Got my laptop on monday. Meddle with the system for some time removing all the junks that Compaq has, then while playing around with my 11 button mouse/touchpad with scrolls(left and right) I accidentally configured the a button for closing app. Or so I thought, I had made a mistake with recording the close button, instead of alt+F4 I forgot to let go of the alt key. And that resulted in me not being able to double click on shortcuts to open app. Then I thougth that it must be some of the compaq files that I deleted that is causing the problem. Anyway, I reinstalled XP using the disk provided. A total of 6 disk, 4 for factory image restore, 1 XP original install disk that will allow clean install. And also an application restore disk: which by the way I find useless unless you want to install compaq crap. So I did a clean XP install, then decided that I wanted the Microsoft money software, then I restore to factory install. That took me 3 days, well it was not really fun to do but hey I am used to reinstalling software and setting up my PC to my liking.
Ok more to talk about how I like the notebook, I like it alot. The screen is nice but I did notice a cluster of 4 dead pixel and the rest are mostly dust that looks like dead pixel.
I am doing dual screen right now on my 17inch CRt monitor and absolutely loves it, I have tried watching dvd and surfing net at the same time/download stuff too. the dual display with the extended screen is just sweet. I have also used photoshop and place my toolbars and other pallets in the second monitor. What else I did, I watch TV on one screen while typing a report on the other, I also have hauppauge usb TV, did some web content creation with the source code on one screen and my materials on the other. How cool is that? Ok I knwo that other laptop can also do these function that I mentioned, but this compq900Z does it just fine.
The problem is that the thing does not come with firewire port or infrared port.
And this thing runs hot. When I run 3dmark2001 on it, I got a score of ~1500, PCmark had like 3500,3000,300-400 for harddisk. Results for harddisk is bad. I also played UT2002 and Jedi knight on it, also WC3 too.
My config is 15inchSXGA, 256rams only(hoping to upgrade if hot deal comes along, otherwise it runs just fine)
Typical cold boot start up time is about 40seconds, after I had installed office pro, antivirus and other bog ware that is neccessary. I did run page defrag and two other speedup boot programs. Didnt measure the time before I did those programs but it seems fast enough to me.
from stand by is just like 5 seconds, and have not tried hibernation.
Ah finally, battery life is good, I was able to test ammagedon DVd which is a 2hour plus dvd played completely, with the highest contrast setting and still had some time left.
Couldnt try out the multiport though as I dont have wireless device nor the multiport wireless.
The heat issue is solved with a huge ~20inch fan blowing from left to right of my laptop.
Very good deal.