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    Where to buy DV5t / Vista question

    Discussion in 'HP' started by tlmama, Aug 15, 2008.

  1. tlmama

    tlmama Notebook Geek

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    OK ... I think I can try to get past the sticky shiny touchpad on the DV5 because the rest of the specs are just better than the Studio 15. I went to Best Buy again today to try to look at them both one more time, but BB didn't have any Studios in stock.

    Anyway, they did have a DV5-1017nr on display for 1099.99. I configured the same model on shopping.hp.com and it came to 1147.99 (with the $400 coupon included) The same one on Costco.com is 1385.99. The plus for Costco is it comes with a 90-day moneyback guarantee with NO restocking charges. Plus I get 2 years' warranty.

    I would purchase this machine with a credit card that will give me another year warranty, so if I bought it directly from HP, it would carry a 2 yr. If I bought the machine from Best Buy, would I still get the 1 yr HP warranty--through HP? Then the 2nd year from the credit card company? Or would I have to deal with BB and the geek squad? I know BB has a restocking fee...Does HP?)


    2nd: Regarding Vista ... this machine comes with 64 bit. I have a few programs that won't play nice. If I bought the 64 bit from HP, does the CD that ships also include the 32 bit, so I could downgrade? It seems strange to pass up the free upgrade, but I'm not ready to buy all new software at the moment.

    Thanks for your help!
     
    tlmama, Aug 15, 2008
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  2. bald

    bald Notebook Enthusiast

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    I cannot answer all of your questions, but the HP does not come with any disk at all. You have to create a set of recovery disk from the HD. This is why many people do a clean install of vista as seen in the front of the HP forum. The only problem with that is you have to find a copy of vista from someone else or your other computer.
     
    bald, Aug 15, 2008
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  3. tlmama

    tlmama Notebook Geek

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    Well, I don't want 64 bit, so BB is probably out. I have XP home on my Dell right now.
     
    tlmama, Aug 15, 2008
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  4. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    You might try asking the Geek Squad at BB if they have the 32 bit Anytime Upgrade disk they could sell you or make you a copy. They might not admit it but I am sure they have copies of it on file.
     
    deeastman, Aug 15, 2008
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  5. tlmama

    tlmama Notebook Geek

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    Based on your suggestion, I talked to a Geek Squad guy, and he can't do anything about it. He said I'd have to purchase the software, etc., and it's really more trouble than its worth.

    There are things on this laptop that I don't care about (like Blueray), so even though it's a good price for what you're getting, I can configure it down to what I want for about the same price. (lose Blueray, get a TV tuner) :)
     
    tlmama, Aug 15, 2008
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