Rating: 
Summary: No Tech Support
Review: I bought a Compaq Presario 1200. A few months after I had it the battery circuit and the motherboard crashed. I was told by Compaq that the warrenty would not cover the repairs. Now I am stuck with a laptop that is not worth spending the money to fix. I would encourage anyone considering purchasing this product to think twice. It's definitly not worth the cost.
Rating: 
Summary: It knows how to handle itself
Review: I have a Presario 1202 and it's been working a charm for me. I have 800MHz, 128MB RAM (with 320MB maximum), 10 GB hard drive running Windows 2000 Professional. I have to say that this laptop has been working wonders for me. I haven't had one single problem with this machine and it has been very efficiant and fast. My system has been stable, my hardware has functioned 110% my only problem with Compaq is their online chat support. I aksed them general questions about how to use my machine to its "best" and their chat window kept showing the start of the conversation with no way to scroll to the last said message.It begins to make me wonder if they can't fix their own online chat support window, how will they fix a laptop if it fails? However, despite this minor issue with Their website, I have had nothing but good help from them. A particular consultant was first to give me a BIOS update for best performance. I have not had my system crash once yet, as I said. All functions work perfectly and the system has some intelligent speed system on it. I'm not sure what US models are like but I am told by the US Compaq/Hewlett-Packard supprt people that they can differ. If you're in Australia, I'd feel very, VERY safe in buying this product. Value for money with quality to boot. For those having SOFTWARE related problems, quit blaming the HARDWARE. Just because you can't control a mouse properly, or fumble with buttons or can't configure your programs properly, that is YOUR fault, not Compaq's. I think they've done an excellent job and some people just need to set things up instead of thinking all is well.
Rating:
Summary: This Laptop is amazing!!!
Review: I will discuss the pros and cons of this laptop.
I have a Compaq Presario 1216 US. This laptop works perfectly for me. The touch pad is definatly better than the mouse, and I have noticed that I type faster with my laptop's keyboard rather than my desktops. The screen picture quality is amazing. I have had no troubles with it exept that it is a 900 mhz laptop but when I cheak my mhz through the My Computer icon it says 450 sometimes evan 250!! The first day I got this laptop I hooked up headphones to it, when i pulled them out the headphone jack on the laptop broke but I think that was just me pulling too hard. Overall I think this laptop is great but it is kinda thick and heavy.
Rating:
Summary: A nice little computer
Review: I'm not a computer aficianato or anything, but I was surprised to see so many negative reviews of this computer.
I love the keyboard. I have small hands, and I don't like having to pushdown too hard on keys, and this keyboard is ideal for me.
The audio is great (I use my computer in lieu of my cd player now). Although, I do load most of the music onto my computer instead of playing it direct from the cd because the disk drive is very noisy.
The mouse pad does tend to get hit durring word processing, therefore the cursor can end up in weird places, but you can avoid this problem by pushing the cursor/arrow off to the side of the screen while typing.
I've had this computer for 4 years now; it was a gift upon graduation from high school and I've used it a whole lot during college. It has never crashed on me and has been terrific for this entire time. The design is both ergodynamic and attractive. My dad bought a more expensive HP laptop at the same time that he bought my Presario, and I have hands down preferred my over the years: no annoying blue knob in the middle of the keyboard, and the HP actually lacks the PgDn and PgUp keys that I find ever so useful. Important keys are in accesible places. The design is simple, but utilitarian.
I use my Presario primarily for Word Processing, Internet Access, AOL IM and Windows Media Player.
Rating: 
Summary: Below - Average Functionality and Quality
Review: I've had my Presario for a year and a half now and I'll provide you with my experiences... Keyboard - I love the feel of a good crisp keyboard. I type fast and like to know that my finger has clicked on the key it aimed for. The keyboard is average. There are times that I will be typing in a word document and my cursor ends up in a totally different spot. That's not good planning in my opinion. I don't know if it's a glitch or poor typing, but I never have the problem on my desktop systems. Mouse Pad - It features a touch sensitive pad as is common with notebooks. This one is average. I'm not impressed with ease of use nor accuracy and I end up plugging a cord mouse instead as the onboard one drove me nuts. I have big fingers and trying to be detailed with the sensitive tool didn't do much for me. You can set the sensitivity but it's not very accurate. Mouse Buttons - work fine. No complaints. Weight - This laptop is on the more weightier side than many. At first, I liked that because it game me the illusion of being sturdier. However, I travel a lot and it ends up becoming a burden on my shoulder case, which is excellently padded. If you can afford lighter, do it! Craftsmanship - I must say that I'm disappointed with the two fold out legs in the back that elevates your laptop to allow underneath ventilation. The left side cracked after a few months. I now have to prop it up with something when using as Compaq wouldn't sell me the part to replace it with. That is bad business! Battery - this is one place I don't have many complaints. It's just above average battery time and I've not had to replace mine at all. Onboard Software Bundle - Blech... Compaq brands their name everywhere. Sure, it's a marketing strategy that is not appreciated by me. Their tools are not fool proof and take up too much valuable space on the HD. In addition, I had to purchase the max extended RAM possible just to run at a fairly decent speed. The laptop is also partitioned into two separate virtual drives, which I do not appreciate. I had to go back and reformat that whole drive to do what I wanted to. I wish the software was non-proprietary! I still have the laptop. I'm considering selling it. However, after what I just wrote, who'd want it? It's just below average all-around and I'll not buy another Compaq anytime soon. Spend a few extra and get something nicer, you'll be glad you did.
Rating: 
Summary: You Get What You Pay For
Review: I've had my Presario for about a year now. I purchased it at a sale at [a local store] for approximately [a good price]. Well ... you get what you pay for.
Mine has 900 MHz and an Intel Celeron Processor.
It is very stylish and compact. It's not the thinnest one out there but not heavy either. I do like it but it could always use a few improvements.
Synaptic touch pad (mouse):
It can be bothersome at times so having a regular mouse helps. Here's where the problem comes in... Once the regular mouse is plugged in a message is displayed on the screen "the synaptic touch pad has been turned off"... or ... has it? No, it remains full and functional what could not be a problem if you're only trying to surf the net. Once you begin typing and accidentally double click the mouse while the cursor is positioned somewhere above the line you're typing in it will automatically start typing in that area. I recommend unplugging the regular mouse while typing that way the synaptic touch pad is the only one on and does not respond to accidental clicks unless you click the left button right below the mouse.
Memory:
I've had my laptop for a year and have not downloaded or installed any new programs or software other than McAfee Virus Scan and Microsoft Office 2000. I perform regular maintenance checks and delete unnecessary files using disk cleanup but I'm still running out of room on drive C. I have no idea what's going on. Looks like I might have to buy a new memory. I currently have 64 MB. I'm looking into buying a 256 MB since that is the highest you can go on this laptop.
Over all performance:
It tends to run slow at times. Windows ME is not the best one out there. Windows 98 was definitely better.... Be your own judge ... I do however recommend shopping around more and paying an extra few bucks. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: You Get What You Pay For
Review: I've had my Presario for about a year now. I purchased it at a sale at [a local store] for approximately [a good price]. Well ... you get what you pay for.
Mine has 900 MHz and an Intel Celeron Processor.
It is very stylish and compact. It's not the thinnest one out there but not heavy either. I do like it but it could always use a few improvements.
Synaptic touch pad (mouse):
It can be bothersome at times so having a regular mouse helps. Here's where the problem comes in... Once the regular mouse is plugged in a message is displayed on the screen "the synaptic touch pad has been turned off"... or ... has it? No, it remains full and functional what could not be a problem if you're only trying to surf the net. Once you begin typing and accidentally double click the mouse while the cursor is positioned somewhere above the line you're typing in it will automatically start typing in that area. I recommend unplugging the regular mouse while typing that way the synaptic touch pad is the only one on and does not respond to accidental clicks unless you click the left button right below the mouse.
Memory:
I've had my laptop for a year and have not downloaded or installed any new programs or software other than McAfee Virus Scan and Microsoft Office 2000. I perform regular maintenance checks and delete unnecessary files using disk cleanup but I'm still running out of room on drive C. I have no idea what's going on. Looks like I might have to buy a new memory. I currently have 64 MB. I'm looking into buying a 256 MB since that is the highest you can go on this laptop.
Over all performance:
It tends to run slow at times. Windows ME is not the best one out there. Windows 98 was definitely better.... Be your own judge ... I do however recommend shopping around more and paying an extra few bucks. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Incompentent and indifferent tech support is indefensible.
Review: It is one thing to have various problems with a computer, but another to have incompetent and indifferent tech support. I had my 1200 Compaq for 3months. First I had problems with the sound drivers, then I had problems with windows ME program and finally with the hard drive. When the hard drive totally crashed (only 3 months old) I spent almost two hours trying to get help from technical support. 4 individuals (one brain dead, one total indifferent, one telling my that my year warranty did not include the hard drive and one that disconnected me,) the last tech told me to send it back and it would be two weeks before I would get the machine back. Two weeks for a person that works on the road is untenable.
Rating:
Summary: I cannot stress strong enough... AVOID COMPAQ
Review: It is one thing to have various problems with a computer, but another to have incompetent and indifferent tech support. I had my Compaq Presario 1200 Notebook for 3 months before I lost the first hard drive. First I had problems with the sound drivers, then I had problems with windows ME program and finally with the hard drive. When the hard drive totally crashed (only 3 months old) I spent almost two hours trying to get help from technical support. 4 individuals (one brain dead, one total indifferent, one telling my that my year warranty did not include the hard drive and one that disconnected me,) the last tech told me to send it back and it would be two weeks before I would get the machine back. Two weeks for a person that works on the road is untenable. The second Hard Drive lasted three months. The machine locked up and was not restorable when I was in South America. I was without a computer for 2 more months. When I returned to the USA I went through [a lot] again with the customer service (oxymoron with Compaq). The service representative and supervisor are from India or Pakistan and their English is very difficult to understand. They have to have me read and reread and reread again the basic information to them (serial number, etc.). Another sad state of affairs at Compaq/HP. Finally they sent me the box to return the machine and assured me that I would get top priority (as I was to return to S.A.). Two weeks passed and when I called (five days before leaving for S.A.) they said they could not find my computer. Un ...believable! I cannot stress strong enough... AVOID COMPAQ. The quality is Poor and the service is nonexistent. Now I am stranded without a computer. I lament the day I bought this computer.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent laptop
Review: My processor in my Compaq Presario 1200 is actually a Celeron 700... I've had this laptop now for about 3 years, and I am considering upgrading because I really want a CD-RW. But this little computer has given me 3 years of great use. I only give it 4 stars though because I've had to replace the hard drive and the battery, and I was not too happy with the original software configuration. I don't know why they partitioned the hard drive the way they chose to because it really does not make much sense in terms of backups. I prefer to backup on media that is complete separate from my HD. I've since installed XP on it and repartioned the drive so that it's all in one piece, so to speak, and I've been happy.
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