Should I get this v2000z?

As a 'stepping-stone' notebook, not that Compaq is my favorite PC brand by far. I just reckon that if money is a big deal, its maybe the cheapest game in town for what you get featurewise.

Office Depot's running a special that is fairly tempting - $699-$300 in rebates = $399 for a v2000z, customized, in store only.
I would still have to pay full sales tax which would bump up the real price, though....
Of course, this is with an ample 40GB and Windows Home XP etc., 256MB, upgradable to 512 for $40 more, Wireless integrated's another 30 bucks, and the usual HP add on options like DVD-RW, LightScribe, More Gigs,accessories, etc are available.
The processor with this v2000z is an AMD Sempron 2800+.
I asked the clerk if an Intel was an option in the configuration and he showed that it wasn't.

Now, what bothers me a little w/ the display is that the area around the touchpad is noticeably warm (but not hot) as is the underside in the same location.

And, I'm not sure if I like the brightscreen or not but this is not really an issue.

O/W everything in the layout seems okay.

But, My biggest question has to do with the AMD - what can y'all tell me about the Sempron? And, how does it compare with the Turion?
I had a friend tell me to stay away from laptops with AMDs in them, citing performance and heat factor, and opt for something like one with an Intel if at all possible.

I could configure a v2000 with a Celeron or Pentium on the HP/Compaq website but wouldnt be able to get all those rebates.

Should I pass on this one or buy it cheap and live with its flaws?

 

The Sempron isn't a bad processor at all. Its better than the Celeron I can tell you that. It all depends on your needs. If you'll be doing things like typing documents, surfing the net, playing some mp3's, playing some old 2d games, this processor will be just fine for you.

It'll of course give worse performance than the Turion. Though I think it gives slightly better battery life and less heat than the Turion, but I could be wrong.

 

Congratulations on that milestone and thanks for the advice, rahulnirmal

 

It is probably closer to $500 with shipping and tax. For the price it is a nice notebook.

 

This is true, they slap on a $75 shipping cost + tax.

I got this deal a few months ago when they first ran it. Prior to that I was loggin a lot of hours on sites like www.dealnews.com, looking for the best deal. The v2000z is great IMO, I love mine. Here is what I recomend upgrading:
- At least a Turion processor
- Don't upgrade the memory, goto newegg.com
- get the 12 cell battery!
- the 200m w/ productivity ports gives you more video memory
- Consider getting the Intel wireless card over the Broadcom, I have seen better reviews on it. (I have broadcom )

It is a good product, heat is not that much of an issue. The build quality is pretty good for what you paying, hell of a lot better than a Dell!

Good luck!

 

I heard the shipping was $45.