~~~COMPAQ PRESARIO 5000 SERIES INTERNET PC~~~FLUFF CHICK W/O!!
Written: Dec 16 '01
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Pros: Provides reasonable fast performance for the basic computer user.
Cons: Not the top of the line where speed and memory are concerned.
The Bottom Line: For basic personal home use, the Compaq Presario 5000 Series gives reliable performance at a reasonable price.
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| melissasrn's Full Review: Compaq Presario 5000 (184939-999) PC Desktop |
In the spring of 1997, our family purchased our first PC from our local Sears store. It was a Packard Bell and we were all very excited to finally have a personal computer in our home. But after 3 years of use, we finally realized that it was time to upgrade to a newer and faster model. So in the fall of 2000, we went computer shopping and once again ended up in the computer section of the same Sears store. Our final choice was the Compaq Presario 5000 series Internet PC (5BW131) including a basic 15 inch color monitor with speakers, internet keyboard, scroll mouse, tower, internet video camera, and the Compaq IJ600 Ink Jet Printer. While we intended to keep our old 17 inch monitor, we discovered that our final cost after rebates would be less expensive when buying the entire package together instead of just those sections we wanted, which came to approximately $900 complete. I was amazed at how much cheaper PC's had become in the 3 short years since we had bought our first older model, which was purchased at double the price we paid for our new one. And the more streamlined attractive look of our new system was a definite plus as well.
~~~Ease of Setup~~~
Setting up our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC once we got it home was a breeze. At least it LOOKED easy from my end as my husband was actually the person doing all the work. But within 30 minutes, we were ready to go. The included Microsoft Windows 98 was installed (although we upgraded to Windows Millennium Edition a few months later) along with the other basic software programs we owned. Registration with both Compaq for the computer and Microsoft for Windows took just a few moments, and since we already had an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through our local cable company, we were surfing the net and checking our email using Outlook Express within no time at all. The 667Mhz Intel Celeron Processor combined with our 256K cable modem made a world of difference compared to the performance and much slower speed we were used to with our older model. This I noticed right away as I wondered just why we had waited so long to purchase our new computer! Stubborn cheapness is all I can think of right now as the reason why.
~~~The Tower~~~
Containing the Hard Drive, DVD-ROM Drive, CD-RW Drive, and standard Floppy Diskette Drive, the tower of our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is quite attractive in appearance with rounded edges and a light blue-grey (periwinkle?) clear plastic panel in front. Alternate panel colors, such as red, orange, and a few others, may be purchased separately if desired. Located inside this front panel is a storage area that will hold up to five CD's and the "Power On" button (which our 18 month old now seems totally fascinated with!). Also found in the front is the dual USB and 1394 port for peripheral devices, such as gamepads, joysticks, and video cameras. In the back are all of the various ports where the keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, speakers, microphone (not included), and phone line modem are all attached.
~~~The Monitor~~~
Because we preferred to keep our old larger 17 inch color monitor, we ended up selling the 15 inch color monitor (MV540) with attached speakers included in our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC to a relative in need for $200. Attractively matching the tower with the same curved features and clear blue-grey panel, this monitor contains standard JBL Platinum Series speakers that may be used either freestanding or mounted to each side of the screen depending on preference and space needs. These amplified speakers have both a headphone jack as well as an audio input jack for MP3 players and other portable audio devices. The 15 inch (13.8 inch viewable image area) state-of-the-art, high performance color monitor itself is very user friendly with adjustable on-screen controls. The .28mm dot pitch contained in the screen produces crisp, sharp images and the Energy Star feature may be used to reduce power consumption. The only thing about this monitor we did not like was it's smaller size, for once we got used to our older 17 inch monitor, there was no going back!
~~~The Keyboard~~~
One special feature I found very attractive with the keyboard included with our new Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is its one button access to the internet. One press of the large "i" button located at the top middle area of the keyboard surrounded by the same clear blue-grey panel matching the tower, and our default browser (Netscape Navigator for accessing Epinions as the site is now blocking our Internet Explorer for some unknown reason) is automatically activated. Along with the standard typewriter-style keys are the function keys (F1 through F12), arrow keys, and numeric keys set-up in calculator style form. Some of the bonus keys located at the top include the CD/DVD Control Buttons, Internet Zone Buttons, Quick Launch Help Button, Quick Launch My Program Button, Volume/Mute Button, Sleep Button, and LED Status Lights.
~~~The Mouse~~~
The basic scroll mouse with both "left-click" and "right-click" functions included with our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is designed for either right or left-handed use. With the use of the mouse, the cursor moves quickly and easily across the desktop as we work on a document or surf the net through various websites. If desired, the autoscrolling feature may be used to move forward or backward across the desktop without having to move the mouse continuously. This certainly takes practice when you are used to moving the mouse, but I enjoy using this feature quite often in place of regular scrolling.
~~~The Video Camera~~~
Included with our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is the Logitech Quick Cam Express internet video camera including many special features. Once the enclosed software is installed, this basic webcam may be used to send both photo and video email to family and friends as well as face-to-face video chatting with others. What a great way to send small sections of video of the kids to grandma as they grow and change so frequently.
~~~Special System Features~~~
Create your own CD's with the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC by using the CR-RW Drive (CD "burner") after the Easy CD Creator software is installed. Play audio CD's, CD-ROM games, and even DVD movies with the attached DVD-ROM if desired. There is space located directly below the Diskette Drive to install a Zip Drive as well, but one is not included with the system we have. So customizing this PC to meet one's individual computer needs would be a rather simple process.
~~~Upgrades~~~
Many components of the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC are both replaceable and upgradeable as necessary. Additional hard drive, memory, expansion or option cards, and other supplemental components may be added through the Easy Access panel located on the side of the tower. I would certainly suggest having a professional add such features when desired for correct installation and to decrease any risk of damage to any of the internal parts.
~~~Technical Mumbo Jumbo~~~
A quick summary of the hardware features contained in the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is as follows:
***Intel Celeron Processor (667MHz)
***64MB Total System Memory
***Up to 11MB Allocated as Video Memory
***20.0 GB Hard Drive
***DVD-ROM Drive
***CD-RW Drive
***Logitech Quick Cam Express
***56K Modem
***10/100Mb PCI NIC
~~~Overall Recommendation~~~
Because of the very reliable and virtually maintenance free performance we have received from our Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC over the past year of daily use, I would definitely recommend this system to anyone looking for an inexpensive PC for basic home computing needs. While there are certainly faster systems on the market containing more memory and the most recent features, this computer contains many of the desirable components that many users are in search of, including both the DVD-ROM and CD-RW drives. An older system such as this one would most likely retail for a much lower price than the $900 we paid for ours after rebates. Ideal for children, beginners, and even many intermediate users like myself, the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC is definitely the way to go if you want a high performing system (especially when cable internet access is factored in) at a moderate price. It comes highly recommended by me.
~~~My Presario Internet PC Limited Warranty~~~
***1 year parts and labor
***1 year free hardware technical support
***90 days free software technical support (US & Canada only)
For more information on the Compaq Presario 5000 Series Internet PC, check out their website online at:
www.compaq.com
Questions or comments?
1-800-345-1518
Compaq Internet PC
First Edition, April 2000
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This review was part of the Fluff Chick Write Off: Epinions "Fluff Chicks" Write About Guy Stuff, hosted by MADYL
Most of these writers are well-known for writing about "girly" items, such as beauty products, but have decided to express their creativity in a slightly different subject category!
Participants include: bops_mom, chrisceb, zzjulia, shantel575, MADYL, KMINER, melissasrn, jaclynl, SHeineman, hollegolightle, and dragonfire88.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 900.00
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Celeron
Processor speed: 601-700
RAM: 64
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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