Compaq CQ10 Netbook

I recently purchased this netbook (model cq10-405dx) on a black friday deal from BB for < $150 and was curious about it.

I have yet to open the box because I am trying to find out if it will be a decent netbook for my son or not. There is very little information on it and there are no postings or reviews about it on this board and I cant even find anything useful when doing a google search.

From what I have gathered it seems to be a cousin of the HP Mini 100 consumer series and 1000 business series. Both of these HP models get fairly decent to good reviews from customers and reviewers out there.

But I know that Compaq is really the sub brand (lower quality) of HP and hence I am wondering if the cq10 suffers from this. I would like to think that I can go off of the HP Mini reviews but still it would be nice to hear first hand from someone who owns or has owned a cq10.

Can anyone out there share their opinions on this little netbook?

 

Wow I honestly thought at least 1 person would have had something to say.

 

Hey cknobman - So I actually recently got my hands on the slightly more expensive model they were selling at BB on Black Friday. I think the only difference was the size of the hard drive.

Anyway, this is my first experience with a netbook and with a Compaq/HP, so I can only give limited feedback.

But, so far I've been pleased with it. It's limited most by the operating system (Windows 7 Starter -- you can't change the desktop image without downloading a separate program?!?). Anyway, the screen is decent and bright with only okay viewing angles, the keyboard is surprisingly easy to use with a reasonable layout, coming from user of full-size keyboards. The whole thing feels sturdy.

It's also much speedier than I expected, though I'm doing only web browsing with it so far. Online video play back has been good. Seems always to pick up wireless networks and maintain a strong signal. Ummmm, oh, and a nicer than expected touchpad, too, and it runs quietly--I haven't heard a fan or anything clickclack or whirring away.

Clean it up some by taking off bloatware, go ahead and get off the webroot virus program Bestbuy prolly slapped on there (using microsoft security essentials for now on it), and don't expect TOO much from a $150 mini laptop, and you (or your son) will be pleasantly surprised.

Cheers

 

Perfect this is exactly the type of info I was looking for thanks so much bob182!!!

Oddly the box of my unit says Windows XP Home Service pack 3 even though the Best Buy add did say Windows 7 Starter, so now I am kinda wondering what I will get on it.

I am going to open it this weekend and start working on getting it ready for my son.

I plan on uninstalling just about every single program but the Windows OS itself and then running some cleanup tools like CCleaner.

I plan on putting on it:
Windows Security Essentials or Avira Antivir virus protection
Microsoft Office (probably 03 but if it can handle it I do have copies of 07 and 10).
Spywareblaster (great little java tool that keeps malicious active x controls off your box, very lightweight program and non intrusive)