Is this laptop any good?

[Markeh]

I'm looking at an HP DV6-1215SA (official specs here: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ie/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3872814-3976076.html). It aint on PC World's website yet (have to buy from there, cos I get a voucher when they write mine off on Tuesday (no chance of the parts arriving anytime soon)), but I saw one in store at £549. Specs are:

AMD Turion X2 Dual Core Processor (RM-74, 2.2Ghz)
4Gb RAM
320Gb HDD
Built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, webcam and mic
15.6" HD display
ATI Mobility HD 4530 (512Mb DDR3 dedicated graphics memory)
DVD rewriter drive with LightScribe
4 USB, an eSata, and an HDMI socket
Memory card reader (MS/MS Pro, SD/MMC, XD)

I have a few questions first.

Would this run The Sims 3 (at all)?

Could I plug it in to my 19" Samsung HD-Ready TV (using HDMI cable) and use it as a monitor?

What would the battery life be like?

Would this be suitable for photography (Paint Shop Pro, and storing a lot of pics)?

Is HP a reliable laptop brand?

Would I have to get a new bag? (I have a 17" Antler one currently)

Also, I'm welcome to any suggestions, provided they're from PC World and under £550-£600.

+REPs to all that help with reasonable suggestions

[N!ck]

I'm looking at an HP DV6-1215SA (official specs here: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ie/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3872814-3976076.html). It aint on PC World's website yet (have to buy from there, cos I get a voucher when they write mine off on Tuesday (no chance of the parts arriving anytime soon)), but I saw one in store at £549. Specs are:

AMD Turion X2 Dual Core Processor (RM-74, 2.2Ghz)
4Gb RAM
320Gb HDD
Built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, webcam and mic
15.6" HD display
ATI Mobility HD 4530 (512Mb DDR3 dedicated graphics memory)
DVD rewriter drive with LightScribe
4 USB, an eSata, and an HDMI socket
Memory card reader (MS/MS Pro, SD/MMC, XD)

I have a few questions first.

Would this run The Sims 3 (at all)?

Yes.

Could I plug it in to my 19" Samsung HD-Ready TV (using HDMI cable) and use it as a monitor?

Yes.

What would the battery life be like?

Probably not that good, but I don't know.

Would this be suitable for photography (Paint Shop Pro, and storing a lot of pics)?

Yes.

Is HP a reliable laptop brand?

Yes.

Would I have to get a new bag? (I have a 17" Antler one currently)

Unless you want it sliding around in the old one you probably will.

Also, I'm welcome to any suggestions, provided they're from PC World and under £550-£600.

+REPs to all that help with reasonable suggestions

^^^Answers in bold blue^^^

You could get better for the same price elsewhere, but for PCWorld it's probably about the right price.

[StefanWolves]

That sounds like a mean laptop, sounds awesome in fact, and it should play most games, HD graphics card & screen in a laptop is really still quite rare.

As said above, battery will be crap, but that will be the only downside.

Nice find though. (Y)

[Markeh]

Turns out I cant afford the 1215. I can afford the 1210, which is similar but no Bluetooth, only a 250Gb HDD and 3Gb of RAM, and a QL-65 AMD Turion Dual Core Processor (2.1Ghz).

Will the same stuff still run on it?

[The Professor]

Yep. *Makes longer*