Compaq Notebook PCs Any Good?

[Mr Miyagi]

Hello. I tried this before and got no posts so here goes again.


I have built and serviced computers for 12 years now and I know first hand that Compaq is known for making some of the worst desktop systems around. I just recently purchased a Presario Noteook PC (Model 12XL510) and other than being equipped with Windows Me, I don't have many complaints. I have searched all over for a review of this model to no avail. I am trying to get some feedback from other Presario Notebook owners or if anyone knows of a site that has reviewed this PC, I would like to know what people are saying about this machine(since I'm stuck with it for a long time). The little info I've gathered has suggested that Compaq actually does pretty good with NOTEBOOK PCs. Ok here are the specs:

Compaq Presario 1200 Series-12XL510 Notebook
-Intel Pentium III @ 800MHz
-128MB PC100(Just upped it to 192MB)
-VIA VT82C601 Chipset
-14.1" TFT Active Matrix Display
-15GB HDD
-8x DVD
-Floppy
-56K v.90 Modem
-JBL AudioPro Speakers
-PC Card Slot

Thanks for your help.

-Chris

[n715dp]

Their laptops are just as bad as their desktops, if not worse. End of story.

[Yar1182]

The only thing good about Compaq notebooks (high end ones) are the on board JBL speakers. Best sounding laptop speakers I've heard. Their still laptop speakers so don't get your hopes up too much.

As far as laptops go it's either Dell or Toshiba depending if you want a all in one or ultra light. Other venders have decent set ups, but then skimp on the video card.

[wyvrn]

I own 2 Compaq laptops, the Presario 1247 and one of the 1700 series. The 1247 is a budget line (and priced accordingly) with an HPA screen, but built very solidly. The 1700 is newer and has DVD, TFT, and quite a few more features. The only problem we have had with either is having to use the restore cd on my wife's because it would not bootup properly. At first I blamed Compaq until we traced the source of the problem to an old software package my wife's friends had been passing around her class. However, we have not had any more problems with that laptop in over a year.

As for the 1700, I could not be more pleased. It is one of the modular versions (swap out the DVD and floppy drives) which is great because it is thin and I do not use the floppy much anyway. Plus I have it packed with 256 MB of RAM. The fact that it came with an 8MB video card (before Geforce Go were available) at such a low price was the main reason I purchased it.

Overall, I say Compaq makes some nice laptops for their price. I have also owned and used IBM, Dell, and Toshiba and would put Compaq right up there with them.

I still do not like Compaq desktops, though I don't like any desktop that is prebuilt for that matter. I think while it may be chic to bash on Compaq, maybe you should stop by your local Best Buy and play around with a few yourself before you make any decisions.

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Undeadlord]

Well Like n715dp says the JBL speakers rock http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I have a Presario 1800, however its broken right now. The Video Screen died and Compaq is supoposed to send me a box to send it back to them for repair, that was two weeks ago though and no box. I would say go with Dell, I mean if you can get featuyred in a movie like Swordfish, they must be the best http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Undeadlord

[Mr Miyagi]

wyvrn, Thats what I was thinking. Since all laptops are a pain in the ****, Compaq doesent do too bad in this area. But this model uses a Coppermine PIII CPU (desktop version, s370) and it gets a little warm after awhile. My step dad has a Presario desktop with a Celeron 500 and it is one problem after another. This system has served me well. I love the 14,1 TFT screen.

[MrBaseball]

I must disagree with you compaq desktop haters, my experiances with compaq desktops have been very... positive. My compaq that I have owned for 4 years now is great. Never had any problems with it. I love it. I will always be pro-compaq unless mine blows up, but I dout that will happen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Mr Miyagi]

One weird thing is that it uses a desktop (Coppermine) Pentium III instead of a mobile. Though it does fairly well on battery, it tends to get a little warm after a while of use. I'm thinking about putting my extra copy of Win98SE on it and dump WinMe. This would help on the resources alittle, but I'm worried I can't get my DVD software to work and have to buy one.

[Undeadlord]

I resent that MrBaseball, I am not a Compaq hater, I would just like a product I spend 2300 dollars on to work longer than six months. And if the machince does break I would like somewhat prompt repair and service. None of these things have I gotten from Compaq. So I may be displeased with Compaq .. but hate is a strong word.


Undeadlord

[struggles]

Dont think much of anything from compaq except their servers.

[daveleau]

Well I am a Compaq hater. Their desktops are terible. The only thing they did well was sign with AMD. As for laptops, that is their shining point. Of anything Compaq does, their laptops are the best. They are not better than Toshiba, Sony, IBM, Dell or Gateway, but they are just behind them.

[voogru]

maybe you should stop by your local Best Buy and play around with a few yourself before you make any decisions

Dont they always have there stupid demos always playing or a stupid password on the screensaver?

if there running the demo do the ALT+f4 trick http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

3 FInger Salute never works http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

-voogru

[Dokeman]

They thing about laptops is that most manufactures dont even make there own. There are about 4 companies that make about 85% of the laptops produced and they sell to your major brand names like compaq, HP, etc. There are very few companies that make thir own laptops. Acer is one of them along with one or two others. That is why most laptops that have the same features look pretty much identical except for Brand badging. The only thing the major brands do is put their harddrivves and memory in. So when you buy a major brand laptop, all you are buying is their markup. I sell a lone of laptops in my store that are made by the same people as compaqs, and HP,etc. But the thing about mine, is that your dont have to pay for the name brand markup. I have a 1gig PIII laptop w/ 256ram, DVD.15in Screen, AXC adapter, carying case for only $1750. Thats about $300-$400 less than a name brand. You can also get an extra 3 yr warranty for another $200. Thats a great deal. Ohh, also you dont have to get it with win ME. Your can get it with 98 or even 2000 for an extra $50. Now your not gonna find a better deal than that. The brand of laptops are Sager. check em out. www.sagernotebooks.com (http://www.sagernotebooks.com)

[Mr Miyagi]

Wow. Maybe that's why this machine does so well. Because compaq doesn't actually make it, they just stamp their name on it. I can't complain about the price though. It was $1,599 at Circut City in Greenville, NC. I gotta Targus case for $60 and the 5 year CC protection ($200 I think) for a total of 6 years protection. A decent deal, I think. I wonder since the CPU is a s370 FC-PGA if it can be removed and upgraded? Hmmm... I wish I knew what PLL IC chip it had so I could use SoftFSB or CPUFSB to overclock it.