HP Laptop Durability/Hardware Life

I know someone who had an HP dv4000 for a year & a half, and it completely died. I am looking in to buying one of the newer generation HP notebooks, and I would like to know what experience people have had with HP notebooks. I am looking in to the dv2000, as it is the right price and it is the only notebook that meets my specifications, but when I buy a laptop, I need it to last at least 2, if not 3 years, so any input would be appreciated, as several people I know have discouraged me from buying an HP.
If you have owned an HP laptop:
How long did it last if it died?
How long did/have you have/had it?
How well is it holding up if you still use it?
Would you buy an HP laptop again?
Thanks in Advance for any advice!

 

I don't know much about HP laptop, but I own a Compaq Presario laptop. I bought it about one and half years ago, and it died now. My friends and I thought it was the problem of IDE connector on the motherboard. It's driving me mad...

so...
it last for 1.5 years
i had it for 1.5 years
it worked well when it's alive, but it died suddenly and thoroughly..
i won't consider buying any HP laptop any more. i will probably turn to Toshiba or Acer. Toshiba has a good reputation around my friends

I'm sorry if it discourage you, but it's my experience...

 

Yes, I'd buy an HP notebook again.

My dv1000: Going strong at 2.5 years old.

My dv2000: Nearing 1 year date and still preforming like new.

Aside from dropping my dv1000 (my fault, extra warranty covered repairs), I have had no problems with my HP systems.

 

I've owned three HP notebooks in my time...

My trustworth zx5000...and I'd still have it if it didn't die after 18 months! Fortunately, I had a 3 year warranty on the notebook, and HP replaced it with the zd7000. That's the key with warranties...they have to give you a functional computer if it breaks and cannot be repaired. My little $249 warranty got me a whole new notebook when I needed it.

zd7000...which I told you how I got. It was too large to use, so I sold it.

Now I'm back to the nc8430, and while I'd have a small argument or two with my notebook's DVD drive (which is on its 3rd replacement) I still have faith in HP's ability to replace stuff when you point out it needs replacing. You just have to put it the right way, ask them what they would have done if it were their laptop, and bingo.

But yeah, just get the warranty if you need it to last that long. Also, the business notebooks are of a higher quality and build, and are more likely to last. My nc8430 came with a 3 year warranty as standard.

 

Don't scare me. All posts aboves say that the laptop died within 2 years and that' really scary.

Any stories of a hp laptop with longevity?

 

I'll post again in about 2 years.

But seriously, I have little doubt that my nc8430 will last at least 3 (as long as I take care of it). The newer Pavilions (dv9000, dv6000, etc) seem to be built fairly well, I've checked them out in stores too.

The thing to keep in mind is that 95% of the stories you'll read are about failing laptops are software issues. Many who post here have problems, not good stories. You're hearing all the bad, and little of the good...so you get only the ugly part of the picture. In the end, just take care of your laptop and get a warranty to play it safe. Most notebooks will last 3-4 years tops...and that's only because everything is in such a small space and highly packed...and mobile. The only reason my zx5000 died was because I carried it around EVERY DAY.

 

I'm in the process of buying my third HP since 2002.

The first was a pre-merger Omnibook xt6050. Very lovely machine in many ways, and a good "starter laptop". This specific model wasn't very common, at least not here in Finland, but I regularly see other models of this vintage (2000-2003 or so) for sale in "good condition".
Unfortunately MY Omnibook didn't last more than 2 years before it developed an annoying tendency to shut off at the least opportune moments (whenever it was even slightly moved). No obvious reason, the suspect is an invisible crack in the motherboard due to falling and hitting the hard floor far too many times.
After I got my next one a friend of mine used it as a super-stationary desktop for surfing and watching movies for awhile.

My current machine is an nc4000, bought in 2004 (when it was already an old model). It's extremely light and portable and has been schlepped around quite a bit in a soft, velvet ladies handbag. Also fallen a few times (but not as much as the OB), been roughly treated wrt dust, crumbs and small spills of water (it's unbeliavably grimy). It is definitely in need of a thorough internal cleaning to get it to run cooler.

Both of these notebooks were treated more like desktops when it comes to always being on - the nc4000 is probably "twice as old" when counted in usage hours as a typical notebook that age would be.

Now I'm looking for a new one, mostly because I've outgrown my nc4000 and want a bigger screen, an internal DVD and more power. I'll probably order an nw8440 (similar to the nc8430 lots of people here have) today.
Not that my nc4000 is absolutely problem free anymore: I have a weird issue with the HD (the original, NB, this machine has never been opened in 3 years!) getting spastic, probably from peaks of static electricity. I've learned to not touch anything connective on the case without first touching something else, sitting down, touching the radiator beside me etc.

I think the commonality here is that both my machines have been "business models" (back in 2002 the separation wasn't as clear as now, but since it came with a modular bay (I even had a floppy drive!) I would say it was more of business model), and not especially cheap when bought.

Any help?
I know I've been lucky since I've not had any problems that I would have needed the warranty for - that's something that can happen with any machine, regardless of price-range. But I'm of course hoping I'll be as lucky with my next one too...

 

I've read that the HP dv2000 and the Compaq v3000 series were discontinued. I have the 2K series and it's working like a charm. I had a 3k and that one died within a month...HP replaced with the 2k. I want to buy a new notebook/laptop but will wait until the LED screens come out (hopefully soon and cheap). LED's I heard are brighter and last longer (bulb and battery wise).

I also have an Averatec and that one is almost 4 years old and still going strong. The only thing I had to replace was the CD/DVD drive, twice.

 

I've had my HP Pavilion dv8000t for a year now, and its still going strong. The new HP dvx000 notebooks are very popular.

 

I do not think there is a need for HP to invest more money into making high durable notebooks (without a price increase). I mean the dv series are ok, but the average life span may be 2-3 years.

For users who need highly durable notebooks, they'd need to look at Panasonic toughbooks or those variants.

HP, Dell etc update their lines the minute Intel releases a new processor. I think Intel updates are yearly, quaterly? Either way, I'd prefer to spend on a notebook that lasts for ~2 years and keep upgrading.

That way, I dont have to regret spending $2000 only to realize there is a new spec/config/processor.

 

I really don't need an ultra-durable notebook, I just need one that I will be able to carry every day for 3 years that won't break down. I can't afford to buy a laptop very often, so I want one that will last me a while, and I asked you guys here about HP because their laptops are cool, but I have heard bad things from people I know personally about HP laptops.

 

Had numerous problems with my HP dv5030us.

Problems started a few months after purchase. General stability issues (not related to Windows being unstable either, surprisingly), hardware issues, compatibility issues with certain parts not being up to spec (PCMCIA slot incompatible with anything that generally requires the PCMCIA slot to be up to spec), USB unstable and not even close to what USB 2.0 speeds should be.

Less than 2 weeks before the warranty was up, the motherboard finally malfunctioned. Any USB, PCMCIA, or ExpressCard device shows up as a malfunctioning device. Reinstalled Windows about 6 times and even tried Vista with no luck. Diagnostic CD run by the techs at Fry's show that the motherboard has no USB ports. Shipped it out to HP, they "fixed" the DVD drive and not the motherboard. System is currently back on its way out to HP to be fixed again.

My notebook spent at least 95% of the time plugged in sitting on a stable desk not doing anything except recording TV, browsing the web, and playing music.

HP's customer support and build quality is even worse than Sony and their DRM issues and telling customers they're SOL.

Theres thousands of posts in this forum that clearly show just how bad HP is when it comes to keeping the customer happy.

I'd honestly steer clear of them completely.

If you want small and reliable notebook, get a MacBook. Apple actually takes care of their customers, the systems last for years (I know people with the first model iBooks that still run), and you'll finally escape the world of Windows into an operating system that can truly be called "modern". No more viruses, no more spyware, no more registry

 

I just got a DV9030 for Christmas. So far I have been having these problems:

CDROM tray buzzes
CDROM causes buzzing in case surrounding touchpad
Case surrounding touchpad rattles when typing
Key popped of keyboard one week after opening box
Enter key quit working on replacement keyboard
Lid loose
Fan constantly runs on mid setting, draining my battery very quickly, even when computer is idle.

After having all of these issue with a four month old laptop, I don't think I'm going to buy HP again.

 

I think with notebooks it's a matter or care for the most part and luck the rest of the way.

I have a friend with an old business class omnibook HP (one of the first ones with a quickplay variant) and she had it for 4-5 years before she gave it to her sister. I had a HP ZE5000 I ran for 2 years before I sold it and upgraded to a Compaq x1000. The x1000 lasted me 3 years before I upgraded to my dv2000. Currently a friend has the x1000 on it's 4th year and it's running fine. For me I take good care of my notebooks and since I got the x1000 been using them as primary computers (turn them on everyday with varied usage). So they are pretty durable (I also hit the side of my dv2000 on a stairway railing pretty hard with little damage). Now we also have a four year old Toshiba (had memory problems but Toshiba recalled that). I have had 2 Sonys (1 for 1 year and the other for 2). I disliked their support and the construction of their laptops were not as good as they are today but they seemed pretty okay. On thing of importance I get warranties for almost all my notebooks in case of any type of failure (through I barely ever had to use them, mostly for support).

Most of the time my experience with major manufacturer (Dell, HP, Apple, IBM) is that they are well made and tend to last at least 2-3 years. I have heard of the occasional HP, Dell (lots of those but kinda wondering if that is because they sell so many and that goes for HP too), and Apple. I hear very little issues with IBMs but you probably will end up spending a bit more for one of their laptops. From what I know of Apples is that they make slick products but ALWAYS buy the AppleCare (oh my experience with my hated uhmmm wonderful ipod). Most of the MAC people I know make sure they have the AppleCare as they all experienced something that required a repair or support in someway of another (also you can go directly to a MAC store and have your equipment repaired there onsite). Their stuff is prone to little problems sometimes and unlike Windows machines with a larger aftermarket base it may not be easy to fix them. A pro, their OS and most of their software is easier to deal with, rarely any driver problems because they control the all the equipment on their computers (both desktop and laptop). My personal opinion is that if had $2000 to spend I would probably choose a IBM due to previous experience over any of these other manufacturers. But that's just my opinion

 

I'm gonna receive my new dv6000t near the end of this month. And I hope that some of these problems are just a matter of how people use their laptop. And luck I suppose.

For example, I almost never used my current laptop on the knee as it blocks ventilation and creates g forces. On a desk, I always have a good cooling pad underneath to help with the heating whenever possible. And I always carried the laptop in a laptop backpack, instead of a normal backpack or messenger bag. I ruined my the hard drive that came with this laptop by carrying it around in a messenger bag. I've had my current laptop for almost 4 years now and I hope that my new one will last just as long.

 

Mysterie:

Can you shed some lights on how to take care of the lappy in the general way?

 

Getting back to the OP, business class notebooks tend to last longer than consumer grade ones in general (one of our Shipping guys at work has a running Pentium-II based Dell Latitude). However if your careful, no reason a consumer based system won't last you 3 years.

Bottom line, statistically speaking your system will be obsolete long before it fails. So if cost/performance over time is a concern, you might be better off going less expensive system with a shorter recycle time. Less speed up front, but you'll be able to maintain that cost/performance better over time.

Personally, I enjoy paying for tech companies R&D.

 

I agree with celondil, there is a big difference between consumer and buisness class notebooks.

Personally, I have a n410c which sees daily use and was bought off eBay and must be well over 5 years old now. I also have a n800w which was new and is 4 years old now (screen hinges are a bit loose but thats all). And a nw8000 which is 3 y/o and sees daily use. These are all buisness books and still work perfectly.

I have had a couple of toshiba consumer books that broke within 2 years, mostly plastic parts and lid/hinges.

My advice would be if you are using it everyday and opening closing the lid at least twice a day, then you should get buisness class. If it is for home use and won't be moved about too much then you are better off getting consumer.