Do HP's still suck? (might get dv9000t)

I've been a Dell user for ages and the last I had to work on a HP or Compaq was... hmmm... 10 years ago? Back then HP/Compaq was *horrible*. Hardware that was impossible to upgrade unless you bought HP parts, impossible to find software drivers, could barely do a fresh OS install because there were so many off-brand/cheap components stuffed inside the box.

I swore I'd never purchase one but I've found that I hate Dell's laptop keyboard layout so much it's driving me to look at the dv9000 series for a 17" notebook that has a full keyboard layout and the Core 2 Duo.

 

Well, I have an HP myself, but it's pretty awesome. New keyboards are better (don't get the 8000 series, they have KB probs), most drivers already come on the laptop HDD (under the folder SWSETUP), or are available online. HP's do not include a reinstall disc however, you must purchase one for $10. And HP even has BIOS upgrades for those who want to upgrade their prrocessors to the C2D themselves!

 

I know what you are talking about. But much as happened over the course of these 10 years... Now, all their PCs do not require HP brand parts to be upgraded.

HP and Compaq are comparable in quality to Dell. (Not to mention the HP Compaqs look better than Dell)

 

stick with hp's business side and you'll be good

 

You "must" purchase one for $10? Did your laptop not prompt you to burn the recovery discs yourself 1 time for free?

 

HP's are quite good. I would actually recommend taking a look at the HP NX 9420. This is in HP's business lineup but still has the option of glossy screen and a full-size keyboard. Also, it has the ATI X1600 GPU and weighs in at only 7.4 pounds. Very light for a 17" laptop. All this with business class quality and a great price. Check it out here:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-64295-89315-321838-f1-1839153.html

Also, check out this review from Cnet:

http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Compaq_nx9420_2_16GHz_1GB_RAM/4505-3121_7-31780522.html?tag=tpr

Good luck and happy computing!

 

Well, you can burn them (I did, 12 CDs for me, lots of CDs!), but they come with the bloatware (he wanted to do a fresh reinstall). The nx9420 is great. I could use a few upgrades, but for what I paid for, not too bad.

Actually though, my nx9420 had minimal bloatware installed! All that was on the desktop was the Recycle Bin, and the computer only had HP recovery/assistance/update stuff, CD burning software (by sonic), WinDVD, and Norton (which came disabled). No trial Internet stuff, games, or stuff like that.

 

they sure do come with bloatware, but are you saying that the ones that you can buy from HP do not? instead of 12 CD's, you could have used only 3 dvd's, or 2 dual layers.

regardless, I simply uninstalled ALL the bloatware and I can't believe that after booting up, it only has 28 processes running! That's pretty awesome considering my previous Toshiba satellite (with no bloatware really) was up to around 36.

 

How would you say they compare with the dv9000 series? They seem similiar with the 9000 having perhaps more of the multimedia features and a bit sleeker look. Would build quality be different between the two? It doesn't seem as if you can do a custom config on these things, so I'm out a 7200 rpm drive on the 9420.

 

Well, you nailed the looks, that's for sure. Dell seems to try to go the sleek/sexy route but keep failing. I actually like their white-bumpered look on their smaller laptops but when you get to the 15" and 17" models they look a bit... clownish. Even their XPS line looks like their trying to look too "hardcore" and instead look a bit silly.

 

The NX9420 would have better build quality than the DV9000t because it is a business notebook. They build these more rugged than the consumer line. For example, they use a magnesium alloy for the chassis as opposed to plastic. The other big difference as you noted is that the DV9000t has more multimedia features but it is up to you whether this is worth it or not. As for configuring an NX 9420 I have heard of people calling HP and configuring one though this can make the laptop take much longer for delivery. If the only thing missing for you is the 7200 RPM hard drive then I would recommend just buying one in the aftermarket and installing it yourself. Anyway, as to your original question HP quality is good as opposed to how it may have been 10 years ago and I think any HP product you get will be of good overall quality. Good luck and happy computing!

 

Thanks for the info on the different chassis. Laptops are such a personal thing it makes it hard to pick one without being able to do the touch/feel test. I was a little hesitent to look at HP but thanks for the warm fuzzy on their products.

 

Just be aware of the screen. It's not the best out there. It's sufficient, just not supreme. For non proffesional purposes (DVDs, games), get the WSXGA+ Brightview. Glossy and glarey, but the colors are oh so much better (my brother has a V2000z with Brightview. Great angles, awesome color. The thing I like about mine, however, is that it has less glare. Keyboard and touchpad are also recessed on the nx9420, so they most likely won't be transferring finger oils onto the screen. Can't say for sure though.

 

I was wondering about the screen and resolution. I figure for 80% of the time I'll be staring at Courier New, 9pt (in my code windows). I'm getting this machine as mostly a development box for when I need to work off-site though I'm sure I'll be watching a movie or two on it from time to time.

Wish my local BestBuy had these models so I could knock them about a bit. I'm still torn between a dv9000t, nx9450 or for something completely different one of the 17" Asus models.