MSN Messenger name is geordieno1 ... If I`m online, I`ll probably be logged on ... gimme a buzz ;)
MSN Messenger name is geordieno1 ... If I`m online, I`ll probably be logged on ... gimme a buzz ;)
Member since:02.03.2003
Reviews:13
Members who trust:3
Fast, reliable, good looks, stable ... to mention a few, but enough about me, I`m here to talk about the Compaq Presario 6097EA. Ah, who am I kidding, course I mean the PC. I have had it for about 6 months now and is an upgrade from a Compaq Presario 2292 which I had for about 4 years. Yes, that`s the downside, 4 years ago I had a state-of-the-art machine and nowadays it just doesn`t cut the mustard. Here`s a list of what you are going to get for your money:
Intel Pentium 4 2.2ghz processor Should suffice for even the most intensive applications! This can be upgraded in the future as it is removable. It also comes with a good fan mounted directly on top of it to keep it nice and cool.
256mb PC2100 DDR RAM DDR ram is the new standard for RAM these days. As I am writing this from the top of my head and do not wish to inundate anyone with technical jargon, basically it runs twice as fast as the old SDRAM. The newest RAM has a rating of PC3500 and I am at this moment determining wether or not the motherboard is compatible with this newer faster RAM. There is however a spare
DDR RAM socket on the motherboard and because you can actually but PC2100 RAM in sticks of 1gigabyte, it is possible to actually have 2 gigabytes of RAM in your 6097EA!
80 Gigabyte Ultra DMA Harddrive Sufficient storage space for even the keenest gamers/video editors.
Pioneer DVD Rewriter Yes, this is the ultimate in technology at the moment. A DVD will hold up to 4.7 gigabytes of information, that`s just under 7 times the capacity of a CD-ROM. You can copy your DVDs too ... for back up purposes only as you all know that DVD piracy is illegal. This is also a standard CD re-writer too so you can also use standard CD-Roms.
DVD Drive To put the DVD you want to copy in though this is a faster reading drive so recommended as main drive, particularly for gamers.
NVIDIA Geforce4 420MX 64mb 4x AGP Graphics card Not the latest card that NVIDIA have in their array but reproduces stunning graphics by anyones standards. I don`t game much but installed Soldier of Fortune 2 and tweaked all the settings up to the hilt and this card never faltered once. It is also Direct X 9 compatible (Direct X is a Microsoft product which is necessary in order to play games. it comes standard with windows but new versions can be downloaded via MS Update). Also has TV-Out function whereby you can watch DVDs from your PC on your standard TV screen. Handy if you don`t own a stand alone DVD player to park under your telly!
56k V92 Modem Manufacturer Conexant, this is the crappest modem I have ever used. I have constantly tweaked, updated drivers, settings etc etc etc to no avail. I have taken it out and installed my Diamond Supra Express 56i Pro from old presario which is far superior. Prices for 56k modems start from around £10.00 so this won`t break the bank, but what a pity that something so simple has been overlooked by Compaq.
Network Connection Allows you to connect to net via cable or connect to other PCs on a network.
Floppy drive 3.5" disk drive.
4 USB 2.0 ports For all your external devices eg, printer, Web-Cam, Game pad. The new version 2.0 is quicker than version 1.0
3 IEEE 1394 Firewire ports Again, for any devices you may have that connect using this method.
Keyboard Compaq internet keyboard, the usual stuff
Mouse Standard PS/2 scroll mouse. I later treat myself to a rechargeable cordless mouse which is great, so long as I remember to place it back in the charger after extended use!!
Integrated Audio This means that the audio device comes with the motherboard o.e. it is soldered into it therefore it cannot be removed. Personally I don`t like this and indeed bought a PCI sound card for £15 which offers me Dolby 5.1 stereo (when I can afford the speakers!)
5 PCI Slots These are what your devices such as modem, graphics card etc plug in to.
AGP Slot AGP means Accelerated Graphics Port in your graphics card slots into this.
**Monitor** Standard issue is a 17" CRT monitor though I decided to buy the Compaq TFT5015m LCD monitor. It`s awesome and really presents graphics from the NVIDIA card to high standards. Unfortunately the tiny speakers that are integrated into the monitor are only suitable for multimedia sounds and not music. To combat this bought a cable (£6) which plugs directly into sound card (standard 3.5mm jack plug) and plugs into my Hi-Fi system producing fantastic sounds for listening to MP3s.Basically, that`s it. Though I`ve tried to keep it technical jargon free, I realise that someone who has never owned a PC is wondering what the hell I`m talking about. In the same token a PC junkie is wondering why I`ve missed out all the important info. So I`ll say this. If you are buying a PC for the first time it will suffice and will last you for years. If you are no stranger to the PC world, it is very upgradable to suit your own requirements though the standard gear is top-notch even by todays standards.
Compaq update site is up to date offering software updates when available.
Oh, it`s colour comes in Silver/Black carbon so it looks good too! Price? I paid around £1300 for the lot around 6 months ago though it sickens me to see that these days you can get this spec. considerably cheaper! Patience is a virtue, huh? :lol
Hope you enjoyed this opinion. As people get to know me they will discover that I will always expand on any grey areas so please, contact me if you wish more information or a better explanation! :)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good work, almost a top rating in my opinion. One of the things I think you could improve though, is telling more about the software. In the disadvantages box you mention the unwanted preinstalled software, but in the opinion itself you don't say why.
GeordieNo1 08.03.2003 01:30
Nope, as with all Compaq MBs was designed and built by Compaq in Houstan, Texas ;)
Strange, a modem is a PCI device, MB don`t really know what`s in there ... perhaps a hardware conflict? If it`s an ongoing problem, I`m sure I can fix it :)
Advantages: Too many to mention, lots of nice features, big monitor pre installed software Disadvantages: Can't honestly think of any, perhaps the built in microphone will require updated to a close talk mic
Mar 2nd, 2003
very helpful by (95%):
helpful by (5%):
