The HP Compaq Presario F755US notebook is Compaq’s best selling mid range notebook. I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with one and I’m going to give you the low down on its capabilities as well as its shortcomings. I’m going to tell you if it is a bargain at its current retail price and what type of notebook user will get the most out of this piece of equipment. Let me get started with some of the basics.
The Hardware:
Processor: 64-bit 1.9 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58
RAM: 2 GB (expandable to 3)
Optical Drive: CD R/RW combined with a multiple format(+/-R RW) dual layer DVD
Storage: A 160 GB Hard drive
Platform: Windows Vista home premium
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 7000M
Size: 14.06″ x 10.12″ x 1.55″
Weight: 5.68 lbs
Platform: Windows Vista Home Premium
First the 15.4-inch WXGA display running at 1280 x 800 looks a pinch better than most comparable notebooks. Take a look at it in a store and you’ll be able to compare but I’ve always thought that Compaq’s have good screens just behind Apple’s and Sony’s. The resolution can produce a 720p quality HD picture. The integrated video card is a little bit of a disappointment. Don’t expect to run graphically intensive games, although being a notebook hopefully you didn’t plan to anyway.
The hard drive isn’t enormous but since this isn’t marketed as a multimedia center notebook I won’t knock it for that. It has plenty of room for some MP3’s pictures and a couple of movies but it isn’t going to replace your DVR. Also the optical drive is standard and I’ve had no trouble using the software that has been bound with the Compaq Presario F755US.
Connectivity:
3 USB 2.0 (for connecting stuff like a printer, iPod, digital camera)
1 VGA (think typical monitor)
1 S-Video port (think office projector)
1 audio jack / 1 mic jack
Ethernet port
56K modem jack
5-in-1 memory card reader (to pull out your memory card from your digital camera and insert it straight to the computer)
The connectivity is pretty standard I would have liked to have seen integrated Bluetooth. So many products now are using Bluetooth technology and the come in especially handy with things like wireless mice and keyboards – it prevents you from having to use up one of your USB slots for a receiver. The 5 in 1 memory card reader is convenient but fairly standard at this mid level price range. One bone of contension I do have is the battery life. It isn’t quite upto what I would consider par for a mid range notebook. At about an hour and a half to two hours you can barely watch a full movie. This is a problem for me because I like using my notebook to watch movies while I fly.
The Compaq Presario F755US is a good notebook option for those that are more business than pleasure. It will however handle your basic multimedia needs, it just doesn’t pack the punch to be considered a well rounded fun notebook. It is right on target at around the $700-800 range.
