HP/Compaq reliability?

I've read here for a while.
I filled out the FAQ for notebook suggestions.
I decided on an HPdv4000.
I made the mistake of posting my choice on my blog and was flooded with messages from friends, including one college campus computer repair technician who said HP/Compaq are unreliable, easily broken and difficult--and expensive--to fix.

The more I read, the more confused I get. It seems like *every* laptop modely and manufacture has something wrong.

What's been your reliability on your HPs/Compaqs?

 

I don't think HP is any worse than anyone else. As you noticed, they all have issues.

If you haven't purchased yet and don't need the X700 video option, check out the new dv5000z (aka Compaq V5000z). Same form factor but 64-bit Windows Vista ready. Probably less expensive too.

 

Basically, Compaq's notebooks were horrible before the merger. When that Fiorina was CEO of HP and they bought Compaq, the merger of the product lines was botched and using some of the old Compaq practices actually degraded the quality of HP's machines then.

All that is straightened out now, though, and HP's current machines are (as Brian points out) as good as any at that price point. I'd argue they're better than Dell's.

As your friends have demonstrated, though, it is easy for people to remember the bad. Compaq was bad, and they dragged HP down for a while, but they're fine now.

Just don't buy a used, three-year-old HP.

 

I agree - HP's laptops, while not the best, are quite good for the amount you pay. Some of their notebooks, like the dv4000 have had some complaints about the keyboard becoming "shiny", although this doesn't affect the usability of the notebook. Like Slappy I'd arge that they're better than Dells. HP also has decent tech support that actually is concerned with your problem and have good repair times.

 

I owned an HP before I bought my current notebook. I was very impressed with the design and ownership experience as a whole on the HP. I would definitely buy another one.

I had my HP for a little over a year. No problems whatsoever. Highly recommended.

 

::throws hat into the arena::

I've owned an HP for two and a half years (recently upgraded to a Sager)...the only problem I ever had with it was a hard drive failure about a year and a half in, but it was covered by the extended warranty that I bought wth it. Otherwise, it's been a superb machine, and I'd definitely recommend purchasing from them.

 

I would definately buy an HP again.

 

Best bang for the buck is the Compaq line. They seem to have taken tried and true models like the V2000 and improved them rather than constantly changing styles and numbers.

 

HP is easily the best "no-frills" OEM because there are no coupons to deal with, no crappy India tech support (you might even get someone from Canada!), and generally good build for laptops. Granted, don't expect and Acer Ferrari for what you pay for but it'd recommend them for anyone looking for a good notebook.

As for Compaq, it's the same as HP (in a good way). The laptops are almost the exact same, minus the multimedia features. Some people will prefer 1 over the other but it all comes from the same factory.

 

Agreed. I have the same thought not so long ago. Compaq was bad on PC/notebook line. I remember, they used all sort of proprietary stuff and cause many conflict with Windows native system.
I believe HP purchased compaq for their market share (at that time), especially for server product. Compaq has a well-established server market back then (remember, compaq has purchased DEC).
Everything seem to be good now. So far, I'm pretty happy with the compaq I have now.