Great tech support on reliable, inexpensive notebook.
Written: May 15 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, durable, and great tech support.
Cons: None that wouldn't be found everywhere else, too.
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| mharward1's Full Review: Hewlett Packard OmniBook XE2 (F1676WT) PC Notebook |
Last fall I bought an HP Omnibook XE2, with a 333-MHz Intel Celeron processor, 4.2 GB hard drive, and an original 32 MB RAM. I have since upgraded to 160 MB RAM, and added on a peripheral 2 GB Jaz drive for extra storage via the USB port.
And I have to be up front in admitting that price was the primary motivating factor in exploring HP's XE series. I didn't have that much money to work with, and the Omnibook seemed like a respectable enough set up for the price (about $1300). I bought it directly from HP's online store, and had my new computer within 2 days. What more could I have asked for? The online transaction was my first, and converted me to the medium instantly. I shopped around at nearly all the computer manufacturers' websites I could think of, and I eventually settled on HP, as much for the price as for the satisfaction I've had with other HP products, particularly the HP48GX graphing calculator (it's a math major's best friend!).
My only complaints initially were slow multitasking speeds (immediately attributable to the lack of RAM--once I upgraded the thing started flying), especially when I was using graphics-intensive programs like PageMaker and PhotoShop. Minor complaint. The other--and this didn't occur until I'd had it about two months--was that the audio went out on me. I ran all the diagnostics that came bundled with the computer (which seemed to be decently extensive), to no avail. With the help of HP tech support (who I was connected to only after 45 minutes of waiting--moderate irritation factor involved there), we attempted to reinstall the audio drivers, but that didn't work either. So I backed up my entire hard drive, and wiped the thing clean, and built it from the ground up again. Still no dice.
The final result? Call in the warranty. We found a repair place close by, and they happily accepted it for repair. They eventually had to send it into HP (fortunately they paid for shipping!), and had to replace the motherboard entirely. But that whole process took just under a week, and I got my computer back, running perfectly, without having to spend a dime, even for shipping. Although it was frustrating to have the problem to begin with, I have to admit that it was reassuring the relative speed and accuracy with which they resolved the problem. In the end, my only minor grumble was the telephone wait. But what company doesn't make you do that, these days?
So, the final verdict? For the price, the Omnibook XE2 is definitely worth it. Now mine is humming along just fine, and I couldn't be happier. A simple RAM upgrade, and now I'm not even tempted to keep my eye open for further upgrades, which is pretty amazing in and of itself, considering I've had this computer now for <gasp!> almost 9 months now. Still need that last little something to completely convince you? How about the convenient novelty of having exterior CD-ROM buttons so you can play audio CD's without turning your computer on? It's the little details like that (and respectable customer service) that make the Omnibook worth serious consideration.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mharward1
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Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 84
Trusted by: 46 members
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