Quality of HP vs. Compaq Laptops?

As Compaq and HP have merged, is there any real quality difference between the HP and Compaq Laptops?

I noticed that a laptop with the same specs was $250 less for a Compaq than the HP and I wonder why if they are nearly the same.

Thanks

 

I spoke to an HP tech rep this week and asked him the same thing. I was looking at the Compaq v2030US and HP dv1040US. He said that these lines were identical in quality and shared most components & manufacturing. He says he laughs how some people say the love compaq but hate HP, or vice-versa, because they're essentially the same. [8D]

As for you finding a compaq for $250 less than the equivalent HP, i'd suggest buying the cheaper one then. Sometimes you'll find the opposite: for example if you build a compaq v2000 and an HP dv1000 today that are nearly the same, the HP can cost a couple hundred less. Because the HP gets much larger rebates, at least today. Go figure. [ )]

 

It is strange that the same machine config would be $250 less for HP vs. Compaq. I wonder why they don't stop the Compaq line and just make HP laptops.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by dm_tx

 

I'm glad to hear the HP rep confirm what I suspected from observation anyway. I'd have been really surprised to hear differently.

Regarding the rebates-- I just configured and ordered an HP DV1000 notebook and found it to be cheaper than the equivalent Compaq (at least online at www.hpshopping.som). So yeah, this type of thing changes weekly.

It doesn't surprise me they continue both lines, the only difference being a few aesthetics. Read the number of "reviews" online where someone focuses mostly on how nice it looks, and you realize that a lot of people buy their machines largely on appearances. So HP/Compaq might as well have a selection of pretty machines to cover the market.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jim98122x

 

Not sure if this post is a little too late for you. I chose a V2000 over the dv1000. Read the reasons for the same in my post here:
http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9882

My config:
Pentium M 725 1.6GHz
Productivity Ports
14" BrightView
512 MB RAM
40 GB HDD
Intel 2200BG

 

Also the slightly thinner design of the dv1000 (compared to the v2000) seems to be responsible for its HD getting noisy soon after purchase. According to the HP factory rep, and he added the v2000 doesn't have that problem. Several in this forum complained of it already.

 

they are they same thing, same parts. All you should worry about is the price differnece and the looks of the case, otherwise everything else is the same.

Compaq R3000T (CTO)
P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
2 X 1024MB RAM
Radeon 9600 128MB
60GB 7,200RPM HD
AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115

 

Actually I think the dv1000 is slightly thinner and (according to the HP factory rep with whom I spoke at a show) has had HD noise problems (as reported by a few members here too). Check out the stats for yourself. That extra tenth of an inch on the compaq saves the HD.

Also, several members have reported differences between the vertical viewing angle of the screen. But perhaps it was just a coincidence that all the poor ones happened to be the HP.

 

Skibunny,

I chose the HP over the Compaq for three reasons:

1. Mostly, I liked the quickplay, and the Compaq didn't offer it.
2. I liked the remote control, even if I hardly ever use it. It was only $14.99 to add it, and Compaq didn't have that either.
3. I got a corporate discount (it was only $50) and there was a $50 instant discount, so I saved $100. But that can change anytime.

I don't believe the brightview is any different between the two, and I don't believe the Harmon Kardon speakers are any better or worse than the JBL's. That's all subjective anyway. I liked the 2nd headphone jack for in-flight movies when you're travelling with someone. I don't believe the network cards are any different either, and besides both were offering "free" upgrade to the same Intel wireless card. I said "WTF" and went for another $25 to add Bluetooth.

I would have liked the option of a better video card, but I don't care about games anyway, so this wasn't too important.

BTW, if anyone is a Costco member, this same series is going to be on sale next month, check your "Costco Passport" coupon book you might have just received.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jim98122x

 

I think a lot of employees get it, esecially if you work for a big company. Check your employee benefits page at work and they may be listed.

 

SkiBunny,
Employee discounts usually apply to companies that use HP computers in house (within corporation). So if the company you work for is large and uses only HP computers, it's possible they may have struck a deal with HP to get a discount for their employees. As Jim mentioned, check you companies benefits site and see if anything's listed about employee purchases of computers.

Dm_tx,
The quality of HP & Compaq are exactly the same, mainly because the product lines use mainly the exact same hardware internally. The HP DV1000 & Compaq V2000 use the same motherboard and other main components. The only things that are really different would be the speakers and casing design, otherwise it's similar.

The price difference could be related to the contracts they have with the manufacturers of some of their parts. Even though they're the same company HP may have a better contract with Harmon Kardon vs Compaq's deal with JBL for their speakers. Since all the contracts were signed before the HP/Compaq merger, they may be stuck until it's time to renew.

So the systems generally come down to user preference. The HP is more home user oriented (more buttons for entertainment), while the Compaq is more business user oriented (cleaner/sleeker look, less buttons).

-Vb-

 

It's not necessarily true the employee discounts apply on machine brands used in-house. I just got laid off from a large telecom company-- and we used entirely Toshiba laptops. We got employee discounts on HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, and IBM. I checked them all out, and liked the deal on HP the best. In spite of all the Toshiba laptops we had, we didn't get much of a deal on them for employee purchases. (I almost bought a Dell, but was subjected to the most APPALING customer service I've ever witnessed, causing me to cancel the order-- thank god in time.)

 

Well supposivly there suppost to have the same quality (says hp) but I think that the Compaq notebooks have poorer build quality than the hp laptops.

Windows - The operating system that runs the world.

Toshiba - Quality, price, and features!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jim98122x

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by SkiBunny

 

I am looking into the HP DV1000 and was wondering what your opinion of the screen was. What is the quality of the screen with regard to viewing? I am looking into the Brightview option.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by titaniummd

 

*For those of you who don't like Fords, sorry. Don't want to hear opinions about Fords. You get the true idea of the comparison, here, I hope, which is the point.*

HP is to Compaq like Ford is to Mercury. YES, there is a difference - HP is made with better, more compatible and reliable components; is more durable, better warranties, priced a little higher, etc.



Liquid620 - HP.Pavilion.ZT3340US.Widescreen