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General discussion

COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240

Sep 17, 2004 6:16PM PDT

I was in Office Depot the other day and they had a Compaq R3230 with 15.0" XGA TFT Display, Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHZ Processor, 512mb ram, 60 gig hd, win xp pro, cd writer, ATI Mobiliy Radeon 900 with 128 dedicated ram cost $1329.99 and then there is the compaq from bestbuy with the amd 64 bit processor 3200+ but the video card is only a geforce 440 go with 64 mb dedicated video. The one at best buy is $1,479.99. Which is a better computer? I'm not to concerned about the dvd writer because I have one on my desktop already.
-andrew

Discussion is locked

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Sep 17, 2004 11:31PM PDT

Ignore my littel red "m".

Since I know the future looks to be 64-bit and even dual-core 64-bit, I'd pick the AMD 64 to future proof my purchase. There are 64-bit apps and operating systems today. Not tomorrow. XP64 is a free 1 year license, Virtual Dub (which I use) is also in 64-bit...

The emachine AMD 64 may be 1,250 or so about town and has a few more features but hate the name...

Bob

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Sep 18, 2004 1:35AM PDT

Bob,
Thanks for your help. One last question which has a better concstruction the emachine or compaq notebook?
-andrew

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Sep 18, 2004 1:40AM PDT

I like the emachine's keyboard over the compaq/hp.

I haven't opened the inside of either machine so I can't compare construction. You should look and see what you think.

Bob

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Sep 18, 2004 7:30PM PDT

The Pentium 4M system gives you the best bang for the buck now but it runs hot and will be phased out in the near future (and the notebooks are heavier). Essentially the Pentium 4M is great if you will leave it at your desk (a true desktop replacement) but the other cpus are better if you will really use it as a notebook (especially using the battery alot and not A/C only).

The Athlon 64 notebook will be more useful in the future (Linux already has some 64bit and Windows SP2 already has some 64bit cpu hardware security functions) when Windows Longhorn 64bit is released (2006-2007).

HP/Compaq and E-machines are the only mainstream companies selling an Athlon 64 based notebook so far.

If you are interested in either of these notebooks, as well as the Pentium M HPZT3000 or Compaq X1000 series I have (Centrino --best right now for battery life, weight, and wi-fi) then look at ordering custom at HPshopping.

Not only can you get a $100 custom order rebate good through 12/1/04 on any custom order Compaq or HP (write me later if you can't find this on the maiil in rebates link on the homepage -- use this instead of the $50 HP main in rebate on the order screen) but you can order better specs for less:

Definitely get at least 64mb video dedicated RAM.
Order 256mb RAM and get 512mb RAM yourself for the 2nd slot for under $100 more yourself
Get a 5400rpm hard drive for much better performance than the standard 4200rpm hard drive

Also, you can get 1 year no interest financing at hpshopping, they have a 6% APP student discount if qualified and some employers have a 12% EPP discount with HP/Compaq.

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Oct 18, 2004 12:21AM PDT

I know this a bit late but have the 64 bit Athlon. Great machine and video is no problem. But, it was on a close out in late September when I bought it from Circuit City. When I contacted HP for some setup support I was told the machine was built in late July. Do they all outdate that fast?

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Oct 18, 2004 4:23AM PDT

How do you get the 6% APP student discount?

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Re: COMPAQ R3230 vs COMPAQ R3240
Oct 23, 2004 10:29PM PDT

there is a special section of hpshopping where you sign up and indicate your college, etc and then when you order you go through that section (APP) and you will receive the 6% discount.

If you can't figure it out you can call a representative at hpshopping or read posts on this topic at x1000forums.com