Need Help - Notebook purchase decision

[Liz]

I'm purchasing a notebook for my work/home office - not specifically for editing photos - that's why I posted it in OT vs the computer editing software forum. The person who installs/repairs my computer had suggested a notebook vs desktop since my office is small, and my work volume is relatively small (I also have an external hd). He isn't available to ask right now.

I found a notebook that I think would work on sale at Costco ($300 off). Since the sale is only until they run out of stock, I'd like to make a quick decision, and need some input on the model I'm looking at. As I've said many times I'm "technically challenged" and my present desktop is about 6 years old, so I don't have a base to compare this notebook. Any advice/help/input would be of great help.

Also - although I'm getting it for the office, I will do photo editing (Elements 2). Since my old pc and monitor works okay, I thought this would be an improvement - if not perfect.

I googled for reviews but found nothing - although I eventually found one reference that states the model number is included in the dv9700 series (same computer - different number - so it says) The dv9700 has good reviews.

The info is as follows:

HP Pavilion dv9933cl Notebook (it says dv9700 series)
Intel Centrino Processor Core 2Dujo Processor T8100
Pro Speed 2.10 GHz
Pro Cache 3mb L2
Bus Speed 800 MHz FSB
17" diagonal WXGA+ HiDef Brightview Widescreen 1440x900
NVIDIA GeForce 8600GS - up to 2303MB Total Graphics
Memory with 512MB dedicated
4096MB DDR2 system memora (2 dimm)
320GB (5400RPM) HD (SATA)
Lightscribe Super Multi 8x DVD+R/RW with double layer support
Intel PRO/wireless 4965AGN Network

One concern - it only has 4 USB 2.0 slots

Sale Price $1049....

Any input/advice would be appreciated. I have more info printed out but thought this would be sufficient for any computer geeks out there! :thumbsup:

Liz

[Medley]

Liz, see if you can get the item # for that machine. I work at Costco, and I'd be happy to look it up in the system and see what sales/ returns/ problems have shown up. I can also ask our resident computer geek..... er..... specialist what he thinks.

Also, keep in mind that Costco has a 90 return policy that's almost always 'no questions asked' - or at least "I just didn't like it" is a viable reason to return it. Costco's big enough that our vendors usually credit us for our returns, so we can afford to be a little lenient with our return policy.

Meantime, I'll do a little digging. I probably won't have much for you until tomorrow afternoon when I get off work.

- Joe U.

edit: already have the item#, so disregard that.

[Liz]

Liz, see if you can get the item # for that machine. I work at Costco, and I'd be happy to look it up in the system and see what sales/ returns/ problems have shown up. I can also ask our resident computer geek..... er..... specialist what he thinks.

Also, keep in mind that Costco has a 90 return policy that's almost always 'no questions asked' - or at least "I just didn't like it" is a viable reason to return it. Costco's big enough that our vendors usually credit us for our returns, so we can afford to be a little lenient with our return policy.

Meantime, I'll do a little digging. I probably won't have much for you until tomorrow afternoon when I get off work.

- Joe U.

edit: already have the item#, so disregard that.

GREAT! I had found this #FE781UA#ABA

You're awesome Joe! Thanks so much!

Liz

[Medley]

OK lady, I spoke with my guy by phone. Here's what I learned:

Overall, it's a moderate to good computer. It's not the fastest processor, but should be fast enough for most needs. Don't know if you're aware of it, but it comes with a built-in card reader. If nothing else, that eliminates the need for one USB slot.

Guy (that's actually his name), had three main areas of concern. First, there is a IEEE 1394a Firewire ( aka Firewire 400) port attached, but it's only a 4 pin connector. This type of connector is typically used in camcorders and other A/V devices. However, four pins instead of six means that anything connected through the port has to have it's own power supply- the computer cannot power the device. That could be problematic for external hard drives and such.

Second, the computer comes with 4 GB of ram, but that's the computer's limit- no expansion possible. Still, how often do you need more?

The last concern was that the max screen resolution is 1440x900. Now, unless you're doing a lot of video work, that's probably OK, but HP touts this as a "multimedia notebook", and for such uses, it rates rather low.

One more tip: If you want to save yourself some legwork (and see how much time you have to make a decision) call Costco, and deal with the automated menu to get to Membership. When you get someone on the phone, here's how the conversation goes:

you:" yes, could you do an IOH for me please?" (IOH stands for Items On Hand)

There will be a pause while they bring up the appropriate computer screen, then you're most like to hear some variation of "go ahead".

Tell them " The item number is 295097"

Then you'll hear " we have" ;x; "units as of" ;y; "minutes ago" . Don't be surprised if you also hear the words "pending delete"- meaning when they're gone, they won't be getting any more ( probably the reason for the rebate, but that's just a guess).

You can also ask them to check other Costcos in the area to see how many they have.

This works for anything we carry. Not sure if we carry it, or don't know the item number ? Simply ask for an IAI (Indexed Alphabetical Inventory- or some such), then describe what you're after. IAI is a fancy term for searching for something using keywords.

There you have it, your smart Costco shopper lesson for the day. Oh, and you can also ask them to hold an item for you, up to 24 hours. Just so they don't sell out before you get there.

Hope it helps.

- Joe

[Liz]

Joe,

Thank you so much for taking the time to research at Costco - and for all the information you have provided here which is very helpful to me.

You probably wouldn't know this, but I'll ask anyway - it comes with Windows Vista 64-bit. Some of the 64-bit includes 32-bit software also. Do you know if this specific item includes this? Some of my stuff won't worth with 64.

Thanks again....

Liz

[Medley]

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Mac fan, so I'm a little out of my league when we start talking about Vista.

The way it was explained to me is that the computer comes with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 installed. Yes, it will emulate a 32 bit OS, but your 32 bit software will require more RAM on the 64 bit OS. And no, I couldn't pin him down on the definition of "more", as it applies in that statement.

Maybe someone with some experience on that OS could jump in here?

- Joe U.

[Medley]

Liz- I just came across a potential snag. Make sure that all your peripheral hardware has 64 bit drivers available for download. Apparently, the 32 bit drivers won't work on the 64 bit OS!

- Joe.

[Liz]

Liz- I just came across a potential snag. Make sure that all your peripheral hardware has 64 bit drivers available for download. Apparently, the 32 bit drivers won't work on the 64 bit OS!

- Joe.

Joe - yes, I was able to speak with the person that installs/repairs my computer - and he brought that to my attention.......the reason I asked about the 32-bit.

I'm still debating ........ I'm not 100% sure I might be sorry if my main computer is a laptop. Costco has a lot of good desktops - the Dells are looking good too.

Again, I'm very grateful to you for helping me out. I really learned a lot here. It's amazing how much computers have been upgraded in the past few years. My pc is getting "old" and everything is very different today - hard for someone like me (technically challenged) to figure it all out. But thanks to you and my computer friend here - I'm getting educated!

Liz

[Medley]

If it helps, my main computer has been a laptop for about a year now. The biggest disadvantage I've come across relates to photography- the angle of viewing the screen can affect how you see the colors, so you have to be careful. The biggest advantage- Connecting wirelessly allows me to take the comp to any room in the house. I actually did a lot of work sitting in the sun in the backyard this summer.

Also (and I've been meaning to mention this), if you connect wirelessly, and hook up your external HD through the router, four USB ports are more than enough, IMO. I use one for my graphics tablet, and occasionally a second for my portable HDs.

I wasn't sure about it either, and it's been kind of an attitude and perspective change for me. But now that I've done it for awhile, it's awesome!

- Joe U.