Compaq Presario V2405US 14" Laptop (Mobile AMD Sempron 3000+ processor, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive) | List Price: $997.00
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Platform: Windows XP Home Edition
Brand: Hewlett-Packard
Binding: Personal Computers
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Notebook with widescreen 14-inch screen and 1.8 GHz Mobile AMD Sempron 3000+ processor (128 KB L2 cache)
- 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM (2 GB max), DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive
- Two USB 2.0, one VGA, one S-Video, one PCMCIA, microphone, headphone
- Built-in 10/100/ BASE-T ethernet; 56K (V.90) modem, 54-Mbps wireless LAN (802.11b/g) with HSM/Speedbooster support
- Windows XP Home edition, SP2
Pretty nice laptop; IF you get rid of the manufactuer software [Posted on 2006-01-15]
Our company bought three of these laptops so are client could use them for data entry. As I was setting these up, I couldn't help be notice how SLOW each of them ran right out of the box.
I decided to take one home to mess around with it. I quickly found out that it kept locking up when I tried to access the other PC's on my network with it, and also how SUPER SLOW it was. Windows XP Home really sucks as well. I haven't had too many problem with XP PRO, but I HATE XP Home. It does not let you do ANYTHING without nagging you all over the place, whenever you try to connect to a network, you would either get an error or the computer will freeze up. Same thing occured with opening programs. For no reason simple programs like notepad would freeze the entire PC. I finally got fed up and decided to wipe out the entire harddrive and install a fresh copy of XP Pro on it. After I did that and reinstalled the drivers, no problems with the network or any other problems since and it seems like a pretty reliable PC.
My conclusion is that the reason it goes so slow right out of box is that Compaq installed all of their useless crap software on the computer that hogs up all the system resources. I have no idea why compaq thinks that we want their crap all over our PC. But its very apparant that this PC can't handle it which is why it locked up all the time.
If you want the PC to run reliably, do yourself a favor and format the entire hard drive and reinstall windows on a clean drive. One thing I must give compaq credit for is that it is VERY easy to get the drivers that don't come with a clean windows install. Just go to compaq's website type in the model number and download all the relevant softpaqs for the drivers you are missing.
Now that I am running on a fresh copy of windows, I am pretty satisfied with the laptops performance.
The screen has to be the best thing about the PC. It is bright, easy to read because of the glossy finish and its widescreen, perfect for DVD movies when you are taking a break.
I also like the sleek look of the computer. Most PC laptops are black in color, but this one is silver and black, which looks very cool.
The keyboard is easy to type on as well, but sometimes I notice that while typing, my cursor appears to reposition itself messing up my typing. It could be that I am accidently brushing up against the EXTRA sensitive touch pad.
The AMD Sempron processor is pretty fast, but don't expect this to be a gamer PC or a desktop replacment. This processor is also mobile so you can connect to a wireless network and not have to plug it into an ethernet port.
Connections on this laptop are as follows
2 USB ports (one on each side)
1 PS/2 port
1 VGA port for connecting a monitor
1 ethernet port
1 moden port
1 PC card port
It comes with a DVD Rom/CD-RW combo drive as well. However the drive can get pretty loud when there is a CD in there.
The laptop is relatively light, however does seen to be fairly durable. But I wouldn't push it.
Other than the installed Comcrap software that comes on it out of the box, my other complaint is that the PC does not seem to be able to keep a reasonable charge. I haven't actually timed the battery life, but it seems like after only 30-45 minutes the battery life is already down to half, and that is just doing basic things like surfing the internet.
All in all, its a pretty nice laptop and if you get rid of the compaq installed software, you will find that its pretty fast right out of the box.
Jasmine is a shill [Posted on 2006-01-20]
Please read all Jasmine's reviews. They are all identical. I don't know if this is a good computer or not, but Jasmine is posting spam.
Incredibly usable PC at an incredibly low price [Posted on 2006-03-28]
I got my V2405US at a 'blow out' sale at an office supply store - about $500, and it was new, in box, and no rebate funny business. I never expected to buy from an office supply store, and the price made me worry it was a piece of junk. After a month of use, I am totally impressed with this PC. (For proper context, I use it for email, calendar, web surfing, photo vault, and GPS navigation). I am comparing it to a top-of-the-line HP 'desktop replacement' and a Sony Vaio TX650 - I like this one the most of all 3, yet it is 1/4 the price of the other two.
The build quality is great, the display is beautiful, all the hardware I need is there, but most of all the *keyboard* is so easy to type on. With a USB mouse, I could see using this as my only computer
Great laptop [Posted on 2006-06-17]
I'm very happy with this computer..I got it as a gift from my parents for school..it works great for my needs (ie going on the internet, talking on AOL Instant Messenger, homework, etc). It holds all of my info and the dvd player is great. I wouldn't recommend any other computer.
It's alright... [Posted on 2006-08-06]
Since I'm more of a pessimistic person,
The cons.. (at least with mine)
-The speakers will fade out. Sometimes one side doesn't work or then the other side doesn't work. Then it'll turn on and blast me with volume all of the sudden.
-After a year of owning it the keyboard started having weird problems. It needed replaced but the warantee was already up.
-As some have stated before it does go really slow because it doesn't have a lot of memory...
The pros...
-I can watch a whole movie and a half with the battery. :)
-Burns cds nicely
Overall, it's a good little computer and the problems I had might just be mine and you wouldn't experience them at all. Guess whenever you buy something man-made you have to gamble a little bit. :)
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