HP Laptops

[Super Cameraman]

I've been saving my money for a new laptop, and I need help picking one out.

Now I know HP laptops aren't the best out there, but hear me out. My uncle can get me anything from HP for 60-80% off. And that is a lot.

I've been eying the Pavillion dv6000 because my other uncle has one, and I really like it, but I don't think it's the best laptop out there for what I want to do. I really want to be able to do some video and photo editing, so it needs to be somewhat powerful. My uncle had Photoshop CS2 on his Pavillion, and it ran pretty nice, but I really just need to know how to customize it to what I need.

HP has a website where you can customize it (Like Apple) but I really don't know a lot. I know I need a lot of RAM for video, but I'm not sure about processors. I've heard that the AMD's run faster then the Intels on these laptops, but other then that, I'm not sure. I also know I need a big harddrive.

Also, I really don't want Vista... Is it even possible not to have it anymore? I like Windows XP Media Center Edition. Or does Vista have that same functionality? (Like opening up Media Center, and being able to play a DVD, or pictures, or music, without actually opening up windows and looking through folders.)

And if the Pavillion isn't the one for me, what other HP notebook is good?

Thanks a million!
SCM

[Black Six]

As far as processors go, from what I've read Core 2 Duo runs circles around AMD's similar offerings, so definitely look for a laptop with a C2D. Aside from that, I've had bad luck with HP laptops and know a bunch of other people who have too, but it's up to you and how much you want to spend.

[Harshboy]

Also, I really don't want Vista... Is it even possible not to have it anymore? I like Windows XP Media Center Edition. Or does Vista have that same functionality? (Like opening up Media Center, and being able to play a DVD, or pictures, or music, without actually opening up windows and looking through folders.)

And if the Pavillion isn't the one for me, what other HP notebook is good?

Thanks a million!
SCM

I'm not sure about getting XP, I know some Companies have gona Vista only (Which is dumb) And no, Vista can't do that. You want XP, trust me. Vista is horrible in my opinion, and yes I did have it installed once.

Get a Core 2 Duo 2 Ghz or above. 2 GB or more of ram. 100+ GB Hard Drive. And some Nvidia Mobile Card.


I would go with the dv9500t and give it the $75 Upgrade to a 2 Ghz Core 2 Duo, the $50 Upgrade to 2 GB of Ram, and the $75 Upgrade to the 383MB Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS Graphics Card (I thinks it's DX 10 too)

With those additions it will cost $1,124.99 * 0.2 and 0.4 (Your 60%-80% Discount) = $224.998 - $449.996 (So anywhere from $225 to $450)

I'd say thats a bargain and get it because any laptop for that price normally would fall apart just as easily as everyone speculates HP Laptops to.