Actually, it's a 9600, custom configuaration....
Written: May 28 '00
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Pros: Many custom options to choose from. Great keyboard and mouse.
Cons: Only a one year carry in warantee. Some nasty tech guys.
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| toetweet's Full Review: HP Pavilion 9686C |
After several months of reviewing other people's reviews and finally boiling it down..based on price, what my absolute needs where, and who made what....I finally decided on an HP Pavillion, 9600, custom configured. I went to Circuit City and they worked it out based on my specs. The salesman told me I couldn't get it with Microsoft Office 2000, unless I wanted to pay a whole lot more...sooooooooooooooooo...I went home and went to HP's website...and it was $135 more to really have it "HP MY WAY"! I really wanted Microsoft Word, which alone cost $300 or $400, just for the program.
I wanted an Athlon 600 mgz. The only other company that is at least a household name with both an Athlon processor and Microsoft Word was Compaq. I have heard too many negatives about Compaq. I would have bought a Dell, but alas, they don't make an Athlon. IBM offers Athlon, but since they also own Lotus Software, no MS Word.
I then called HP and ordered it over the phone. The salesman was a doll! Not the same can be said of their Tech Suport people.
Well, it arrived within a few days via Fed Ex. To me that is a class act!
The day after it was delivered I had a local "puter guy" over to install the scuzzi card for my scanner. I had asked both the saleman at Circuit City and the one from HP, if I would be able to use my old scanner. They both said "no problem".....WRONG...."Problem"...the HP has no ISO slot available..and although he installed the dedicated scuzzi and the latest Mustek driver..the puter decided my scanner was a zip drive! It did later ask for a new, very expensive Adaptec Scuzzi Card. My guy convinced me it was cheaper to replace my 4 year old $400 scanner with a new USB scanner. Sooooo, I ordered a refurbished scanner from HP,last night online. Given that my new HP puter was thrilled to meet my old HP printer and shook hands immediately, I assume it will also love the HP scanner equally as well. Nothing like keeping all your peripherals in the family.
I have had a couple of minor set up problems, which required calling the dreaded Tech Support number, at my own expense(for the call, no 800 #), but, so far...I really love this computer. I have 256 mgs of RAM (wheeeeeeeeeeeee), a fast chip,600 mgz Athlon, a 20.4 gig hard drive, at 7200 rpm and a killer video card. Geforce Nvidia 32. My Panasonic Flat Screen CRT monitor has never been happier! What great graphics I am getting!
I own 2 DVD players (previously reviewed by me on Epinions) and had no interest in watching movies on my puter. CD writer was of no interest,expensive sound card and speakers ditto, as I have my real stereo system 3 feet away. I did however, get a built in zip drive, as I also own a laptop and exchange files between the 2 puters via zip disks.
The computer is also, by far the best looking computer I have ever seen. I have only had it 4 days now. So far, I love it! I love the keyboard, which has all kinds of shortcut keys, and the scrolling mouse is great for website browsing, which I do a lot.
So, I would say, so far, this is a great computer! I hope that remains the case. If not, you will hear back from me!
They could use a few more well informed people both in sales and tech support...and at least one techie guy needs a major aditude adjustment..but...I have found that tends to be the norm anyway with many tech support guys! After 8 years on a puter, I do know a thing or 2 about puters and would prefer not to be spoken down to by some jerk..but...it's a great new puter..so far.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1,500 with tax and 2nd day Fed Ex
Operating System: Windows
Processor: AMD Athlon (K7)
Processor speed: 501-600
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: Zip Drive
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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Epinions.com ID:
toetweet
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Location: California
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Older female techie who loves electronics, movies, computers and cats. Not necessarily in that order.
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