Replacement laptop just as bad

You might remember my posts in January about a faulty TX1304 that kept BSODing. HP Canada repaired it twice before a case manager finally upgraded me to a TX1420.

I then posted about problems with that laptop not finding the drive. HP techs told me to reseat the drive and I've had to do that a few times. Now the screen will occasionally flicker too.

I'm about to head into the hell that is HP Tech chat. But before I do I just wanted to warn people away from HP laptops. In my years as a journalist taking laptops on the road, I've never had so much trouble before. And this particular laptop hasn't even been on the road yet. It can't even survive staying at home.

Last summer, I built a $3,000+ desktop monster. Haven't had one bit o' trouble. How can a company that does this day in and day out not be able to do the same?

 

Well, they're getting me to send it in for repair. And this morning, the screen officially died.

2 laptops, 4 repairs, 5 months. Way to go HP!

 

Well my old Dell traveled North America with no issues over a 5 yr. period. The PC I built hums along just fine. So maybe its not luck and HP just has poor quality control.

 

I agree...the replacement they sent me though is amazing....I've heard both horror and success with stories with HP

 

I agree, when they work, they seem like great computers. And the replacement was great on paper. 3gig vs 1 gig, 250gig HD vs 160. Faster processor. Touch screen.

After 2 repairs with the previous HP in its first three months I was definitely keeping my fingers crossed when this one arrived. To have issues almost immediately and now to have the screen die...you can see how I'm not feeling much love.

I just needed a laptop for reporting in January...it's may and the headaches continue.

 

I have 3 HP systems and not one complaint or repair except a drive that failed because I bumped the notebook while it was running. I have had Sony and D(H)ELL and the I'd never buy either of those again. Ever.

Some are good, some are bad and that is true of everything.

 

dont judge HP by only knowing a couple of PAVILIONS, they are craps , I agree , but HP business laptops are totally you know?

you should try a HP business 6910P or 2510P, you will change your view and opinon about HP.

any way, Dell is also a good brand but so are all others, other wise, they would have been all bankrupt.

 

Notebook 1 - dv2800 defective out of the box. Sent in for repair ( I know, I should have returned it) and unable to get parts in a timely manner.

Notebook 2 - dv2800 replacement arrived defective out of the box with broken touch pad button.

Obtained a refund and
Notebook 3 - purchased a retail model dv6700 series from online vendor and it was defective out of the box. One of the keys will not work properly and it is currently being sent in for repair. I would have sent if back to Newegg but I had sent the rebate in and they won't take it back or exchange it. Also, HP said I would possibly have to pay for the keyboard repair as they are not responsible for notebooks that are not purchased direct thru HP site. WTF!!!!
Also, I notified HP within 48 hours of purchase of the problem and they said they were going to call me back. They did not call back in 5 days so I had to call them.

3 new notebooks, 3 defective notebooks. All HP.

I can't remember any electronic device that I've purchased in the last 20 years that was defective twice in a row, not to mention 3 times in a row!

This all started in February and I still do not have a working notebook!!

Where I work we have purchased 100's of business line HP Compaq notebooks and NEVER had one defective out of the box.
I don't think HP consumer line was this bad 3 or 4 years ago as I would rarely see the type of repetitive problems and defects that I've seen since late 2006 and into 2007 and 2008. My personal opinion is that HP has cut quality oversight to save cost.

 

Oberkanone,

After my experience I'd love a refund too. How did you obtain one vs. the endless circle of repairs?

 

I asked for a refund or a guaranteed non-defective replacement notebook and HP (Case Manager, I think the case manager's are employed by Stream) opted to refund.

 

why buy a consumer level laptop when you need a serious work machine ? i have 2 8510-p and no complaints , i hear nothing but gripes with the pavillion line .
buy a buisness class HP , it's worth the $ , and the build quality and warranty are much better .

 

I have owned 3 HP computers and my syster had a compaq V5000z. The first one was Desktop that I gave away to my brother after a few years, still going strong. Second one was the ZV5000z had it for two years and never had problems, I sold it since It was to big to carry around on campus in order to get an smaller one. And the third one is the DV2000Z that I have right now. I never had problems with any of the hp machines. So far the only bad experience is that my sister's compaq died last fall for no reason after 1year.

Besides that I have had an over all good experience with hp. I knock on wood, hoping not to have problems.

I hope you solve your problems, and get a refund. Try the HP business line they wont disapoint you, they are bery reliable and well built and most of them come with 3year warranty, and in addition you get a different support line instead of the Bad Costumer support line you get with the consumer line.

 

The reason I bought the Pavilion was that my old Dell was giving up the ghost just before a business trip to the SAG Awards. It was just after Xmas and the local electronics superstore was advertising a lightweight TX1304 for a three digit price tag. The looming travel made me drop my usual style of long 'n' careful research followed by ordering directly from the manufacturer.

Wow, what a mistake! I'm looking at the biz line right now...

 

my dv6700 has had no problems. although my ze2315's screen hinges completely cracked and the LCD dangled from the wire. that was fun.