Opinions on the HP Compaq 2230s 12" ultraportable

For anyone who's come across this laptop, how is it? I can't seem to find much information about laptop. In particular, how does it compare to laptops like the T400 or the like, and how's the battery life.

-Thanks, I really appreciate it.

 

Hello. I'm new here.

I just ordered one so I will know how it performs next week.
I don't have any experience with laptops from other manufactures but at least we will know how well this one runs.

Talk to you later.

 

Hi zcar300 how is your 2230s?

I was looking at the specs today and it looks like a great laptop. 12", only 1.7kg and HDMI.

 

Yes it is a great little laptop. I take it every where.
My only concern is that I'm have a problem with the audio. The audio doesn't work when it boots up but if you restart (not shutdown and start up again.) it will work fine. Warm boot vs cold boot I guess. I'm sure it's just a fluke and doesn't happen on all of them. If I really wanted to I could replace the system board and cure the problem. My office is an HP reseller, so I replace parts on HPs all the time. If your like me and like to tinker, it is a pain to upgrade the processor, bluetooth, and system board. Screen resolution might not be the highest out (1280x800) there but I wouldn't really want it much smaller on a 12" screen anyway. The speakers are not very loud either. If your going to watch movies you will want headphones or external speakers. I watch TV shows in my bedroom but even then I sometimes put my earbuds in just to get better sound. I have two gigs of RAM and a 2.26 Core 2 Duo and it runs great in XP and Ubuntu. The only thing it I've found that slows it down is Nero Vision. Everyone I've shown it to likes it. Oh, and the HDMI works like a charm too.

 

Thanks zcar300. Is the hard drive accesible through a panel on the bottom?

Do you have any chance to put it on a scale? I'd like to know the real weight.

By the way, your sound problem sounds like a software/driver problem to me.

 

Yes the hard drive, RAM and wireless card is accessible through two panels on the bottom.

I can weight it at work today. (update: it weights 3lbs 13.6oz)

Yeah I thought so too but I have reinstalled the drivers in windows and it didn't help. Also it seems to do the same thing in Ubuntu but I haven't test that as much.

 

Thanks. That's about 1.75kg and very close to what they promised.

 

zcar300, how is your battery life?

 

How well does it work in Ubuntu and what kind of battery life do you get on it with it? Phil convinced me to get one . Its on the way!

 

CrazyDesi, I read you just got yours:
Can you describe more about the screen, like does it appear to be very bright or how is the contrast?
Would it be bright enough for outside use?

 

Check your pm Phil.

 

Anyone want mine for 600 dollars with free shipping to the United States? Still got the foam and everything. Only used for 3 hours.

 

Don't you want to try to increase the battery life?
The CPU is probably not downclocked in Ubuntu.

Please make a proper add for the Marketplace forum.

 

Are there any other owners of the 2230s with T5870?

I'd like to know what the max battery life is.

 

I am considering buying this laptop, but have bad experiences with HP through a now dead TX1001AU (Broadcom WLAN died, followed by motherboard). I'd like to ask a few questions if I can.

1. Does the laptop have a button to switch off the touchpad should you wish to use a mouse?

2. Is the wireless more reliable than the Broadcom unit?

3. Does it have an XD card slot?

4. Will the speakers be almost as good as my old Altec Lansing ones in the TX1001AU?


Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am looking to make a purchase soon.

Kind regards,

 

Anyone? Please

 

It doesn't have a button to switch off the touchpad.

I have not had a problem with the wireless on mien.

It only supports SD and MMC

Never used the TX1001AU but the speakers aren't anything special

The screen brightness is the same as any other HP I've seen. Not the brightest but plenty considering it's a laptop.

Battery life is two or three hours. I usually forget how long it's been before I realize I only have twenty or so minutes left.

I replaced the system board in mien and it fixed the audio problem I was having. Haven't had another problem since. Other then I forgot to plug in the bluetooth before putting it all back together. lol