compromising on a nc8430

Alright, so I think I have been able to make up my mind on getting the nc8430 with the great help of people on this forum.

Now I face yet another decision (McDonalds looses customers if it offers too many new options as making choices is too hard for some customers and they therefor go to the compitition)! My budget is 1500 max. With that I can either get a core due chip with wsxga + screen OR a core 2 duo chip with lower resolution screen.

Which one should I choose???????? I'll just go to BK while trying to make up my mind.....

 

I have a 15.4" laptop with wxga (which I think is the lower resolution option you are talking about) and for me it is just fine. Based purely on my own experience I would recommend going with the Core2duo with the lower resolution. I think you will be happier with the better processor than with the higher resolution.

 

C2D and WXGA would probably be better.

 

This is a tough one to decide.

I would have to say that I don't use the full resolution on my screen because it the smaller font size gives me a lot of eye strain. And as far as CPU speed is concern, I always say that its like owning a Ferrari in Manhattan - yeah it can hit 200mph but how many times am I going to hit that?

I guess when it comes down to it, I would probably settle for the lesser screen but even then I am still not 100% sure.

 

Ok, this opinion finally convinced me. I forgot that my previous laptop was also a 13" WXGA and I was very happy with it. In fact I spent more time cursing for more power than how it looked.

 

yeah I think I am onboard with the same thought, esp since I own a great CRT monitor I could hook up if I needed to do some photoshop work.

Now there seems to be a promotional sale going on the the nc8430 RB553UT#ABA which has the Core 2 Duo T5600 chip. Is there anything different with this chipset compared to the T7x00 Core 2 Duo chip sets other then the size of L2 Cashe and speed? Thanks

 

Easy choice, it's SOO much easier to find/buy/install a new CPU later on than doing the same with a display. Wouldn't a T2500 be enough for you for a while?

 

Not exactly true with a 3-year warranty. I would get the lower resolution and the faster CPU. Are you going to do design work on the laptop? Precise image editing? If no, then the higher resolution will just be an overkill.

 

Is the T2500 upgradable to the new Core 2 Duo? I remember vaguely reading somewhere that some of the Core Duo would not take the new Core 2 Duo prosessor... Also to upgrade, is the only thing you would need to do is to buy a new processor chip?

What do you mean by this not being true with a 3 year warranty? Are you saying it would void the warrenty if I tried to upgrade the chip?

I am not going to be precise image editing but I do like a nice screen though. I just wish I could check out what the screens looked like before buying....

 

Darn sure, it will void the warranty if you change the brain of the notebook

 

Tough dilemma - it depends on whether you need / are used to high resolution or not. Me, I've been at 1600*1200 (on my desktop) for years now, WXGA just plain wouldn't be enough room. But then, I basically use the higher res for several things: having multiple browser/IM/file windows open while 'netting, having a large IDE space for programming, and for editing high-res photos. If you haven't used high-res much, I doubt you'll feel a lack.

 

My shop is an authorized HP service center.

You can upgrade your ram; but not the Display, HD or processor. Those changes will VOID your warranty instantly.

Just be sure to upgrade the RAM in like pairs.