Should I buy this laptop?

After shopping around, I think the HP Pavilion DV2718US Widescreen Notebook might be a good choice for me. It has:

• 3 GB memory; HP Quick-Play
• 14.1 inch WXGA BrightView LCD screen
• AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-62 2.1 GHz
• 1 MB L2 cache
  
• 1600 MHz FSB
• 160 GB 5400-rpm hard drive
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• LightScribe SuperMulti DVD drive
• 802.11 b/g wireless LAN; Ethernet
• 3 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 S-video
• 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Weight, 5.25 pounds

Office Depot sells this computer for $649.99.

When I tried to compare prices on the Internet, I couldn’t find anyone selling this computer but Office Depot. Maybe this model is one that Hewlett Packard makes for Office Depot only.

Interesting.

I’m certainly learning about this techie stuff.

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison,  Consumer Specialist

Comments

[VintageP]

We've had one like this for a couple years now. Pavilion 2XXX something or other. I believe each outlet has slightly different model numbers. Purchased ours at Best Buy. All I can say is it has worked well for us for two years at this point. Having 3 gigs of RAM is very important for Vista so Home Premium should run well on it.

[Rita]

Hi VintageP,

Thanks again for your comments. You've helped me through this decision-making process.

Rita

[Bob McDonald]

Hi Rita

From what you've said, I have two comments. Since you already have (and love) your iMac, why not go with an Apple laptop as well, for compatibility sake. I've been reading that Windows Vista isn't working well yet, and quite a few companies are pressing Microsoft to continue to support Windows 98. So you might not want to go looking for trouble with a new and buggy operating system to learn. Moving files between your iMac and an Apple laptop would also be much more seamless.

My other thought is that you may want to consider a larger screen size. It does add a couple of pounds to the weight, but for anyone over 40, I think it's well worth it.

Bob McD

My

[Rita]

Hi Bob,

You make a great point. It would be good to stick with Apple products. However, the brightness on my iMac really bothers my eyes. I turned the brightness all the way down, and it still bothers me.

I went to the Apple store today for technical assistance. The technician gave me a plain, medium-dark blue screen and told me not to put the screen in front of the window or close the blinds so there wouldn't be light behind the screen. He also said I can buy a piece of plastic to paste on the screen for $35 that cuts glare. I'll try these ideas. I hope they help.

I looked at the least expensive Apple laptop, about $1,050. It was interesting, but I just can't take the risk of getting another computer that's to hard on my eyes.

On size, I saw a Sony at Office Depot, about an inch bigger. It's about $50 more than the HP and has a bigger hard drive, so I might get that.

Thanks for writing. I hope your blogging is going well.