HP Zv6000

[brianstretch]

It does sound like a very nice chipset, and the 128MB dedicated memory version (yes, my initial pessimistic guess was wrong, HP's site was right) ought to be a nice low-end solution... but is it so freakin' difficult to put in a card slot for a high-end Radeon X600 in a full-size notebook? This isn't ATI's fault, this is purely HP's decision. ATI has a nice mini PCIe slot design for just this purpose. I was looking forward to having an excuse to buy a new toy and HP dashed my hopes [V]. The Radeon 200M integrated GPU was intended for thin-and-lights where there's no room for a high-end GPU and its required cooling system.

[postal]

I remember the Dell 6000 started off like this - integrated only. Maybe by mid-april may they'll give an ugprade option, then again the best upgrade option the dell 6000 got was an x300.

[MrSumbody]

quote:

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Originally posted by brianstretch
[br]It does sound like a very nice chipset, and the 128MB dedicated memory version (yes, my initial pessimistic guess was wrong, HP's site was right) ought to be a nice low-end solution... but is it so freakin' difficult to put in a card slot for a high-end Radeon X600 in a full-size notebook? This isn't ATI's fault, this is purely HP's decision. ATI has a nice mini PCIe slot design for just this purpose. I was looking forward to having an excuse to buy a new toy and HP dashed my hopes [V]. The Radeon 200M integrated GPU was intended for thin-and-lights where there's no room for a high-end GPU and its required cooling system.

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Well, for someone like myself who doesn't want to lug around HP's top-of-the-line notebook, the zd8000, which was designed for those who want everything in a computer, but don't want to sacrifice desk space, the zv6000 is perfect. I'm sure it was designed with those of us in mind who travel and love to play fast paced PC games, such as FarCry, Ghost Recon, Max Payne, Brothers in Arms, etc, as well as watch movies and surf the internet. This new GPU should allow me to play such games that take up a lot of memory for the high-end graphics, as opposed to this laptop's predecessor, which I had until I saw this model.

I paid over $1800 with all of the customizations, so this notebook better be worth it!

By the way, everyone, you all are forgetting one thing about all of HP's notebooks. The one thing that stands out the most amongst all other notebook PCs: the speakers. Those Harmon Kardon speakers have some brass b___s compared to other notebook PCs. I was taken back when I heard them for the first time. In fact, I must admit... they are the first reason why I chose a Hewlett Packard laptop.

[anomaly]

Well I agree with you there MrSumbody, if that's the usage you have planned for your notebook, then the Zv6000 is probably the perfect choice for you.

Just out of curiosity what customization options did you select to get the price up to $1800?

I have decided to get the HP ZV6000 myself and I have a few questions about HP, I wanted to know if anyone could answer.

1)Does HP bill you the full cost at the moment of the order or does it pop up sometime after ordering and before shipping?
2)Can the dvd drive be changed aftermarket? and if not
3)Can you make changes to the order, or do you have to cancel the order and then order again with the desired changes?

The reason I am asking is because I wanted to know if I can order the zv6000 now with the dvd burner and then if HP should release it with a dual dvd burner before it ships, I can then upgrade the drive to the dual burner.

I wanted the dual dvd burner, but I also want to get the laptop as soon as possible and I was hoping that doing this would cut down the delivery time especially seeing its already a month away at best.

[MrSumbody]

quote:

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Originally posted by anomaly
[br]Well I agree with you there MrSumbody, if that's the usage you have planned for your notebook, then the Zv6000 is probably the perfect choice for you.

Just out of curiosity what customization options did you select to get the price up to $1800?

I have decided to get the HP ZV6000 myself and I have a few questions about HP, I wanted to know if anyone could answer.

1)Does HP bill you the full cost at the moment of the order or does it pop up sometime after ordering and before shipping?
2)Can the dvd drive be changed aftermarket? and if not
3)Can you make changes to the order, or do you have to cancel the order and then order again with the desired changes?

The reason I am asking is because I wanted to know if I can order the zv6000 now with the dvd burner and then if HP should release it with a dual dvd burner before it ships, I can then upgrade the drive to the dual burner.

I wanted the dual dvd burner, but I also want to get the laptop as soon as possible and I was hoping that doing this would cut down the delivery time especially seeing its already a month away at best.

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The only upgrades that increased the price for me were a 60 GB HDD, 1.0 GB of DDR SDRAM, the 15.4" WXGA Brightview Widescreen (1280 x 800), AMD Athlon 64 3500+ and choosing the 128MB GPU instead of the 32MB version. Plus an extra battery. The only thing I really don't need, but do not have the option of leaving it out, is the Microsoft Works/Money software. I'm not a white collar business man who works in an office. However, though, I have the choice to not install it. But it still adds to the price, which bothers me.

I can answer your first and second questions.

I think what you're asking is as soon as you finalize your order will you see it immediately or the next day. It's all instantaneous, anomaly. For example, I chose to place my order over the phone, but at the same time I gauged my customization decisions by following along on the website, using my desktop PC. As soon as the order was finalized over the phone within 10 seconds--I kid you not--it was up on the status screen. And about a minute to two minutes later an e-mail was sent to me with detailed information on my order.

If you're asking about a delay with the order showing up on your card, there is no delay. It's instantaneous as well. Keep in mind, though, you are required to use a credit card.

Your second question can be asked over the phone with a technical support representative, who, I should add, will be in India. So, listen closely or you'll constantly be asking for him/her to repeat what they just said. [] However, I am almost sure changing out the disc drive isn't as easy as you may think. I attempted to remove the bottom of my first HP laptop, but even with all of the screws removed I still couldn't pull it off without breaking it. (I was curious as to whether there was an available PCI slot on the motherboard.)

Lastly, once your order is finalized and charged to your card you cannot make any changes. You'll have to send the notebook back to HP and reorder a new one with the changes.

[brianstretch]

Changing the optical drive doesn't require disassembling the notebook. There are two screws securing the optical drive sled in place. Remove those and it slides out. You'll see what to do from there. That's with the zv5000 series, I'd guess that the zv6000 is no different.

[Allsop1386]

Question for you guys. I am a college bound senior and i am trying to find a good notebook. I want to be able to play atleast Hafe-life 2, sid miers Pirates, and counter-strike source. I was wondering if this zv6000 could support all of this. If it could then what specs would i have to upgrade? i was atleast thinking 512 ram 128 video and atholn 64 3200. if this computer can not handle those games what notebook would be best and still affordable? also what are some cons of the zv6000? does it get too hot?

thanks

[brianstretch]

The 128MB dedicated video version should run all of those well. Valve's software is very good about scaling itself to fit whatever hardware you have and especially ATI GPUs. Even the nVidia GeForce 440 Go in the zv5000z plays HL2 smoothly (just without the eye candy, the zv6000 won't have that problem so much). If you want to play Doom3 at 1280x800 res with full detail... that would be a problem. I would bet on Valve getting 64-bit versions of their games out this year, so you'll definitely want an Athlon 64 notebook.

The zv6000 should run cooler than the zv5000z, which runs cooler than a P4 notebook. The specs you listed are about right. I'd consider 1GB RAM, the 12 cell battery (you can never have too much battery), and definitely get Bluetooth (because you can't add it later).

[MrSumbody]

quote:

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Originally posted by Allsop1386
[br]Question for you guys. I am a college bound senior and i am trying to find a good notebook. I want to be able to play atleast Hafe-life 2, sid miers Pirates, and counter-strike source. I was wondering if this zv6000 could support all of this. If it could then what specs would i have to upgrade? i was atleast thinking 512 ram 128 video and atholn 64 3200. if this computer can not handle those games what notebook would be best and still affordable? also what are some cons of the zv6000? does it get too hot?

thanks

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brianstretch is right. The 6000's predecessor couldn't even load up FarCry for me, so with the new 200M and 128MB of dedicated memory it should have no problem with FarCry and similar graphically enhanced games, such as HL2. I stated in my post above that this notebook is ideal for people like me who want portability, as well as performance for games and movies. The zd8000 doesn't offer portability; it's designed to replace the desktop (weighs over 9 lbs. compared to the zv6000, which weighs a little over 7 lbs.).

[MrSumbody]

quote:

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Originally posted by brianstretchdefinitely get Bluetooth (because you can't add it later).

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Actually, brian, you can. In the form of a USB adapter. They're pretty cool, you know. Just pop it into your USB port and you have instant bluetooth. Hell! They even have a USB sound card. These things are similar to a USB micro drive. Here's the link: http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Bluetooth.html