Processor question

What intel processor is the closest comparison to the AMD 64 3700 please in a notebook? Have decided to buy the Zv5000z HP but hubbie wants to know the answer to this question. He "thinks" it might be an inferior processor. :>) We don't do games, but would like a nice powerful notebook for our travels and photo editing. I think that he has in mind getting the 17" brightview widescreen but no AMD there! So he wants to know which one would compare to the one I have settled on :>)? Once again, thanks for your replies.

Mary George

 

The closest would be an Intel 3.4GHz P4, which is more expensive, more power-hungry, and it'll still fall short of the Athlon 64 3700+.

If you really want a 17" widescreen check out Sager:
http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product.cfm?ProductType=4750

But they're a bit more expensive than HP and don't yet offer the 3700+. Many of the other components are superior though. Several vendors sell those Clevo D470K notebooks (HP's notebooks are usually built by Compal), not just Sager.

 

Exactly. AMD 3700+ gives 1.5 times more battery life, faster performance and a smaller price over P4 3.4 GHz. The BrightView is fantastic... But if you are getting a laptop, stay with cooler CPU in the first place, and get an AMD.

 

Mary, I'm more than happy with my zv5000, and they didn't even have the AMD 3700 option then (mine has the 3400). There is only one deficiency with it, in that all the hard drives HP offers are dead slow (which is typical of most of the industry) 4200 rpm plodders.

So, take the bottom end 30GB drive and save $150, and use that to get the 1920x1200 WUXGA screen. I haven't seen any brightview screens yet, but the brightness and clarity of mine is amazing to me (my most recent prior laptop had a 1280x1024 screen). Of course do get XP Pro, and at least 1GB of RAM.

Then go to ZipZoomFly.com or NewEgg.com or another of the 4 or 5 sources offering the Hitachi 7K60 7200 rpm 60GB drive for less than $200 including shipping. The install is easy, and the speed difference is phenomenal! Windows loads much faster. I don't do games, but instead a lot of database work, both form and report design for which the fine screen comes in handy, and data manipulation programming where the fast hard disk really shines.

For another $25 or so get a USB2 enclosure for 2.5" drives - I got a Vantec NexStar - and you have a 30GB auxiliary external harddisk and/or transfer disk that is _really_ plug and play on XP machines, and easy to use on Win 2000 as well.

I also got a High Sierra AT-242 case for $57 via Shoebuy.com; it's a brief style bag, nice denim/steel colors, very good padded handle straps and excellent shoulder bag strap, AND tuck away backpack shoulder straps, along with the usual back strap to fit over roller bag handles. Doesn't scream "LAPTOP BAG" or have an H-P logo on it.

Stefano
HP zv5200 DP523AV: AMD 64 3400 2.2GHz, 2x512MB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD (Hitachi 7K60), 15.4" WUXGA (1920x1200), XP Pro; Paradox

 

Thank you all so much! I ordered the Zv5000z last night with the 3700+ option. ONly 1/2 gig ram but will add my own from online and I do plan to do the HD thingie swap out in a month or so. Thanks for the info on using the old one that way!!!!!

Mary George

 

Let us know what you think of your laptop once you get it mary. Get RAM online from:
www.crucial.com
www.oempcworld.com
www.newegg.com

Get a 60gig 7200rpm harddrive for about $180:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=100519

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Fujitsu S6210: 1.6Ghz PM ~ 768MB RAM ~ 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
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