HP dv9810us Question

[mini_g]

I'm helping my mother find a notebook that suites her hands. (Due to the stuff she'll be doing on it, anything new outside of the netbook range would work for her) She's decided that she likes HP's dv9810us, and I can agree with her on this.

Now here's my question: Does anyone have anything against this series?
Is there a better option with a full-sized keyboard for cheaper?

Linky to product in question.

The user reviews over at notebookreviews.com on this model are good, and the same over at Newegg & Amazon (With some thought provoking ones @ Amazon).

I'm fully aware that it comes with Vista, but with 3GB of RAM, there shouldn't be too much of an issue, & I'm planning to strip it of all of the preloaded stuff. At worst, the drivers for this notebook for XP are on HP's site, and I have an unused copy of XP Home available.

[Harryc]

Here's a much better option for less money. Personally I think it's the best buy on a new T61 I've ever seen, free shipping too -

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=65604

It comes with SUSE Linux Enterprise Edition. If Mom is not a 'Nix-er' , just load up XP. You can add 3GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a DVD/RW and still be under the price of the HP.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop version 1012
15.4 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG10
No Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
6465: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty7

Subtotal: $1,245.00
Sale Price: $871.50

eCoupon:
Apply
Note: The eCoupon code is case sensitive

[USPTIME2SAVE] -$87.15
Estimated total: $784.35*
Total savings $460.65

Heck, for another $40 you can get a WSXGA+ LCD....Mom needs to have good eyes for that though

[mini_g]

Wow, that's a good deal.

I have to apologize, but I forgot to re-add the strong preference of a full-sized keyboard after I had to reenter my question after closing the browser...

[Harryc]

Get Mom an external numeric keypad

[mini_g]

Shall have to keep that in mind.

[mini_g]

I took her in yesterday and had a fruitful trip. (I was keeping your pointer in thought, Harry)

I found that the local Office Depot no longer had a Thinkpad display and only an Ideapad (Why do people like these?).

Over in Costco we found an HP dv9913cl (Same model, higher specs) for $899.

Upgraded specs:
Turion TL-62 (2.1 GHz)
4 GB DDR2-667 RAM (5,5,12,5)
320 GB, 5400 WD HDD
WiFi a/b/g/draft n
Webcam
8 Cell battery (~3 optimal hours of battery life)

Some hidden niceties that I found this morning was an unused secondary HDD bay and hardware acceleration capability.