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Mainstream laptops often feature uninspired case designs, but we like the HP Compaq Presario V2000Z's look. Unfortunately, it offers the performance and the battery life you'd expect in a low-end system: middling at best. This budget notebook carries a very attractive starting price of $699, where its sharp design gives it an added advantage over its entry-level competition. At our test system's price of $1,224, however, there are equally well-designed notebooks that are more powerful and last longer between charges.
At 5.5 pounds, the Presario V2000Z is light enough for occasional travel, and it measures a trim 13.2 inches wide by 9.1 inches deep. The case's thickness runs from 1.3 inches toward the front to 1.5 inches at the back. Both the $1,520 Dell Latitude D510 and the $1,409 Toshiba Satellite M45 weigh nearly a half-pound more than the Presario V2000Z; they're also wider, though the $1,224 Presario is slightly thicker. The Presario V2000Z's 0.8-pound (three-prong) AC adapter is of average size for a mainstream portable.
The system's 14-inch wide-screen display features a 1,280x800 native resolution; we found that it looked a bit dimmer than the Satellite M45's screen. The Presario V2000Z's full-size keyboard is the same one found on the larger Presario V4000, and it's a joy to type on. Though the wide rectangular touch pad is small, it has a great on/off button above it so you can disable it while typing or using an external mouse. Handy buttons for volume control and Wi-Fi on/off line up above the keyboard, though there are no external controls for playing discs. The laptop's front edge offers a rare feature, especially for an inexpensive laptop: JBL Pro speakers that actually sound loud and clear. HP incorporates icons along the left and right sides of the keyboard to indicate where corresponding ports, jacks, and slots are located on the left and right edges.
Speaking of ports, jacks, and slots, the Presario V2000Z has a satisfying selection: four-pin FireWire, S-Video out, VGA, docking, and three USB 2.0 ports; Ethernet, 56K modem, headphone, and microphone jacks; and one Type II PC Card slot and a 6-in-1 slot that accepts six types of flash memory cards, including Secure Digital, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCard, Smart Media, and xD card. The less expensive (and less portable) Presario V4000 offers one more USB port and a PCI-Express slot.
Our HP Compaq Presario V2000Z test unit came with Windows XP Home and the Microsoft Works 8.0 mini office suite, good for basic users who lack the big bucks to purchase pricey office apps. The software bundle also incorporates a few multimedia standards such as InterVideo WinDVD for playback and Sonic RecordNow and InterVideo WinDVD Creator for burning.
