Thinking about buying laptop

[Juno]

And no, it won't be a gaming laptop. I'll just need a laptop for works, internet and travel. (I'll be travelling a lot next summer) I have a desktop and I'll bring them to school.

I'm leaning toward to HP dv1000 series or Dell Inspiron 6000, 600m or 700m. The budget is $1,600 but I want it under $1,000. So I can save the rest of money to build an Athlon64 rig.

Any suggestions?

 

[fbrdphreak]

For travelling a lot, forget the 6000; 15.4" != very portable
600m is okay; I've handled a few and the build quality is MEH. I hear the 700m is nice and small, but feels like a toy.

Since you are a student, check out the HP dv1000. You can get an academic discount on it and it is one awesome little machine. Centrino, 14" widescreen, 7 hours batt life w/12-cell battery (making weight about 6lbs), I love it; my gf has one and it amazes me how much I like it everytime I use it.
dv1000 Review

If you're really stuck on Dell, the D610 is the business version of the 600m. MUCH better build quality. But more expensive and usually the coupons don't apply.

Averatec has some nice 12 & 14" models that are sub-$1000. You get what you pay for though, the build quality is sufficient but not near the HP dv1000.

There might be some cheap Acer models on NewEgg sub-$1000, but those will probly use a Celeron M processor. With an academic discount, you can probly get a dv1000 w/Pentium M and decently loaded for around $1000. That is what I would go with

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
For travelling a lot, forget the 6000; 15.4" != very portable
600m is okay; I've handled a few and the build quality is MEH. I hear the 700m is nice and small, but feels like a toy.

Since you are a student, check out the HP dv1000. You can get an academic discount on it and it is one awesome little machine. Centrino, 14" widescreen, 7 hours batt life w/12-cell battery (making weight about 6lbs), I love it; my gf has one and it amazes me how much I like it everytime I use it.
dv1000 Review

If you're really stuck on Dell, the D610 is the business version of the 600m. MUCH better build quality. But more expensive and usually the coupons don't apply.

Averatec has some nice 12 & 14" models that are sub-$1000. You get what you pay for though, the build quality is sufficient but not near the HP dv1000.

There might be some cheap Acer models on NewEgg sub-$1000, but those will probly use a Celeron M processor. With an academic discount, you can probly get a dv1000 w/Pentium M and decently loaded for around $1000. That is what I would go with

That HP dv1000 looks very interesting! I'm not sure if my school has contract with HP but they do have with Apple which I'm not a big fan. Maybe I'll check HP, Bestbuy or other stores that offer warranties.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I know there is a way to apply an academic discount directly online, when you purchase through HP Shopping. I would call their 1-800-# and ask them. BBY does sell a few different iterations of the dv1000 series, but not that are as good of a bargain as you can get online IMO. Although the BBY warranty is pretty decent. Note on HP's extended warranties: they only replace one major system component each, throughout the time of the warranty (can't remember if this is w/the regular extended warranty or the accidental damage one). Meaning if you bust an LCD, they replace it once. If the mobo goes out, they replace it once. After that, its not covered. Just read the fine print

 

[Juno]

It's more like I'm going for HP dv1000 series. It got my interesting than Dell Inspiron 700m which my young brother suggested.

I'm thinking about upgrading laptop to WinXP Pro SP2, Pentium-M instead Celeron M, 60gb 5400 rpm instead 40gb, WXGA brightview widescreen instead regular WXGA widescreen, DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and 12 cell lithium ion battery instead 6.

I'm not sure which network drive should I get. I want wireless so I can get networks while going on roadtrips. More like I'm going for last option, wifi and bluetooth. I'm thinking about buying 2x512mb sodimm rams off newegg to upgrade it.

fbrdphreak, Are those options good?

 

[beverage]

i got a dv1000 a few months back, pent-M 1.7, 80 GB 5400, wxga brightview, cd-rw/dvd-rom, and wifi NO bluetooth. about the only thing i would change now is that i wish i had bought the bluetooth. even though i don't have a use for it right at the moment, i'm looking at new cell phones now, and of course, most of the new options all have bluetooth built-in. for not much more money, i'd def go for it if i had it to do over.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: jewno
It's more like I'm going for HP dv1000 series. It got my interesting than Dell Inspiron 700m which my young brother suggested.

I'm thinking about upgrading laptop to WinXP Pro SP2, Pentium-M instead Celeron M, 60gb 5400 rpm instead 40gb, WXGA brightview widescreen instead regular WXGA widescreen, DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and 12 cell lithium ion battery instead 6.

I'm not sure which network drive should I get. I want wireless so I can get networks while going on roadtrips. More like I'm going for last option, wifi and bluetooth. I'm thinking about buying 2x512mb sodimm rams off newegg to upgrade it.

fbrdphreak, Are those options good?

That sounds like a GREAT config. The 5400RPM drive will make a noticeable difference in performance.
RPM Guide
In terms of wireless cards, I would go with the 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster. The Broadcom card generally picks up networks better than the Intel card. It does use a little more power, but would be worth it in my opinion.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: jewno
It's more like I'm going for HP dv1000 series. It got my interesting than Dell Inspiron 700m which my young brother suggested.

I'm thinking about upgrading laptop to WinXP Pro SP2, Pentium-M instead Celeron M, 60gb 5400 rpm instead 40gb, WXGA brightview widescreen instead regular WXGA widescreen, DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and 12 cell lithium ion battery instead 6.

I'm not sure which network drive should I get. I want wireless so I can get networks while going on roadtrips. More like I'm going for last option, wifi and bluetooth. I'm thinking about buying 2x512mb sodimm rams off newegg to upgrade it.

fbrdphreak, Are those options good?

That sounds like a GREAT config. The 5400RPM drive will make a noticeable difference in performance.
RPM Guide
In terms of wireless cards, I would go with the 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster. The Broadcom card generally picks up networks better than the Intel card. It does use a little more power, but would be worth it in my opinion.

For network, I prefer to have bluetooth installed so the more likely I'll go for the last option.

And for hard drive, I don't see any 7200rpm hard drives. I don't want to buy one and swap with the 60gb 5400 rpm hd. I'll just leave 60gb less used because I'll be buying external hard drive for storage.

If you were me, what'll you do?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: jewno
And for hard drive, I don't see any 7200rpm hard drives. I don't want to buy one and swap with the 60gb 5400 rpm hd. I'll just leave 60gb less used because I'll be buying external hard drive for storage.

If you were me, what'll you do?

I'm a little confused by your question. You don't want to buy a 7200RPM drive and swap for a 5400? I agree, don't! A 5400RPM drive is the best bang for the buck. Either get a 5400RPM drive from HP or just buy your own and swap (which I assume you don't want to do). I would get a 60GB 5400RPM personally; best bang for the buck in capacity & performance.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: jewno
And for hard drive, I don't see any 7200rpm hard drives. I don't want to buy one and swap with the 60gb 5400 rpm hd. I'll just leave 60gb less used because I'll be buying external hard drive for storage.

If you were me, what'll you do?

I'm a little confused by your question. You don't want to buy a 7200RPM drive and swap for a 5400? I agree, don't! A 5400RPM drive is the best bang for the buck. Either get a 5400RPM drive from HP or just buy your own and swap (which I assume you don't want to do). I would get a 60GB 5400RPM personally; best bang for the buck in capacity & performance.

HP doesn't offer 7200rpm drives for dv1000 series laptop.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: jewno

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: jewno
And for hard drive, I don't see any 7200rpm hard drives. I don't want to buy one and swap with the 60gb 5400 rpm hd. I'll just leave 60gb less used because I'll be buying external hard drive for storage.

If you were me, what'll you do?

I'm a little confused by your question. You don't want to buy a 7200RPM drive and swap for a 5400? I agree, don't! A 5400RPM drive is the best bang for the buck. Either get a 5400RPM drive from HP or just buy your own and swap (which I assume you don't want to do). I would get a 60GB 5400RPM personally; best bang for the buck in capacity & performance.

HP doesn't offer 7200rpm drives for dv1000 series laptop.

That is correct..........but I'm still not sure what you were asking