My first laptop

Harkaan · **Posted:** March 19th, 2010, 3:36 pm

Hey everyone, just wanted to post what my next laptop will be, should be getting it next week, super excited....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavili ... bbed-customerreviews

Anything I should upgrade, like is 4gb of ram good enough, or should I get 6 etc...

Thanks

Adbot · **Posted:** March 19th, 2010, 3:36 pm

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Sorry, the page you requested was not found.

So.. Can't really recommend much based on that.

However, 4gb of RAM is the max you can utilize on a 32 bit system, so don't bother going higher unless you're on 64-bit and KNOW you'd use the ram. 4gb is plenty for the majority of people, and having more is a waste if you never use it.

Evelyn · **Posted:** March 20th, 2010, 1:18 am

A little over 3GB is the max for a 32-bit system. What is the CPU? What are you gonna use this computer for?

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

4gb is good for any laptop imo. Even my desktop only has 4gb. Again, a page link that works would be good, but HP makes pretty good laptops (although mine had problems initially, it runs great now that I sent it back and got it fixed). Hope you like your choice.

Evelyn · **Posted:** March 20th, 2010, 3:33 am

Duke Juker wrote:

HP makes pretty good laptops

Ohhh no they don't. Only two companies worse is probably Acer and gateway/emachine. Dell is the minimum, ASUS is good.

King Kulla · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 3:48 am

You can't go wrong with a Toshiba laptop (it's what I have), no problems with it at all.

Adbot · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 3:48 am

Pennstate315 · Runite Member 5-25-10

Nice, hope you like it.

Harkaan · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 8:33 am

Sorry guys! I haven't had access to a computer (Hence the laptop

) But I didn't realize the link was dead, here are the specs:

Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-720QM processor with Turbo Boost Technology
Processor speed: 1.60GHz; with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80GHz
Memory: 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM); Max supported =8192MB
Accessible memory slots: 2
Display: 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition LED HP BrightView Display (1366x768)
Video graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 230M with up to 2815MB total graphics memory with 1024MB dedicated
Audio: Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound
Primary CD/DVD drive: LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVDýR/RW with Double Layer Suppor
Hard drive: 500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)
Networking: Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
Wireless options: Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n WLAN
PC card slot: 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
I/O ports: 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA; 2 Headphone out; 1 microphone-in; HDMI; 1 VGA (15-pin); eSATA + USB 2.0; 1 RJ -45 (LAN); 1 notebook expansion port 3; 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin); 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
Finish: HP Imprint with the espresso design in high-gloss black
Software, security and support: Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 60-day Trial; HP Support Assistant; HP PC Recovery; HP Advisor; HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Software, productivity: Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student 60-day Trial; Microsoft Silverlight; Sun Java
Software, multimedia: Corel PaintShop Pro Photo X2; Corel Video Studio X2; eBay; HP MediaSmart; HP Webcam; Pandora Internet Radio; Sling Media sling player with Sling flash tour; Windows Live Photo Gallery; Cyberlink DVD Suite; Adobe Reader; Adobe Flash; HP Games Powered by Wild Tangent; HP Music Store powered by Rhapsody; Netflix; Hulu
Software, internet solutions: HP Set Up; Windows Live Messenger; Windows Live Mail; Windows Live Writer; Skype; MSN Toolbar; Microsoft Portal; Accellor (Broadband Aggregator in HP Setup)
Warranty and support: 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Toll Free Support (NA); 1-Year Free Hardware Technical Support; 30-Days Free Limited Software Support with 1-Year (from date of purchase); Free Limited Software Support with Product Registration.
Dimensions (unpackaged):14.9" (L) x 10.15" (D) x 1.33" (min H)/1.61" (max H)
Weight (unpackaged): 6.34 lbs
Power: 120W AC Adapter; 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
EcoHighlights, ENERGY STAR Qualified: Yes
EcoHighlights, EPEAT Registered: Silver

And yeah, it is 64 bit windows 7----and I will be gaming+using some design sofware (cs4 suite)

Aquw VettelS 776 · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 10:06 am

Only one (small) area of concern for me:

You're using 4Gb RAM with a 64-bit OS, which is not a problem in itself. But if you don't think you need more than 4Gb, there's no reason to go 64-bit OS. 64-bit is less-well supported than 32-bit, and whilst rare at this point, you may run into compatibility issues. Of course if you think that you're likely to upgrade to more RAM in the future, sticking with a 64-bit OS is probably the best way to go.

Apart from that, it looks like a very good PC.

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Since you're getting a new computer, and it's from HP, I'd highly recommend running the PC Decrapifier to remove some of those trial softwares. Ditch the MS Office 2007 + Norton trials, install Microsoft Security Essentials for a good free antivirus.

The hardware specs look pretty good, so unless you're really going to be stressing the thing, I doubt you'll run into any problems. RAM is more than enough for 95% of the things you could do, and to upgrade at this point would be a bit pricey for very little gain.

The only thing that kind of sucks is the screen, though it's getting harder to get a good screen on a laptop. If you're going to be using this to do a lot of graphics design work (with CS4 I assume you'll be doing at least a bit), you might want to invest in a decent external monitor that you can use while you're sitting at a desk. Plus, having two monitors is great for normal work too.. It's a pain to go back to one.

Alex_SE · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 10:30 am

Aquw VettelS 776 wrote:

Only one (small) area of concern for me:

You're using 4Gb RAM with a 64-bit OS, which is not a problem in itself. But if you don't think you need more than 4Gb, there's no reason to go 64-bit OS. 64-bit is less-well supported than 32-bit, and whilst rare at this point, you may run into compatibility issues. Of course if you think that you're likely to upgrade to more RAM in the future, sticking with a 64-bit OS is probably the best way to go.

Apart from that, it looks like a very good PC.

Non-sense. That's like going back in time.
There's no reason for him to downgrade to 32-bit architecture unless he needs to use an important piece of hardware non-compatible with 64-bit.
For software problems he can always use a virtual machine.

I'd suggest 64-bit even if you have 2GB of RAM. RAM isn't the only thing in question.

I've been using 64-bit OS for some years and the only problems I've found were with DOS games from 1995. Dos-box runs it well though.

Evelyn · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 11:40 am

There's no point in sticking to 32-bit now even if you don't use the 64-bit memory area because in the very near future 32-bit will be ditched and 64-bit will become the new standard.

Nice specs, core i7

Harkaan · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 12:11 pm

Thank you guys for your comments!

I think I will stick with 4gbs, because I can always upgrade it manually if needed, and by then it'll probably be cheaper.

As for the screen, I have a 22" lg, so what won't be a problem either.

So thanks guys! really appreciating the input.

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

Cliff Dude wrote:

Duke Juker wrote:

HP makes pretty good laptops

Ohhh no they don't. Only two companies worse is probably Acer and gateway/emachine. Dell is the minimum, ASUS is good.

Well...from my experience with the laptop I got at the beginning of the year, it had some problems initially, but the laptop itself seems to be running great and was a good choice. I like HP's laptops as of yet, and only when I need a new laptop some years down the road will I look at some different companies to see what they offer. But as of now, I like my laptop. HP isn't perfect, but they aren't terrible either.

Cliff Dude wrote:

There's no point in sticking to 32-bit now even if you don't use the 64-bit memory area because in the very near future 32-bit will be ditched and 64-bit will become the new standard.

Nice specs, core i7

I heard that, too. Since 32-bit is going to be scrapped in the near future, it's wise to start getting a 64-bit OS in order to support newer platforms, software, and programs. I upgraded my desktop to 64-bit and my laptop, like yours, came with 64-bit as well. I don't find any problem with that personally. Your laptop also has quite a bit more space and graphics to it than mine, but my laptop gets the job done and it's really only for school work anyway, not gaming per se.

Shane · **Posted:** March 21st, 2010, 1:10 pm

Windows 32-bit can only address 3.2GB. You can make the 32-bit version of Windows use 4GB memory with some hacking but I don't agree with that. So yes, stick with the 64-bit version. 64-bit is mainstream now, no reason to not use it.

The only thing I would recommend is getting some warranty with it since it's a laptop. If something low level goes you won't be able to replace it yourself. With that being said... DO NOT GET GEEK SQUAD. You'd be better off finding this same laptop at another store or scouting out third party warranty for it.