Presario V2000Z configuration.good deal?reliable?

Ive been reading reviews and all of them seem pretty positive with pretty much all features. A few things here and there but it seems like a strong reliable laptop. Everyone agree? The setup i was gonna order is this for basic multimedia, maybe some simple games nothing to crazy, and web browinsg/downloading etc...

AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768)
ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M
512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/125HSM
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

for $720 with all rebates factored in. I was gonna get this for college. How reliable are these computers? I dont go to college for another 2 months. Do you think i should wait for a better deal to come along because i know how fast technology advances, or take this deal while it lasts. Thanks

 

That'll work, though I recommend configuring more memory (1GB will do) and a 5400RPM drive if you can. If you don't mind the extra weight and bulk and can make use of very long battery life, configure the 12 cell battery. RAM is trivial to upgrade later and it's generally a bit cheaper to buy elsewhere (Crucial PC3200 SODIMMs are my favorite), so it can wait if need be.

HP reliability is no worse than anything else in their price range.

 

If you want to buy it now, you might want to step up to the highest processor, the ML-37. Its worth the upgrade, look at some of the benchmarks in the v2000z reviews. Since your in the same case as me and have to go to college in 2-4 months, by then newer processors and also hopefully the AMD Turion X2 Dual Core will come out. So its either buy it now or wait just a little longer.

 

yeah the turion x2 will come out but thatll put the laptop well into the $1000s and thats more then i wanted to spend. i dont think any programs that i will be using will require anything higher then a 64 bit dont u?

 

I don't think turion x2 will give you so much boost. Having read some review of AM2 3800 CPU, DDR2 only give you a small improve compare to dual channel DDR. Sometimes even reduce. They compare DDR3200 to DDR2 667.

It only will be good if turion x2 use dual channel DDR2 800. That require 4 memory banks. I think they either do DDR2 or dual channel ddr, but not both.

X2 sometime only gives you 15% improve. The power spec. will not change. Still 35W and 25W or 21W maybe?

 

DDR2 isn't that big a deal, but the Turion X2 being dualcore is. Too bad it's (likely) been delayed until June. But like halperin said, the X2 will probably be beyond his budget anyhow. Might as well take a good deal on a singlecore Turion now.

 

The V2000Z build quality is subpar. Lower your expectations. Details in my review.