Laptop recommendations?

[rVidia]

Alright...I'm not the best with hardware. I know the parts of a computer and can diagnose bad parts; that's about it. When it comes to knowing what to buy...well, I need some help there (I don't necessarily stay "up-to-date" with new hardware, graphic cards, etc.; I find it a bit daunting myself).

Anyway, I'm looking into purchasing a new laptop. I'm looking into a Compaq, maybe the Compaq Presario V6000Z series notebook (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=V6000Z_series&catLevel=3&category=notebooks/compaq_presario/V6000_series&storeName=computer_store). Is there better?

Aside from that, whatever laptop I choose, I am going to customize everything, which is almost useless for me to try doing myself. So say I was going to buy the Compaq...at the website, you can customize it. But what to get? Any suggestions? I need a fast pc, good performance, and say the 80 GB SATA HDD (would it be better to choose another?)

I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks in advance!

[Terry Hanushek]

Ray

There have been a couple of other threads recently discussing laptop specifications:

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2814

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2970

Most of the manufacturers have sites which allow you to customize your laptop. In addition to Compaq, there are links to IBM and Dell in the first thread.

The primary options include
- Processor speed (1.4 - 18 +++ ghz)
- Memory (512 min - 2M)
- HDD (60 - 100 G)
- Optical Drive
- Screen size (14 - 17")
- Weight

The selection should be based on how you intend to use the machine, how long you plan to keep it and (most important) your BUDGET.

Of the options above, I think you should look at memory first and get as much as you can afford (I suggest 1M min) . Secondly, look at your storage requirements to size your HDD. There is not much difference in the processors speeds or weights. Spec the optical device that suits your needs.

Any new laptop should have built in wireless LAN.

I am a very satisfied IBM user so I would suggest that you stop by the IBM site before making your decision.

HTH

Terry

[rVidia]

Terry, thanks for the suggestions. I went on Paltalk tonight, everyone helped out; rbob made a great find (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=dv5000z_series&catLevel=3&category=notebooks/hp_pavilion/dv5000_series&storeName=computer_store), the HP Pavilion dv5000z series notebook PC.

Here are the customizations:

XP Pro,
AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz/1MB L2 Cache) processor,
15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen display,
128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM) graphics card,
1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2x512MB) memory,
80 GB 5400 RPM hard drive,
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive,
54g(TM) 802.11a/b/g WLAN & Bluetooth networking,
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery,
MS Works/Money,
Recovery media

Total comes to $911.99, a pretty good deal. I'll probably wait a few months to see if the price comes down a little more, some time to look around, but it's a great deal.