HP Computers

[amyc]

I am currently in the market for a new computer and am thinking about buying an HP.  Does anyone have any pro or cons that they know about HP computers?

[Mystikclaw]

I have a great desktop but I am looking at laptops right now. And I have been looking closely at HP Pavilions. They seem to have the biggest bang for the lowest buck.

The only thing holding me back right now is Windows Vista. I might just wait until that is standard on each PC. That way I don't need to pay to upgrade.

[amyc]

I have a great desktop but I am looking at laptops right now. And I have been looking closely at HP Pavilions. They seem to have the biggest bang for the lowest buck.

The only thing holding me back right now is Windows Vista. I might just wait until that is standard on each PC. That way I don't need to pay to upgrade.

Cool, thanks.  I can understand what your are saying about the Windows Vista.  All the ones I am looking at come with Windows Media Center, and I have heard that that has its own set of probelms.

[zman]

I have heard that HP computers are generally pretty good.

Personally I am not interested in Vista, I am sure it will be another piece of "interesting  software"

I wonder how long before software is compatible with it, its runs 64bit correct?

If so is it able to emulate 32bit?

[amyc]

I have to say, I am really happy with my HP.  It is really quiet, I can't usually tell when it is on and when it is off.  "Interesting program" is a good way to describe Vista.  I just hope that when it is released it doesn't have any "critical" errors, Microsoft seems to be really good at that.

[bisonguy]

I have to say, I am really happy with my HP.  It is really quiet, I can't usually tell when it is on and when it is off.  "Interesting program" is a good way to describe Vista.  I just hope that when it is released it doesn't have any "critical" errors, Microsoft seems to be really good at that.

Well good luck with your new computer, see my thread on vista.

[aaron.axvig]

I have heard that HP computers are generally pretty good.

Personally I am not interested in Vista, I am sure it will be another piece of "interesting  software"

I wonder how long before software is compatible with it, its runs 64bit correct?

If so is it able to emulate 32bit?

There are both 64- and 32-bit installation options.  I do not expect to see any 64-bit installations on computers sold in stores, even though there are a lot of 64-bit capable processors on the market right now.  This is because it requires new "signed" drivers that may be hard to find for some devices.  The average consumer will not want to mess with that when they buy their new scanner or other device.  Furthermore, I haven't heard of any huge performance differences (no one is bragging about 50% performance gains by switching to 64-bit).  64-bit useful primarily for those who need more than 4GB of memory (everyone by 2010 I would guess) and those who need to get every last bit of performance out of some sort of server applications (database, Exchange server, etc.).

[aaron.axvig]

HP has some very attractive looking laptops, although I think I am referring to the ones that are branded as Compaq.  HP and Compaq merged several years ago.  I have not heard anything overly bad about them either.  Now may be a good time to buy if you are capable of performing an upgrade of XP to Vista on your own (though I would recommend a clean install for performance reasons).  I say this because in some places for some models there is a program in which you can get a coupon to redeem for a copy of Vista on January 30th (when Vista is released to the public).

[sscamaro1967]

Right now i got 2 hp laptops, a DV6103 (dv6000 series) and a Zd7000 (desktop replacement) i just got the 7000 from a friend who had it tore apart, i mean everything, had to buy new hard drive, heatsink, even a screw kit just to put it back together.  got it working and the motherboard was bad...it was out of warranty but i called hp anyway.  They are fixing it for free...they said that theres been a few problems with that series and they want to stand behind their product. Talk about excellent service, and all american to, didn't have to talk to someone from oversees like dell, and it only took 20 minutes on the phone. 

As for the 6000, i got it day after thanksgiving for $379 at best buy, retail is $799, so with that in mind i got a dvd  burner, 1.86 core solo, and 512 ram, and 80 gb hdd,  not to bad for under $400 granted i had to stand in line for 10 hours in sub freezing temps.  i upgraded to 1.5 gig of ram and now i'm burning dvds in 15 minutes, and playing madden 07 with eeze. 

Overall HP is a good laptop, and i've not had any trouble with the one that i bought new (the other one i traded for guitar hero 2 for 360 but it was completely tore apart with just case screen and processor) I would stick with hp though and not go the compaq rout, compaq's that i've worked on seem to be a little less reliable.

[JakeJZG]

I work in ITSS at UND and from the HP's we have (desktop and notebook) the build quality seems to be fairly tough and I have no real complaints.  If you are iffy on Windows, why not try Linux?