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General discussion

Trying to decide which comp to buy, please help!

Jan 20, 2005 4:55AM PST

Hi! I got a computer a few months ago from Costco, a Toshiba A65-S1762, it was a special that Toshiba made for them and they only had it like 2 weeks. Well I really have liked it, but do to a few problems I am taking it back (I still have one month on the return policy left). So I have been shopping around on there site (I think they have the best prices and security for comp. buyers) and have found a few that I really like. Currently my comp. has these specs...

$1299.99
Intel Pent. 4 Processor 3.2 GHz
512 MB
60 GB
DVD Super multi drive
15.4"
ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP, 64 MB shared (this has caused many prob.)
Atheros 802.11g wireless, 56K modem, 10/100 ethernet
XP Home
Works suite, 2003 Micro. Office

I think I covered everything. So I'm looking for something like this except with a better Graphics card and 80 GB HD. So I have narrowed it down to another Toshiba model, a customized HP model, and a customized Compaq models. In the past my desktops have been Gateway, and my current notebook is Toshiba, so I don't know how good HP and Compaq computers are, so if anyone has any experience, can you help me please? Here's the specs for each one...

*Toshiba P35-S6292- $1549.99, HP Pent. 4 538 at 3.2 GHz w/ Hyper-Threading Tech., 512MB DDR SDRAM memory (expandable to 2048MB, both slots may be occupied), 80GB EIDE hard drive (4,200 RPM), DVD-SuperMulti Drive: Max Speed - CD-ROM (24x); CD-R (16x write); CD-RW (8x write); DVD-ROM (8x); DVD-R (4x write); DVD-RW (2x write); DVD+R (2.4x write); DVD+RW (2.4x write); DVD-RAM (2x write), 17.0" TruBrite? WXGA TFT LCD display; supports up to 16M colors at 1440 x 900 resolution, ATI

Discussion is locked

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I would shoot for new Sonoma Pentium M or Turion Athlon 64
Jan 20, 2005 6:44AM PST

If you have seen all the posts over Cnet in the past couple of days (plus the Sonoma article on Page 1 of Cnet.com itself) you will see that a brand new 3rd generation Centrino (Pentium M) design is out.

So far, only the Dell 6000 is ready for sale right at the Intel launch date of 1/19/05 but you should seriously consider one of these once the models start rolling out in February and March.

Pentium 4M's are hot and heavy and if you are not keeping it planted on a desk in one spot all the time you would be better off with a 15.4" Pentium M notebook.

I have the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 15.4" Pentium M 6.5 pounds and I like it a lot. However, this has just disappeared from hpshopping.com (and via Costco) but it is now posted here on the boards that a new HPZT4000 (and come Compaq sister version) will come out soon with the new Sonoma architecture (PCI express, new 533mhz bus (400mhz before), faster RAM, updated wi-fi with a/b, and g (only b/g before), etc.

The Dell 8600, for example has the ATI 9600 with 128mb dedicated RAM but that is the old technology ...

Supposedly, Dell will be adding dedicated video options to the new 6000 model in a few weeks.

A Pentium 4M has horrible battery life and is very hot. The only benefit at this point is the hyperthreading for heavy multitasking ...

Note the Pentium M cpus have 2mb L2 system cache which helps them perform at up to 2x their mhz speed in comparison to a 4M (except for the hyperthreading).

Also, you would be better off waiting for the Athlon 64 low voltage chips (called Turion) (out in mid 2005 now reported) to get 64 bit and bettery battery life as well if you don't want to go Centrino.

If you have not tried wi-fi yet you will fall in love with it when you do get DSL or cable internet at home as you can move the computer around anywhere with it on and connected to the internet via wi-fi -- and Pentium 4M's get 3.5-4 hours at least using wi-fi and up to 5 hours and beyond not using wi-fi (and larger batteries beyond the standard 4 cell for a Pentium M like the 12 cell on the HPDV1000 can more than double your battery life as well).

Dell and HP/Compaq can both be custom ordered via Costco.com and you get the same Costco return protection as you did on the retail model

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Two quick questions...
Jan 20, 2005 8:23AM PST

On Costco, how do you customize a Dell? I didn't you could, maybe I'm missing it. And on hpshopping.com, you can order it through Costco? I haven't went on there yet, but I'm a very careful buyer and I like to make sure I'm getting a good computer for the money. Thanks!

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Costco.com link below for hp/compaq custom + dell
Jan 20, 2005 10:11AM PST

If you go to Costco.com (not hpshopping.com or Dell.com first) you will find the custom buying area.

When you order an hp/compaq through Costco.com you will get the same custom ordering options as if you ordered through hpshopping.com -- it will be shipped via Fed ex from the same factory.

I am pretty sure that the Dell custom ordering works in the same fashion at costco.com but check that. I am positive hp/compaq custom ordering works this way as I have a Compaq X1000 series myself.

The only drawback to ordering through Costco is some people can avoid sales tax through HPshopping directly (in states that don't have nexus) but in CA and many states you pay sales tax either way. The only other thing is that you can go to hpshopping through the fatcash portal (and sign up with them first) and get a 3% deferred rebate back via Paypal later.

But the big benefit with Costco is the 6 month return policy (on top of the hpshopping 30 day return postage paid by them) and also if you are a Costco executive card member (100 a year instead of 45 a year for Goldstar) you will get 2% of your purchase back at year-end. Also you can get a cash rebate if you buy the notebook on your American Express Costco Platinum card (at least 1% or 1.5% if over 5,000 in purchases in that year cycle).

Below is the link to the Costco.com home page --click the hp&compaq configure to order link for them.

Try the Dell links on the same page yourself to see if they are custom but I assume they are as they don't sell prebuilt models anymore (click link below)
http://www.costco.com/Common/CategoryMain.aspx?cat=84

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Same problem
Jan 20, 2005 8:34AM PST

Just so you know you're not the only one...I am having the same problem...trying to decide. I have pretty much decided on the hp5000 that you indicated with about the same features. My hangups are the Brightview and the Bluetooth technology. I am concerned about the reflection on the BrightView, but a lot of people seem to prefer this treatment on the screen anyway. I have not used a laptop to any great extent before, so it is hard to compare. Good luck.

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Graphics Card issues
Jan 20, 2005 10:19AM PST

Here's my problem: My computer warranty is up February 8th, I am in college with english and other mainly writing classes, and need the computer for research, writing papers, and fun. So I could take my comp. back and get the refund, but my problem is I need to have a computer. Plus, the main reason I have decided I need to take my computer back is that my graphics card has caused my computer to shut down unexpectedly, freeze up and I have to shut it off, or will go black and then pop up with the screen that says the device ati... has stopped working, save your work and restart the computer. Otherwise I have not had any bad problems with this computer. Basically what I'm saying is I'm shopping for a computer because I need one now. So when do you thing the new comp. processors are going to be out? Especially for like Price Costco (like I said, they are the store I want to buy at)?

One additional question I like playing games on my computer, my current graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon 7000, now they have 9000 and up, back in the fall my card barely had the requirements for some games, now games (like Sims 2) require a higher card. So what do you recomment is a good card, on my past desktop I always had Nvida GeForce and had no problems, so do you prefer Nvida over ATI or another brand?

Thanks for any and all help. I appreciate it Happy

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When at hpshopping.com you can order at costco.com (or Dell)
Jan 20, 2005 10:30AM PST

As soon as the hpshopping.com website has the new models you can order them through Costco.com.

If the Dell link also is for their custom models you should be able to do that immediately as well.

If you can find the Dell 6000 on the costco.com website that is the only model out I am aware of so far with the Sonoma update -- but dedicated memory is not available on that either for at least a few weeks -- but integrated video on it is improved (see Cnet article on page 1 of cnet.com)

Someone posted a list of all the notebooks slated to come out with Sonoma from January-March

My HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 Pentium M was taken off the site by hpshopping but it is announced that a HPZT4000 Sonoma and likely a Compaq counterpart will replace it (this model had a ATI 9200 with 64mb dedicated video before disappearing.

The ATI 9700 with 64mb or preferably 128mb dedicated video was the best mainsteam card on Pentium M notebooks before the upgrade -- you can still order that on the Dell 8600 but it won't be Sonoma (the Dell 6009 is).

I have heard the new dedicated video cards will have a different name like ATI X600 or something.......

Note that there will be a Sonoma chipset for integrated video and a sonoma chipset for dedicated video so there should be improvement for both types

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trying to decide which comp. to buy.
Jan 21, 2005 12:18AM PST

I purchased a HP ze4220 from BJ's 3/03. It is now sitting on my counter.(very expensive paper weight) I have had tons of problems with HP. My desk top is also HP. I will never, ever purchase HP computer again.

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Hp
Jan 21, 2005 1:56AM PST

Thanks a lotm it really is helping me out Happy