Presario V2555us Laptop 3000+, 512mb, 40Gb $550 w/free ship

OfficeDepot.com has the Compaq Presario V2555US Laptop for $549.99 after - $30 off Code -$180 in MIRs exp 2/11 w/free ship

w/AMD Sempron 3000+, 14in wide screen BrightView, 512MB, 40GB, DVD-ROM/CDRW combo drive,802.11b/g

 

Can one upgrade through them, from Sempron to Turion 64?

 

Sure, if you are willing to open up the laptop you can upgrade to a Turion.

 

I meant, if Office Depot could do it for me, and still have the rebate offer + adding cost for the Turion?

Also, can somebody estimate the difference (%) in CPU power between the sempron 3000+ 1.8Ghz and Turion 1.8Ghz on everyday use, browsing, DVDs and also heavy duty file convertion (mpeg and other movie formats. Just an estimate.

oh, just noticed I'm of topic...but still...I think its relevant for people in doubt if Sempron will be good enough.

 

Dont know if OD do such things, but I doubt that they would. Even if they did then the cost of doing so would be high and probably eat up the rebate. Unless you can do it yourself, it is not really worth it. If you want a Turion try configuring it directly fm HP.

The Sempron will be able to handle everyday tasksas afst as the Turion. The small cache does not have a big impact on such activity. But when it comes to gaming and other typical professional applications the 128K cache holds it back.File conversion speeds might be impacted by both the hard drive as well as the cpu. So keep that in mind when buying a laptop for that purpose.

 

They won't do it, but there are configureable models at OD.

 

Another thing is I doubt OD has laptop CPU's. But if you want a Turion 64 then buy it already configured with a Turion (As mentioned above). The costs of upgrading the CPU just wouldn't be worth it. Might cost you a couple of hundred $, and would void your warrnty most likely. It would be cheaper just to spend $700 and get one like this but a Turion from HP.

 

Just wait if you can. HPshopping will drop their prices again. I ordered my V2000z with ML-37 for under $600 after rebate. I didn't upgrade the mem or HD as I'll do that myself later.
They seem to have specials from time to time (often). I was checking them constantly...
And if you're a student or work for a uni, then you can get the APP discount too...

 

I'm a student at a community college (in San Jose) - how do I get a discount, I can't figure out HPs info?

Also, how did you get such a big discount?

 

It wasn't a huge discount. I ordered my laptop when it was already $549 for the base V2000z. With the APP academic discount, I got another $50 off the base price.
You can simply sign up at the website: www.shopping.hp.com. Type in 'APP' in the search and it will bring you to the main APP page where you can register. It looks like the base V2000 is going for $499 but the V2000z is going for $629 for the base config. I waited until it came down and then bought it with my APP.

 

Was just checking HP shopping...
What is the ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/productivity ports +$25 ooption?

Also, is it worth buying an extended warranty?...
HPs is "2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan" for +$99.99
I never buy any extended warranties beacuse it's always cheaper to replace a part than buying warranty, but that's for desktops...this is laptop and can be fragile, also replacements parts are expensive??

 

That option adds the 6 in 1 media card reader, an additional USB port and a unpowered firewire port. Other than these features it is similar to the cheaper option.

Warranty is more of a personal preference. If you ask me I have never bought any extended warranty. Laptop parts are expensive especially the screen and the motherboard and the extra $99 might be worth the peace of mind knowing that you are covered.

 

FYI starting 2/19 the v2555us will be on sale at Staples for $509.98 (after $250 INSTANT rebate), and $479.99 after $30 mail in rebate. If you're thinking about getting this laptop, my advice is to buy it from Office Max a few days before it goes on sale at Staples (don't open it just in case, so you can return it if need be) and then come 2/19 take your President's Day Weekend Staples ad to Office Max with your reciept and do a 115% pricematch. Your total out the door price will be 476.99 + tax, and if you do the mail in rebate knock another $30 off that.

 

So it adds an additional unpowered firewire port?...I think I will pass on it...but, does the v2000z have a 'powered firewire', cause I will be using it a lot with my external firewire HD...need to know.
By the way, I haven't yet checked out the loopholes on the "2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan" for +$99.99, but I do know it doesn't cover accidental damage, there is one, but only for one year at the same price.

EngineNr9: your elaborate scheme ($446.99 + tax) sounds really great, but I've decided I'll go for the Turion...just waiting for that price brake, around $550 for the Sempron...then, I'll just upgrade (through HP) to the Turion CPU and add the 12-cell battery(+$39)...the HD and memory I can buy later, after research and more money.

 

I don't think now is a good time to spend a lot of money on a new notebook. What I really want is dual core, but the lack of 64bit support bothers me. Likewise, for the turion, sure it's 64bit, but it's not dual core. When 64bit and dual core converge and become the new standard I will buy a nice full featured laptop...until then I'll stick with this "throwaway" cheap v2555us.