HP 2000z Review

The HP 2000z is a customizable laptop that frequently gets specs makeovers. Credible reviews of its current incarnation are practically nonexistent, but it's an example of a new, cheap laptop running an AMD CPU.

The HP 2000z uses the C-50 dual-core CPU from AMD and includes an integrated AMD Radeon graphics chip, whereas most budget laptops use an Intel graphics chip. The hardware is pretty modest: 2GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, six-cell battery, 15.6-inch display, and support for 802.11b/g/n connections.

This system may have bare-bones hardware, but you can upgrade it to a pretty respectable model without spending too much extra cash. For example, you can bump up the memory from a meager 2GB to 4GB of RAM for $60. If you need more storage, you can opt for a 500GB hard drive for $30 more. You can also upgrade the CPU from the AMD C-50 to a speedier AMD E-350 for a mere $25. These upgrades will increase the system's price by just over $100, but that's still less than most good budget laptops.