testing new zt3000

Hi..I want to thank everyone on the forum that provided advice to my earlier email. Your comments were a big help. I decided on:

1.6GHz Pentium M
512 MB RAM
60GB HD 4200rpm
DVD/CDRW combo drive
15.4" WXGA 1200x800 screen
64k video card
Intel Pro Wireless 2200
802.11b/g

The laptop arrived today... one day earlier than estimated.

I bought this for my daughter to use in law school this fall but since she's out of town it's up to me to 'test' it during the initial 30 day return period.

Just a note on the mail in rebate. Once you place the order there's no more references to the mail-in rebate (not in the online Transaction Record/sales invoice that you'll need to print out in order to get the rebate nor on the packing slip). Sooo don't forget to claim your rebate. And don't throw out the box until you've cut off the bar codes.

So far all I've done is play 2 dvds (totaling about 5 hours). It has a beautiful picture that's easy on the eyes. I've noticed the surface of the laptop is hot (not just warm but hot) all over the top as well as the bottom. Is this the combo drive that's generating the heat (as opposed to the chip?)? And is this something to be concerned about?

I'd appreciate any suggestions as to other tests I can do on the laptop. I'm hoping any defects will appear in the first 30 days.

Bob

 

Hi Bob,
I would just check for dead or hot(always lit) pixels by setting the background black then white.

The other thing is to see the time limit on the rebate, some have to be mailed in within 10 days of purchase. If you have a few weeks or say the 30 days to sned in the rebate, then wait to do so for a little while to make sure everything is ok with the notebook and you won't be sending it back because if the UPC barcode is cut out or the rebate sent in then the notebook cannot be returned to the place of purchase, but must be sent back to the manufacturer.

Jack

 

I guess we need to know what your definition of "hot" is (approx. degrees). This unit does get fairly warm if on for a while, but you said it was hot all over the top & bottom. The only thing I can think of that would make the unit "hot" would be if the cooling fan un the underside was blocked (sitting on the bed rather than on a flat surface) or if the fans just didn't work. Did the fan ever come on in the 5 hours it was on? There's an option in the BIOS (Hit F10 at the HP bootup screen after power-on) to leave the fan running at all times while connected to AC, see if this helps.

-Vb-

 

Thanks vb and Jack. It looks like there's 1 dead pixel when the screen is dark. It isn't noticeable otherwise. Should I be concerned about this? Is this something that gets worse with time?

I stopped watching the dvd after a few minutes so I don't know if the fan came on during the 5 hours the dvd ran. However it kept cycling on and off later while I was doing a virus scan and downloading updates from the Internet. The fan would blow for only about 20 seconds max every 10, 15 minutes or so.

I haven't played a dvd today. But as I write this the laptop has been on for about 1 hour and the fan came on briefly twice for no more than 20 seconds....maybe less.

Bob

 

Since the fan does come on every so often, it doesn't look like it's a fan issue. As I suggested, try enabling the Fan Always On option in the BIOS and see if this makes a difference. Is the system cooler when you're not watching a DVD? This will also add heat to the unit.
Regarding the burnt pixel, I guess it would depend on when it's located. If it's right in the middle of the screen, I would see if I could get the system replaced, but if it's off to the side where it's hardly noticable, it will be up to you whether or not you want to get it replaced. The pixels should not get worse in time because of the one burnt pixel, but it's always good to have everything working from day one.

-Vb-

 

Thank you everyone for your comments.

My dead pixel is a blue speck that doesn't show against blue or white (which is most of our productivity applications) however I think I'm going to return the laptop for three reasons.

One it's a new machine and I shouldn't have to learn to live with it (I now notice the pixel during dvd playback)...second, the lengthy check list and process for the $100 mail-in rebate is a burden that makes it easy for me to expect more in return from HP....and finally, returning the laptop focuses attention on a quality control issue that HP needs to resolve.

This laptop only becomes annoyingly hot for me during dvd playback (I wouldn't want this on my lap). It takes about an hour to cook. The laptop does not get hot using a wordprocessor or surfing the Internet. Even while playing dvds it's no hotter than other Dell laptops I've used over the years.

I also noticed that the fan came on during an anti virus scan so i guess that's an intensive heat generating operation for the system.

I still like this model and will probably get another...it seems sturdy, strong wide screen hinges, and the picture quality for wordprocessing and dvd playback is just excellent. I like the spacious wrist rest area (very comfortable) and the touchpad scrolling feature (i scroll alot in documents and while surfing).

Within the first 30days the HP return process is very easy and cost free. Call HP and get an authorization number and then schedule a FedEx pick up at my home using the same box it came in.

Bob