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"My Research Paid Off - Great Purchase!! Things I Didn't Learn from Other Reviews" on by pleasantsa
Pros: Virtually silent, Quick Play feature is great, Touchpad on/off button
Cons: Touchpad is not centered, some buttons get finger prints
Summary: I was planning to get a new notebook in anticipation of leaving the work world and going to grad school full-time, but spilling water on my Dell Inspiron 4000 keyboard (it was an accident I swear!) hastened the purchase. I do research for a living so I never make a purchase without exhaustive research. I read ALL of the CNET user reviews on this computer and a very good comparision of this machine and the comparable Compaq V2000 at another site. The Quick Play feature is what swayed me from the V2000. Here are the things I didn't learn from reading other opinions
1. this machine is virtually silent every once in a while I hear the hard drive spinning but that may be because I got the faster spinning (5400 rpm) 80G drive. My Dell from day one made a good bit of noise just from being on.
2. the touchpad on/off button is a blessing! I always plug in my trusty mouse plus the way I type means the lower part of my thumbs are always dragging across the touchpad. No more opening up dialog boxes and trying to disable the component!
3. HP customer service is a revelation. I haven't called for tech support strictly speaking, but the two times I called about my order and to ask some questions not answered by the website I had zero wait time and the phone was answered by people who seemed to be American and who were thoroughly knowledgeable about the product. I never had this kind of experience with Dell.
4. I feel like I bought a computer and got a DVD/CD player for free. The Quick Play feature (especially with the optional remote that fits into the slot on the left side) allows you to hit one button and instantly play a DVD or CD without booting up the computer. Considering personal DVD players avg. $200-250 this is a great feature.
5. One thing I learned from customer service that wasn't evident at the HP Shopping site is that when you select the Extra 12 cell Lithium Ion Battery they upgrade the original battery from 6 cell to 12 cell. So for an extra $99 I've got hours and hours of battery time. The battery life is great too.
6. Curb appeal. She is a pretty little thing and when she's open people stare. Okay this is not a reason to buy a notebook, but it doesn't hurt!
I gotta go play with my new baby, but if I note any flaws I'll post again.
AP in Wash, DC
Purchased at HPShopping (academic purchasing program)
Pentium M 7.25 1.6 ghz
Windows XP Professional (upgrade)
14" WXGA Brightview (upgrade)
80 GB (5400 RPM) (upgrade)
512 RAM (2x256 upgrade included)
DVD/CDR-W Combo (included)
Intel Extreme Graphics w/ 2 productivity ports
ntel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG & Bluetooth (upgrade)
Extra 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (upgrade)
Microsoft Works/Money (I got Microsoft Office Professional -Academic Pricing for $159 at another site)
1 yr Accidental Damage Protection (I'll extend this before the year is up - remember the water spill!)
Remote Control (optional)
Total = $1511.86Updated
As promised here is my follow-up. I've had the computer 1 month. Purchased a Targus neoprene notebook case (sleeve) from Office Depot. Much lighter, thinner, and softer than the big a** case I used to carry my Dell in. No velcro needed, easy to get machine in and out at airport security.
BATTERY LIFE: Awesome! The 12 cell lithium ion battery gives 6 hours of use. Having 2 of them means I can go a full day of classes and commuting without plugging in. Also the 12 cell makes the back of computer sit up about 3/4 " which allows for good air circulation and a better viewing angle. I used to use a CoolPad notebook thingy for this porpose, but now I don't need it.
Wi-Fi: The antennae (built into the top of the screen when open) works well. You just have to remember to press the "wireless" button on the keyboard and you will automatically connect to any unsecured network (unless you change the settings). While traveling in Denver I desperately needed to get a phone number from an email. I pulled out the computer put it on the driver's seat of my rental and clicked "refresh" to update the available network list when I came to red lights. In a few minutes I came upon someone's network, pulled over, logged onto my email, and retrieved my phone number (I didn't have time to find a Starbucks with an open network).
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I accidentally put the notebook in my case with the ac adapter plugged into the back--not good. After all of the juggling on the plane and in the airport when I got home the plug part was broken. I called customer service and got through quickly to someone who seemed to be in India. A new adapter is $49.99 but mine was free because of the warranty. I was concerned that my battery would die before the replacement arrived and I had mad work to do, but not to worry. The plug came by FedEx from CA to DC the very next day. I was a little frustrated because the CS guy kept saying within 3 days for delivery. When I called back hours later to inquire about expedited delivery another CS guy (also Indian) assured me that it would arrive in 1 day 2 max. Overall I was very pleased with the service.
SCREEN/MOVIE VIEWING: My dad has a big a** tv, but no DVD player so we put my computer in from of the TV in the alcove above the fireplace and using the optional remote and the QuickPlay feature we watched Ocean's 12 sitting several feet away (the same positions they use to watch the big TV). The sound was great and the picture was perfect once we adjusted the screen tilt down a bit to accomodate our lower positions. The picture was good as long as you didn't sit too far to the side of the screen (not the widest viewing angle). We enjoyed the movie and I can now justify buying the optional remote.
I would buy this machine all over agin. LOVE IT!
- 3 replies to this review
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im a student so im glad i got your perpective for this notebook. Also, does it run hot?
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I was doing my due diligence before I purchased a new laptop and the dv1000 was on my final list. This review made my decision easy. Thanks for your review! The detail was amazing. You should work for CNET!
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Hi pleasantsa,<br><br>Thanks for your review. I'm not looking to buy one of these 2nd hand. How has you experience been with this laptop since you bought it? Any major problems?<br>I'm curious as to why you didn't watch the DVD on your Dad's TV. Doesn't the dv1000 have a TV out port? If so, does TV out work in the instant on mode or do you need to boot Windows to use TV out?<br><br>thanks<br>Raymond
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