HP zv6000 Laptop

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Hello all! I have been reading the forums here for about a month. I need to buy a new computer, since my 4 year old Pentium III is on its last legs. I've been going back and forth between an A64 desktop or some kind of laptop. I would really like a laptop, since the portability is attractive to me, plus I like the 15.4 WS display. I don't really like Dell as a whole, and I've seriously checked into the Inspiron 6000, but like I said, Dell is on my black-list.

I just got back from vacation recently, and I checked HPShopping.com. HP seems like a decent company with good machines for a decent price. They have some sweet deals going on right now, so I customized a laptop. Check it out:

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Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional for $29.99
Processor AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3500+ (2.2GHz/512KB L2 Cache)
Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Graphics Card 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
Hard Drive 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
Networking 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
HP extended service plans 2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan
your additional options:
Special printer offer HP PSC 1410 All-in-One

price $1,333.98 *
instant rebate - $100.00
mail-in rebate - $130.00
price after rebate $1,103.98
you saved 17.2%
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I am currently a full-time college student, and I've heard that HP gives pretty nice educational discounts. Anyway, I have a few questions for yall before I decide to make a purchase.

1. Does anyone know exactly how much the HP educational discount is and how to get it?

2. I only have 256 megs of RAM because they want $150 to upgrade to 1 GB. I can buy a 1 GB stick on NewEgg for about $100. What kind of RAM does the zv6000 use?

3. What exactly is the 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory? I haven't been able to find much information on this graphics chipset. I've read a little about HyperMemory, so if this is similar to the desktop cards, does that mean it has some dedicated VRAM and then uses system memory as needed?

4. I've heard good and bad about the BrightView screen. What exactly does it do for the extra $25? Under what conditions is it good? The same for bad? I've heard that it lacks the anti-glare coating, and is more reliant upon good lighting.

I think that's about it for now. Any insight you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ryan

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
1. Does anyone know exactly how much the HP educational discount is and how to get it? I've heard things from "really good" to "5%". Best thing is to call and ask

2. I only have 256 megs of RAM because they want $150 to upgrade to 1 GB. I can buy a 1 GB stick on NewEgg for about $100. What kind of RAM does the zv6000 use? DDR 333, although the chipset may support DDR 400; either way

3. What exactly is the 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory? I haven't been able to find much information on this graphics chipset. I've read a little about HyperMemory, so if this is similar to the desktop cards, does that mean it has some dedicated VRAM and then uses system memory as needed? You are correct. Basically the Xpress200M chipset has an X300 integrated into it, a small amt of dedicated RAM (16 or 32MB), and the rest is shared from the system. There is an HP L2000 thread on here and the owner is going to run a 3DMark2001 benchmark for us, the L2000 uses the same graphics.

4. I've heard good and bad about the BrightView screen. What exactly does it do for the extra $25? Under what conditions is it good? The same for bad? I've heard that it lacks the anti-glare coating, and is more reliant upon good lighting. BrightView utilizes a glossy coating and 2 backlights to produce brighter, more vibrant colors at the cost of glare on the screen. You do get used to it and personally I think HP's screens are all the better because of it. That is one weak are that HP has always had; not very bright screens w/poor viewing angle. The BrightView helps with that a lot.

I think that's about it for now. Any insight you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ryan

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Thanks for the info, fbrdphreak. I actually read that topic you mentioned after I posted this one. I checked out the L2000, and it looks pretty decent. It's a little cheaper than the zv6000, but it has a 14" screen...I would really prefer a 15.4". All though with the L2000, I could always go with 1x512 and then add an additional 1 Gig. I've heard that the Turion is just a mobile Athlon 64, so that would be fine if I got an ML-30. Still, a 14" screen seems a tad bit small for my main computer...

I would really like dedicated graphics, but in my price range (around $1000), it's kinda out of the question (especially since I dislike Dell so much). I won't be doing much gaming on it, but I would like to run a few games pretty decently. Oh well...I guess the Radeon chipset is better than the Intel "Extreme" graphics. Heh...

I don't know...I guess I just have to call HP and ask. Any other insight that others could provide? Anyone tested this laptop or other recent HP laptops with DDR-400 memory? Or should I play it safe and just buy DDR-333?

Ryan

 

[fbrdphreak]

Gateway is releasing an update to their venerable 74xx line:
15.4" WXGA glossy, A64 3700+, 64MB X600 graphics, 1GB RAM, DVDRW Dual Layer, 100GB HDD

It should retail for around $1200-$1300 on sale

http://www.laptoplogic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752

I wouldn't worry about DDR400 memory. It shouldn't be much more expensive than DDR333, so you could certainly buy it & try it; from everything I've heard in most laptops you have to use software to force DDR400. Not worth it IMO, just get 1GB or more of RAM

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Hello again. It's been about a week, and I've been hard at work researching laptops. Anyway, I've checked out a bunch, and I'm back at the zv6000 again. It seems like a really good deal for the money, and this includes a 3 year warranty (and this is before my educational discount)! Check it out:

price $1,313.98 *
instant rebate - $100.00
mail-in rebate - $130.00
price after rebate $1,083.98
you saved 17.5%
as low as $36/mo+
12 months no payments. Apply now.

Estimated build date:
August 1, 2005
Accessories and add-ons are in stock and ship immediately

Click "edit" to modify your customized pc order.

Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional for $29.99
Processor AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3200+ (2.0GHz/512KB L2 Cache)
Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
Graphics Card 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
Hard Drive 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
Networking 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
Primary Battery 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
HP extended service plans 3-year HP Express Repair extended service plan

your additional options:
Click "edit" to modify. NOTE: These items are in stock and will ship immediately.
Special printer offer HP PSC 1410 All-in-One

Sure, it's not a "mobile" processor, and a little on the heavy side (about 8 lbs.), but doesn't the A64 have a "Cool N Quiet" mode to help with power consumption? I'm not too big on the integrated graphics part, but for what I need it for (mostly work with some light gaming), it will suffice. I am curious though; I know that the integrated ATI Xpress 200M graphics won't be able to run heavy 3D very well, especially games such as Half Life 2 and the like. However, will it be able to run less-intensive games like Warcraft 3 well? I don't really play many games, but I would like to pick up Warcraft 3 again, and possibly play that new Civilization that's on the way. I should be okay on the graphics for those games, right? I'm going to buy another 1 Gig memory stick on NewEgg once I order the computer (probably Monday unless something comes up). Is it easy to install memory on these laptops? They use DDR333/400 right? How can I tell what kind HP has pre-installed? Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to be sure I covered all bases before plunking down 1k on a laptop. That's a lot of money for a poor college student such as myself.

Thanks in advance!

Ryan

 

[Nutdotnet]

Hmm, actually, and I may be wrong, the graphics "card" in this system is quite different then the L2000.

This in fact does have 128mb Dedicated Graphics memory with the "Hypermemory" coming from the cards ability to "borrow" another 128mb from system memory. Go check out www.notebookforums.com for more info.

Or just go to this thread:
LINK

I just purchased one this week:

Athlon 64 3200+
15.4" WXGA Brightview
256mb RAM
128mb Graphics
60gig 5400 rpm HD
DVD Burner
Wireless G
12 Cell Battery
and all that other stuff

$617 Shipped AR. You REALLY can't beat Office Depot right now for their pricing.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

That is a pretty good price! Did you have to get rebates to get that price? Did it include any kind of warranty?

*Edit* I'm guessing that AR means "After Rebates". If that's the case, how much did you have to get in rebates? I'm not a big fan in rebates...companies have a tendancy to "forget" them or take 6 months to get them to you. :thumbsdown:

 

[lein]

Do you have a link? Deal looks good, but I cant find it on the site. I guess it could be dead, but I hope it isnt =).

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: RyanPaulShaffer
That is a pretty good price! Did you have to get rebates to get that price? Did it include any kind of warranty?

*Edit* I'm guessing that AR means "After Rebates". If that's the case, how much did you have to get in rebates? I'm not a big fan in rebates...companies have a tendancy to "forget" them or take 6 months to get them to you. :thumbsdown:

Well, yeah, it can take awhile. BUT, it's from Office Depot. And OD has been pretty good in the past about getting rebates to you in a few months. Rebates are not all that bad if: you follow instructions, make copies, and spend the extra couple dollars to get certified mail. It was $100 Instant Rebate, and $250 MIR spread over three rebates. Two from OD and one from HP. I have no doubt in my mind that I'll get them.

Heck, even IF I don't the laptop came out to $867. Still not bad.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: lein
Do you have a link? Deal looks good, but I cant find it on the site. I guess it could be dead, but I hope it isnt =).

Go to Office Depot and configure one in their instore kiosk.

In the lower 48 it is the Compaq R4000...same computer with a compaq name. Just grab their flyer, enter in the base configuration code, and begin to customize.

 

[lein]

I went to Office Depot, however my price was a little higher - $740. Oh well, I bought a V2000z online; didnt get charged tax and got a student discount. I decided against buying the R4000 because it is around 3lbs heavier. Hopefully I will be able to switch out the ML processor with a MT.

 

[jcwagers]

I'm typing this on the Compaq model that is practically identical to the computer that you're looking at. This has been a very solid machine so far. The only differences are that I configured mine with 1gb of ram, an 80gb 5400rpm drive, and I didn't do any extra warranty yet. The brightview is something that I really like but the best bet is to look at some of the laptops in Office Depot(if that's where you're going to order from) and see whether or not the brightview option appeals to you. I thought it was well worth the money.
I would suggest going for at least 512mb of ram if not 1gb. These machines seem to be very picky on the ram that they will work with according to the zv6000 forums. The expensive stuff seems to work but it might be cheaper to just configure it with the amount of ram that you want to begin with. As far as warranty goes, you have 1 year to begin with and you can upgrade that warranty through Office Depot within either 2 weeks or 1 month(I can't remember which it is) before your 1 year warranty expires. If you are a bit strapped on cash now, you might wait a bit to do the extra warranty.
Also, the price that you are getting isn't bad but you might check the Compaq R4000(which is what I have) as well. They usually flipflop on the prices and one week the HP will be cheaper and the next the Compaq will be. Office Depot usually varies their rebates every few weeks so you might check in and see what the best rebate you can get will be.
The 128mb Xpress 200m graphics do a nice job for the money. There is one thing that I need to mention to you now. If you are a hardcore gamer, THIS WILL NOT CUT IT FOR YOU. It will run most games fairly well. I can run UT2k4 at 800x600 and average 60fps or higher for the most part. Newer games like HL2 and especially Doom3....I wouldn't count on them being very playable. For the occasional game of something the age of UT2k4 or older, the graphics will be fine.
The best place to go to find out answers about these laptops is ZV6000 Forums There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on that site and they are willing to help. I would also note that this laptop is rather heavy at around 8 lbs. If you are going to be carrying it a lot, I hope you like a workout. If not, you might want to check out a different laptop. Good luck with your purchase and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me or reply.

jc