Compaq vs. HP

I'm having trouble finding an answer to these questions:

Are Compaq and HP EXACTLY the same machines? Or does HP put cheaper stuff in, rebrand it and sell it under the Compaq name?

And if they are exactly the same, and I'm looking for say a HP DV1000, how do I figure out which Compaq model that is?

 

HP bought Compaq, so they often have models which are exactly the same in specs but only physically different.

Eg: HP DV4000 = Compaq v4000t, dv1000 = v2000z, etc.

 

Actually, IIRC, Compaq does not have Quickplay or all of the other multimedia features (including XP MCE) that HP has. Compaq is a lot cheaper though.

 

It's essentially rebranded, but the design is always slightly different between machines and Compaq leans towards a grey more conservative look while HP notebooks are more consumer oriented. Also, at HPShopping.com you can get a student discount (go to our HP forum to find the link stickied at the top) while Compaq is supposedly business oriented and offers no such student discount.

Coriolis is right with his equalities there. Also, there's a HP dv5000 = Compaq v5000z

I know, very confusing.

 

Actually you get students discounts on the regular Compaqs, just not the business ones. Trust me, it was the only way you could get a V2000z with an ML-37, 1GB RAM, wireless, brightview, and ATi 200m with productivity ports for under $850. I'm pretty sure about my multimedia statement too. I checked the DV5000z and the V5000z. DV5000z has Quickplay and MCE while V5000z did not.

 

actually there was a comparison posted on this site. He chose the compaq because of a superior screen.

http://www.notebookreview.com/revie...eviewSiteID=13&brandID=3&productReviewID=1560 also

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2455

 

The DV5000z and the V5000z should have the same screen right?

 

They should have the exact same screens.

 

Ok...

Because when i get my dv5000z I know the guy at work will compare it with his v5000... He is the type that will try say his laptop is better...

With the minor differences mentioned...they are atleast from what I have seen on the net... close to being identical...

 

Try reading the sticky.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=40466

 

read it after the fact...

 

Try reading the sticky... that didn't exist at the time of your post.

 

I'm not trying to be a smart alec, but try reading the time stamp on the sticky, then compare it to the time stamp on my original post. The sticky didn't exist when I posted my question. The reason for my question was that the DV1000 is a notbook a coworker has and I really like it. I needed to know the equal model in the Compaq line in the hope of saving some dough. I've since learned from the helpful folks here, that there are some differences. The 2 main ones being the Quickview thing and a remote, both only available on the HP. Now I'm left wondering, just how important are these features? The screen on a laptop is small enough that I can't imagine watching a movie from far enough away that I'd need a remote, but who knows. And the Quickview thing, is that a feature that saves battery life since I don't have to run the OS while watching a movie, or is it simply a matter of how long it takes to start viewing a movie or listening to a CD? As of right now, there is no sticky that answers these. If someone makes one after I post this, I'm sorry.

 

I bought the compaq because of price, but would have liked the quick start feature since I view quite a few DVDs. The price difference was enormous with the $300 MIR. Within 10% or so I would go for the HP.

 

Nitsuj - QuickPlay does give an extra couple minutes of battery power, but only that. It is pretty much just a convenience feature. For me, the convenience was worth it for the dv4000 instead of the v4000t -- I'm in hotels every now and then and I use the remote to watch a DVD or two. You're right - the screen is small, so I'm not setting the thing up on the other side of the room, but I do put it out of arm's reach.

Ah, lazy...

Besides the color scheme and the QuickPlay features, there isn't any difference in the technology. Some people say the HP cases seem a bit sturdier, but I doubt it's like the difference between a Toshiba and an Averatec.

It really depends on what deals each line is offering for what features at the time you buy. When I bought my dv4000, it cost me only twenty-five bucks more than an equally equipped v4000t. If the price difference had been greater, I might've swung over to the Compaq tree.