configure my v2000z

I was looking at the v2410us at the store and am considering purchasing this premade model. I saw that there is a circuit city and HP rebate which brings the price to $849.99 plus tax.

However, it's been mentioned on these forums that it may be worthwhile to customize on HP Shopping. Considering no tax, it might be better for me to buy online and customize.

I'm in need of suggestions on what configuration is best for my use. I will be using the notebook primarily for internet and graphics and web development. The most memory intense programs will probably be only Photoshop and Dreamweaver used simultaneously. I will not be doing a lot of gaming.

What's recommended in terms of proccessor, memory, HD, and networking card. It's been suggested to upgrade to a 12 cell battery, and brite screen is appealing to me. Is upgrading the graphics card necessary, as well. I'd like to keep the cost down as much as possible - under 1K.

Thanks for your help!

 

Definatly get at least a 5400 rpm drive, you will notice the performance increase from the 4200 rpm drives. Also, I'd get the minimum amount of ram, 256 megs, so you can upgrade it later for cheaper than with HP.

I think the only choice of GPU on this notebook is the ATI X200M, which is perfect for your needs and even for some light gaming. The 12 cell will get you 5 hours of battery life max with light usage.

I personally like to buy from the store so I have less hassle and wait. Oh yes and definatly get the Turion over the Sempron with its better performance and 64 bit capability.

 

You can configure with the Turion ML 32 with a 5400rpm HDD. Do get the higher end card if you need the 6in1 media card reader or the firewire ports as they come only with the upgrade. Other than these ports the 2 versions are the same performance wise.

As rahul said get the lowest memory and upgrade later since HP overcharghes for their RAM. 1GB is recommended if you want to run programs simulataneously.

 

There is no Higher end Video card on this, all use ATI 200M with shared memory. But with the upgrade you get 6-in-1 card reader, firewire, and expansion port 2, which is generally worth for $25.

As Rahul suggested, take 5400RPM drive, take least amount of memory from them. It is cheaper to upgrade later.

And Processor, if you need 64Bit support go with ML-30 and above, if not go with Sempron 3000+ or Sempron 3300+ which is cheaper and cooler.

If you need DVD Writer go with that option. It is not worth buying and upgrading later as it will cost you as much HP is charging and not sure if original face place fits to after market drive.

Sometimes it does workout cheaper buying from B&M stores with all those rebates even after tax. And you do not need to wait and get it replaced rightways if you see a problem etc.

Though I buy mostly on-line, if the price difference is negligible I buy locally.

 

Thanks for all your help. Everyone is so knowledgeable I actually can get the faculty discount, so it comes out cheaper through hp. Although, I would like it right away. But, in terms of cost...I can probably wait. Can you customize the system at a B&M store?

In terms of upgrading memory myself, How much will it cost to upgrade to 1 gb memory. Any sources online for this?

If I get a 5400 RPM, what is the difference between ML 32 and ML 30?

 

A 1GB PC3200 stick online costs around $120 whereas the 1GB stick from HP is a $200 upgrade from 256MB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ce=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=381&Submit=Property

The ML 32 runs at 1.8GHz and has 512KB L2 cache whereas the ML30 runs at 1.6GHz and has 1MB L2 cache.

 

Office depot has that option to customize, but again, it is ordered from HP by Office depot. So you have to wait for 2 weeks.

And Memory, what I did is I bought 2x512MB DDR400 corsair stick for $100( slower DDR333 1GB HP charges $200). It improve the performance also when compared to supplied DDR333. It would be worth throwing that 256MB they supplied and buy 2 x 512MB DDR400 sticks for $100.

 

here's is the configuration i'm thinking about getting:

ML-30
productivity ports
60 GB with 5400 rpm (i also have an external HD so i figure 60 gb should be ok?)
dvd-burner

debating on whether to get the 12 cell battery...how much extra weight does this add?

 

If you need anything longer than ~2.5 - 3hrs of battery life then get the 12 cell. Do remember that the 12 cell sticks out from the bottom of the laptop. It kinda spoils the look of the laptop but it does provide better ventilation and the longer battery life. The 12 cell should increase the weight to around ~6lbs.

 

With 6-cell you may get around 2:30 min. With 12 cell you may expect around 5+ hours.
12 cell protrudes to bottom of the laptop, so it raises the laptop in the back. But it also adds around 0.6 lb, so making it 6 pound laptop.

But it is very cheap upgrade for $25 if batter life is important to you.

 

You might wanna try www.ecost.com. They sell new as well as refurbished items /these are no worse than new ones/ and usually some are at really bargain prices. I saw there two L2000 notebooks /it differs from v2000z only by the cover/ and one of them I think was better than your original configuration as well as cheaper.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/showcase/default~showcase~hp_blowout.asp

 

If you have a Costco near you, try there - you can customize it, plus they have a wonderful 6-month no questions asked return policy. Best in the business.

 

etoile03 -
For sure get the v2000z over the L2000 - it has a much better shared video card.

Im quite suprised to find someone else wanting this laptop for the similar purposes as myself - 2D software/photoshop/quark/some maya. My only concern of the v200z is the small screen size - have you ever done design work on a 14 inch?? I too want portability so this may just have to be a sacrifice. Let me know if you've done design work on a 14 incher and feel its fine.

Im gettin the V2000z people have told me to just make sure for these programs to get a fastest processor you can and the most Ram you can so what your doing is good - turion ml30, 60 5400, 256Ram + adding in aftermarket 512 stick, prod ports, and 12 cell battery -- all with the studentdiscount or in your case faculty discount comes under 900!

Go for the 12 cell for sure - i auctually bought this laptop a month ago from best buy withthe 6 cell ( i returned it b/c it was open box and had a problem) anyway i found the 6 cell to be nowhere to what i needed. I mean it would last 2.5 hours but i hated to have to find a power outlet in the middle of working. Its nice to be albe to turn it on and work anywhere for the 5 hours that the 12 cell will give.

 

they have the same video gpu (200m)

 

???? Nope.
They are exactly the same dude. Both use ATI Radeon xpress 200m and the only difference may be the lack of productivity ports on v2000z because L2000 is not offered without them. So, you make the conclusion. Even the bios of l2000 detects it as v2000z!
As for the screen, in the beginning I found it somewhat awkward because it's too wide and too short. It kinda looks like a big calculator but I found it's perfect for movies and games.

 

Vassil 98 is right. There is no difference.

Even productivity ports are $25 upgrade in V2000z. The only differences are L2000 is all black vs Silver/Black theme of V2000z and I heard keyboard feel is different( I did not feel so).

Some times it will be confusing to newbies if we post wrong information. Most of the times what we say here is taken for granted. So we better be careful about what we say.

ofcourse, relative opinions are different thing, like Black is better than silver, wide screen is better than XGA. But if it comes to exact spec, we better be careful.

 

oh ya sorry guys - i mixed the GPU up with the dv1000's intel chip.
So yah L2000 is same as v2000z - just ugly in my opinion!

 

i'll probably go for the v2000z because i'm not that found of that armstrong graphics (even tho i'm from austin)...haha, and i like the silver coloring..

radha, i haven't done any design work on a 14 incher, but i figure if i need a bigger screen , i can always hook it up to a full size monitor at home. when do you plan on purchasing yours?