Update on wardzone's nc6000

Wardzone’s been silent for a while, but here’s a report on my notebook progress. Based as much as anything on the review in Mobile PC, I purchased a HPQ nc6000. I wanted the mobile chip technology that comes with the Centrino name, but also waned integrated wireless a/b/g compatibility. I had outgrown a CD as my back-up medium, so wanted a DVD writer. Finally, I wanted a great battery so I could avoid having to carry a spare with me.

So far, the nc6000 has done everything I wanted. Using a port replicator, I use it with a keyboard, mouse & monitor in the office. On the road, it works quite well with just the built-in control options. I got the fastest M chip they offered at that point (1.6) and 1 gig of RAM (the minimum purchased through HPQ and removed, and 2 new chips from Crucial).

The machine boots almost immediately, the screen is very high quality & just fine for working or movie watching (I’ve never tried gaming) and battery life is everything I’d hoped it would be. Per HPQ recommendation, I fully discharged/recharged the battery a few times before charging & keeping it. With a DVD running and all power management turned off, screen at full bright, it typically lets two full movies run – almost 5 hours. I’m on vacation as I write this note and my wife & I watched a movie while flying from Indianapolis to Charlotte and I’ve been working for almost an hour. The battery monitor says it has 61% life remaining, estimating just over 3 more hours. I did purchase the larger 8 cell battery, but with even minimal power savings turned on, this is a coast-to-coast machine for most business users.

I’m sure no one would consider it to be concert-hall quality, but the front mounted speakers & volume control are very handy for either working or movie watching and the sound is perfectly adequate for listening to a CD in a motel room.

My biggest problem has been the switch from W2K to XP – a rant for another board. The only hardware issue has been inadequate support for the external mouse (which I use most of the time) running under the Synaptics touchpad drivers. These must be installed for the pad/stick to work, yet do not support full programming for the wheel. HP has informed me that it is a software, not hardware, issue so I continue to experiment on my own.

When using it on the road, away from the external keyboard/mouse, I do have the occasional problem with touchpad accuracy, especially while typing. It may be that the case is a bit “soft” and I’m getting some flexing or perhaps this is just poor technique on my part. The integrated wireless has worked perfectly, allowing me to check for email from people’s houses, motels & Starbucks stores. I’ve been unable to send email, but I believe I need to re-configure the “account” settings to reflect the network which I’m using and I’m not technical enough to know how. As far as general business use, the nc6000 is just about perfect. It was not cheap, but the quality so far has been just fine and it is meeting my needs very well.

Support has been adequate – with issues related to there being a different power supply for the unit when used with the Port Replicator vs. when plugged-in directly and the question of the touchpad/mouse drivers. Also, as I’ve contacted support, I’ve had a little trouble drilling-down both on the website and the phone menu. With the combination of HP and Compaq, not every page/menu has been updated for the nc line. Apparently this model replaces a previous Compaq laptop, but without knowing the details, about 1/4 of the time I’ve been left without an option (or link) that deals with the nc.

 

hi Wardzone, good to see you back and thanks a lot for the synopsis you've given here of the nc6000. I've come across many a notebook in which the touchpad just doesn't seem to react how it should and in general I'm beginning to feel that the touchpad might be an afterthought for quality and testing on a notebook...although I'm not sure why as it's obviously a main method of input for many users. For instance, nearly every Sony VAIO device I've used has had something odd in use of the touchpad. So I guess what I'm saying is that if one of the few problems you can fault this notebook on is the touchpad then there's not a whole lot to complain about overall it seems. Looks like you made a good choice!

 

Wardzone,

Thanks for the review on this unit. Yes, this is the replacement to the Compaq Evo N600 series notebook. Regarding techincal support on this unit, what details do you require, maybe someone here can provide some insight.

P.S. You may want to checkout this link for the HP Support page for the Business Line of notebooks, NC6000 included.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Home.jsp

I hope this helps.

-Vb-

 

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=566914

Try the patch mentionned and found on the HP forum ... It fixed my scroll problem on my NC8000

 

Thanks for the information on the NC6000.

Can this model be purchased directly from HP and configured to order?

All I see for sale on the HP web page is a few preconfigured models.

Bob

 

Take a look at this link - I think it's where I configured & ordered my nc6000. Wardzone

http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/MiddleFrame.asp?page=config&ProductLineId=430&FamilyId=1682&BaseId=10283&oi=E9CED&BEID=19701&SBLID=&AirTime=False

 

Max - thanks for the HP link. I installed the patch, but am still having problems. I'll try to formulate a coherent explanation of the issues, then post it in a couple of days. Thanks, Wardzone

 

Hey thats a very good review you posted.

I recently bought the same NC6000 machine and i was very apprehensive about taking the plunge on it. now that 2 weeks have passed all i can say is that its an awesome machine. If you go to the HP Notebook section of ZDnet.com, you will see that this model is the highest rated model with 8.5 points, actually i just cofirmed this... they have shifted it down with 8.1 points and its been replaced by a faster 1.8Ghz NC6000. So the model is still at the top.
My machine included:
Pentium M-1.6, ATI Radeon 9600 32mb graphics, 512mb, 60GB, DVD/CDRW, SD/IO slot, Wireless a/b/g, Bluetooth, Super IR, 1ghz/100/10 Lan, 56kv90..did i miss something?

Its light, its cool and its fast!

My hard drive went boom on the second day, whic was replaced within 4 hours since then its been smooth sailing!!

With all that it has to offer i am surprised that there isn't more talk in this forum regarding this machine.

[^]

HP Compaq NC6000
Pentium M 1.6
Radeon 9600/32
mb 512MB/60GB/DVD-CRDRW/SDIO
Giga LAN/Wireless 802.11/abg 54mb/Bluetooth/IR

 

[?] Port Replicator Plate [?]

Just got an HP nc6000 (DP894A#ABA) a few days ago. After opening the package and all my goose-bumps settled, I noticed that my unit did not have a plate/cover over the (bottomside) port replicator connector.
I've had a few consumer-line Compaq-HP notebooks in the past, and they always had some kind of cover.
HP Support said these notebooks don't have such plates.

Is this true?
If designed as such, guess the exposed connections are not a concern.

I have yet to make this unit flex its muscles, but it's been awesome so far...


BTW, wardzone's review was very helpful... THANKS! [ ]

 

[?] Port Replicator Plate [?]

Please disregard the previous query.

I bought another nc6000 (DQ880A#ABA)... they run so cool that my wife would love this notebook series too! P3 Presario 1700 cooks her legs when hacking-in-bed...

Anyway, this unit didn't have a "cover plate" either... so it's true...

Now I just have to convince her to swap units...
1st Unit: (DP894A#ABA) - 1.6GHz/40GB-HDD/ no WiFi incl. (bought separately)
2nd Unit: (DQ880A#ABA) - 1.6GHz/60GB-HDD/WiFi a-b-g + bluetooth


BTW, if anyone's curious... I got them at awesome price points from different sellers (via well known auction site).
Both deals were incredible (for sealed-in-box) w/ full warranty:

Deal #1: MSRP- CDN$2,599
my TOTAL cost- CDN$1,570 (ship from TORONTO to VAN)
Deal #2: MSRP- CDN$2,899
my TOTAL cost- CDN$1,520 (local pick-up)


Cheers!