dv2000 or v3000?

I pretty much know the specs and have read both reviews on NBR. But I would like some of you who have experienced with either one or both laptops to shed some insight to help me choose between the two. Something beyond the spec, like which one is sturdier, which one has better keyboard, which one looks better... Thanks!

GC

 

I have had 2 V3000z's and 1 dv2000t. From my experience build quality is the same. Although it can vary between individual models, there is no build quality differences between a HP & Compaq brands. The reason I say this is, my earlier V3000z and the dv2000t both had some issues with flexing keyboards, but my current one is much better. It is still not as good as Thinkpads but it has very little flex and overall it isnt too bad. The dv2000t has a shiny(glossy) black lid compared to the light grey on the Compaq which does not readily show fingerprints. The palm rests does tend to get oily but HP has had the good sense to include a microfiber cloth to wipe the laptop.

Now if you are considering the Intel version and want the Go 7200 graphics then the dv2000t will be your only option since they dont offer it with any of the Compaqs or the dv2000z. Also, the dv2000(both z & t) have an optional built in webcam. The Compaqs do not have this option. So, if you want either of those 2 options, you can narrow down the optons to the HP.

As for as looks go, I think the Compaq is better. IMO, black laptops tend to look better than silver black combinations. Then again the dv2000t is not too shabby either.

 

Thanks! I will stick with GMA 950 since I won't be gaming in this laptop, mainly Office, email, firefox, movie and some Adobe stuff. I will go to Fry's and take a look at both of them this week. Thanks!

GC

 

which one has the better screen?

 

The screen is the same. But the manufacturer they use differ from one individual model to another. So, you can either get a LG, Samsung, Quanta, AU Optronics or Chi Mei whether you get the dv2000 or the V3000. The quality can vary amongst these suppliers and it is totally based on luck whether you get the better ones or the crappier ones.

 

I don't agree with that my friend. I've seen various opinions and it depends on the user. Some people don't like the other screen manufacturer, while the other person is satisfied with that screen manufacturer. Nothing is the best in my opinion. It's your opinion to what you think is best.

 

I actually had both of them. The Compaq v3000 died on me after over a month. The all black finish was awesome though. Then I had the HP dv2000 as a replacement which has a silver keyboard cover. HP felt bad regarding my Compaq so they loaded it with extras, webcam, bluetooth, more memory, larger hard drive and a remote, faster processor (Turion x2 T-56). Loved their customer service experience.

 

This is the first time I had ever heard such good service. Your Compaq might be in really bad shape.

 

HP service is good its the tech support that sucks thier solution to everything is a bios update.

 

I knew Compaq has had a bad reputation before HP took over but took a chance on buying one anyways and it was true! Compaqs were next to Packard Bell (good luck Gateway) in reliability before. If I only knew what the beeping codes were. Tried to find out but the closest I could find was a motherboard error and nothing specific. I'm now hesitant to buy or recommend a Compaq.

 

But a Compaq V3000 is nothing but a HP dv2000 in a different skin. They are built/assembled in the same factory & hardware, build quality wise they are the same. You most probably just got a lemon. Compaq as a separate brand died when they merged with HP. These days a Compaq = HP.

 

Then why two distinct marketing ploy? Why not just HP and dissolve the Compaq name/line? I thought HP just bought the majority share of Compaq thus controlling Compaq's marketing and manufacturing. Yea probably got a lemon, ur right.

 

HP did pay a lot of money for Compaq & dissolving all of Compaq's(Presario, Ipaq, Proliant) brand names would make little sense. HP will probably differentiate the Compaq & HP brand based on features. For example, Compaq's usually don't get the highest end graphics card/processor/web cam options. However, they did merger the brand name for their business systems & use both HP-Compaq to represent the model names.

 

Price wise there's not that much difference. If HP uses inferior products in the Compaq line why bother? Why have two separate inventories of the same hardware from different makers? Wouldn't HP save money if they just bought in volume from one company? And how come Compaqs don't have the options as their HP counterpart? Maybe when HP took over Compaq they had a provision not to dissolve the Compaq name.

Even though supposedly they are the same company I find the HP Pavillion line is more sturdier than the Presarios though Presarios are better looking. IMHO

 

I have used both the HP dv2000 & the V3000. Infact returned the dv2000 due to problems with the touchpad and a loose fitting battery. Honestly IMO there is no build quality differences between them. I have to disagree with your opinion on that. The only parts that are different are the external plastic bits. Most major brand names have a couple of different brand names, Acer for example has the aspire & travelmate series. Dell - Inspiron, Latitude & XPS. Toshiba has the Satellite/Pro, Tecra etc...So, there must be some marketing sense behind it.

 

I love the quality of my v3000. I think its stylish. If you're going going to be gaming you'd want to get the dv2000. If you're just getting it for word processing, internet etc. You'll be fine with the v3000.

 

The same reason why lysol and oust are on the market, both are made by scjohnson. When you see hp, compaq, toshiba in a line hp has a 2/3 chance of getting your money why not keep both lines going? Personally I always thought Compaqs were suppost to be the cheaper models, but thats open to opinion.

 

If I remember correctly, in the early days of the merger, Compaq is the leading brand in many markets (especially Asia-Pacific). Hence, the Compaq division in AP is retained, while HP is scaled down and merged into Compaq's operations. The division is renamed HP, but many elements of Compaq are retained, including its senior management and staff, technical support, sales and marketing where we can see Compaq-style ads simply with HP branding. Compaq is still a well-respected brand in these markets and I can expect HP to retain it as long as it still sells. Even the once-great iPaq came from Compaq.

 

Well, its worth mentioning that outside of the U.S. where HP makes consumer models that are fully customizeable, the Compaq models are pretty much always the cheaper/lower end models offered. It does make some sense as it provides a way to get more systems in retail stores (a store is unlikely to want to carry three dv2000s for example, but a dv2000t, a dv2000z, and a Compaq v3000 series could be sold to a single store). Since we're talking about U.S. CTO models, however, unless you need a feature that is only offered only on the HP model (the GeForce Go 7200 option on the dv2000t for example) then it really just comes down to your preference on the look. All internal parts offered are the same for both systems (even the BIOS is exactly the same), and most reviews seem to find the build quality of the casing to be about the same.

I got a dv2000t, though, since I wanted the Nvidia graphics option, I didn't have to choose between the casings. I really like the HP casing, but to each his own. I don't think you'll be disappointed either way.