Just bought a Compaq V4000t...

Well, so much for the Ferrari. Won't bore you with the long story. So here's the short story...

Won Ebay auction for a Ferrari 3400lmi.

Sent money.

No laptop or tracking number ever showed up.

Filed complaint with Paypal.

Got a full refund.

End of story!

Anyway, so I decided to play it safe and just order from a real store this time. And I decide to go with the V4000t for it's bang for the buck appeal. :thumbup:

I went with...
1.6 Celeron
2x256mb DDR2
regular matted screen (not brightview)
5400rpm 80gig
802.11b/g
12 cell

I just ordered it today. So I feel I still have time to make a few adjustments if need be. And that's where you guys come in. I need some good advice. My main concerns are...

12 cell vs. 6 cell - I worry whether I will like the way it's jacked up in the back with the 12 cell. And to be honest, I will probably have it plugged in most of the time anyway.

2x256 vs. 1x512 - On the one hand I get dual channel with the two DIMMs. On the other hand I can more easily increase my RAM with the one DIMM.

Matted vs. Brightview - I went down to the stores and looked around. The glossy screens are more appealing for sure. But they also had allot of glare and reflection of lights.

Anyway, I would appreaciate as much input as possible.

Thanks! :base:

 

Excellent! Sorry to hear that you got ripped off on eBay, but good that you got a refund.

Sure you don't want a single DIMM? I'd go for the 1x512MB, so you can upgrade later. Dual channel mameory doesn't make a big difference. As a matter of fact, the single 1GB modules are only about $65-70 on Newegg, maybe you are better off just getting the minimum and then upgrading yourself.

Also - about the Celeron . . can you go for the Pentium M? that will run faster and cooler. If not, then the Celeron will do.

Cheers!

 

Definetly get the Pentium M.

 

HMMM!

There's another guy on the other forum ( www.notebookforums.com) who thinks I should just do a pin mod to the Celeron. He has the v4000t too. He claims he his runs like a P-M 2.13. It does lound a little risky though.

Well, jumping to the 1.6 with 2mb of L2 is another $100. And then jumping from there to the 1.73 with 533mhz FS Bus is another $100 on top of that.

As for the RAM. I'd probably have to wait a while before I upgrade. Also, I notice with desktops that when you have a dual channel system you usually get a matched pair of DIMMs. Wouldn't it be hard for me to match the exact DIMM as the stock. Course I could just get 256mb and then upgrade both slots later. But that might be a while.

Anyway, thanks for the insight!
These forums make buying and owning a lappy so much sweeter!!!

 

Ok guys I took your advise and I upgraded the CPU to a 1.6 P-M. They had to completely cancel the order and create another. Which is only bad because it move the garranteed build date from the 16th to the 17th. And there's a public LAN party here on the 21st. I sooo hope to get it before the LAN. But, at least I'll know it has a more powerful and cooler processor!

 

The pin mod would void your warranty, and that would be a bad thing. I think you made the right call.

Your concern about accessing the RAM is unfounded - HP has both of the SO-DIMMs under the access slot on the bottom now instead of one under the keyboard.

Personally, I hate the twelve cell. Can't just slide your computer into a bag with that thing jutting out, and the ergonomics of having it tilted forward like that are bad for your wrists.

Why isn't this in the HP/Compaq forum?

 

Oh! I never found an HP/Compaq section. I even looked again ...just now.

BTW, I forgot to tell you guys I did decide to get the 6-cell instead of the 12. I agree with Slappy.

 

"Hewlett Packard & Compaq" is about halfway down the list of manufacturers on the main forum.NotebookReview.com page.

If you think you'll need more battery life, you can pick up a second 6-cell with your notebook order for an extra $99. That's what I did with my dv4000 (the QuickPlay was worth the extra few bucks for me). I'm sure you could get another one later, but it isn't listed on their accessories site for some reason. I bet it'd cost more, too - a spare 12-cell at the time of notebook purchase is something like $129, right? It's $179 from the accessories site!!!

 

Actually, CompUSA sells the 12 cll for $149. I just thought I'd get one of those later if I needed it. I'm really not sure how often I will use the battery anyway. My last notebook I just kept it plugged in all the time. And it wasn't even a gaming notebook. Anyway, For some reason, CompUSA doesn't carry the 6 cell either. So that was another reason I changed to the 6 cell. I'd at least like a chance to get one. LOL!