Need to order Laptop- input wanted PLEASE

10-06-07, 11:28 AM

My laptop is giving me fits (hp Compaq Presario v6000z) integrated wireless adapter keeps dropping (having to reinstall in safe mode on a regular basis) I have a couple other things to try but need another system to work on while I tinker with it (Warranty expired, although I did contact hp before it did…so I could send it away for repairs… but I ordered similar versions of laptop for twins…so they may end up with same problem….so I would really rather try to solve the problem on my own….or with hp email/phone support) Other things to try include changes to registry, BIOS, etc……which may take some time (more important DOWNTIME)

Anyway…looked at Dell…and Inspirion 1720 (desktop replacement, intel processor)…could have gone with 1721 (AMD processor)….but that’s what’s on the hp…and adding to my fits (so wanting to stay away from it)

Dell Inspiron 1720/1721 - Notebook

of course, I can’t settle on a featured one… so here is what I was looking at…. (first time through)...if I am going to get a new one...might as well get one I am happy with :)

PROCESSORIntel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache) (upgrade from Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition (upgrade for me..I’ve always had XP)
SYSTEM COLORMidnight Blue (upgrade from black; no cost difference; other colors white, brown, yellow, red, green, pink)
DISPLAYGlossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)(ant glare offered at no cost, but might delay ship date)
VIDEO CARD128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS (upgrade from Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100)
MEMORY2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHze (upgrade from 1GB4 Shared Dual Channel5 DDR2 at 667MHz)
HARD DRIVESize: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
OPTICAL DRIVECD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDSIntel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card (upgrade from Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card)
BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USBBuilt-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR) (added)
Built-in Wireless USB capability plus Belkin 4-port hub (added)
INTEGRATED WEBCAMNo Webcam Option
BATTERY OPTIONS56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
SOUND OPTIONSHigh Definition Audio 2.0

Software- can add Microsoft office home & student 2007 for $149, not a bad price

Thoughts or suggestions??

Appreciate the input! Need to order ASAP (not sure how long it will take to get it)

Susan

**radimus** · 10-06-07, 12:15 PM

1) Unless you actually NEED office, skip it and use Openoffice or similar free versions. $150.00 is a great price, but is unnecessary for most people. (you will have Outlook anyway)

2) the specs look fine, 2GB of ram is great. 320gb HD might be a bit excessive unless you feel like loading a bunch of video on it for travelling and such, but the value of going smaller is pretty negligible

3) One item I always liked was the optional second bay battery. I may occasionally use a CD, but I always use the laptop cordless if possible.

4) depending on how you normally work, a port replicator/dock is handy.

Personally, I always loved Dell laptops and desktops (except for the low end Dimension and Optiplex 2XX series, cheap crap). It is really hard to beat a Dell Laptop... I would however max out the warranty... anything that ever happens to a laptop would cover the cost of the warranty.

I'd also look at the Small Business Store instead of the Home store. Better prices on many items, but You might have to go with Latitudes instead of Inspiron... about the same.

Also go to Techbargains - dell coupons discount computer sale buy cheap digital camera cheap laptop Best Buy tech bargain - Techbargains.com and see if there are any coupons codes out for laptops, they usually come out every 2 or 3 weeks on Thursdays... Can usually save a few hundred bucks.

If you can wait 2 months, the Christmas sales start on Black Friday usually...

**Martin** · 10-06-07, 01:00 PM

What rad said, except

a) Anyone in your family at university? If so, you can grab Office 2007 Ultimate for $60. Has everything (Onenote, Publisher, Groove, etc, in addition to all the usual suspects).

10-06-07, 06:12 PM

Good thoughts! My oldest is at GA Tech.... hadn't thought of that! :)

I don't think my laptop will last until black friday :(

Susan

spunker88 · 10-06-07, 08:05 PM

Sounds like a good machine.

Just do what others said, try to get office as cheap as possible. There are so many ways to, and its not like the old days where they threw it in for nothing.
I got a basic version of office 97 free with an old pc back in the day.
You never see that anymore.

Have you tried a reformat/reinstall with the old laptop. And then reinstalling the latest drivers for your devices. A clean install should make everything good as new on a laptop as new as your old one is.

Julie · 10-06-07, 08:10 PM

I really love having an SD slot in my laptop. Makes it very convenient when transferring files back and forth between my computer and my pocket pc.

I also have a docking station and an extra power adapter. Since I take my laptop with me to school, it's nice to have the extra power adapter in my briefcase. I really love the docking station because my external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and backup drive stay attached to the docking station and makes it really easy.

10-11-07, 06:49 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and input. I am going to try and order something in the next day or two....

I'd really like to solve the problems on this laptop...but don't want to start trying anything until I have another way to get online (with a screen larger than my axim or Tilt)

Going to try a reformat/update (a restore did NOT solve the problem). I could always install another platform....

Thanks again

Susan