Slow bootup but otherwise fine
Written: Dec 12 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 14.1" active screen, DVD
Cons: small HD, slow bootup, no toll free support
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| dipitydoo's Full Review: Hewlett Packard Pavilion N3295 (F1925A) PC Noteboo... |
I purchased this laptop at Best Buy as an open box. I paid $1400, so I think I got a pretty decent deal. This laptop is in fact the fastest computer I have, I have a couple of Celeron desktops. First, a description of basic features: a Pentium III 600mhz cpu, 64 MB ram, 6GB hard drive, 14.1" TFT screen, 6x DVD.
When I first got this unit, I called HP to register and also to have them send me recovery CD's (which were not included since I bought it as an open box item). I had to call 3 different numbers just to get to the right support people. Each number I called said they didn't support that product and they gave me a different number. Anyway, when I finally got to the right number, there was no wait time to speak with a rep, which was a good thing, especially considering that the phone number was not toll free. Also, I had to call them twice for the recovery CD, as they did not send it the first time I called them. So, support was mixed, no wait time, but flaky service and no 800 number.
Now for the laptop. The boot-up time was unusually long, especially for a PIII 600mhz cpu. I called HP support, and they weren't really able to help me much. I added 64mb extra ram (not necessarily for boot up speed) for a total of 128mb RAM, and performance was pretty decent, even though it didn't seem any quicker than my Celeron 400mhz desktop. I did install a lot of stuff on the laptop, though. It may be possible the video card may not be the best. Anyway, for most stuff I use the laptop for (browsing, office suite) and few other programs, it runs fine.
The hard drive is rather small and I'm running out of space (too many mp3's?), I wish it was a little bigger. The active screen looks great, and the DVD player is fine. I liked the touch pad, I prefer those over the pointing devices or trackballs. Battery life is decent I guess, but this is my first real laptop, so I don't really have anything to compare with. I did experience the weird anomaly of having to hit the power button multiple times (as did another reviewer). Finally, the buttons for volume and the DVD player were a bit awkward to push.
Overall, a pretty decent laptop. I will have to say, that for me, its no desktop replacement, but works well enough for what I use it for - work on the go and surfing and trading away from home. Support from HP was mixed, but it's a great relief to not have to wait for hours to speak with someone.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dipitydoo
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Member: Jay Yoon
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 4 members
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