HP or Compaq

I recently bought an HP DV2550 and am very pleased with it. I have a friend who is looking for a similar computer but doesn't want to spend that much money (mine cost $999).

Are the Compaq computers as good as the ones with the HP name on them? I understand they cost less.

Thank you.

 

As far as I know, the HP and Compaq computers are identical. HP sells both brands. There might be a slight difference in support options, but that's about it. I'll keep my opinions on both brands to myself =).

 

Compaq presarios (except the C500 Series), are practically identical to HP pavilions, except they have lower specs and slightly different styling. Unfortunately, the Presario V3000, the 14.1" equivalent to the Pavilion dv2000 series, is no longer made. The 15.4" V6000 is still being made, along with the F500 (a cheaper, pre-configured V6000) and the C500 (Nothing more than an ancient Presario V5000 being milked for all its worth).

So yes, they should be just as good, but with lower specs and lower prices. I'd avoid the C500, simply because it's an older design with very low specs, but it's probably improved over the original V5000 design it was based on.

 

I would choose HP. Though HP did acquire Compaq their assembly line is a little different. Compaq's LCD and HP's LCD are not made by the same company. Compaq had notorious problems second only to eMachines. I bought a Compaq because it looked nicer but it died a little over a month and replaced with an HP brand which never had problems with.. v3000z to a dv2000z. I do miss the all piano black scheme of the Compaq.

 

There's also the HP Compaq business line which has better support then their consumer counterparts and a overall higher build quality. They are a tad pricier though.

 

@Duy028:

Most companies that have a business line tend to make those models a little better and support them better. Our office purchased several computers through Dell Business a few years back. Dell Business actually has USA-based technical support with onsite support available. Sadly, this makes perfect business sense. A business contract could be for several hundred computers at a go, while a home contract would be just one computer. Which customer would you rather retain as a repeat customer?

 

Not true....HP use several supliers and the LCD you get is more due to luck of the draw rather than any specific sorting on part of HP. I used to own a dv2000t with a SEC display which was of poorer quality than the QDS in my V3000z. So there is no 'quality' difference between the HP and Compaq lines.

The only difference is that HP offers less options(no webcam, fingerprint reader, extra microphone, dedicated graphics,high end cpu) with the Compaq line compared to the HP. This keeps the price down but has the same quality. BTW Compaq under HP have no relation to Compaq as an independant company other than having the same name.

 

I am now confused is the Compaq as good as HP? If all things are equal HP is good, Compaq little less good and both better than Gateways, fair statement or not?

 

Yes it is. Other than the brand name & cosmetic differences they are pretty much equal. Ofcourse since HP is marketing the Compaq to be the lower end series, they loose certain options which are available with the HP branded notebooks. If you dont need any of the extra options offered with the HP branded systems, the Compaq's are a pretty good alternative.

 

HP/Compaq offers 3 notebook lineups:

HP Pavilion: HP's standard consumer line.

Compaq Presario: HP's budget line. Identical to the HP Pavilions, except they have fewer and lower configuration options, and some cosmetic differences.

HP Compaq: (also known as HP Compaq business). HP's business line; designed to compete with Lenovo Thinkpads and Dell Latitudes.

Since the Compaq Presairo models are basically just lower-end versions of the HP Pavilion models, they are just as good, at least regarding build quality and service. The HP Compaq [business] models will generally offer higher build quality, less bloatware, better warranties, and better tech support. Because they are marketed as business notebooks, they usually tend to have rather plain-jane styling and lack the latest-and-greatest multimedia features. Instead, they have more security and data protection features, along with a more "professional" look.

They are definitely more expensive than equivalent HP Pavilion models, but the better build quality, warranty, and service, along with far less bloatware, make them worth the extra money.

Oh, and about Gateway: My family's owned 2 Gateway notebooks and 1 Gateway desktop, and, for the most part, they've been very good machines.

The Desktop, a Gateway 500 which is now 5 years old (P4), has never had a problem, and serves as the main computer for anyone back in my home to access.

Our first Gateway was an ultraportable Solo 3450 (PIII-M), which was really a re badged Samsung. It's at least 7 years old, and none of the power jacks work, the hinges no longer support the screen at all, the the Hard Drive's about dead. Then again, the owner (my Mother) was very hard on that Laptop (she traveled with it constantly), so it definitely took a beating.

The other Gateway notebook was a Gateway Solo 600, a massive, 15.7" 4:3 screen P4-M notebook. It is also 5 years old, and until a few months ago, never had a single problem, with the exception of a crack in the lid, near the left hinge. Now, sometimes it boots, and other times, it crashes just after startup. I think the problem is that the HD is about full. Also, the left touchpad button randomly "clicks" itself, so it can be hard to use it sometimes. This was my Dad's notebook, and even if the laptop still worked perfectly, he would have still gotten a new laptop (I mean, most people upgrade their notebooks either when they break or when they become older than 5 years; often sooner).

So overall, I think Gateway doesn't have the reputation it deserves. With the exception of the old 3450, our Gateways have been very good computers overall. Therefore, I think that Gateway is at least on par with HP Pavilions/Compaq Presarios. HP Compaq [business] is still better, IMO.

 

HP replaced my Compaq for free with an HP model equivalent (with extras). Now you stop and think.. why replace with an HP instead of a Compaq? I opted to buy Compaq because they were a little bit cheaper with the same options. But why is HP branding more costly if you say they have the same parts then why the discrepency? HP has more of a reputation to uphold than the Compaq name. BTW HP never told me why my Compaq v3000z went kaput. They had to send it to Corporate HQ to see if it's a quality issue, even their repair facility couldn't figure it out! After a month you don't expect a spanking brand new laptop to go under. I have an Averatec that hasn't given me a problem for 6 years and it's built quality is much less. I agree with the luck of the draw... it can happen to any laptops no matter which brand.

 

Thanks for the info. As to quality, seems a lot of this is the luck of the draw!

 

I hear both the Hp and Compaq's use memory from no name vendors and use "anybody for sale" hard drives.....Also I hear they use bottom level ASUS system boards....ASUS is godd, but bottom of the barrell??? What do I know, I work part time at a retailer that fixes what they sell....
As far as I know Toshiba uses fugitsu and hitachi Hd's, they are the most reliable, (from what I read), and if it's an intel, it's all intel...not a heinz 57. Be carefull do the research....not to mention I toshiba's come back the least...and (believe this or not, Acer does well....although I wouldn't buy one...

 

My HP dv2000z uses a Fujitsu HD. I've built desktop PCs using ASUS MB and they're great with more features and is more affordable than others. ASUS laptops I've heard are hard to beat since they make their own.