How durable are HP/Compaqs?

I've heard from some people that Compaq laptops don't last that long, but going on this forum, I haven't really read anything bad about their durability. I plan on purchasing a v2000 by the end of the summer so i can use ot for university, and I don't want to have so many problems during these 4 years of education. My choice was either getting the v2140 (the one with the pentium chip, not celeron), or an iBook, but I'd much rather have a Windows-based computer.

I know it all depends on how I treat the laptop, but, generally, are they as bad as I heard from other people? They do have OLD Compaqs, that are about 4-5 years old, so has the quality really increased?

Thanks in advance!

 

If you want top quality look at an IBM or Fujitsu. Compaq do not cost as much, but probably wont last as long, so its a trade off. The four to five old Compaqs are probably Evos or Armada which have evolved into the HP business class notebooks. They, like IBM and Fujitsus, are very well built. What is your budget?






I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

With the business line of HP/Compaq notebooks you'll find better quality build, such as with the NC series. I haven't heard too many complaints regarding quality of the v2000, but as you say a lot of how the laptop lasts depends on how much you use it and how well you treat it. Make sure to buy a sleeve and good carrying case for it.

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I've looked around and seen no complaints about the build quality of the V2000. I've also tried it out at several computer stores and I tnink its pretty solidly built. Of course, you should still treat it very carefully. I think Compaq has increased in quality since their merger with HP.

IBM and Fujitus laptops have the best quality but also cost more and I think those laptops are more for business professionals and such, not college students.

 

I've used several Compaq's over the years without major problems. I then bought a Digital (was event. bought by Compaq) and I constantly had problems and break downs.

My current notebook is a Pavillion N5495 and it lastet 3 years on very heavy usage. Then the HD went and now the LCD backlight starts crapping out. Can't really complain about that for the amount I used it.

Currently looking to get a zv5000 series from HP.

 

If you want your computer to last,take care of it like you would care for your wife[ ][ ][ ]

or

Buy Panasonic toughbook or an army issued laptop [ ]





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The Compaq has a nicer outside finish (Matte Black) versus the gloss silver on the HP DV1000.

For more dedicated users of these two machines, read more on www.dv1000forums.com.

I don't believe there is a college in the Arctic (A-R-C-T-I-C). Actually I stand corrected...

http://www.nac.nu.ca/main.htm

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
9 Cell Battery x 2
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

He doesn't need a Toughbook, unless his college is located in the Artic or the Sahara. They are way too expensive.

Trust me J-Money, the V2000 will not die out on you for a while if you take care of it.

 

Hmmm, my hp ze4315us has been in Iraq twice for 4 and 6 months. It worked like a charm in 120 degree temps, It had shock tests in aircraft and vehicles riding on dirt roads. It still works like it's brand new and it's almost 3 years old now. From my personal expeirence, Hp does a fine job...that's why I choose another one! I don't see many post with people having hardware problem...most are software problems people bring on themselves.

X6000 P-4 3.2GHz 2gigs PC2 4200(533MHz)Ram 7200RPM 60 gig HHD 8x DVD Burner and the Brightview!

 

Thanks a lot guys; i'll most probably pick up a v2000 by the end of the summer (hopefully when the prices go down a bit). I was considering either the Compaq v2000, the Dell 700m, or an iBook. The 700m was my last choice, mainly because of the sub-par battery life, and it's price (without the discounts).

I'm also not too fond of it's "cheaper" feel; the Dell kiosk I went to, the 700m was missing 3 keys... You'd think the reps would fix them, since they're displaying them. Doesn't look very good when your demo's keys are falling off and the top-cover has 2 huge scratches.

The iBook, I really like, but the wider view of the v2000 is much more appealing to reduce the screen-crammage, esp since I have to take quite a lot of notes. Also, I can play Counter-Strike! [ ]

Yeah, I'm more for the entry-level light/portable notebooks, not the business laptops. My budget is $1200-1400 Canadian, and i know there's not many in that price range for me to chose from. Actually, i think there's just 4:

-Sony v505
-Dell 700m (with the rebates)
-iBook 12"
-Compaq v2000/HP dv1000

Thanks guys, looking forward to my purchase.

 

Hmm, upon reading the "DV1000" thread (http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6909), I'm once again leaning toward the iBook. I was hoping to play some games (mostly CS:S), but if it's just gonna cause problems, I'll go for the Apple. It has a longer battery life, and it's also good for video-editing, which was something I was considering using the laptop for.

 

Approximately 1 1/2 yrs ago,we got 23 new laptops for our department. We are traveling teachers and use them daily in the field etc. Prior to this last purchase, I had always ordered Del laptops. We did have some problems. Over the course of a six years of Del, we had to send some units in for repair but on the whole they performed ok. They did give us good repair service. We were using Dell- Inspirons.

At our last "buy" the central office went to a bidding system and took the choice out of my hands. As a result, we got 23 HpCompaq nx9010. I groaned........ugh cuz this group was making countless call to me to get them bailed out of their troubles.

We have not had ONE problem with these HP laptops. This has been most amazing. This is a group that if there was going to be ANY problem---they would find it, due to the waythese are used.

I have been so impressed with the way these laptops have held up that a few months ago, I replaced my personal laptop with a HP zv5340 -- AMD 3400+ (Desktop replacement). After personally owning (and paying for) 5 laptops --- this is the BEST laptop that I have ever owned.

My guess is that part of the reason that HP takes a bum rap is because their product is so available in retail stores. The more experienced computer user is likely to order their laptop CTO --- which seems a scary proposition to novices.

I would definitely recommend HP laptops. We have other models circulating and they are reporting wonderful success also.

 

I to was a defender of dell and am about to retire a 3 year old inspiron 2600, that has been to afghanastan and now has wistood 3 months of Iraq with no problems. I want to play the better games while deployed though. My aunt is a die hard archeologist and scuba diver and she bought a HP about 18 months ago, after I helped her pick out an HP desktop, she's not real big into computers and it was a killer deal, anyway she swears by them after her laptop has been dropped off the tailgate of her pickup truck several times, her 120lb dog has laid on it and done no damage to it whatsoever. Alot of guys out here have bought HP's since we been here, mainly due to them and averatechs is all you can purchase at the PX's in kuwait/iraq. So I figured what the hell, lets see what they got, and the same specs for my HP were 600 less then Dells, plus I get media center and the TV Tuner. So hopefully I will get my new laptop soon, but as for durability when I started this deployment I woulda spit on HP, but now I think they are a good laptop.

Ordered:
HP ZD8080
P4 3.4
1 Gig PC3200 ram
100 G 4200RPM HD
ATI X600 256M Video
WINXP MC 2005

 

J-money--

I cannot ever understand the logic of deciding which laptop to buy based solely on gaming ablities when there are game consoles available in the market.

Maybe its the sports-utility- vehicle(SUV) of the computer world[ ]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Those who forget History, are condemned to repeat it"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.7GHZ :: 512ram :: 8x dvd-rw :: 60GB hdd :: 12 cell battery :: 54g Broadcom+bluetooth :: BOOQ Vyper-M sleeve

My favourite sleeve http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=96

My favourite laptop Samsung X50 http://notebook.samsung.de/article.asp?artid=38FC0A21-706D-4D64-AC9C-782649043AD3

 

Redfish, to further elaborate on your "theory" about novice users buying laptops in Brick and Mortar retail outlets: Another source of a 'bad rap' in regards to quality could very well be due to the handling of the machines on the way to the shelves. Buying factory direct, there isn't as much third party handling as buying from a brick and mortar. I've seen how some of the freight is handled at these stores, knowing this I'm somewhat apprehensive about buying anything fragile at one of these stores.

 

I work for the phone company and have used the Panasonic Tough Books and now I am using a Compaq EVO 6000. I've dropped both of them many times. From what Ive learned look for good service. The Compaq has a new bottom half for the case and on a seperate incident a new hard drive. Both times HP overnighted the parts to some contractor and fixed it like the next day. We have a three year in home type service agreement. The Tough Books had similar problems you drop it enough times you need a new hard drive. We had to send those in to get repaired it took at least a week to get it back. Overall the service from HP has been great. You may get India on the phone, but most company's are the same.

 

Ah, most of these computer companies except Apple maybe outsource their support to India, so you shouldn't knock that against HP.

HP laptops may not be as tough as these Panasonic toughbooks, but they still are pretty tough and a hell of a lot cheaper. I don't like the look of the Ibook, looks too simple and plain to me.

 

Build quality for certain models is extremely good. My Presario 2800T (legendary model) is built like a tank. It's design was so good, that HP decided to keep that design and implement it across its entire business line. Aside from some cosmetic changes, it's still the same tried and true design that has lasted to today.

Where else can you desktop replacement performance and features in a true thin and light form factor? Their flagship business "desktop replacement" is a mere 5.8 lbs with everything and is a paper thin 1.1 inches. By comparison, the thinnest (for its size) notebook on the market is the Powerbook G4 at 1.0 inches. Kudos to HP for delivering an excellent, sturdily built notebook in such a small package.