Help - Is this laptop any good ?

[sawzalot]

Hello Members I dont know if I will use this in my HT but I would like some input on it as I am going to get a new laptop for a family member, I can get this for 550.00 plus 18.00 shipped w/insurance so it will be 568.00 total. I would really like some input in regards to this particular unit thanks and here is a link to the same exact one that I can get: http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Argento-17-3-Pavilion-dv7-4169wm-Laptop-640GB-Win7-/140535338842

 

[sawzalot]

If this belongs in the Steam Vent , I sincerely apologize and suggest it be moved there, Thank You, sawz.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Whats the main purpose of this laptop?

About laptop itself:
Pros:
- It's HP
- Relatively Modern 3 Cores CPU
- 4gb of ram
- 640gb HD
- BD combo optical drive
- Discrete 5xxx GPU good for BD playback with HDMI out
- 17.3" Display with good 1600 x 900 resolution.
- Price - you are getting it on 30% of retail discount - not too shaby

Cons:
- 17.3" - Makes with not portable at all
- over 8 lbs (same as above)
- 5400 - For desktop replacement unit - 7200 rpm HD would a very welcome addition - Battery life doesn't matter at this point.
- Dr Beats audio by Monster Cable.... (I don't need to explain this one...)
- This laptop will not play modern games

 

[sawzalot]

Whats the main purpose of this laptop?

It will replace an antique desktop, and basically become the owners new desktop with limited mobility due to size, they never had blu ray player and would like to watch on occasion and mostly just a net surfer and such, I think this may do just fine, I was just wondering about the build since I am not the most savvy puter tech, Thank You for your reply and thoughts, sawz.

Can you elaborate a little more on this - 5400 - For desktop replacement unit - 7200 rpm HD would a very welcome addition - for my own inquiring mind.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It will replace an antique desktop, and basically become the owners new desktop with limited mobility due to size, they never had blu ray player and would like to watch on occasion and mostly just a net surfer and such, I think this may do just fine, I was just wondering about the build since I am not the most savvy puter tech, Thank You for your reply and thoughts, sawz.

Can you elaborate a little more on this - 5400 - For desktop replacement unit - 7200 rpm HD would a very welcome addition - for my own inquiring mind.

For net-surfer this laptop is more than enough and even for occasional BD playback.

5400 vs 7200 rpm I was referring to hard drive spindle rotation speed - the faster rotation -> faster hard drive -> computer works faster.
Only exception to this rule is SSD which have no moving parts at all

For business use the difference would be significant (up to 25-30%) but for surfing internet it shouldn't be an issue

 

[sawzalot]

I will probably buy this today for the 568.00 shipped, Thanks for the info BSA , if any one else has any more thoughts on this particular unit please feel free to post up before I run my CC through later today, thanks and a great day to everyone here at AH.