First of all that is a awesome notebook and HPs are pretty good. BUT!... You should take a look at the Dell Inspiron 9300. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=i9300S1&s=dhs
That has a pentium M processor. Even though its 1.6GHz (You can get up to 2.0) It actually performs as good as a pentium 4 3.0GHz. It also has the option for a Nvidia GeForce 6800 go!!! That is about the best mobile GPU you can get. Its 2x as good at the ATi x600 (which is good too). Also but what you really need to know is they had a 8 day deal where if you enter this coupon "PG4C$S21G58WSF" while in the shopping cart section, it will take off $800!!!
So you can get a 17in screen, 1.6GHz Pentium M, 1GB of RAM, 256mb Nvidia 6800 Go, the longer lasting 5-6 hour battery (The ZD8000 get 1 hour), a cd burner- dvd combo, a 100GB hard drive, and many other little things suck as a built in subwoofer for $1,400... no THAT is a steal. I suggest you hurry... that deal ENDS TODAY! I really really wanted to get that notebook but unfortunetly my mom was unable to get the money in time.
If you are unable to get that the ZD8000 is still a very nice notebook. The only thing not good about it really is its processor that creates too much heat and noise (3 fans!). Also because its not a mobile processor and it 2.8GHz, it only gets a 1 hour battery life.
I am just about to make my final decision on which notebook to purchase. So, far HP's zd8000 looks very promising. I will customize it so that it comes with: 100 gig HD, 1 gig of ram, & 256mb ATI x600 as the most noteable features under the hood. All of this for nearly 2 grand, which is a steal, comparing to what I was going to buy before which was 2700.
Btw, I must add that I finally saw an "XBrite" screen today. Wow, my intial comment was "amazing". What other screen technologies use this great feature and are there CONS to this screen? (for e.g. it's bad for games, etc.)
So, could I get anyone's opinion on this big purchase as this will be my first notebook buy! Or am I looking in a completely wrong direction and HP is not the way to go?
~Thank you in advance for your inputs!

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