In both cases the weak 4200RPM HDs are well worth replacing with Hitachi 7200RPM HDs (about $180 from newegg.com, etc) if you're so inclined.

You'll be doing programming? You may be interested in running 64-bit Linux, in which case the R3000z wins hands-down. I'll vouch for 64-bit Fedora Core 2 and nVidia's 64-bit drivers. 64-bit UT2004 runs. You definitely want a nVidia chip instead of ATI for Linux, even a weak one like the 440 Go.

I assume you're planning on adding memory on your own. 256MB would seriously degrade Windows performence, especially after installing SP2. Stick with Crucial and Kingston, those are the two safest memory brands. The R3000z is especially picky about this.

Yes, the R3000z is heavy, about 8.5 pounds.

There is a risk that HP won't let you take both rebates on the zt3000. Double-check the fine print. (I'm paranoid about these things.)

 

Yes, they are allowing both rebates (instant and mail-in). They show both on the site while you are configuring your system. Of course, they are only showing the $50 mail in one (for the zt3000), but the $100 one is still available too until 9/1/2004. Plus, you will be able to get the student discount with APP too. I logged in under my ID and I was able to see the discounted APP price along with the instant and mail rebates while I configured a system.

 

try using coupon code SV3466 at the HPShopping.com checkout to see if it gets you another $25 off, that code expires on 9/1 I believe.

 

Yea, that's a tought call. I've read many posts from brian and I'm really convinced that the Athlon 64 is the CPU to go for power!
And it, in many sides, has advantages over the P-M.
And it is also 64bit, which makes it even better with latter windows 64bit and linux!

I would like to run the 64-bit Linux, but in my university, there is a big favor to windows by many professors and students, and this laptop will be the only machine I have, so, the consideration of Linux will be on the 2nd priority (but I really would have prefered that!!!)

For the memory part, I've also read many posts you guys discussed in the 16-page topic D), and I'm definitely gonna upgrade RAM, so thank you for reminding this downside^_^.

The form-factor, size, weight, temp, a bit more battery life, and a little bit better GPU shakes my solid decision of the R3000z...

Is that right, or OK, to order a zt3000, too, and latter return one of them?
...I don't know if it's appropriate to do so...

and will the return and refund be easy if the reason is not about hardware problems?

(I really appreciate Brian's advice, and NeedToKnow2's and abaxter's reminders!!! I went to HP.com because NeedToKnow2 talked about the instant rebate. Oh, I tried the coupon code when I ordered R3000z, it's no longer working...I used the $10 one instead.)

P.S. Indeed, I ordered the R3000z mostly because of the information, experience and advices brain had given, thanks!!! but sorry for this another question arising...)

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I really wanna buy a zx5000...

 

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