Advantages: Decent for a first time user Disadvantages: Potential crashes, over heating
...things. Although I know the Compaq Presario 700 may not be on sale anymore this could be a review for people wanting to get it second hand from someone or buying on website etc. -^- Background Information -^-
I bought my laptop in September 2002. I’ve always wanted a laptop just for the actual feeling of owning one. However I went halfs on it with my parents as it was a necessary for me to have seeing as I was also starting university. In total ... ...one so I took the Compaq Presario 700. In total I’ve had it for just over two years now.
-^- Specifications -^-
-^- Processor -^-
The processor I’ve got is a Mobile AMD Duron(tm) Processor. I’d say this is pretty standard in the types of processor and it simply gets the job done whenever I’m working on my laptop. -^- Memory -^-
The memory is very small compared to some models of laptop that are coming out into the shops now. I have only 112 MB ...
sezlouise 30.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: Good size keyboard, most keys are in standard places (like desktop keyboard) Disadvantages: Not suitable for traveling (not very durable), battery life when using windows
...when I looked on the Compaq website before I got the laptop it said the max battery life was about 1.5-2 hours so it runs a lot longer with Linux.
I also has some other handy features. It has an S-Video out port so you can plug it into your TV and watch DVDs or do what you want on your TV. The only problem with that is that the signal is NTSC so it doesn't display properly on english TVs (mine shows a good detail image but it is black and white ... ...drive built in - but Compaq could have made it better by adding a CD writer. I use the floppy drive quite often at college to transfer my work to another PC to print it (surprising I know but some of their computers don't have a CD drive, and some don't even have USB!) so floppy is the way to go in that scenario.
Onto the bad points. After having it about 4 months, the hinges on the screen started to get loose - very loose in fact, the screen usually ...
fitzy75 22.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: Cheap Starter PC Disadvantages: Poor build quality
The Compaq Presario 700 series is one of their biggest selling "home" laptops, how do I know this I here you ask, well I worked for Compaq on their Presario Technical Support line.
The 700's are a good laptop, if your new to the PC scene, but don't expect great things from them. They have an average spec for the price, but the build quality is not the best in the world.
The software bundled with the 700's is fine for the majority of users (XP Home, ... ...out by the ONLY authorised Compaq laptop repairer in the UK (so ignore PC World when they are authorised to repair Compaq laptops) and is on a pick up and return basis. That is Compaq will collect the laptop from you and return it to you free of charge, in the majority of cases the turnaround for repairs of laptops is 7 business days.
To sum up I would only recommend this laptop to users who are looking to buy a PC for the first time, as itermediate ...
tfbeeth 24.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: Stylish looks Disadvantages: lack of power
I bought this laptop from PC world a couple of years ago as an ex-display model. On the face of things it appeared to be a good little laptop. The machine should have come with a cd writer dvd combo however after getting it home I discovered only a DVD drive installed. The machine comes pre-installed with windows XP home edition which is by its very nature a memory hog this takes an awful amount of memory away from the megre 128mb well 114mb after ... ...is substandard as it is a duron and i think an Athlon would have been a much wiser choice and to be fair not that much more money.
The machine is inherently slow at opening application and can crash on fairly regular occasions, and finds it rather difficult to cope with some modern applications. I feel if the machine had been installed with 256mb or RAM then these problems would have been perhaps minimised.
There are no serial ports which is annoying ...
hondapants3 20.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: Cheap, good range of options and plugs Disadvantages: Freezes/hangs often, limited memory upgrade space
This laptop is fine for the average user, but for those that use processor intensive software, it is best to give it a miss.
I do a lot of video conversion work, such as DVD to AVI, and experience a lot of hangs/freezes. Also, although it says it is designed for Windows XP, it experiences several issues with the automatic upgrades from Microsoft - these are to be avoided!
The 16MB graphics card is unsuitable for most modern games, but it has a ... ...for a bigger picture.
On board memory is 256MB, expandable to 496MB, while the processor, an AMD Duron 1.2GHZ is more geared towards internet browsing in my experience.
Also, i have encountered issues with the pcmcia slot, with a firewire card inserted, in that the laptop crashes often with my external hard drive connected.
This probably all only matters to those that are looking to constantly upgrade and expand, so if you just want a bog-standard ...
vikingpimp 20.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Speed
Look & Feel
Comfort & Portability
Robustness & Durability
Value For Money
Quick review of Compaq Presario 700
I've had a one of this for 6 years. I had some problems with it. The first one was the hard disk which broke down in March 2005 an had to be replaced by a new one (this time a 40 giga disk). And about six months ago, the hinges didn't work anymore and they have to be replaced or repaired, which cost a lot. Besides, the battery has been flat for the last 3 years more or less and I have to use it plugged in. ...
Angietrad 23.01.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: This computer suited my entry level needs Disadvantages: Too many problems
I bought my notebook about 2 yrs ago. This was my first computer and I chose it because it had the specs I was recommended.
I really could have done with some hard copy instructions about getting started. The shop I bought it from were very unhelpful and gave me no advice or suggestions about getting started.
It completely crashed (I have no idea why) only a few months after my purchase. That was dealt with under the warranty.
Very soon, I noticed ... ...fine cracks are large cracks with bits chipping off now.
Secondly, I had to take it back for repair when I kept getting disconnected from the ac power. By this time, the battery did not work at all, so terribly annoying. This was fixed under the warranty (a portal problem, if I remember rightly).
The shop, however, were not interested in my battery problems, and told me I must have been recharging it wrongly (how is that possible?)
The next thing ...
wheelswithattitude 01.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: good for word processing. Disadvantages: overheating, slow even with extra RAM
I don't see why everyone elses 700 stinks. Mine is 7 years old and is in the best condition ever.
The only problem i've evr had is that it overheats and is slow even with extra RAM.
When I bought it was very expensive because it was brand new and it was one of the few laptops available to public. It was $1800.00.
It came with extra RAM, a larger Hardrive, and a rewriteable/DVDrom drive.
The hinges to the screen have never cracked, or even got ...
gerelki 02.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700
Advantages: was reliable for 9 months Disadvantages: battery charger circuit on motherboard
I have had the compaq pressario 700 for about a year now. It work fine till a few weeks ago. The laptop wont work with the power cable nor will the battery charge. With power cable, power led just flickers. It only works with a charged battery
Since battery charger circuit on motherboard, motherboard has to be changed if battery charger circuit fails. this has happened to me. and it cost a lot to change the motherboard. laptop works fine with the ... ...are few people around who can repare laptop and the compaq dealership charge around 250 pounds for a repair which i think is quite a lot. If you want to get the spare part yourself, it is almost impossible apart from buying another laptop and removing the parts u need! ...
mevindrasing 01.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Compaq Presario 700