Thoughts on this computer

Processor and Memory:
Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology featuring Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5200
1.6GHz processor speed
2MB L2 Cache
533MHz FSB
2048MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Accessible Memory Slots: 2
Hard Drive and Multimedia Drives:

160GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Audio, Video and Graphics:

Altec Lansing
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up to 256MB (shared)
Connectivity:

Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
High speed 56k modem
Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Ports/Slots:

5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro or xD Picture cards
3 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
2 headphone out – 1 w/ SPDIF Digital Audio and 1 stereo
1 microphone-in
1 VGA (15-pin)
1 TV-Out (S-video)
1 RJ-11 (modem)
1 RJ-45 (LAN)
1 notebook expansion port
1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin)
1 Consumer IR
1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
Keyboard, Pointing Device and Display:

101-key compatible and 2 Quick Launch Buttons (HP Quick Play Music and DVD)
Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad
15.4" WXGA High-Definition Brightview Widescreen (1280 X 800) Display
Power:

65W AC adapter
12-cell Lithium-Ion battery
Dimensions and Weight:

Dimensions: 14.05"L x 10.12"W x 1" (min H)/1.69" (max H)
Weight: 6.14 lbs.
Additional Software and Information:

HP Imprint finish with an exclusive pattern for high-gloss sophisticated style that is more durable
Kensington® MicroSaver lock slot
Power-on password
Accepts 3rd party security lock devices
Symantec® Norton Internet Security 2007 (including 60 days complimentary live update)
PC Recovery (Softthinks Restore Solution)
Wireless Home Network
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition: 60 day trial version
RealRhapsody
AOL Music
Vongo
HP PhotoSmart Premier
HP QuickPlay for movies, music and more in seconds
Muvee AutoProducer DVD Edition with Burning
Sonic Digital Media Plus
Adobe® Acrobat Reader
LightScribe for personalized, silkscreen-quality CD and DVD labels right in the drive
Operating System:

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Included:

Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)
HP Mobile Remote Control (Express Card Version)
HP Quick Dock p/n (ES631AA#ABA)
HP Wireless Laser Mouse
HP 90W Auto/Air AC Adapter p/n (PC628A#ABA)
HP Pavilion Webcam for live video chat

Price Tag, $1325

 

Personally, unless thats the most you can spend, Id get a bit faster CPU. Id at least get the one that has the 667mhz FSB to take advantage of a faster bus speed and faster memory. Also, Id get the least amount of ram from HP and get ram from an outside sourse like Newegg. Its cheaper that way generally. Also, the intel graphics card isnt the greatest but if youre not plannning on playing any real heavy graphical games it will be fine. I mean technically the system isnt a bad one it all really depends on what youre plannning on doing with it.

 

Spend the extra $50 for the GeForce 7400 GPU option. Intel GPUs are awful. The only decent integrated GPUs are made by nVidia and ATI/AMD and are usually only available in AMD Turion notebooks. It's well worth checking out the dv6000z series, in part for that reason.

 

This package is in a local store where I live. I have since found it on ebay for $1100 buy now. Seller has 98% rating, I have never bought anything from ebay before. Anybody have any thoughts on this. Only dead on arrival returns for ebay.

 

I wouldn't buy a laptop from eBay. The seller may be very honest but the bottom line is you may need to return for reasons other than DOA.

As others have said, I would get the nVidia GPU and the fastest CPU I could afford. If the one at the store didn't fall in line with those needs I'd order a CTO model from HP.

 

People, I should not generalize so MOST PEOPLE, that sells their Laptop on ebay found something wrong with it and they cannot return it for one reason or another, it could be that their return period is over. Or, they could have just found out that they should have bought something different and/or better. Like a better system, perhaps with the nVidia like described above. So, selling it on ebay would have them get some of their return on investment to be able to buy what they really wanted. Just my opinion...

 

Ok, I have decided not too buy a lappy on the ebay. Thanks guys. Am maybe looking at a HP DV6338se at bestbuy this week also, on sale for $900. Has the amd 64 turion X2 processor in it. Seems like a better graphic card. But only 1 mb ram. I would have too take out both 512 ram and buy 2 1gb rams that would add cost too unit also...Just don't know what too do...

 

Just go to HPs website and customise one to your liking. You can easily build a nice one for the 1300 you almost spent on the one you saw at the store. If you go with the intel version you can get the 7600 go as well that has dedicated ram. The 7400go has shared. But either way its all up to you and what you want to do with your machine.

 

I got my HP CTO via www.costco.com because I like their two year warranty instead of the regular one year manufacturer warranty and the 90 days return policy.

 

So, If you are not planning to change the amount of RAM (to 2GB) the BB special edition is a good deal?

 

what are you going to do with it?

If you don't need overkill, buy what you need. My grandfather doesn't play games, he has the integrated intel GPU and is satisfied.

 

Actually is for my sister, she likes the look of the special edition plus the 12 cell battery and the integrated webcam. Also the GeForce Go 6150 is a plus and the trully 64 bits processor made the vista run smoothly.

So for the $900 (+ taxes) is a good deal? I customize almost the same laptop from costo and the price was around the 1100 and considering that the "se" is actually and "se" and the imprint finish is more durable seems to be a good bang for the buck.

She is planing to do just homework and MS office tasks and MP2 storage.