V5000Z: will HP put a turion ML-44 in, or a 7200RPM HD?

So, the Compaq V5000Z is looking really good right now - ridiculously cheap even when stuffed to the gills with powerful components.

GPU isn't as important to me, I think I can get by fine with the xpress200m in the V5000Z and don't need the V4000T's x700. (can I run far cry with the xpress 200m?)

However...

I absolutely need as much CPU power as possible for the excel number crunching I do. The fastest CPU that HP offers for the V5000Z (or the HP dv5000Z) is the ML-40 @ 2.2GHz. But, on the dv8000z, a 2.4 GHz ML-44 is offered... does anyone know if HP would do things like put an ML-44 into a V5000Z if I bugged them? I've asked them but gotten no response yet.

and secondarily, I'd prefer a 7200RPM HD to the 4200 and 5400 RPM models that HP offers. Again, will they put in a 7200 RPM HD if I specifically ask for it?

Thanks much! I appreciate it.

 

I've never seen them offer a 7200 rpm drive before and I don't think they will be for the time being. I'd say stick with the 2.2 ghz processor and get yourself a much ram and a fast hard drive as you can, thats far more important.

 

They will offer the ML44... eventually. The dv8000z has an exclusive on the chip for now. If you don't mind the extra weight, the larger and higher resolution screen would be nice to have for spreadsheets...?

You can swap in a 7200RPM HD on your own, though HP would probably rather you didn't. If anyone does get the dv8000z, buy a 2-drive configuration if you plan on ever using both HD bays because HP won't sell you the HD mounting brackets separately.

 

ML-44 will not outperform ML-40 by much, if by anything. If you need more power maybe you should look at the Athlon64 laptops. A64 4000+ is very fast but uses much more power.

 

Thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate it!

 

The A64 4000+ (2.6GHz) won't outperform the ML44 (2.4GHz) by much either, and it appears that the Gateway notebook using it is going away soon (gone from bestbuy.com) so run to the store and grab one now if you want one. That Gateway notebook does have a better ATI GPU though.

I'd get the ML40 now, then in half a year or so consider upgrading to a dual core Turion notebook. There should be plenty to choose from by then. They won't be out until sometime in the 2nd quarter (probably) so it's too risky to wait for them if you need a new notebook now.

 

Well, I got a response today saying that no, HP won't do anything other than what's on the customization page. As such, I'm leaning towards an MSI MS-1029 at the moment... thanks all for the info!