Question:
DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I plan to order this laptop in the next day or so. Please give me your comments and suggestions. Please note that I don't do games or photos, so I don't need the latest and greatest of everything. I'm trying to get a decent laptop at the lowest price possible. I upgraded to Core Duo and Intel Wireless with Bluetooth so my laptop will be at least a little current.
HP Pavilion dv2000t customizable Notebook PC
EPP_00_EQ883AV
– Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
– Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2050 (1.60 GHz)
– 14.1" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
– Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
– HP IMPRINT Finish + Microphone
– 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (2x256MB)
– 40 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
– FREE Upgrade: 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
– Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
– 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works/Money
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
One problem, all the other times I customized this laptop, the Express card remote control was listed as an option. Today the option was totally gone. Any ideas?
I am contemplating upgrading to the brightview. I'm going to compare brightview versus matte in stores this weekend. I'm not sure if the brightview will hurt my eyes since I spend hours reading on my laptop.
I qualified for the APP discount. The price before tax is 801.45. This does not include the $50 mail in rebate.
So, what do you think? Speak now or forever hold your peace! :)
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I would recommend upgrading to the T2250 as it is only a $25.00 increase and the extra processing power will be worth it for such a small price. As for brightview vs. matte it is purely a personal decision as to what you like. Brightview is great if you are gaming or going to be watching a lot of movies. Matte is good if you will have your laptop outside a lot or in brightly lit rooms. As for the remote I don't know why it is not there. You could try calling HP to ask them if they could include it in your lappy. Anyway, all in all it looks like a good configuration. Good luck and happy computing!
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I second the recommendation to upgrade to the T2250. In addition, I think you'd be well served to spend another $25 and grab a 60GB hard drive. 40 GB is not a lot, especially when factoring in the recovery partition and Quickplay. I think you'd find yourself wanting for space very shortly with a 40 gig drive.
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I second the recommendation to upgrade to the T2250. In addition, I think you'd be well served to spend another $25 and grab a 60GB hard drive. 40 GB is not a lot, especially when factoring in the recovery partition and Quickplay. I think you'd find yourself wanting for space very shortly with a 40 gig drive.
I'll think about the T2250, especially if I don't go for the Brightview, which is $25 as well.
As for the hardrive, my logic is this: My current laptop has 27GB and I haven't even used half of it yet. So 40 seems like a whole lot to me. What use could I possibly have for that much if I'm not using the 27 I have now?
All these little upgrades add up, which is why I don't want anything I don't absolutely need. However, if anyone has a convincing argument for an upgrade, Bring It! :D
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
Additional Info: I will order the Express Card Remote and Recovery disk (maybe) at a different time. Anyone know whether the prices on these items increase if you don't buy them with the laptop?
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I would suggest stepping down to a Core Solo. Dual core is nice and all but since you are upgrading from a Pentium 3, a Core Solo might not be a bad choice. The speed bump from a 700MHz?? P3 to a 1.86GHz Core Solo will be very noticable. You can then use that extra $45 and get upgardes on RAM or get a bigger HD or get the Go7200 or just save some $.
The remote should be around $15 - 20 and the recovery CD's should cost ~20 - 30(not sure).
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
I would suggest stepping down to a Core Solo. Dual core is nice and all but since you are upgrading from a Pentium 3, a Core Solo might not be a bad choice. The speed bump from a 700MHz?? P3 to a 1.86GHz Core Solo will be very noticable. You can then use that extra $45 and get upgardes on RAM or get a bigger HD or get the Go7200 or just save some $.
Funny you should say that Miner. Originally, I had actually chosen Core Solo and 1gb of Ram. Then I realized that upgrading the Ram cost more than upgrading to Core Duo. So I switched to Core Duo and 512 Ram because that combination was cheaper.
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
You will be better off with the Core Duo and 512MB of RAM. You can upgrade the RAM later on but you wont easily be able to upgrade the processor and there is a large difference in performance between a single core and a multi core processor in applications that are multithreaded. XP is also multithreaded in itself so it will distribute the workload between both cores.
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
You will be better off with the Core Duo and 512MB of RAM. You can upgrade the RAM later on but you wont easily be able to upgrade the processor and there is a large difference in performance between a single core and a multi core processor in applications that are multithreaded. XP is also multithreaded in itself so it will distribute the workload between both cores.
He makes an excellent point on upgradeability. Get the dual-core now, worry about RAM later.
Answer:
Re: DV2000t Customization--Please Comment
He makes an excellent point on upgradeability. Get the dual-core now, worry about RAM later.
Sounds good to me since that is the cheaper option.