Compaq V2000Z Quality Issue

I am considering a V2000Z line, but had an issue on build quality. I picked one up yesterday placing my hands on the middle of the case with the lid open. My right handle was over/under the area covered by the DVD drive. I noticed that the plastic under this area bucked and the DVD drive cover bent out. I wondered if this was an issue with that machine, so I tested 2 on local stores, and had the same issue.

So, what is the current state of this machine's build quality. Is this normal and do you need to handle the V200Z with kid gloves?

Thanks

 

Well, I don't own a V2000Z, but I have heard an above average number of complaints about this machine regarding build quality. I think if you do get this machine, you'd better treat it more carefully than most notebooks.

 

If you want better build quality you are probably going to have to spend more money. This is the way notebooks are built now with plastic cases and such, but they cost much less making them more available to the average user. Dell, Acer, HP, etc. they all do it on lower priced notebooks. It is a trade-off.

 

It is more due to build fault than quality. It is the case with all V2000's. Chinna n covered this in his review...
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2580(scroll down to the complaints section)

 

Both v2000z and l2000 look nice but feel cheap. Mine has some slight flex of the keyboard in the lower right corner and depending on how/where you grab it, there's some cracking. I've had a Dell some 4-5 years ago and there was none of this but I'm happy with the trade off between quality and price.
If you want to try your luck, go with Pavilion dv1000; you might find it looks and feels a bit steadier but also heavier.

 

DVD Driver tray issue? It is a design issue. I still wonder how they could not see this happen during the design phase. But, Now I got used to it( not holding in that area).

Keyboard flex, I am not sure. I did not feel any thing wrong specific to V2000z keyboard. If we press too hard, almost all laptop keyboards flex little. But these keys require so little pressure I do not feel it is an issue.

As per build quality, it is average( as I mentioned in my review). I felt it is not as good as Dell Latittudes I used, but around same as Inspiron series. The case rigidity is not that great( same is the case with many low-end machines now-a-days). Older generation of laptops used to be better and ofcourse used to be expensive too.

 

The major issue with the flex issues, is having someone who does not know the computer picking it up and breaking the case.

Also, I notice that the power supply get VERY hot and that the fan is on full tilt when performing any intensive tasks on the machine.

 

My power supply does not get very warm. Ok, it gets warm but look at ZV6000's power brick and the comparison would be like ice to fire. If you mainly use your computer plugged in, you won't have problems with the power supply. Nor with the flex if it's reasonable. Besides, you can always claim build quality defect if it has a considerable flex and return it.

About the fan - it does turn on very often when the lappy is right out of the box. Search the undervolting threads to find out how you can cope with that. As Chinna_n explained multiple times, it depends on the processor model. The best you can do to avoid heat problems is to get the ML-37 model because it generates the least heat regardless of the fact that it is the most powerful one. Mine is ML-34 and I'm happy with the way it runs. Of course of the ambient temp is 35 degrees, the fan would go off no matter what you do.

Keep in mind, v2000z is a budget computer and it limitations stem from this fact

 

I'm feeling your pain. My fan conked out completely. It attempts to grind to a start but doesn't work. It's causing the whole system to shut off if anything more than the desktop and a web browser is active. I'm trying to find out where to get a replacement fan for it, if anyone can help me.

 

Crassus - I recommend sending that notebook in to be fixed. Give HP a call. They are very good with repairs.

As for the build quality - I think the Compaq is a nice notebook, but yes, I do notice that it does fall a bit short in the build quality department. It is not nearly as bad as some low-end Dells.