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    Wireless choice matter?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Maranello, Jan 23, 2006.

  1. Maranello

    Maranello Notebook Enthusiast

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    After all the reading, comparing and enough configuring of different laptops to wear out several batteries in my cordless mouse I've decided on the Compaq V2000Z.

    I'm going with the ML-34... don't know if there is any benefit over the ML-32 since this isn't a desktop gaming system but it's $25 so I figured what the heck :D

    I'm also going with the 5400rpm drive. I upgraded my Dell Inspiron and Mac Mini to 5400rpm drives and it was noticeable so IMO its worth the extra money.

    As for memory, I'm getting the stock 256 and upgrading with OCZ or Corsair PC3200.

    The one question I do have is about the wireless cards. I have two to choose from...

    54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)

    54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth

    I'm looking for the best signal strength and was curious if anyone knew if one was better than the other or if they were both about the same.... or is this something like the memory that I should just order the cheapest and upgrade on my own.

    Thanks :D
     
    Maranello, Jan 23, 2006
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  2. lappyhappy

    lappyhappy Notebook Deity

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    I think both of these are Broadcom units. The difference is just that one is bluetooth and one is not. They should work the same it just depends on whether you want bluetooth or not. I have a Broadcom without bluetooth and it works great. Good long range and picks up the signal with no problem.
     
    lappyhappy, Jan 23, 2006
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  3. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    It looks like you found everything. Bluetooth is on a separate module, the Broadcom miniPCI WiFi card is the same whether you get Bluetooth or not. I'd get OCZ or Crucial memory over Corsair. Since replacing CPUs is extremely difficult it makes sense to buy the fastest CPU you can afford.
     
    brianstretch, Jan 23, 2006
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  4. Maranello

    Maranello Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks. Ya I was thinking about upgrading the CPU all the way. The way its configured now going from the ML-32 to the ML-37 would raise the price from $669 to $719... not such a big jump.

    Which drive are they using in there for the DVDRW? I assume its something that can be grabbed online later... right now I have it config'd with the lowest choice... DVD-ROM. I have an external drive I do backups on so I was going to wait to upgrade the optical drive.
     
    Maranello, Jan 23, 2006
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  5. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    For that much I'd definitely get the ML37.

    I think they use several different optical drive brands. You can swap in a standard slimline drive later (NEC is my current favorite) but I wouldn't count on being able to use the original bezel. OTOH you might find yourself swapping in a Blu-ray drive later on anyhow and replacing optical drives is amazingly simple.
     
    brianstretch, Jan 23, 2006
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