cheap HP ze4000 notebooks at staples..

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Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!


 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!

Hi, Poppagene, could you check if the USB port is 1.1 version or 2.0? I ask this because

IGP 340M will support 6 USB 2.0 port, and probabilly HP will use USB 2.0 port. Thanks!

 

Curatio

Junior Member
Oct 31, 2002
4
0
0
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!

Karnold, does this mean that the pavilion ze4000 is different from the omnibook xe4500, and won't be plagued by the same crash problems?
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: Curatio
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!

Karnold, does this mean that the pavilion ze4000 is different from the omnibook xe4500, and won't be plagued by the same crash problems?

Yes. I don't know why it's different from what they said in the manual, and I apologized for the misleading. I don't know
about the real performance of IGP 340M, but I'm looking into it. So far I know that

IGP 320M supports AMD CPU and use 200/266 MHz, core frequency is 160MHz
IGP 340M supports P4 CPU and use 400 MHz, core frequency is 183MHz ---> which is better but more expensive.

So, ZE4000 has better video performance than Presario 900z.

Besides, IPG 340M interface is 64 bit and support the shared video memory for up to 128MB, but I'm not sure
if ZE4000 will allow us to set it to 128MB in the BIOS, perhaps Poppagene can check it for us.

One disadvantage is that IGP 320M and 340M both only use Radeon 7000 VE as the video core, not 7500 or higher, too bad.
Definitely not a game machine.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
where can I check whether usb is version 2.0 or earlier version?
Check Hardware manager and find the property of USB port. If it's USB 2.0, it will show USB 2.0 hob''''.

 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
where can I check whether usb is version 2.0 or earlier version?
Check Hardware manager and find the property of USB port. If it's USB 2.0, it will show USB 2.0 hob''''.

My guess is they use USB 1.1 because IGP 340M is compatible with many south bridge chip of various brands.
If they use ATI's south bridge (IXP 200, 250 series), the USB port would be 2.0, but if they use the other
companys' south bridge chip, it could be 1.1. Since ZE4101 and ZE4145 have USB 1.1 only, there is no reason
they will use USB 2.0 for ZE4000. Just my guess.
 

DaHan

Senior member
Oct 30, 1999
503
0
0
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: Curatio
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!

Karnold, does this mean that the pavilion ze4000 is different from the omnibook xe4500, and won't be plagued by the same crash problems?

Yes. I don't know why it's different from what they said in the manual, and I apologized for the misleading. I don't know
about the real performance of IGP 340M, but I'm looking into it. So far I know that

IGP 320M supports AMD CPU and use 200/266 MHz, core frequency is 160MHz
IGP 340M supports P4 CPU and use 400 MHz, core frequency is 183MHz ---> which is better but more expensive.

So, ZE4000 has better video performance than Presario 900z.

Besides, IPG 340M interface is 64 bit and support the shared video memory for up to 128MB, but I'm not sure
if ZE4000 will allow us to set it to 128MB in the BIOS, perhaps Poppagene can check it for us.

One disadvantage is that IGP 320M and 340M both only use Radeon 7000 VE as the video core, not 7500 or higher, too bad.
Definitely not a game machine.

Maybe it get a 1600 score. Let's know the result.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: DaHan
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: Curatio
Originally posted by: Karnold
Originally posted by: poppagene
says IGP 340M

My God! I can't believe that use the most recent Integrated chip for P4!

Now I'll start searching the information about IGP 340M. Thanks a lot!

Karnold, does this mean that the pavilion ze4000 is different from the omnibook xe4500, and won't be plagued by the same crash problems?

Yes. I don't know why it's different from what they said in the manual, and I apologized for the misleading. I don't know
about the real performance of IGP 340M, but I'm looking into it. So far I know that

IGP 320M supports AMD CPU and use 200/266 MHz, core frequency is 160MHz
IGP 340M supports P4 CPU and use 400 MHz, core frequency is 183MHz ---> which is better but more expensive.

So, ZE4000 has better video performance than Presario 900z.

Besides, IPG 340M interface is 64 bit and support the shared video memory for up to 128MB, but I'm not sure
if ZE4000 will allow us to set it to 128MB in the BIOS, perhaps Poppagene can check it for us.

One disadvantage is that IGP 320M and 340M both only use Radeon 7000 VE as the video core, not 7500 or higher, too bad.
Definitely not a game machine.

Maybe it get a 1600 score. Let's know the result.

3DMark depends not only on the GPU, the size of the shared memory you set, buy also the CPU. The CPU of Poppagene's
ZE4000 is 1.6GHz Celeron, which I don't think will make the most use of the IGP 340M. So, the score can only be used as
the reference.

 

NeoKen

Member
Sep 18, 2000
64
0
61
Does anyone know if the ZE4101 (with Athlon XP 1500+) comes with the Radeon IGP 340M also?
It's advertised on the HP site that it's a Radeon Mobility 7500....:confused: confusing...

Thanks!
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
I got the notebook yesterday. It has 32 megs of shared memory with the celeron 1.6 processor. I haven't had the crashes, but I have not tried to force a crash yet either. I ordered my ze4000 with XP Home and went back to Staples tonight to take advantage of the deals available on system purchases with XP this week. I got an XP Professional Upgrade for 179.99 - $80 = $99.99 ($80 taken off for purchasing the notebook wwith XP home loaded). That entitled me to a 256 meg SDRAM (free after a $30 rebate), a 48X CDRW (from memorex free after a $20 rebate), 50 CDrs free, 50 slimline jewel cases free, and a cd label kit free. There's a $75 stepup to XP pro rebate from Microsoft if you buy XP pro within 30 days from the retailer you bought the notebook from microsoft. Website says Dates Valid:
10/25/2001 - 1/31/2003 -- hope it works.
Hi, Poppagene. I have some questions
(1) In the notebook package, do they include the reference guide and startup guide manual?
If yes, could you tell us the major ICs of ZE4000? It's around page 130 of the reference guide
or page 50 of the startup guide manual.
(2) When you went back to staples to return and rebuy the notebook, do they give you a new receipt
that includes ZE4000 and all the other free stuffs with current date? I suppose your order date is before
10/25 since you've received the notebook, so you'll need a new receipt for the rebate, right?

 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Guys, I just received my ZE4000 and I am trying it right now. The first impression is good, though.
There is no any dead or too bright point in the monitor. The computer is assembled by Quanta company in Taiwan,
which has very good reputation. The neon light is very attractive, and currently it's very very cool when I touch the
keyboard. I think that's because my CPU is P4, not AMD.

My hardware setting is
CPU: P4-M 1.7GHz
15" SXGA+ display
Memory: 1x256MB
HD: 30 GB
DVD/CDRW combo 24x8x8x8

The price I got is $1209. I think my final price would be about $1000 after selling those free stuff come with XP Pro.

As Poppgene said, the video chip is IGP 340M and the default shared video memory is set to 32 MB.
It doesn't use ATI's south bridge chip IXP 200/250. Instead, it uses ALi's chip made by Acer, so the USB is 1.1, not 2.0, too bad.
The model number, which is at the bottom position of the monitor, is ZE4100. It's funny, people might think ZE4100 is an inferior
model to ZE4101, but actually, ZE4100 is a lot better than ZE4101 and more expensive, of course.
OK. Let me see if the bios can let me change the video memory to 128 MB.

Could someone tell me how to enter the BIOS setting? I don't want to open my CD right now in case I want to return it.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
I just run the Direct3D test. No crash :D
I notice that when I run the test, the fan also started automatically.
The fan is not as quiet as the fan of Compaq, though. I guess that's why
HP's temperature is lower than 900z. Kind of trade-off. If you want to make
the machine cooler, you'll have a louder fan.

OK. I just tested the Infrared with my PDA iPaq 3835. It runs perfectly.
Do you guys know the Built-to-order Compaq 900z doesn't have the infrared
and IEEE1394 port?:) It seems that I made a right decision.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Now, the shared video memory.
I just manged to enter the bios setting. It allows me to change the video memory from 8MB to 64MB.
I hope someday they will update the driver and let us change to video memory to 128MB since that's
the maximum memory size that IGP 340MB can support. I don't understand why they just set the maximum
at 64MB in the BIOS. Well, 64MB is not bad though.

Let me see what information I can get in the BIOS.

BIOS version: KE.M1.40
The HD is made by Hitachi.
This BIOS suppot the Wake-On LAN
The boot options are (1) HD
(2) Removable device
(3) CDROM
(4) Built-in LAN
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
About the power management.
When I set the computer to portable/laptop, the CPU runs at 1.19 GHz (using AC power, not battery)
When I set the computer to "Home/Office" or "Always on", the CPU runs at 1.69 GHz.

So, you can change the performance of ZE4000 by changing the power management scheme.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
I know you guys are interested at the 3D mark 2001 testing, but I don't have that software at hand.
Let me see what I can figure out how to get it.
 

poppagene

Senior member
Aug 12, 2001
402
0
0
Hi all. My hardware also seems to be USB 1.1 . I can confirm that the video ram can be set in the bios and I ran 3D Mark 2001 SE at 32 megs, 64 megs and 128 megs with my celeron 1.6 and 384 megs DDR installed. With the 32, 64 and 128 megs of video ram, I was getting 1392 , 1416, and 1458 scores. Hope this helps. Also, I didn't have to return anything. I went to the Staples where I ordered the notebook and showed them my original receipt. The manager Let me buy XP pro upgrade using the coupon code that applies to buying it along with a PC that has XP home preloaded (coupon #67705 for $80). I called Microsoft rebate center and they confirmed that the $75 stepup to XP Pro Upgrade is still in efffect so I should be able to get the $75 rebate plus the $20 rebate for the 48X-CDRW and the $30 rebate for the 256 megs of PC133 SDRAM. THe XP Pro upgrade is selling for about $120 on eBay so I should be able to further reduce the cost of the notebook by selling it and the memorex cdrw.

Edit: None of the rebates required me to repurchase notebook -- this is becaause I bought the Win XP Pro Upgrade which indepedently qualifies staples purchases of memory and cdrw for rebate. As far as the microsoft rebate, 2 receipts from the same retailer within 30 days of each other are called for.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
Hi all. My hardware also seems to be USB 1.1 . I can confirm that the video ram can be set in the bios and I ran 3D Mark 2001 SE at 32 megs, 64 megs and 128 megs with my celeron 1.6 and 384 megs DDR installed. With the 32, 64 and 128 megs of video ram, I was getting 1392 , 1416, and 1458 scores. Hope this helps. Also, I didn't have to return anything. I went to the Staples where I ordered the notebook and showed them my original receipt. The manager Let me buy XP pro upgrade using the coupon code that applies to buying it along with a PC that has XP home preloaded (coupon #67705 for $80). I called Microsoft rebate center and they confirmed that the $75 stepup to XP Pro Upgrade is still in efffect so I should be able to get the $75 rebate plus the $20 rebate for the 48X-CDRW and the $30 rebate for the 256 megs of PC133 SDRAM. THe XP Pro upgrade is selling for about $120 on eBay so I should be able to further reduce the cost of the notebook by selling it and the memorex cdrw.

Edit: None of the rebates required me to repurchase notebook -- this is becaause I bought the Win XP Pro Upgrade which indepedently qualifies staples purchases of memory and cdrw for rebate. As far as the microsoft rebate, 2 receipts from the same retailer within 30 days of each other are called for.

Poppagene, I'm wondering how you set the video memory to 128 MB? The maximum is 64MB in the BIOS of my ZE4000.

 

Tot

Senior member
Jan 24, 2000
727
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
Hi all. My hardware also seems to be USB 1.1 . I can confirm that the video ram can be set in the bios and I ran 3D Mark 2001 SE at 32 megs, 64 megs and 128 megs with my celeron 1.6 and 384 megs DDR installed. With the 32, 64 and 128 megs of video ram, I was getting 1392 , 1416, and 1458 scores. Hope this helps. Also, I didn't have to return anything. I went to the Staples where I ordered the notebook and showed them my original receipt. The manager Let me buy XP pro upgrade using the coupon code that applies to buying it along with a PC that has XP home preloaded (coupon #67705 for $80). I called Microsoft rebate center and they confirmed that the $75 stepup to XP Pro Upgrade is still in efffect so I should be able to get the $75 rebate plus the $20 rebate for the 48X-CDRW and the $30 rebate for the 256 megs of PC133 SDRAM. THe XP Pro upgrade is selling for about $120 on eBay so I should be able to further reduce the cost of the notebook by selling it and the memorex cdrw.

Edit: None of the rebates required me to repurchase notebook -- this is becaause I bought the Win XP Pro Upgrade which indepedently qualifies staples purchases of memory and cdrw for rebate. As far as the microsoft rebate, 2 receipts from the same retailer within 30 days of each other are called for.


For those who likes to bash the 900Z and everything about it. Here is some numbers to compare with.
3DMark2001 SE with 1024X768 32 bit color yields a result of 1395. Not too shabby for the IGP 32mbshared memory 340M.Someone posted that the 900Z is lower performing then the celeron/P4 counter part..... I say the numbers doesnt support it that much. Anyway the 3dmark performance may not be a exact story of performance....its only a guide. My experience with 900Z has been pleasant, and I am sure lots of you will be too, occasional gamers that play UT2003 or WC3 wouldnt be that disatisfied with this computer either. But that is just all that I feel, you may think/feel otherwise.
I will post back with 64mb setting.


Just got my benchmark for 64mb memory setting. The result once again is comparable at 1507. I would say that it is not something to flaunt about but its not shabby. The test was conducted at 1024X768 32bit color.

System info:
model:900Z
CPU: 1500+XP
RAM: 256 (shared with graphic) = 192 and 224
Display: 15inch sxga
COST: $811
It also comes with DVD drive, floppy drive, 20gb hd, JBL pro speaker, 2 usb 1.1(only vibes is no fire and usb2) so you can rub that in.


I just like to remind you guys to pick the targus minimouse optical wireless for 19.90 at compusa.(may be dead)





 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: Tot
Originally posted by: poppagene
Hi all. My hardware also seems to be USB 1.1 . I can confirm that the video ram can be set in the bios and I ran 3D Mark 2001 SE at 32 megs, 64 megs and 128 megs with my celeron 1.6 and 384 megs DDR installed. With the 32, 64 and 128 megs of video ram, I was getting 1392 , 1416, and 1458 scores. Hope this helps. Also, I didn't have to return anything. I went to the Staples where I ordered the notebook and showed them my original receipt. The manager Let me buy XP pro upgrade using the coupon code that applies to buying it along with a PC that has XP home preloaded (coupon #67705 for $80). I called Microsoft rebate center and they confirmed that the $75 stepup to XP Pro Upgrade is still in efffect so I should be able to get the $75 rebate plus the $20 rebate for the 48X-CDRW and the $30 rebate for the 256 megs of PC133 SDRAM. THe XP Pro upgrade is selling for about $120 on eBay so I should be able to further reduce the cost of the notebook by selling it and the memorex cdrw.

Edit: None of the rebates required me to repurchase notebook -- this is becaause I bought the Win XP Pro Upgrade which indepedently qualifies staples purchases of memory and cdrw for rebate. As far as the microsoft rebate, 2 receipts from the same retailer within 30 days of each other are called for.


For those who likes to bash the 900Z and everything about it. Here is some numbers to compare with.
3DMark2001 SE with 1024X768 32 bit color yields a result of 1395. Not too shabby for the IGP 32mbshared memory 340M.Someone posted that the 900Z is lower performing then the celeron/P4 counter part..... I say the numbers doesnt support it that much. Anyway the 3dmark performance may not be a exact story of performance....its only a guide. My experience with 900Z has been pleasant, and I am sure lots of you will be too, occasional gamers that play UT2003 or WC3 wouldnt be that disatisfied with this computer either. But that is just all that I feel, you may think/feel otherwise.
I will post back with 64mb setting.

Could you tell us your CPU speed and total memory size?
 

poppagene

Senior member
Aug 12, 2001
402
0
0
Karnold: I have the same Bios version. I have available for video 8, 16,32,64,128 and auto (which results in 32 for me).

Tot: You were the one to trash this deal in relation to the 900Z deal you got -- so if you took some heat you deserved it. IMO all of the staples deals have been good and some early takers got unbelievable deals. I think we all win by getting the deals we want at a great price. I also suggest you read my post on page one of this thread about the Win XP tie-in deals that you may be able to combine with the deal you already got on your Compaq. Also, the complaints about video have been directed at the IGP 320M not the IGP 340M.
 

Karnold

Member
Sep 4, 2002
106
0
0
Originally posted by: poppagene
Karnold: I have the same Bios version. I have available for video 8, 16,32,64,128 and auto (which results in 32 for me).

Tot: You were the one to trash this deal in relation to the 900Z deal you got -- so if you took some heat you deserved it. IMO all of the staples deals have been good and some early takers got unbelievable deals. I think we all win by getting the deals we want at a great price. I also suggest you read my post on page one of this thread about the Win XP tie-in deals that you may be able to combine with the deal you already got on your Compaq. Also, the complaints about video have been directed at the IGP 320M not the IGP 340M.

I think the options of the video memory size depend on the size of your total memory. Mine is 256MB only, so my options is only
up to 64MB. I am testing the 3D Mark 2001 right now. What is the difference between 3D Mark 2001 and 3D Mark 2001 SE?
Which one will give you higher score?

 

Tot

Senior member
Jan 24, 2000
727
0
0
poppagene: To say that I trash this deal for you guys is very strong. If I had that strong a opinion, it comes from someone who actually got a 900Z and ze4101. I know what I am talking about. And all that I have done is pointed out that the 900Z is NOT a inferior product which people seems to think that it is because it has a AMD processor. That is soooo not true. In terms of performance the AMD product is able to do as well as the Intel if not better.

I have no problems with taking on heat, its part of this forum. And once again I like to stress that I only say what I know is true. I dont speculate whether the ze4000 is better or worst then the 900Z based on the fact that one comes with Intel chip and the other AMD chip.

And if you would look back to a few page back I had also made the clarification that the ze4101 and the 900Z is indeed the same machine, specifically the IGP and processor is the same. As for the ze4000 which have a Intel chip notebook, all I had comment on is that dont assume it to be superior just because its a Intel chip. U know better.

Whats more I am not the only one who said that this particular deal is cheaper!!!! Look at page one and you would see more people supporting this.
Furthermore, han007 said that this systems comes with radeon 7500 !!!! but apparently not it came with IGP340M or was it 320M which ever it was, its pretty much the same as the one in ze4101 and 900z which means that the performance is on par between this three laptop.




I hope that this clears things out. BOTTOM line we all got a good deal. HAPPY? SAY that you are happy. For any reason. JUST say U are :)



What I really want now is to pump the rams to at whooping 1 bg and then also upgrade the harddisk to a toshiba with 16mb buffer, that will help to conserve lots of energy.
BTW, my notebook runs for more then 2 hours even when play dvd. I hope your does the same too.

And I thank you for reminding me to read your contribution to the hot deal. I appreciate that alot.