zd 8000 questions

I'm seriously contemplating picking up a zd 8000 in the next couple months. I have some questions about the notebook though.

1) I want to customize the laptop from HP with 256 MB of RAM and throw in 2 512 MB sticks myself. I also want to get the 3 year extended warranty to cover me if anything goes wrong that I can't fix myself. I'm pretty sure HP does not allow user alterations when servicing a laptop. If something did go wrong with the zd8000, could I just pop in the 256 MB stick and HP service would be none the wiser?

2) I had read on the Internet that HP had written an additional program called HPTunes for the Windows Media Center OS that allowed you to use iTunes and play AAC files through the Media Center interface. I looked at a demo model at CompUSA this past weekend and did not see this program on there. For new owners of this laptop, does this additional piece of software come with the Media Center configurations? I love iTunes but would love it even more if I could run it using Media Center in my living room.

3) I really want the 1680x1050 WXSGA screen but I'm worried the font may be too small. Is that the case or is it perfect? I'll probably be using this notebook quite a bit for word processing and excel spreadsheets so this concerns me. I'm 25 so my eyes are still decent

4) I noticed the zd8000 doesn't have a DVI connector. In the next year I'd like to get an HDTV plasma or LCD and hook up this laptop to it. Is the picture going to be crap w/o DVI? Should the lack of this option dissuade me from getting the zd8000? I know the notebook has an S-video connection but I'm guessing that the clarity of the picture wouldn't be close to the quality if I was using DVI.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. This notebook looks like the best bang for the buck out there for media center/desktop replacement options.

 

1) If you put in ram that your lappy supports, you should be fine. Upgrading ram with the proper ram shouldn't void your warranty.

2) I don't run MCE so I would be guessing, I will let someone else answer this.

3) The font is a big problem on the Dell 9200 (numerous complaints) The 1440x900 screen (brightview) for me is perfect, I also have good young eyes =)

4) DVI is just going to give you the best picture possible, going through the VGA will give you a very good picture, I've had DVI on my 9800 pro hooked up to my 50 inch DLP projection TV, I could tell the difference, but I use VGA, My home DVD player has DVI which upscales my picture to 1080i, I just use the VGA and have an awesome picture. (My TV just has one DVI input but two VGA inputs...my DVD player gets priority over my computer...cause DVI upscales it. Component video only gives me 720p)

X6000 P-4 3.2GHz 2gigs PC2 4200(533MHz)Ram 7200RPM 60 gig HHD 8x DVD Burner and the Brightview!

 

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