info on this particular HP model?

Hi there everyone!

well, i'm looking for a laptop and i'm limited to a budget of 400GBP so i want the best value for money i can get. I've found this HP 530 - KP479AA laptop, which seems to have good specs but i'm not very knowledgeable when it comes downs to computers so i just wanted to ask what you guys think about it. It costs just under 370GBP (including delivery) from here:
http://www.shoplaptop.co.uk/pp/HP_Laptops/HP_530_Series/HP_530_-_KP479AA.html

so, what can you guys tell me about this particular laptop? my priorities are getting a reliable (i.e. doesn't breakdown), fast and long-lasting laptop (i'm not planning to change it in the next few years)...so, will this laptop fill the bill? and is it good value for money? roughly, how many years do you think it will last without deteriorating much?

if you were a student and in my position, would you buy this? or would you look elsewhere for even beter value for money?

EDIT: wait a sec, i found it on dabs for a little cheaper:
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=4YVP

 

Well that model has the older Intel 950 graphics chip set. It comes with vista basic so it won't run the fancy aero desktop of vista.. but even if you put vista premium on it, it would probably not run Aero that great.. with more Ram it might but from what I read, the X3100 is the first decent chip set for aero. But on a basic machine with only 1 gig of ram, as this model you are looking at, you don't want to bother with aero and vista basic is better suited. I'd still upgrade the ram to two gigs.

I looked at the systems on HP site in the UK and for the price, it looks like this system has allot of value for the price. Notebooks in general can fail from any manufacture. I think HP quality control is probably better then most but there is no guarantee. This system would probably run very fast and with another gig of memory even better. If it were me, I'd install XP on this system since vista basic, without the eye candy of aero, makes no sense. And XP would scream on this system with only a gig. You have a year warranty to burn test this in and it does have intel inside which is good. I have a problem with AMD chips since they tend to run hotter... and heat causes electronic failures.

So yes, for your basic needs this looks like a winner.. Just forget about gaming on it with the 950 integrated graphics.. except maybe basic games. But your battery life should be good with the integrated graphics.

Like I said before, either pop another gig of memory (easy upgrade) or install XP if you want this machine to run fast and sweet.