Laptop suggestions

mad1 · July 5th, 2006, 08:16 AM

I am researching laptops but not sure what to get, here is what I am looking at.

HPdv5000z
ES186AV

* – Genuine Windows XP Professional
* – AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-40 (2.2GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
* – FREE Upgrade to 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen!!
* – 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
* – 1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2x512MB)
* – 80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
* – FREE Upgrade to LightScribe Super Multi w/DL!!
* – 54g(TM) 802.11a/b/g WLAN & Bluetooth
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* – Genuine Windows XP Professional Backup CD
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

price $1,382.99
instant savings − $100.00
mail-in rebate − $50.00
price after rebate $1,232.99

This is my first unit that I researched so any units are open for suggestion. The price range is about what I want to spend and I prefer to stay with AMD processors. This pc was rated #1 on consumer reports under budget pc's.
This pc will not be used for games, uses include ;
internet
email
database, using excel or file maker pro

I am in the process of moving and I would like something that I can log into a wireless router or at a hot spot.

Sparks4 · July 6th, 2006, 07:37 AM

It Depends what you want it for.

mad1 · July 6th, 2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparks4

It Depends what you want it for.

Quote:

This pc will not be used for games, uses include ;
internet
email
database, using excel or file maker pro

bombledmonk · July 6th, 2006, 08:30 AM

What's your timeframe in buying it, how long can you wait? (for deals)

mad1 · July 6th, 2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombledmonk

What's your timeframe in buying it, how long can you wait? (for deals)

No hurry, 30 days.

entropy992 · July 6th, 2006, 11:41 AM

Seems like an awful lot to pay for internet, email, and excel use. What would be wrong with buying a much cheapter laptop, like in the $500 price range, from somewhere like Newegg? Just a thought.

clearbluereason · July 6th, 2006, 11:57 AM

Good specs at a good price. I advise waiting until around august (back to school sales) and keep hunting around with other manufacturers, you never know how good a deal it is until you compare it to others. Also consider how useful free ugrades are, do you really plan on writing DVD's and using lightscribe? Is there any additional hardware or software that you want to come with your pc?

I think this is an excellent choice for a system because it can do what you want it to quickly and easily... I hate it when my laptop hiccups. I'll take a gander around and see if I can find it but if you google for hotspots you will find a few sites that have a gps map of the US and particular cities of hotspots.

carl33p · July 6th, 2006, 12:14 PM

Use dealnews.com to find coupons and deals.

Filter it to laptops..... Computer > PC Systems > PC Notebooks

Budget wise, Dell is the way to go. 30% off 1000$ alot of the time
You'd get a Core Duo, 1GB ram, 80gb HD etc for around 700$

MadMan2k · July 6th, 2006, 01:18 PM

I'd personally get the lower end Apple Macbook and upgrade the RAM and HD yourself - it's more compact and doesn't have quite as much stuff, but you can run OS X or windows/linux. I see that you wanted to stay with AMD, but the Intel processor in the Apple performs pretty well. Just a thought.

mad1 · July 6th, 2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan2k

I'd personally get the lower end Apple Macbook and upgrade the RAM and HD yourself - it's more compact and doesn't have quite as much stuff, but you can run OS X or windows/linux. I see that you wanted to stay with AMD, but the Intel processor in the Apple performs pretty well. Just a thought.

The thought has been considered but the price starts at $1999.00 for one with the 15.4" screen of the compaq. I was most interested in the dual operating feature but the price killed that one.

apple