OT: YACHT

[terpkristin]

Or, Yet Another Computer Help Thread

I'm buying a new laptop. It's going to be a HP since I got approved for their credit and it's 90 days no payments, no interest. If you recall this post I made, it's beyond time that I got a new laptop. I have no room in my place for a desktop, so it's not an option.

The primary function of the laptop, aside from the normal things I do like surfing FOFC and doing picture maintenance and mp3 crap will be to play FM2006.

Surfing at HPshopping.com, I see I can get a dv4000 laptop fully loaded for about the same price as the zd8000 laptop spec'd out like I want.

The primary differences are:
dv4000: 2.13 GHz Pentium M
6.6 lbs
15" widescreen

zd8000: 3.0 GHz Pentium 4
9.3 lbs
17" widescreen

Either of these beasts will be miles above my current computer. Normally, I'd say that the zd8000 seems like a no-brainer, but what makes me nervous is that it has the P4. IIRC, the P4 is "designed for" desktops, while the PM is the equivalent of the P4 optimized for laptops. The optimization for laptops makes me think that it might be better. I mean, I've had numerous probems with my computer overheating in general, and I wonder if the P4 will be prone to that.

I'm itching to hit the "buy" button so advice "quickly" would be muchly appreciated. TIA!

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

i have a zv5000 that is maybe like...a year old, and I've never once had a problem with it to the point where it overheats and shuts off. I do keep it elevated on one of those "travel pads" though.

oh yeah, and the zv5000 has a P4 chip. i think the usefulness of the PM chip is also that it is optomized for better battery life for laptops in terms of trimming excess processing cycles and power conservation and things like that (useful if you are going to have your laptop unplugged for hours and hours on end, but not so much for me).

[finkenst]

i have the zv5340 (AMD 3400) HP laptop. I've had it for 11 months. THe only application that makes it HOT is fm2005..

just make clear to keep all the ventilation and fan areas clear and clean, kristin.



==tim

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i have a zv5000 that is maybe like...a year old, and I've never once had a problem with it to the point where it overheats and shuts off. I do keep it elevated on one of those "travel pads" though.

oh yeah, and the zv5000 has a P4 chip. i think the usefulness of the PM chip is also that it is optomized for better battery life for laptops in terms of trimming excess processing cycles and power conservation and things like that (useful if you are going to have your laptop unplugged for hours and hours on end, but not so much for me).

Which travel pad do you use?
I was considering getting one of those regardless, and wasn't sure if there were any that worked or if it was just a gimmick.

/tk

[jeff061]

Well a PentiumM 2.13 is probably equal to or faster than a P4 3.0, and it consumes less power. I'd have to find some benchmarks to confirm this, but M's run faster mhz to mhz. It also consumes less power and will net you a longer battery life.

I'd say the only reason to get the zd8000 is if you want a larger screen.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Which travel pad do you use?
I was considering getting one of those regardless, and wasn't sure if there were any that worked or if it was just a gimmick.

/tk

just a straight Targus Travelpad. not one of the gimmicky ones with fans or anything. jeff is right, the M's do consume less power, as for mhz to mhz testing I could never find anything conclusive (i did research before buying this) and it seemed like the speed was basically a wash.

i wouldn't base it on the processor though, since they're both intel and relatively high-end. Base your decision on screen size, HD size, RAM included, optical drives...stuff like that.

[jeff061]

In this review:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_cont...id=gmso&page=4

It shows a 2.0ghz mobile winning some and losing some benchmarks to a 3.2ghz P4.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by jeff061

In this review:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_cont...id=gmso&page=4

It shows a 2.0ghz mobile winning some and losing some benchmarks to a 3.2ghz P4.

exactly. win some...loose some. basically processor benchmarking is a bullshit-fest anyways. The numbers can be massaged to make either one come out looking like a winner. there really need to be more "standards" for processor benchmarking

[terpkristin]

Well, the 17" doesn't matter (both screens are Caddy's compared to my current situation).

Comparably customized, the prices are 1927 for 17" and 1941 for 15".

I know benchmarks can be tweaked, but I'm still at a loss for which one to get!
(the 2.5 lb difference may make a part of the difference, but the weight isn't my biggest concern).

...............

/tk

[sovereignstar]

I can relate with the 15-incher. There, get that one (the expert has spoken!).

[DaddyTorgo]

i can relate to the 17". mine is lovely.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i can relate to the 17". mine is lovely.

pics plz k thx

[MizzouRah]

If you don't mind a heavy laptop, get the zd8000. Gaming wise, I think it's the better choice.

Although the dv4000 is one of the top rated notebooks and will run a bit more efficent and quiet.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

pics plz k thx

.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

.

For some reason I was expecting a little different. Thought it would JUMP at me a little more.

[DaddyTorgo]

hey that's my laptop! actually i just snapped a pic on my phone camera (it's closest) and was going to upload and post it, but that's kinda silly

[jeff061]

Basically.

1: Smaller Screen, Lighter, longer battery life
2: Larger Screen, heavier, shorter battery life.

Depends on your priorities.

I haven't looked at the specs outside this post, I'm assuming the memory is the same?

[terpkristin]

Thank you! Your order has been placed

ORDER CONFIRMATION NUMBER: Online Order XXXXXXXX

11/05/2005, 16:06:52 PST

Thank you for placing your order with hpshopping.com. Your order has been approved. We will send an email confirmation to the following email address: [email protected]Note: if you are ordering a custom PC with a monitor or other peripherals, those items will ship separately.

I ended up going for the P4 computer, the ZD8000.

I am so happy to have a new toy!
Now it just needs to come!!!

/tk

[FrogMan]

congrats on the buy tk! Now, if they can only make WWSM available somewhere near, we may never see you again

For some reason, I thought this thread was gonna be about your dad's boat

FM