gotta240

I'm buying an hp laptop tomorrow on black friday. Couple questions.

For someone who only uses a laptop for pics/music/reports/searching, how much Memory and how large of a hard drive is TOO MUCH?

In other words, is it a TOTAL waste of money to spend 700 bucks on an HP DV6-2088DX with 8GB memory, 500GB hard drive, and AMD Turion 2 Dual core Processor M500.

Is such large memory/hard drive retarded for my application? Will it serve any purpose?

Would it be better to pay 100 less for the EXACT same laptop but with 6GB memory and 320GB hard drive?

Again, sorry for so many questions.. Just dont want to buy something stupid tomorrow after waiting in line for 4 hours.
THANKS!!!!

1sik240sx

Minimum requirements I would look for based on what you have told me:

2 GB or ram
160 GB HDD
Dual-core processor
64-bit based operating system (for future expansion of more than 3gb of ram)

Vista and Win. 7 were not "optimized" to run on sigle-core based CPUS, meaning stay away from anything that doesn't advertise "dual-core." A lot of Black Friday "specials" include computers with such specifications, so keep your eye out.

No need to spend a lot of money on something that will be out-dated in a few weeks anyway. Unless you need a laptop for a certain criteria like gaming, or graphic design, buying a more simple all around computer would probably be the best for you.

I would also look into a portable hard drive to keep your music on. I have 200+ GB of music and would rather keep that separate from my 2 laptops that I own. It keeps your laptop free from "clutter" as I call it.

There is a lot of info that is left out to keep it concise. If you need anymore help from me, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Thanks,

Kyle

NINJASPY

depends on os you are getting. xp can only see 3 gigs of memory.
anything over 4gigs is overkill on a laptop.
laptop hard drives and the batteries/charger are the first things to usually go out(about 1-3years).
laptop hard drives come in 4800rpm and 5400rpm. its usually the slowest thing on any computer.

don't get amd, the battery life, heat issues, and slower speed suck in comparison to intel chips. cpu won't matter too much if you dont play games etc.

get a laptop with a nvidia or geforce stand alone card if you plan to play any games, but power usage slightly higher.

my personal preference-
1. good cpu, intel
2. good gpu, for games
3. good monitor, with no dead pixels, high resolution 1920x1080 or 1680x720(720p?)(whatever one step lower than 1080was)
4. good warranty/return policy, some places charge restocking fee for returns on laptops, and some need minimum dead pixels for you to warranty them.

experience- I bought a acer laptop, had 6 dead pixels, warranty for that model only covered 7 or more. Lucky I got it at best buys which accepted the return with no problems. If I had gotten it at circuit city, it would have cost me 15-20% restocking fee.

gotta240

So basically, i should pay $600 for the 6gb/320gb and NOT spend $700 for the 8gb/500gb? That extra 100 bucks is a total waste?

Also, is that a great deal on the DV6-22066dx for $600 or am i wasting 5 hours standing in line to get a mediocor deal? Is the AMD really that bad? Should i get an HP laptop with Intel instead? Even if it has like 4gb/320gb for the same price? Again, sorry for all the questions, i'm computer retarded and trying to buy one on sale tomorrow.

1sik240sx

100 dollars saved is worth it. IMO

ronmcdon

$100 isn't a bad deal per say for the extra ram & hd space.
just depends on what you want & what you can afford.

anton1o

Hey mate,

From what ive read your just an average PC user, even if you throw playing games into the mix theres nothing to far off it, the main thing that changes Average to Advanced is if you get into photoshop of video editing which requires a bit more CPU/Graphics, Them specs are fine, id opt for the more RAM & HDD for the $100, if its comming with 8GB ram its 64bit and 500gb is a nice amount if your storing videos/pics etc.

Any q's just pop me a PM i work in I.T but in AUS so timezone is a lil wack

NINJASPY

I would say that 100 is wasted for +2gb and +180gb hd.
If you don't play games and don't use photoshop etc, you will NEVER see any memory usage over 3-4 gb unless you never turn your computer off and run 20+ programs at one time.

I'd take the the intel and 4gb over amd and 6gb, the bottle neck is at the hard drive and processor, not at the memory(unless its slow)

again... battery life... does that matter to you? just by switching from amd to intel chip you will see about 30minutes more play time per charge.

gotta240

You guys are incredibly awesome. Thanks for actually reading my posts!!!!!

I'm basically using this as a primary computer so it can be connected to a power source almost always. (meaning battery life and super small size doesnt matter much) I DO NEED a laptop however because i basically live in two cities which I am always traveling between and would like to just take my computer to both locations.

Ok, so it seems like everyone agrees that i wont need more than 4gb/320gb for average computer usage/storing pics/music. RIGHT? I will NEVER EVER EVER use it for games.

I am willing to spend as much as necessary for QUALITY. However, i am a total computer idiot and dont want to throw money away if not needed.

Is the AMD vs INTEL a HUGE deal even if the laptop is always plugged in? Worth waiting for?

Again, thank you guys sincerely for the elaborate/computer-idiot friendly replies!

anton1o

Id still spend the extra $100 on the Ram and HDD, its a laptop so if you were wanted more HDD space you would need to wip that entire HDD out and put in a larger version, you couldn't just as per a PC put in another HDD and increase space.

Intel over AMD, AMD has lost its game and are not like there were a few years ago.

If your on a tight budget the HDD/RAM wont be all that needed, and they wont cause a major downfall of the PC the main factor of it will be the CPU itself and not extra 2GB ram or 180GB extra hdd space.

ronmcdon

Well it depends how much music, pics, and other media space you might need.
that $100 might be better spent on an external hd.
would also serve as a back-up drive in a way.
that's what I would do, if I were the OP.

silverarrow27

32 bit XP is able to detect 3.5 gig of ram. 64 bit will handle a lot more depending on motherboard as well.

As for laptop hard drives, SSD all the way.

__________________
72 240z *project* / 07 Versa *Daily Driver*

M11's

hp's are legit and cheap. got my pavillion for 800. 220 gb harddrive and 3 gb memory. Dual core at 2.2 ghz. think it is only 32 bit tho idk. Check the processor speed over anything. the fastest i have seen in a laptop is 3.0. which would fly through the internet.

silverarrow27

Half true, as you need good ram for a fast processor. You can still have a fast processor with bare minimum amount of ram and be slow as shit.

And if you have the choice, Core 2 Duo over dual core. Higher fsb.

__________________
72 240z *project* / 07 Versa *Daily Driver*

Vision Garage

well the core 2 duo will be way to expensive for his price range. For a desktop computer it can be come but for a laptop he would have to look into 800 range.

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gotta240

Ok guys, i made the purchase!!!! Let me know HONESTLY how i did....


dv6-2066dx

AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile Processor M500 (2.2GHz, 1MB Cache)
320gb hard drive
6144mb DDR2 SDRAM
Windows 7
Webroot spysweeper/antivirus free for 1 year

Good? Bad?

Then i got microsoft office for 70 bucks. Good? Bad?

Thanks guys!

Oh yeah, do i need to get a GOOD hdmi cable? Will it make a damn bit of difference for hooking my ecu up to my innexpensive 46" flatscreen for movies, browsing internet?

SimpleS14

How much did you pay? (if you don't mind saying)

The specs are more than enough for your needs. As for the Microsoft Office, I'm indifferent...I hope you got all the Office essentials in that suite.

As for the HDMI cable, you will not notice a difference. I bought my cable from Newegg for $9 shipped and I have it connected from my computer to my TV. I'm thinking about getting another one for my PS3 just to simplify the wires behind the TV.

This is the cable I got: Newegg.com - Rosewill 6 ft. HDMI Cable Model RC-6-HDMI-MM-BK - Cables

I've read AMDs run a bit hotter than Intels, but I can't confirm yet since my last HP laptop had an AMD. I bought another used HP laptop, but this time with an Intel CPU...so I will be able to confirm this or not by then.

__________________
Goals are dreams with a deadline.
MA240SX
L.H.O.O.Q.

94cc0rd

Looks like a decent purchase.

Check out HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! for super cheap HDMI cables.

As far as I know, you won't be able to tell the difference with those $100 HDMI cables and the cheap ones..

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gotta240

Haha. CRAP!!! Forgot the most important part! It was $600 bucks prior to tax for just the laptop. Is that an OK deal? Was holding out worth the price or did I just pay the usual?


The office pack comes with
Word 2007
Excel 2007
PowerPoint 2007
OneNote 2007

Should i return it? Is there something better? It was about half price at 70 bucks.

THANKS!!!!!

Edit- Thanks for the HDMI advice too. I purchased an HDMI at best buy for 50 bucks(half price) that was only 4ft long. Everyone there SWORE by it. They said there was NO comparison to the cheap cables....

Then I went to costco and found a 2 pack of 12foot hdmi cables for 30 bucks and got those too. After hearing your guys NON BIASED opinions, i think i'll just return the expensive one. Besides, the 12' lenght should allow me to sit on the couch with laptop in hand if need be.

SimpleS14

I'm going to be 100% honest with you when I say this....

For your requirements, you paid as usual. The only thing that stands out as a good deal versus another comparable HP is the memory, but your need for 6GB memory is not there.

The same laptop with 4GB of ram and ATI video chipset can be had off HP Direct for $580 shipped using a $20 off coupon code.

Please don't have any buyer's remorse lol you still got a good laptop without waiting days for it and $20 is not going to kill you.

As for the HDMI cable from Best Buy...OF COURSE they are going to swear by it. They sell accessories like that at a premium, it's crazy profit for them. Laptops, not so much..I know someone that works there and he can't even get discounts on laptops.

As for the copy of Office, yea....once again you paid as usual. The same suite can be had for $65 shipped from NewEgg: Newegg.com - Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Licensed for 3 PCs - Business & Finance

__________________
Goals are dreams with a deadline.
MA240SX
L.H.O.O.Q.

silverarrow27

Pulled the words right out of my mouth.

__________________
72 240z *project* / 07 Versa *Daily Driver*

gotta240

cool. Thanks for the honesty! I'm kinda glad you say the one i got is too much for what i need. I say this because i ALMOST bought the SAME EXACT laptop for 100 bucks more with the 8g/500g. But now i feel better knowing what i have is retarded. lol.

So is microsoft office worth the 70 bucks? Is there any other program i can use for writing reports? Or that i NEED?

THANKS!!!!!

ps-that hdmi bullshit 50dollar cable is going back...

Vision Garage

good purchase. You wont need to upgrade anything on it for a few years! Have fun and lay off the pron. Dont wanna see a thread about how you got a billion viruses!

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gotta240

Haha. Will do. Thanks!!