Build quality - does it matter?

How much of a difference is there in the build quality of the so-called consumer and professional lines with HP/Compaq?

Specifically I've been looking to buy a relatively powerful laptop for doing graphics design while on the move. The NX6125 with Turon ML-34 and 1Gb RAM compared to Pavilion DV5074 has a price difference of 20-25% and the only feature you're paying for seems to be that one is from the 'professional'-line and the other is a consumer model...

My budget is 1500euros but I'd like to fit in that other things too namely good carrying case and a multi-purpose charge adapter and surge protectors so the lower the price of the laptop the better...

 

HP/Compaq mainly have the same build. Don't worry about it. Many people complains about their builts. But its just a hardware fault one in a hundredths might received. Plus you can't beat the price HP/Compaq is giving for its laptop performances. :hp:

 

The nx6125 is a very well built laptop. Just check some reviews - the unit is very solid and durable. The dv5000, however, is one of the crappiest notebooks available from HP. From what I've heard, it flexes when you pick it up.

 

This is not an answer to your question...:

To answer your question about build quality b/w consumer and pro lines: there is a very large difference. I have a consumer dv4000 and my father (a senior electrical engineer) has a pro model something-or-other. The pro model isn't quite as bulletproof as a Lenovo, but it is very close.

If build quality/durability is important to you, the pro model would be worth it. If you're not very hard on your computer, then the consumer model should be fine.

 

I completely agree with Slappy but there's a catch with the pro models, namely the screens. I would be very careful in selecting the pro model because of the screen. All the consumer models have great screens, althogh not high resolution ones

 

Well, as a graphics designer this is indeed something I would be very concerned about. Although I'd not be expecting to use the laptop for color proofing or stuff like that, I'd still be wanting to do some serious photoshopping and listening to the reports on bad luminosity and contrast on the NX6125 and NX8220 model screens makes me think twice...

How bad is it? Were they all like that or was it a manufacturing fault? Is there a specific pro model that does NOT have a bad screen?

Sincerely

Thanks

 

I have a dv5000z. It's very well made. It's rock solid.
Display is great.

 

I agree with Slappy. Business series HPs are much better built than cosumer series. Casing is pretty strong and design looks more professional.

I guess they reason they won't give bright view screens for business laptops is reflections. I can see the difference in our office between my V2000z with BrightView and nc8230 with regular screen( with ambient light sensor), nc8230 is much more confortable without reflections. But it is not as bright as this screen though.