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General discussion

Compaq Presario 2140us OR HP Pavilion dv1170us ??

Feb 19, 2005 4:17PM PST

Hi,
I am seriously considering buying the Compaq Presario 2140us laptop or the HP Pavilion dv1170us laptop. I have researched both, and they both look like nice systems. I will not be using it for any hard-core 3-d renderings, but would like to be able to stretch this laptop somewhat beyond the standard user (and definitely watch DVDs). Is there anyone out there who owns/has owned one of these?? How do you like it? I really appreciate any comments ...thanx!! Also, my other consideration was the Toshiba Satellite M45-S331 (if anyone has owned one or knows about this system please let me know). Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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My neighbor has the ...
Feb 19, 2005 11:08PM PST

2140us or is it the 2130? Anyhow, they are pleased as punch with it. 3-d rendering is not beyond such an unit. However it is not a "gamers" machine. The screen is crisp and they would buy it again.

The package or case is trim and neat.

As to the Toshiba, I'd avoid them for the first 1/2 of 2005 because it will take time for any unit with static sensitivities to filter out of the distribution channels. Until this gaffe, I would not have flinched at getting a Toshiba.

Bob

Bob

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Static sensitivities
Feb 19, 2005 11:58PM PST

Really!! Where did that come from??

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Something I'm seeing industry wide.
Feb 20, 2005 12:10AM PST

It seems the current crop of electronics designers are either not well seasoned, designing to "spec", outsourced (again a "spec" issue) or the lessons from the past have been forgotten.

The issue of ESD or even static discharges upsetting the products is nothing new. Palm got nicked on their m500 model, but if you looked at their prior models you see simple design elements that helped avoid ESD issues. As they lose old designers or change wholesale from internal to external designers such skill and knowledge can be lost.

That's where I'm seeing this issue come from.

Bob

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I don't see it
Feb 20, 2005 12:44AM PST

Where do you get your information?? I'm sure Toshiba, Intel, etc would like to know about the mistakes they are making. In fact, everyone needs to know this. You should start a new discussion so we can all be brought up to date!

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Good for you!
Feb 20, 2005 12:48AM PST

If you haven't seen this issue, then you are very lucky.

If you take a few minutes, you'll find reports about the static issue (laptop freezes, reboots) here in this and other forums.

Toshiba, Intel are all aware of their mistakes. It's simply that they forget and in the rush to get product out the door such things do happen.

Bob

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Just one discussion about it at..
Feb 20, 2005 12:57AM PST
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just the A75 or all Toshiba???
Feb 20, 2005 1:34AM PST

Ya, the static thing does worry me. I read the other forum on it that was posted. I'm wondering if only the A75 model is having these issues because all of the complaints that I saw were about the A75. I wonder if the M45 model would be ok to buy? Regardless, the one that your neighbor has does look like a great buy anyways.

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Fish in the barrels.
Feb 20, 2005 1:38AM PST

Its my choice to ignore a vendor when they have a gaffe like that. Since I find it no fun at all to have to fix new machines, I just ignore such a vendor until they recover. The issue is one that I see across the industry. Old lessons that are being forgotten.

Bob

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dv1170us laptop IS a good choice
Feb 21, 2005 9:44PM PST

Hi mcveedoc. We just gat new 1170 last week. I think it is excelent machine. At first I was hesitant, because I am more DELL person. In past We owned some SONY products in adition to Dell. Most of those products are fine but are exepnsive. TO save $ we looked in to 1170 and are very happy. It is nicely built and loaded machine. It easily connects to my wireless gudgets and networks, and is preloaded with amny great futures. I like 100G HD, card readed and DVD writer. TO get similarly loaded machine from DELL or SONY you would have to pay ~ $2000. I gat mine from BEst Buy ($1249 after rebates) last week. It is very stylish. THis week Circuit City runs them on special for $1149 after rebate (with 80G HD and 1.5 Pentium M processor). One more thing, I like Pentium M processors, they are fast and run quite cool in compariosn to Pentium 4. DEFINETLY RECOMEND 1170 or 1150 (Circuit City version) still an excelent notebook - you WILL NOT BE SORRY!!!

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1170us
Feb 22, 2005 11:35AM PST

Thanks ymyagkota,
I am glad to hear that it is a nice model (dv1170us). I probably won't actually buy this for a few more days...so please let me know if you run into any problems with it...thanks...

If anyone else owns a dv1170us or a Compaq Presario V2000, please let me know.

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HP DV1170
Feb 27, 2005 11:43AM PST

I've had my HP DV 1170 for about a month now. Honestly I really like this laptop. The widescreen is really nice. With the 12 cell battery I get almost 7hours of computer time. Its light, and is overall well made. The wireless remote is amazing for Powerpoint presentations. The Pentium M processor is really nice and fast, it doesn't run too hot at all. I paid to get the 1dimm of 512 memory, to aid upgrading. Its weak on graphics, but that's to be expected for any laptop that doesn't have a dedicated vid card with memory. Honestly, its light, it gets amazing wireless reception, I beat out my peers in my building who have brand new Ibooks, Dells, IBM, Toshiba. Its really nice. I highly recommend it, oh and the 2 and the 3 year warrenty's on HPshopping.com were just as comprehensive as anything Dell has for a significantly lower cost.

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I regret buying the dv1170us
Mar 9, 2005 12:19AM PST

I bought the dv1170us from Best Buy. So far its been back to HP for repair for electro-static emmissions coming from the left front speaker locking up the unit two times. Since this is a new series notebook from HP, most of their support calls get routed to systems engineers. You can actually call them direct at 866-671-7359 and ask them to explain the static emmissions coming from the left side speaker and how it freezes the unit. Hope this helps folks out there.