HP ZE1201 Laptop Athlon Xp 1400+, 14.1 XGA+, 128MB PC133 - $579 + tax after (2) $100 rebates & Free Luggage @ Staples

[dp004i]

I don't think we're getting the ze1201s, since they were discontinued by hp. I guess if we're really lucky, we might get the ze1210s, but most likely they'll just cancel the orders.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: CarpeDeo
Is this thread even about the HP ZE1201 anymore?

Nope because Compaq > HP, we have our laptops right now where as the HP owners do not.

 

[tran1981]

Hoping my 1500T will have CDRW/DVD combo.:frown:

 

[Tiffster]

RossMAN I have to agree with you...I honestly think I could order the Compaq 1500 TODAY and would still get it before my ZE5000 arrives. And I may end up doing just that and eBaying the HP...sheesh!!!!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Tiffster
RossMAN I have to agree with you...I honestly think I could order the Compaq 1500 TODAY and would still get it before my ZE5000 arrives. And I may end up doing just that and eBaying the HP...sheesh!!!!

Cool I never knew that you're an AT member, welcome aboard!

So far I like my 1500T, I've decided to just leave all the pre-installed Compaq crap on there instead of doing a clean install XP Pro (and I only have 1 CD which is for my desktop not laptop). Just waiting for my Dell TrueMobile 1150 card to arrive.

So far the display is BEAUTIFUL, I'm so glad that I opted for the 15" SXGA it's worth every penny of that $100 upgrade.

Is there an application I can use to check for any dead pixels? I can't visually see any.

 

[Tiffster]

Yeah, I go back and forth...I just got started with this weheeling and dealing, but so far have scored some serious deals...my Win XP Pro kit was just delivered today and if I am lucky a laptop may show up on my doorstep sometime soon.

Even if I had ordered from HP direct I think I would still be waiting...seems that Compaq has its act togethher and has the most popular requested configs ready to go. If I don't have something by the end of the week, I will be ordering the Compaq for sure.

 

[dc]

rossman: nokia monitor test use the color test, particularly white.

everyone with the 1500's, the ac adapter is suppose to get that hot right? lol

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dc
rossman: nokia monitor test use the color test, particularly white.

everyone with the 1500's, the ac adapter is suppose to get that hot right? lol

Thanks I'll try that app when I get home.

The underside of my 1500T gets a little warm when it's resting right on my lap (wearing shorts or jeans, same temp) but I'll probably have the laptop on a desk most of the time when it's in use.

 

[pX]

DAMN YOU!!!

i was convinced I didn't have any, but I have like 5 spread out near the top of my screen......... oh well, i can't notice them at all theyre so small. i have more dust on my screen already that are bigger than those dots..

 

[Skaven]

I've had most of the afternoon to play with the 1500T. I'll post my quick opinion of it so far.

I played around with XP Home for a bit - but I can't stand it. I need something cleaner (and I need all that Compaq stuff GONE) - so I wiped the hard-drive and installed Win2k Pro. Although boot times may have increased a bit, the system seems much quicker and responsive. I had some problems with the drivers for 2K. For some reason the compaq web-site autodetects the laptop as an Evo N1000c. The drivers seem to be the same as when you select the 1500T, but I found that a bit odd. The modem drivers didn't even work. I had to use the drivers from windowsupdate.com. I also tried to download the Catalyst drivers for ATI and that was a BAD idea. All kinds of problems. After booting in safe mode and uninstalling the drivers, I was able to install the Compaq drivers. I'll have to figure out how to install more recent ATI drivers later.

The DVD player works perfectly. I popped in LOTR and I was impressed by the sound and video quality. I haven't hooked it up to the TV via S-video cable yet - but I'm sure it'll look fantastic. The sound card has quite a few options for DSP and environments - impressive! I'm just about to do the battery test with the DVD player - I'll let you know how long it lasts.

I was also lucky enough to recieve the DVD CDRW combo drive - the 24x version no less! I installed Nero and it confirmed what I had found earlier. Max write speed 24x! Quite the unexpected bonus!

The screen is fantastic! The SXGA and 15" screen is well worth the $100. I can't get over how great it looks! No way to really explain it other than seeing it. I also installed a copy of the Unreal 2003 demo - performance was better than I expected:

1024x768
39fps flyby
26fps botmatch

1280x960
26fps flyby
18fps botmatch

Not too shabby for a $900 notebook, ehh?

My complaints are few:
1) what is up with the panel on the back? I think I'm just going to uncrew mine - its going to break otherwise.
2) The mouse buttons aren't very responsive. Clicking it near the center of the touchpad is almost useless.
3) The scroll button is growing on me, but I would have rather had better/bigger touchpad and buttons.
4) This is a LARGE laptop. Heavy and bulky. To be expected with a desktop replacement I suppose...

The system gets warm, but its not too bad. I can't wait to get the WiFi module to free up the PCMCIA slot. USB 2.0 and Firewire are also welcomed! Awesome system for the price! Way more than my parents need - I almost wish I could keep it!

Thanks again all! Let me know if there is anything else I should test out etc...

 

[RossMAN]

Skaven - You guys are LUCKY because I only got the DVD, at least that's what it says on the outside ... maybe if I attempt to burn a CD, it will work? I highly doubt it.

I'm testing a DVD in mine right now, the laptop was fully charged this morning, I unplugged it from the A/C just before going to work. About an hour ago I started playing a 2 hour DVD, I'll check back on it after 2 hours to see if it's still playing.

The 1500T gives you awesome bang for your buck in a great all around package.

Isn't that 15.0" SXGA display absolutely beautiful?

 

[pX]

I'm running redhat 8.0 right now,, no probs getting it going (can't say that for the inpiron 2600SE i just sent back),, the new gnome and kde look awesome!

 

[aperry]

Got my ZE5000 BTO today (was scheduled for 10/18). The Fedex guy tried to deliver it, but noone home, so I just went by the office after work and picked it up.

So far, I am very impressed.

Oh, and here's the deal I got...

ZE5000
P2.4 GHz
15.0" SXGA
40GB HD
512MB RAM (2 DIMMs, I assume, haven't opened it to look)
DVD-CD/RW
Built-in Wireless LAN, 10/100, 56K modem

$2041.00
+147.56 tax (checking to see if I can get part of this back based on other posts)
-$300 coupon
-$50 coupon
-$30 coupon
-FREE SHIPPING
-$100 Staples rebate
-$100 HP rebate
=======
$1608.56

I know, it was more than the other systems (ZE1201, 1500T) advertised here, but it was still a VERY sweet deal!

 

[Skaven]

Its official! The 1500T lasts way longer than the 70min from that one review. The laptop was fully charged when I started LOTR a bit over an hour an 10 min ago. It now reads 50% battery life with 1:10min remaining!

So it should last at least 2 hours while playing a DVD. I pulled my wireless card and disabled the ethernet to conserve the juice. One other dissapointment is that there aren't any extra setting in the bios or in Windows for power saving. In fact, there is hardly anything you can change in the bios! So all of the power saving features are whatever is standard in Windows... <shrug>

Again, I'm more than happy with the laptop!

RossMAN Best bet is to check the properties of the DVDrom drive in the device manager. You should be able to tell by that if it is the DVD drive or not. I'd bet that if it doesn't say it on the side, its not a CDRW though... <shrug> I just lucked out!

 

[amexblue]

How would I know if my monitor KDS 19" has any dead pixels?

 

[CuriousG]

Originally posted by: Skaven
Its official! The 1500T lasts way longer than the 70min from that one review. The laptop was fully charged when I started LOTR a bit over an hour an 10 min ago. It now reads 50% battery life with 1:10min remaining!

RossMAN Best bet is to check the properties of the DVDrom drive in the device manager. You should be able to tell by that if it is the DVD drive or not. I'd bet that if it doesn't say it on the side, its not a CDRW though... <shrug> I just lucked out!

My guess is that with the initial onslaught for 1500T orders they just ran out of regular DVD-ROMs and just decided to put the DVD/CD-RW in so as not to slow production. Guess RossMan and I are unlucky to be one of the earlier adopters of the notebook since I got it the same day he did although he did order before me. I placed my order in-store on September 28th and received it October 4th.

 

[jamesd1343]

Any HP oders keeping track of arrival dates yet??called yesterday and my ze1201 is due to arrive 10/14.


order date 9/30
expected arrival 10/14

 

[LostHiWay]

Originally posted by: jamesd1343
Any HP oders keeping track of arrival dates yet??called yesterday and my ze1201 is due to arrive 10/14.


order date 9/30
expected arrival 10/14

Did you call Staples? Most likely they're reading off what they have their computer which is almost worthless. I ordered mine on 9/27 and my staples status shows expected arrival to be 10/17. However I think 2 people got their laptops yesterday. They're coming FedEX 2-Day direct from Taiwan.

Hopefully most of the people who ordered them should get them by the end of this week.

 

[Uthiroid]

Come on, somebody throw me a bone!! if there are people who have gotten their ZE1201 (as in the thread title all you OT 1500T'ers ) give us a post! I'm ready to find applicable sodimm deals like the kingston valueram that work in this lappy-

 

[Tiffster]

Well I got my HP ZE5000 just a few minutes ago...via FedEx direct from Taiwan.

SO the HPs are starting to show up, I know a few folks on SlimWallet got their 1201s yesterday...so keep a watch for that FedEx guy!!!

And RossMAN, Now I can brag about MY laptop!!!!

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

So for those of us who missed out, any good laptop deals out there?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
So for those of us who missed out, any good laptop deals out there?

Staples is rumored to have a new $150 Staples MIR starting this Sunday 10/13. If the Compaq $100 MIR is still around and the $300 Staples coupon is still valid that's a savings of $550 plus whatever other Staples coupons you can use.

 

[after5cst]

I'm kind of torn about that new rumored rebate (which starts the 13th ), as it starts after the current Compaq rebate ends ( the 12th ), but before the HP rebate ends ( Dec. 2nd ). At the moment I prefer the Compaq 1500T (Celeron) to the HP ZE5000, but don't think I want to pay an extra $150 for it.

Anyone reviewed these two units side-by-side or done enough research to gain a solid opinion on what strengths they have in comparison to each other? At the moment, the 1500T has the free wireless option, ATI 7500 3D graphics, USB2, and IEEE1384 points in its favor, while the HP has a faster processor ( P4 1.8 ) and a slightly lower price point.

But that doesn't tell the story of how the two "really" stack up to each other. Opinions?

 

[stingbandel]

Originally posted by: after5cst
I'm kind of torn about that new rumored rebate (which starts the 13th ), as it starts after the current Compaq rebate ends ( the 12th ), but before the HP rebate ends ( Dec. 2nd ). At the moment I prefer the Compaq 1500T (Celeron) to the HP ZE5000, but don't think I want to pay an extra $150 for it.

Anyone reviewed these two units side-by-side or done enough research to gain a solid opinion on what strengths they have in comparison to each other? At the moment, the 1500T has the free wireless option, ATI 7500 3D graphics, USB2, and IEEE1384 points in its favor, while the HP has a faster processor ( P4 1.8 ) and a slightly lower price point.

But that doesn't tell the story of how the two "really" stack up to each other. Opinions?

Compaq also has the P4 up to 2.4. They are both the same using desktop processor so you can make up your decision better.



Darno

 

[Tiffster]

Originally posted by: after5cst
I'm kind of torn about that new rumored rebate (which starts the 13th ), as it starts after the current Compaq rebate ends ( the 12th ), but before the HP rebate ends ( Dec. 2nd ). At the moment I prefer the Compaq 1500T (Celeron) to the HP ZE5000, but don't think I want to pay an extra $150 for it.

Anyone reviewed these two units side-by-side or done enough research to gain a solid opinion on what strengths they have in comparison to each other? At the moment, the 1500T has the free wireless option, ATI 7500 3D graphics, USB2, and IEEE1384 points in its favor, while the HP has a faster processor ( P4 1.8 ) and a slightly lower price point.

But that doesn't tell the story of how the two "really" stack up to each other. Opinions?

I did some research on a ton of laptops when I was looking...

The Compaq has USB2, firewire and the 7500 graphics card
The HP has USB 1.1, firewire and the older ATI mobility card (I think)

Right there is where the comparison needs to be made, because outside of sheer looks the rest of the components are/can be configured the same on each machine.

Some finite characteristics:

HP: 3 USB Ports Compaq: 2 USB Ports
HP: 2 PCMCIA slots Compaq: 1 PCMCIA slot
HP: Cool blue lights Compaq: Cool chrome accents


I got the HP ZE5000, granted I have only had it for approx. 4 hours, I really am glad I went with this one. I got the upgraded SXGA+ screen and it is beautiful. I have decreasing vision and I can see this thing clearly, text looks great on it and I will test out the DVD playback tonight.

I think the weight comparison on the two is pretty close...not sure, I know this thing is not light, but not so heavy that I won't be carrying it around with me.

I think either one will be a good choice, I choose the HP due to the 2 PCMCIA slots...otherwise I would have taken the Compaq because it looks so cool.