New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

zd8000 versus DV5030 quandry

post #1 of 7
3/2/06 at 10:53pm
Thread Starter 
I bought a zd8000 at sams club last week for $1200.00: P4, 2GB Ram, 100GB HD etc...I had been looking at the DV5000 series and was pretty set on one until I saw the price on this 8000.

I am now having a slight case of buyers remorse and am not sure if this is the laptop for me. I ordered a DV5030 from officeMax and want to compare the two and take one back.

I want whichever one as a desktop replacement and will use to burn backups of DVD movies, surf the web, and some video editing.

If I opt for the DV5030 am I going to see a difference in performance when encoding movies and video files? I want a little bit more portability and battery life, but will sacrifice them if the performance is going to be sub-par compared to the zd8000.

I would appreciate some input and opinions

Thanks
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 7
3/3/06 at 8:58pm
I'm in the same boat -- but I am comparing the zd8230 and the dv8140. Which is better?
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 7
3/6/06 at 2:28am
Thread Starter 
Chadwick,

I ended up taking the ZD back. After a few days I decide that it just wasn't for me. I know it is intended to be a desktop replacement and that is exactly what I want. However, I still want to be able to sit in bed, on the deck, or by the pool with it and the battery just didn't cut it for more than an hour. Plus, it really did get too hot to sit on your lap comfortably. My wife really liked the 17" screen and the full size keyboard with number pad and I really liked the the same things, so...

I ended up cancelling the DV5000 order and ordered a DV8000 from Sam's: 2.0Turion, 1GB RAM, 2 80GB 5400rpm drives, DVD burner etc...It was a little bit more than I wanted to spend but I think that I will be happier with it. The reviews say that the battery lasts about 3 hours which is plenty for what I need and it is supposed to run pretty cool. Everyone should be satisfied.

Take a look at the DV8000 and you might find your solution.

Steve
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 7
3/6/06 at 11:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve154
Chadwick,

I ended up taking the ZD back. After a few days I decide that it just wasn't for me. I know it is intended to be a desktop replacement and that is exactly what I want. However, I still want to be able to sit in bed, on the deck, or by the pool with it and the battery just didn't cut it for more than an hour. Plus, it really did get too hot to sit on your lap comfortably. My wife really liked the 17" screen and the full size keyboard with number pad and I really liked the the same things, so...

I ended up cancelling the DV5000 order and ordered a DV8000 from Sam's: 2.0Turion, 1GB RAM, 2 80GB 5400rpm drives, DVD burner etc...It was a little bit more than I wanted to spend but I think that I will be happier with it. The reviews say that the battery lasts about 3 hours which is plenty for what I need and it is supposed to run pretty cool. Everyone should be satisfied.

Take a look at the DV8000 and you might find your solution.

Steve
I own both the DV8000 and the ZD8000,... and bought them both from Sams as well. When it comes to the zd vs dv5000, it's no comparison if horsepower and torque (video and Photoshop stuff) is the issue, the zd is a better choice, especially if you're willing to do some compromising in the portability department. In my opinion, there is less difference between the two 8000s though. The dv still seems to have a slight edge when it comes to photoshop work based on what I do. But the dv is more modern and is ready for 64 bit, runs cooler, more hard storage, and does a better job with XPmce. It may be in my head, but I think the screen on the zd looks brighter than the dv screen. If you're getting only 1 hr on your zd battery, make some adjustments in your power management options. I'm getting a hair less than 2 hours on my zd and around 3 on my dv.

There's also a core cuo version of the dv8000 available now, but I doubt if you'll find it at Sams Club yet. Still, of the three you've looked at, you made the best decision with the dv8000. But guess what, I'm finding myself firing up the zd8000 more than the dv8000.

BTW, I got my zd for $899,... it was an open box purchase. Guess who initially opened the box? ME! I also returned mine to purchase the dv, but when I returned to my Sams, I saw MY returned unit reduced to $999. Asked if they would sel it for $899 and they said YES! I jumped. When I got it home, all my stuff I didn't remove before returning it was still there.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 7
3/6/06 at 11:44pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply. I am anxioulsy waiting for my system to get here. I hope it arives by Friday so I can really play with it over the weekend.

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 7
3/7/06 at 1:29am
when u get it, tell us how u feel. i might get a dv8000z...
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 7
3/7/06 at 1:39am
Thread Starter 
will do...
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: HP, Compaq and Voodoo Notebooks