Compaq notebook $399.99 AR

[Hacp]

The PQI 512 stick at newegg seems to work with this notebook. ALso, I heard that you can downclock/undervolt the processor. I think its the processor overheating thats causing the fan to run.

This is really hot with just the base configuration. You won't see another deal like this until next month I presume.

 

[Breezie]

That's for the info- can anyone point me in the direction of some memory that's compatible with this notebook that i can find in retail stores so that i can quickly swap it out if the chip doesn't work out?

And about the fan- will it be a problem though? is it barable or annoying with it on default clock/voltage? I'll be using this in class a lot and dont want everyone staring at my loud notebook =) havnt got mine yet so can't say for myself how it'll be =x

 

[Hacp]

Why retail when you can newegg? If you don't have a credit card you can always money order.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141207

Also, there are programs that help you downclock the processor if you really want to.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=20249

Downclocking to 800-1000 MHZ should keep the fan down. I don't know though lol.

 

[Breezie]

thanks =) im just paranoid the memory might not work so if i were to buy it retail, i can swap it out without worrying about shipping it back ^^

 

[Hacp]

Ya but if you read the reviews. there are like 5 people saying it works on teh specific model of compaq that OD has on sale.

 

[Hacp]

Btw, deal should be dead right now as my Local OD closes at 830.

 

[Nikepete]

Can we get an extended guarantee for this laptop ? I don't see the option in the menu.

 

[Hacp]

I don't think so... . And they didn't offer me one at OD either.

I don't want a warrenty, as I am usually carefull about my products.

 

[Breezie]

OD offered their own 2-3 year warrenty for like 100 something at the store and the guy told me u can purchase an extended one from HP/compaq later on i think

 

[robertpang]

I upgraded the memory to 1x512MB when I placed my order. And I got another PNY PC 2700 512MB for it. At first, I plugged it into the empty slot and the laptop freezed about 1 min after boot-up. Rebooted twice and still the same. Before I was about to give up, I swapped the 2 memory modules and, viola!, no more crash at all for a month and I am happy with 1GB of memory (the auto config takes 128MB out for video though).

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Just got back from a trip where we stayed in a hotel with WiFi so here are some impressions. Our room was on the fourth floor and the signal was very weak. The hotel had a breakfast room with good tables & chairs near the main desk so I camped there for 90 minutes on battery power. That took my 12cell down to 64% charge. Ouch, now I'm glad to have the extra power. Still uncomfortable for laptop use though. The BriteView got alot of OOOO's from people getting coffee in the breakfast room! The fan was not very loud at all. It runs up to full speed when loading a program or file, but is still quiet compared to others that I have heard. The speed of the WiFi is slower than DSL. I wish they had CAT-5 outlets in the room. At night I let the kids play Starwars Battlefront while plugged-in and recharging. SWBF runs ok with the 768RAM (128 to the graphics) I have installed, however there is some lag when the processor has to render steam or smoke. Other stuff: My OD is still taking that Staples coupon. I bought the lappy with a VISA Platinum card so the one year warrant is extended to two by VISA, plus there is theft insurance on it.

 

[S Freud]

Good to hear HomeAppraiser, if anyone else that got one of these steals could post there review, good things, bad things, or rebate status here that would be very helpful.

thanks

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser
Just got back from a trip where we stayed in a hotel with WiFi so here are some impressions. Our room was on the fourth floor and the signal was very weak. The hotel had a breakfast room with good tables & chairs near the main desk so I camped there for 90 minutes on battery power. That took my 12cell down to 64% charge. Ouch, now I'm glad to have the extra power. Still uncomfortable for laptop use though. The BriteView got alot of OOOO's from people getting coffee in the breakfast room! The fan was not very loud at all. It runs up to full speed when loading a program or file, but is still quiet compared to others that I have heard. The speed of the WiFi is slower than DSL. I wish they had CAT-5 outlets in the room. At night I let the kids play Starwars Battlefront while plugged-in and recharging. SWBF runs ok with the 768RAM (128 to the graphics) I have installed, however there is some lag when the processor has to render steam or smoke. Other stuff: My OD is still taking that Staples coupon. I bought the lappy with a VISA Platinum card so the one year warrant is extended to two by VISA, plus there is theft insurance on it.

is this with all platinum ivsa cards or just your banks?

 

[Breezie]

I ordered mine on saturday so not expecting it to arrive until AT LEAST 2 weeks from now =*( (unless you guys can confirm it wont take that long =P)

The folks at notebookreview.com seem to praise this notebook quite a bit (bang for the buck!) so I'm having high expectations and hopes for it.

I think I've decided to go for the Corsair pc2700 512mb for $48.99 at outpost.com. There's a frys nearby so hoping they'll carry it in-store for that price. Does anyone know if they will (it'll save me a drive and/or call)?

 

[cardiac]

Breezie, I have the Presario M2105US from the Staples deal last month. I put in 2 Kingston 512meg 2700 SODIMM's and have had ZERO problems. They were from the Best Buy deal a few weeks ago.

I swapped out the Sempron 2800 and replaced it with a AMD 64 3200 Mobile, and the fan only runs occaisionally. except when you would expect it to run a lot (Opening software, graphics rendering, etc.), and then it is NOT loud.

And, you really don't need any software to lower the cpu speed. On battery power, if it is set to "laptop/portable" in power management, it will drop to 800mhz when idling anyway.....

I just LOVE mine, and have under $700 in it.

Bob

 

[HomeAppraiser]

I think all VISA Platinum cards have a double the warrantee feature. We always rent cars using it since VISA Platinum cards provides better rental insurance than the rental companies. Funny thing, I am the earner for the family but VISA sent the pre-approved card to my wife in her name. It started out as a regular VISA, but they bumped the credit limit up every year until it was a Platinum. When I called to check the warrantee feature they wouldn't talk to me with out her ok since I am just an authorized user! Ha! My laptop from OD took 17 days to get built and delivered. The z2000v is not a desktop replacement, but does a good job at most tasks for an excellent price.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser
I think all VISA Platinum cards have a double the warrantee feature. We always rent cars using it since VISA Platinum cards provides better rental insurance than the rental companies. Funny thing, I am the earner for the family but VISA sent the pre-approved card to my wife in her name. It started out as a regular VISA, but they bumped the credit limit up every year until it was a Platinum. When I called to check the warrantee feature they wouldn't talk to me with out her ok since I am just an authorized user! Ha! My laptop from OD took 17 days to get built and delivered. The z2000v is not a desktop replacement, but does a good job at most tasks for an excellent price.

thanks for the info, i will request the pamphlet from my company to verify. if this is the case, then a retail cpu would have a 6yr warranty......gpu....scsi/maxtor maxline3/seagate hdds would have a 10yr hdd....d@Mn

 

[S Freud]

Ordered mine on friday Sep. 30th and when I check my order status it still says in process, the tech slug on office depot told me that it would take 9 days at max, but after reading other posts I expect it will take two weeks or longer,

 

[VooDooAddict]

Originally posted by: cardiac
...
I swapped out the Sempron 2800 and replaced it with a AMD 64 3200 Mobile, and the fan only runs occaisionally. except when you would expect it to run a lot (Opening software, graphics rendering, etc.), and then it is NOT loud.
...
Bob

That's great! What Moble Athlon 64's work?

I.E. I can drop in either of these?
Mobile Athlon 64 3700 (Newegg)
Mobile Athlon 64 3400 (Newegg)

 

[kamranziadar]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict

Originally posted by: cardiac
...
I swapped out the Sempron 2800 and replaced it with a AMD 64 3200 Mobile, and the fan only runs occaisionally. except when you would expect it to run a lot (Opening software, graphics rendering, etc.), and then it is NOT loud.
...
Bob

That's great! What Moble Athlon 64's work?

I.E. I can drop in either of these?
Mobile Athlon 64 3700 (Newegg)
Mobile Athlon 64 3400 (Newegg)

Yeah you can always change it to new version of socket754, but i would not recommend right now just use the laptop as long as it work with the current processor, and upgrade if you want after an hour.

 

[Breezie]

nthedrk, I ordered mine the day after (oct 1st) so I'm in the same boat as you *sighs* "in process"

 

[aerialcombat]

those of you who received the system,

can you tell me what exact specs are on this one? (barebone)