A computer I've owned for 2 years
Written: Mar 25 '01 (Updated Mar 25 '01)
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Pros: DVD, Ethernet, extra drive bay, USB on front, nice hard drive.
Cons: Overheats, no 3dfx, poor speakers, awful modem.
The Bottom Line: It's a good computer, even though it has its flaws. One that has definitely stood the test of time.
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| fireballdw's Full Review: Compaq Presario 5284 (388946-003) PC Desktop |
I've had this Compaq 5284 for 2 years now. I think the original price of it was around $2000 in April of 1999. It has served me well these past two years.
First off, let me say that back in April of 1999, this was pretty top of the line. 500+ MHz processors were just starting to come on the market, and at 450 this baby was nothing to laugh at. I think the major thing that attracted me to it was 1) The large hard drive space (19.2 gigs, which still isn't bad by today's standards) and 2) Ethernet card (cause I knew I was going to college).
It came with Windows 98 & standard stuff installed, as well as the software for the reprogrammable keyboard (4 internet keys, 1 application key, 3 volume control keys, 4 CD keys, 1 sleep-mode key). It came with a Compaq MV500 monitor (15 inches, 13.1 viewable) and a Compaq IJ200 printer. Both of which I have written reviews on, if I am correct.
I think after having it for two years (as well as finally discovering this category), I am qualified to write a pretty detailed review about it. First off, let's start out with the good things.
Good Stuff:
DVD Drive:
A DVD drive came with the computer, and it works very well. I've never had any problem with it, and I use it frequently to watch my library of DVD titles (which is currently around 30). The software, on the other hand, is not so good. For some reason, when I pause the movie for an extended period of time (5+ minutes), and then unpause it, my computer freezes. Cest la vie.
Location of ports:
Two USB ports and one gamepad port are located on the front of the tower, which is great because it's nasty to mess around with all those tangled wires in the back.
Processor Speed/Hard Drive/Memory:
The processor is an AMD K6-2 with 3d now technology (read: AMD K6-2). The hard drive is 19.2 gigs, which I've already mentioned. It is partitioned into a "backup" drive (1.96 gigs) and the main drive (17.2 gigs). 96 MB of RAM.
Monitor:
Yeah it's only 15 inches, but it does have a built in microphone (at the very top of the monitor) which works very well and is very clear.
Ethernet Card:
Works flawlessly.
SuperDisk capability:
The floppy drive can also read LS 120 SuperDisks, although I have never used it for that.
Bad Stuff:
Speakers:
I thought the speakers were good at first, but I had never been exposed to Creative Labs' Soundworks Digital speakers ($100). The speakers that come with the computer have no power source and you can mount them on the monitor. They really don't go loud. Let me put it this way: if you live in an apartment complex, and you have them up as loud as they can go (you can only change their volume through the Windows volume control!), your neighbors will never complain.
Modem:
Lucent WildWire WinModem. The biggest piece of crap ever! Oh this modem is so bad. Basically, on a fresh boot-up, it works fine until you decide to disconnect. Then once you try to reconnect with it, you will only be able to stay online for a couple of minutes before it disconnects you. This is not just an ISP problem, because I've used several ISPs with it (MSN, Earthlink, and places like NetZero). It's also not a config problem, because I've tweaked the config quite a bit, and I'm a computer engineer. Luckily I have high speed access now through the University and only use my Ethernet card.
Overheating Processor:
My processor overheats. This could just be a faulty processor (I doubt it) or it could be the general layout of the motherboard. If cords (like IDE cables) get in the way of the fans, then overheating can occur. I had to add two fans and keep it open-case to keep it from overheating. This has also happened with my mother's chiropracter's computer (which is also a Compaq Presario, but not the same model). After I told him to sit a box fan in front of it, he had no more problems.
Poor graphics card:
Well, there was bound to be some piece of outdated technology in here. The card that comes with it is a Rage ATI 8 MB card, which is fine for stuff like Quake, Starcraft, etc. But it doesn't cut it for games that require 3dfx.
Summary:
This computer was a bit overpriced when I bought it, but it was a definite step up from my old computer (a 66 MHz with 850 MB). In the past two years I have gotten accustomed to it and its quirks (kind of like how you get used to a car). It has served me well, and I see myself definitely continuing to use it for at least another 2 years. If you are able to still find this on the market, it's a good low-end computer that you'd definitely be able to purchase for under $1000!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $2000
Operating System: Windows
Processor: AMD K-2
Processor speed: 401-500
RAM: 96
Internal Storage: DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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Epinions.com ID:
fireballdw
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Member: Derek Williams
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 84
Trusted by: 18 members
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