HP Compaq CQ50-115NR user reviews

4.0 stars

"This budget laptop outperforms the competition to a "T"" on August 24, 2008 by StreetRacer864

Pros: Clear display, powerful processor, 3 Gigs of RAM, connects to wireless networks fast, goes & returns to sleep & hibernate very fast, very quite fan, good graphics, does not get very hot, easy to clear and sports a sleek design.

Cons: RAM not upgradeable past the stock 3GBs, a little heavy, attracts fingerprints, no expansion card slot, and only a mediocre battery.

Summary: First off, I would like to point out (as an avid computer user and PC/Mac technician) that the reviewer of this notebook computer either a) got paid off by a rival PC company, b) got a lemon, or c) is terribly wrong all outright. Judging on the likelihood, theory a seems to be out of the water, so it seems like the reviewer either got a bad notebook to review or is just flat out wrong.

I will be the first to tell you that this notebook FLIES. Throw out all of your previous (and probably negative views) of Compaq. This notebook simply blasts away other notebooks of similar specs and value. However, this notebook does not include an expansion slot or room to upgrade the RAM. But honestly, what do you expect from a budget laptop? A few months ago, a laptop like this would have cost well over $1000 with tax and all included.

I really like the fact that this notebook does not seem to get as hot as other notebooks I have had in the past. I also like that the second that I click "Microsoft Word", or "Mozilla Firefox" the application is up in less than a second on average. After you uninstall the "bloatware", such as the Norton Anti-Virus crap (Install AVG Internet Security or if you're going cheap, AVG Free) the computer truly starts to shine. In fact, if you go in and disable some features you do not use (Start-Control Panel- Uninstall a Program-Turn Windows Features On or Off on the left tasks bar) like the games or network printing, then you can get this baby to fly as fast as any $1000 notebook today. This computer connects to wifi internet very fast, no waiting after you open it up from sleep or turn it on. That reminds me, this notebook consistently starts up and shuts down very fast. Even after using this computer every days for weeks on end, I have seen now visible slow down. Granted, I have uninstalled programs that I do not use or did not want, such as any free trials, Microsoft Works, etc. I have also downloaded the free computer cleaner, CCleaner and the paid computer optimizer Auslogics Bootspeed 4. But, in all reality, in order to keep a computer working properly over weeks and months of use, it is your duty to keep it clear of junk files such as cookies, and to uninstall any software you don't/won't ever use.

The negatives are clear however: only a mediocre battery life and no expansion slow. I believe that the performance of this system is great, although the Cnet review seems to think it sucks. I am not sure exactly what he or she wants out of this computer. It runs Photoshop, MS office and all browsers flawlessly. Data transfer from a USB drive to the HDD is very fast, and it comes pre installed with Vista SP1 (big wireless network speed improvements).


The bottom line is if you utilize the correct virus prevention software (such as AVG) that does not negatively impact system performance, and if you keep spyware off your computer (spybot, adaware, etc) then you will be fine. Utilize a good firewall too, such as Comodo.

I HIGHLY recommend this notebook!