v2000z questions.

I've looked at almost every thread containing v2000z in it and I still have some questions about the notebook.

1) I read through the memory conspiracy thread and was wondering: IIRC, the notebook is going to down-clock the ram to 166mhz reguardless of what you put in. If that's the case, is there any point in buying PC 3200 (timings, or the like)? I'm not too sure if it was mentioned in that thread, but has it been determined if the problem is hardware, firmware, or a mix of both?

"You should be able to use Corsair DDR400 (3200) Ram either 512MB or 1GB stick without any problems along with your current HP stick you got. Only thing is memory will run at same speed as HP memory(at DDR333)." ~Chinna_n

2) Turion ML 30 v 32 v 37 -- How much of a difference are the gaps in terms of a price/power ratio; is $75 worth it for +400 MHz (30 v 37, comparing the 1MB L2 cache chips)? Would I ever feel the difference between having 512KB v 1MB L2 cache? Note: The most intensive thing I would possibly run is Photoshop/Illustrator, and later on (integrated video willing) Windows Vista behind it.

3) Is the "54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM) " an internal wireless setup, or is it only the "54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth"?

4) Has anyone working with an image editing program felt like kicking themselves for not getting something with a larger screen, or is 14 perfectly suitable to your tastes?

5) I tried the v2000z over at Best Buy and noticed I could not press the spacebar from the right or left edges, only from the center, but the v2000 could. Was the demo unit damaged or is the spacebar on the z variant 'cheaper?'

6) Do you enjoy cheese? What kind? How much of said cheese have you been able to eat in one sitting?

Thanks in advance to anyone who even takes the time to read my questions. Oh yea, and a funny story for anyone interested:

I went to Best Buy to check out laptops (they had plenty of v2000/z's on display) and apperantly they don't like you oogling the laptops for too long, especially when you tell them you don't need their assitance. After about 15 min of mock typing, picking them up, and other general fondling of multiple laptops, I had every PCHO employee staring at me - almost hoping that I'd try and shoplift something. At first I thought I was just being paranoid, but after looking for a game (BB STILL hasn't gotten X3:reunion) and checking out other PC peripherals I noticed that there was always at least one employee at the end of whatever isle I was browsing - most of which didn't even try and hide that fact - they just stared anxiously at me. It was freaky at the time, but now I want to go back and mess with their heads; nothing too serious though. They probably thought I was checking out the locks on the freeform demo laptops, so I can't really blame them. At least I now know a bit more about how little it takes to set them off .

 

2) The Turion ML37 is worth it, IMHO. You get a 25% clockspeed gain and a better power consumption profile. It might undervolt better too, if you're into that.

3) Both are internal. The Bluetooth option is likely on a separate card that plugs into an internal USB header. Get it. I use my Bluetooth radio for a keyboard and mouse, Bluetooth headset for Skype (Plantronics Voyager 510), and cellphone.

4) That's what external monitors are for. I have a Samsung 204T. GREAT monitor. HP's 21" widescreen LCD looks interesting on paper, haven't actually seen one. When you're travelling having something small and light is nice... at least, I think it would be, after lugging my 8.5 pound zv5000z around along with my usual books.

 

1) It'll only downclock to 166mhz if there already is a PC2700 stick in there and you add a PC3200 as the second stick. Basically memory will run as fast as it's slowest stick. SO if you replace all the memory on the notebook with PC3200, it should run at 200mhz fine (pended you have the newest bios, yadi yadi yada)

2) I have the ML-30 and use photoshop a lot and it works fine and was the best price to power ratio for ME (totally subjective). Having a lot of memory (1gb) and a fast harddrive (5400 or 7200 rpm) should make sure it's fast enough.

3) Both are internal - I use the bluetooth one and it works fine for me.

4) 14" works well for me because it has a fairly nice resolution. Of course a bigger screen is easier so that's why I use dual 19" on my desktop for big projects.

5) It should be the SAME keyboard (not 100% sure though). At any rate, I don't notice the problem.

6) Yes, a good havarti is delicous on crackers. Brie with pears is a wicked combination, and a bunch of other ones like fresh mazorella is delicous. Dunno what's the most I've eaten before is though.

 

1. As breezie said it you have all DDR400 memory it will run at 200Mhz, but if you have one DDR333 stick, then it even DDR400 also runs at 166Mhz.

2. If you use lot of photoshop then I would suggest go with 1MB cache. And I thing ML-30 vs ML-37 price difference is worth( and also this one you can not upgrade later that easily). And also in typical usage scenarios ML-37 generates less heat in intermediate steps, and also it would not struggle if you want to play 1080P HD movies later.

3. Both internal

4. This 14" feels fine to me, photos really look good on this BrightView screen. But bigger/Hi-resolution is always better when you are working on photos

5. I do not see any space bar issues and any keyboard issue. I think it is same keyboard in both V2000 and V2000z. May that piece may have some problem.

6. Does not use cheese that much, so no comment

 

agree with the L2 comment. More Cache is always better. Turion is good for photos and videos from my exp with the ML34. About the cheese comment above... just wondering how do you "use" cheese? Most people jsut tend to comsume it orally. Perhaps you have another way?

 

Yeh drunk, we have a lot of people actually steal laptops. Just ask them something simple about it to let them know you are looking if they keep staring...then send them away... orrr **** with their heads!

 

Thanks for the info guys! I'm probably going to order this laptop tonight with the following specs:

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home

AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-37 (2.0GHz/1MB L2 Cache)

14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768)

ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/productivity ports

256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB) (I'm going to buy a stick of 1GB OCZ PC 3200 from newegg)

60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive

DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support

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

6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Total after APP discount, $50 instant, $50 mail-in: $886.06


Though today I configured the laptop again at hpshopping.com and I barely noticed they no longer offer the broadcom bluetooth enabled wireless card (but it still allows me to configure the laptop with the productivity ports; something I couldn't do before without having the broadcom).

Not surprising that the options might have changed since yesterday, kind of sucks though. I called them right now and they say they have no idea if it might be coming back. Oh well, I don't have any bluetooth devices ATM and I wouldn't mind dealing with a dongle of some kind in the future.