dv2000 - Keyboard and Build Quality?

Hey all,

Seeing as how my Acer 2012's hinge has completely sperated itself from the body of the machine, it looks like I am in the market for a new laptop.

The two issues that are most important for me are the build quality (see hinge above!) and the the keyboard. I need a machine that will be rock solid and has a nice keyboard for big hands.

I have read some reviews that touch on these issues, but I was hoping that some folks here could give me specific details on how you think the machine will hold up to abuse and the quality of the keyboard.

Thanks!!!

 

Get a ThinkPad. They are very well built and have the best keyboards you will find. They have good support as well.

 

ya i agree but there too expensive compared to other companies similiar specs. I say just go with the DV2000, save that extra money and use it towards a new model when the DV2000 gets out of date.

 

Not really, you can get a close-enough Thinkpad to the dv2000 rather easily with the z61t or even the t60. Besides, it's worth the extra money, with thinkpads you know the build quality is superb, with hp, it's good for the price, but when you can get a business class notebook for around the same price or only a little more, I'd go for it.

 

I have looked at Thinkpads about a year ago - and while they do meet my requirements on keyboard and quality, their screen and comparative specs leave a lot to be desired.

I do know about the reputation of the Thinkpads and the reason I didn't post this in the "what laptop should I buy section" is that I was hoping to see what people thought of the dv2000 relative to the Thinkpads and others so I could try and gauge the tradeoffs I would be making if I went one way or another.



Maybe I didn't put my original question very well.

1) How do you rate the keyboard and build quality of the dv2000 in absoulte terms? (Excellent.... etc)

2) How do you think the keyboard and build quality compare to notebooks like the Thinkpads, Dell 610, etc?

Hope this clarifies. Thanks everyone!

 

I doubt it'll really be comparable as it is a consumer notebook, not a business notebook, however, that's merely speculation as I've neither read reviews of it or tried it myself. Just the most likely thing due to the usual trend.

How much are you willing to spend, exactly? The IPS screen on the T60p is excellent, it's a very expensive notebook though.. I'm guessing since you're looking at the DV2000, you're probably looking to spend somewhere from the lower to mid 1000ish range?

 

Here's my opinion, having just received my dv2000:

Keyboard:
Very nice. No, it's not up to IBM standards, but it does have a very nice feel to it, good tactile feedback. If you've played with the dv1000, it isn't much different, but the mousepad/buttons for clicking have improved dramatically. I now really like the two buttons on this machine, whereas, on my previous dv1000t, I hated the buttons. I'd always find myself having to "look" for the right/left buttons on the mousepad, and feedback was weak. Not so on the dv2000.

The overall build on this "feels" MUCH better then on the dv1000. The lid is really attractive, and while it does show fingerprints, simply wiping the lid with the included cloth (or any other soft cloth) and they're gone. HP says the lid is scratch proof, or scratch resistant, and it certainly feels that way. People reported that earlier lids on thier HP's scratched easily. This lid won't. You may just need to wipe it off on occasion, if that bothers you.

The rest of the computer also has a very durable feel. The area surrounding the keyboard is metallic, looks sharp, doesn't show fingerprints, and seems as if it'll hold up very well.

Keep in mind, this isn't a business laptop... no locking of the hard drive when/if you drop your laptop, no shocks for the hard drive... BUT... it looks, and feels as if it'll look great 2, 3 even 5 years from now.

Obviously, as these have just come out, how well they really hold up in real world use is to be seen. As for the materials used though, they look and feel 1st class! I don't think there's ANY plastic parts on this laptop, other then the keys themselves. Don't judge the dv2000/v3000's build quality by previous HP's, or you'll sell them short.

(Love the touch media buttons at the top! They operate off of your fingers electricity, I assume. No moving parts, they simply sense your finger tapping or swiping across them... )

 

I've played with my dad's DV1000t, and it is nice, it's the Special Edition one with the dark red lid that shines crimson in the light, and attracts fingerprints as well.

I didn't like the keyboard, it felt, sticky somehow, and it flexed a bit uncomfortably.

I'd say it's mostly plastic, just by the price, it just doesn't look that way. I don't see how they could keep the price around $1000 and make it out of mostly non-plastic materials.

 

I am looking to limit myself around the $1200 range -starving student and all that- so the bang for the buck quotient is quite important in the ultimate decision.

After extensive testing of keyboards last fall, I actually had decided that I liked the various HP's almost as much as the Thinkpads, but it varied quite a bit according to the model.

After watching my Acer slowly disintegrate on me over the last year, build quality has become pretty dang important as well and I think I might see the wisdom in pulling down the extended warranty, which is something I never thought I would do.

 

Thanks Shel for the thoughts...

Since my hinges on the Acer 2012 is the big problem... how do they look like little plastic hinges just waiting to crack and snap at the slightest movement?

No... I am not sensitive about hinges? Why do you ask?