My Custom Laptop...

[tippmanntank85]

ok so I'm not a hardcore gamer by any means, but I've decided to buy a custom laptop for college. I've done my pricing and have decided to go with an HP Pavillion laptop. btw if you've got a really big reason why I shouldn't go with HP (besides that it's not a mac ;) ) I'm all ears. But for now, here's what I'm considering, and I'm interested in hearing what you think. (ie is Media Center Edition worth it?)

HP Pavillion dv5000t series
Basic Model (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=dv5000t_series&catLevel=3&category=notebooks/hp_pavilion/dv5000_series&storeName=computer_store)
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 1.83 GHz
15.4" BrightView Widescreen
Graphics Card: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 7400
Memory: 1 GB DDR2
80 GB Hard Drive
DVD-CD-RW Combo Drive

That's the main stuff. Adds up to about an even $1020. (As a comparison, a Dell with the same specs runs $1120, and a Macbook $1250)
Worth the grand? Can I do better for the price?

[Lt.bird]

Personally I would pay the extra $200 in a heartbeat just for the superior software that the Macbook provides. Thats not my usual Mac vs. PC bias either, just pure fact.
Anyways, not bad though. I'd say it's worth the grand.

[tippmanntank85]

Yeah, I would probably agree, but I guess I decided I wouldn't have enough need for the software, but that's just my preference

[Ov3RBliK1]

Since you're not a really hardcore gamer, some of that seems kind of unneccesary, such as the gig of RAM and the graphics card. If you play games occassionally I can understand but if not you could save some money by going with a laptop that has onboard graphics. 512MB of RAM should be enough also, but that is a pretty good setup if you want to pay for it. I would probably buy that if I wanted a laptop. As for Media Center, I haven't heard that much about it but unless you're gonna be doing a lot of stuff with music and video you should just go with XP. Nice stuff there though. Liking the dual core.

[tippmanntank85]

yeah jury's still out on the XP Media Center... it seems more geared for TV, but I will be doing a lot with DVDs and Pictures, so I'm wondering if for only $30 it's worth it. I would agree some stuff is definitely a little over the top... nice thing is because I'm working online for my dad's company in college, they are springing for a good chunk of it, so I figured I might throw in a little graduation money, and hopefully save myself a bit of upgrading in the future! (but with the way technology is advancing the need might not be too far away). Don't want to go overkill, but want to get 'er done right the first time :P

Would that extra RAM/graphics help with DVDs? I might sacrifice for a lower graphics card in place of a larger HD, or maybe lower both the RAM and graphics and get a faster processor... does the RAM complement the processor? haha too many stupid decisions lol... whose idea was this to create custom laptops? outrageous...

[sp8freak]

try very hard to find unix or linux computers. Unix makes military software but their computers caust 2kilo. The unix software causts 400 to 800 dollers. They make the best computers youll find, besides the voodoo wich causts 4k. Unix had the tech to make the ipod ten years ago and linux helped make the software for the xbox. No matter the price. Both computers are definetly worth it no matter the caust. So dont get the stupid hp. Those arnt the best of laptops anyway.

[tyguy2021]

[quote]
yeah jury's still out on the XP Media Center... it seems more geared for TV, but I will be doing a lot with DVDs and Pictures, so I'm wondering if for only $30 it's worth it. I would agree some stuff is definitely a little over the top... nice thing is because I'm working online for my dad's company in college, they are springing for a good chunk of it, so I figured I might throw in a little graduation money, and hopefully save myself a bit of upgrading in the future! (but with the way technology is advancing the need might not be too far away). Don't want to go overkill, but want to get 'er done right the first time :P

Would that extra RAM/graphics help with DVDs? I might sacrifice for a lower graphics card in place of a larger HD, or maybe lower both the RAM and graphics and get a faster processor... does the RAM complement the processor? haha too many stupid decisions lol... whose idea was this to create custom laptops? outrageous...
250538
[/quote
The extra ram won't realy help play dvds. Yes ram complements the processor. To make it extra easy for you get the mac. You may be able to comepare a mac/pc's hard ware side by side but them you get to the os. Then there is no compareison.

Get the mac unless you like and want at least one of the following

spyware
addware
virises
hackers
not being able to use mac software
downlowding lots of annoying drivers
Id theft

hope this helps you come the the write conclution.

[Ov3RBliK1]

Originally posted by tippmanntank85@Jun 24 2006, 10:59 PM
yeah jury's still out on the XP Media Center... it seems more geared for TV, but I will be doing a lot with DVDs and Pictures, so I'm wondering if for only $30 it's worth it. I would agree some stuff is definitely a little over the top... nice thing is because I'm working online for my dad's company in college, they are springing for a good chunk of it, so I figured I might throw in a little graduation money, and hopefully save myself a bit of upgrading in the future! (but with the way technology is advancing the need might not be too far away). Don't want to go overkill, but want to get 'er done right the first time* :P

Would that extra RAM/graphics help with DVDs? I might sacrifice for a lower graphics card in place of a larger HD, or maybe lower both the RAM and graphics and get a faster processor... does the RAM complement the processor? haha too many stupid decisions lol... whose idea was this to create custom laptops? outrageous...
250538

Yeah I agree with you on being prepared on not having to worry about upgrading for a while, it's always a good idea. RAM makes most things run faster because it is where memory is stored for quicker access rather than the CPU, and you're processor should be fast enough unless you want to bring it up (or over) 2GHz that's up to you. I think that'll do fine for now. One of the things I was thinking earlier though was you might want to cut down a little on RAM/Graphics and get a larger HD such as 120GB or something since it sounds like this will be more for work than play. It's all up to you though, those are just some things to consider, custom building is a pain but hey it lets you get what you want. :)

[CodeMA]

Hmmm... Id say your pretty much right on the money with the orignal specs(1gig DDR2, 7400go)

1 Gig of memory is pretty much the new standard, you cant go wrong with it even for everyday tasks...

The video card, as well, is when it comes to rendering anything(ala: Video, Pictures, etc.) and just wouldnt hurt all the way around eather with the prices as low as they are currently...

The laptops deffently worth the money and should serve your genral needs at college well...

[tippmanntank85]

Thanks for the input guys... it's been a big help.

I think I'm getting rid of the XP Media Center and GeForce 7400, and going with a 100 GB HD, 2.0 GHz Core Duo, and the 1 GB RAM. I think the graphics card would have been overkill, but the rest should all be beneficial immediately, and down the road as well.

btw... I appreciate you guys advising me on the Mac, but honestly I've done my research and know all the benefits of a Mac, but I've chosen this way instead, for a few reasons (since some people I've talked to can't comprehend why I could go PC in face of the facts... I agree it's not an easy decision)... but one reason is business. We do a lot of work with Word, Excel, and Access... you can buy the first 2 with Mac versions, but not Access. Plus I save $150 by being able to use the Office copy that the business provides. The simpler OS would be nice, but I have no problems with getting around my computer, and my antivirus and spyware software has worked great. So yeah... I think Mac's would be a great choice for a normal buyer, but not in my case

B) ?

[Lt.bird]

One word in the Mac's defense: Bootcamp.

[paintballerking]

How much ram did yo comp have before u put anything in it?

[Ov3RBliK1]

Originally posted by Lt.bird@Jun 25 2006, 11:44 PM
One word in the Mac's defense: Bootcamp.
251309

Haha :P

[CodeMA]

Anyway, just to throw this in:

Media Center= Prettied up version of XP home... just so your aware ;)

[tippmanntank85]

Originally posted by Lt.bird+Jun 25 2006, 11:44 PM-->One word in the Mac's defense: Bootcamp.
251309
[/b]

haha yeah... although I like Mac's OS better than Windows, so I don't think I would want to compromise! Seems stupid to spring for the Mac and then run it like a PC, unless your just going for the reliability.

<!--QuoteBegin-CodeMA@Jun 26 2006, 02:24 PM
Anyway, just to throw this in:

Media Center= Prettied up version of XP home... just so your aware ;)
251571


[EDIT]: So I've heard... it sounded cool at first but it seems a waste of $$ if I'm not going to be watching and saving massive TV...

[tippmanntank85]

hmmm... I'm wondering if I can copy the program files for Microsoft Office from my old computer and install them on the laptop (I lost the installation CD :( )... think it'll work :huh:

[Less]

Originally posted by Lt.bird@Jun 24 2006, 02:38 AM
Personally I would pay the extra $200 in a heartbeat just for the superior software that the Macbook provides. Thats not my usual Mac vs. PC bias either, just pure fact.
Anyways, not bad though. I'd say it's worth the grand.
249887

No. Don't get a sh!tty Mac.

[ddawg23213]

lt. bird is probably going to kill you now, so nice knowing you... even though i don't know you