Wow, I missed a lot of discussions here
😉 A lot has been said, so let me just summarize my recommendations based on what has been said here:
First, go into a retail store like BBY and check out a 15" XGA laptop (they have some HP's and gateway's with 15" XGA 1024x768). It is exactly like using a 15" CRT, as they had 1024x768. I personally HATE it. There's no room to view web pages, you're constantly scrolling, can't have more than 1 window in view at a time. A 14" XGA is a little better, but still sucks.
Also, at BBY there should be an HP dv1000 with the 14" WXGA screen @ 1280x768. The 14" widescreens have more pixels in a small physical space than a 15" XGA, giving you a higher resolution. My gf has a dv1000 and I actually don't mind using it. It has decent desktop real estate. You do have to scroll vertically more since it is a widescreen, but you can have several windows open at once and not feel like everything is extraordinarily cluttered.
I highly recommend checking out the screens before you buy.
The Brightview option isn't something I would say is a necessity. It does help with brightness and viewing in bright areas/sunlight, but of course comes with increased glare. Using a BrightView screen is like watching a glass TV in a room with bright lights; eventually you get used to the glare and train your eyes to focus through the glare and see the screen itself. This is not a big adjustment.
Now, as to the choice between the M2000z, the nx6125, and the Dell 6000.
First, the Dell 6000 is in a different category. It is larger and heavier, but not so horribly large that you won't be able to carry it. I got to set one of these up and was surprised at how thin it was for a 15.4". That said, I don't recommend it for portable use. A 14" widescreen is a MUCH better choice.
I have personally eliminated the Dell 6000 so I will focus on the HP models.
The M2000z does come out to a decent price, no doubt. But again, you have the 15" XGA issue. I hate it and wouldn't recommend it, but see for yourself. Also, HP's bottom line models (which are the M2000's right now) tend to not have as good build quality as the mid to high end ones. I know this because my gf had an HP ze4000(?) about 3 years ago. It was great for the money, but clearly did not have the build quality of higher end models. She too was okay with the 15" XGA, but since she has seen my 15" SXGA+ and using her new 14" WXGA dv1000 says she don't know how she stood the low resolution (Yes, she used the proper terms and everything, she's not an idiot when it comes to computers
😉).
You repeatedly asked what the nx6125 brings to the table besides the 3 year warranty. Here is a list for you:
*3 year warranty, with BUSINESS level support. This is VERY different from consumer level support. I don't know if HP's business support is outsourced as well, but generally you have faster phone answer times, faster turn-around times on repairs & part replacements, and overall better quality support.
*Integrated biometric security & bluetooh; this may not be a big deal to you, but is something the nx6125 offers; weigh this in importantance to you
*better build quality; I will be reviewing an nx6125 at some point, but I have heard from numerous other people that the build quality on the HP business notebooks is awesome; and personally I think the HP consumer notebooks are great build quality for the money, so the business line should be excellent
*15" SXGA+ option; this is a biggie in my opinion, but will drive the cost of the machine up.
I have personally eliminated the M2000z from this list due to my reasons above, so I will now discuss the nx6125 & an L2000/V2000z.
The nx6125 does offer better build quality and a 3 year warranty over the L2000/V2000z. To me the deal breaker is the 15" SXGA+ screen, which would be awesome. Here is the base config & price for a 15" SXGA+ nx6125:
HP Compaq Business Notebook nx6125
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
AMD Turion? 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz) processor
1024MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM (1 DIMM)
60GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
15-inch SXGA+ display
DVD +/- RW Drive (fixed)
56K High speed modem
10/100/1000 NIC
Broadcom 802.11a/b/g
Integrated Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion battery
Touchpad with Scroll Zone
3 year standard parts and labor
Li-Ion 8-Cell Common Travel Battery
$1528
To me, that is an INCREDIBLE machine for the money. Top notch build quality, 3 year warranty, biometric security, 15" SXGA+, 1GB RAM, 6-cell & 8-cell battery, THE WORKS. You have an open DIMM slot for more RAM later, a 5400RPM drive out of the box, etc. I just can't stress how good this is. If you have the money,
GET THIS. However, I understand price is always a factor
😉 Here is a reasonable L2000 configuration:
Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2 edit
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-28 (1.6GHz/512KB L2 Cache) edit
Display 14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768) edit
Graphics Card ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/productivity ports edit
Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB) edit
Hard Drive 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive edit
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive edit
Networking 54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth edit
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery edit
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money edit
HP extended service plans 2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan
$1067.99
That is also a great machine. The only thing it might be lacking for your needs is a DVDRW, which can be added for $50. If you have room in your budget at this price, upgrade the CPU or save money to add more RAM yourself. The 2x256 config does suck, it actually would be worth it to spend the extra $25 to upgrade to 1x512. Then you don't throw away a memory stick upgrading. Now, if the Livestrong graffiti isn't your thing, let's look at a Compaq V2000z
Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2 edit
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-28 (1.6GHz/512KB L2 Cache) edit
Display 14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768) edit
Graphics Card ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/productivity ports edit
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB) edit
Hard Drive 60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive edit
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive edit
Networking 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM) edit
Primary Battery 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery edit
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money edit
HP extended service plans 2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan edit
$1023.99
This is very comparable to the L2000. Again, you can spend $50 to get a DVDRW and another $50 to get 1x512MB. Yes, you could spend $45 on NewEgg and get 1x512 yourself to have 768 total. Keep in mind again you will have to dump that 1x256 if you want to upgrade memory later. For an idea, the Compaq V2000z should look JUST like the V2000 we reviewed
here.
One thing that may or may not matter to you is that for every purchase of an L2000, HP donates $50 to Lance Armstrong's Cancer Foundation. A worthy cause IMO, but to each his own.
nx6125 Advantages: 3 year warranty, build quality, SXGA+, fingerprint scanner, bluetooth, DVDRW
nx6125 Disadvantage: Heavier, less portable, more expensive
HP L2000 Advant: Most bang for your buck, 12-cell battery, benefit worthy cause
HP L2000 Disadvant: Livestrong writing all over it, a tad more expensive than the V2000z
Compaq V2000z Advant: Cheapest out of all three
Compaq V2000z Disadvant: 1x256MB
I hope this helps clear things up for you. These are all based on my opinions of the systems.
If it were me, I would buy the nx6125. But that is why I own a Thinkpad, I like the high quality top-notch stuff. From your perspective, I think the L2000 or M2000z is the way to go. They give you a great machine that is still portable for around $1000, WITH a 2 year warranty and 6+ hours of battery life.
