I'm considering an nx5000. I'll use it for basic desktop tasks, internet and educational software. What configuration would you recommend? I'm leaning towards the better display. (Or should I consider a different notebook?)

Price: $1405.00


Operating System:
SuSE HP Edition 9.1

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Default Processor:
Pentium M 725 (1.60GHz, 2M L2 cache, 400MHz FSB)

Alternatives:
Pentium M 745 (1.80GHz, 2M L2 cache, 400MHz FSB) Add $100
Celeron M 310 (1.20GHz, 512kB L2 cache 400MHz FSB) Subtract $150

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Default Display:
15-inch TFT XGA (1024 x 768)

Alternatives:
15-inch TFT SXGA+ WVA (1400 x 1050) Add $75

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Default Hard Drive:
40GB (4200 rpm)

Alternatives:
30GB (4200 rpm) Subtract $35
40GB (5400 rpm) Add $25
60GB (4200 rpm) Add $50
60GB (5400 rpm) Add $75 HP Recommended

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Default Memory:
256MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM (1 DIMM)

Alternatives:
512MB 333MHZ DDR SDRAM (1 DIMM) Add $150
512MB 333MHZ DDR SDRAM (2 DIMM) Add $75
1024MB 333MHZ DDR SDRAM (2 DIMM) Add $375 HP Recommended
2048MB 333MHZ DDR SDRAM (2 DIMM) Add $1650

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Default MultiBay Device:
24X DVD/CDRW

Alternatives:
24X CD-ROM Subtract $65
8X DVD (with DVD-RAM READ) Subtract $40
DVD+RW/R Add $135

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Default Battery:
6-cell 4.4 Li-Ion

Alternative:
8-cell 4.4 Li-Ion Add $15

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Default Wireless Card:
Integrated HP W500 802.11 a/b/g

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Miscellaneous Option:
Integrated Bluetooth module Add $49

Anybody know how well these are selling?

I would expect you could either build a much better machine for the same cost or spend about half what you are planning and get the same-type hardware. Several hundreds of dollars of most laptop costs are for Windows and maybe office. As you need neither of these to run linux, that can save a chunk of change to begin with.

I'd check with pricewatch and see what offers you get for a laptop with no OS. Or get a slightly used one off ebay for really cheap, format and rebuild. I spent $300 getting my Mother a HP Presario 700 used and windows-dead on ebay. It had one bad ram chip, so I replaced that ($40 on pricewatch) and formatted the drive, now she's golden for years.

If you have $1405 to drop on something worth more like $1000 or less, then go ahead and buy it. If you want linux installed for you, you may have to pay more, although installation has been made very easy for anyone that knows computers in the general sense.

Other things worth considering - do you really need a DVD/CDRW? I watch dvd's on my desktop all the time, but never found the need to do so on a laptop, despite having a DVD drive. Further, do you need the CDRW function? I often burn things from desktop to laptop, but never the other way. Running an ftp drive is plenty for the few files you may want/need moved back and forth. FTP over a LAN will be much faster than writing cds 9 times out of 10.

Peace,
JimBass