HP Compaq nc6000

by Zinger1

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Product: HP Compaq nc6000 (Product Page)
Price as configured: US$2,099 — Shop for this laptop
Processor: Pentium-M (Banias) 1.6GHz
Display: 14.1" XGA (1024x768) screen
Video: ATI Radeon Mobility 9600 w/32 MB DDR
Hard drive: Hitachi Travelstar 60GB 5400rpm 8MB cache
Operating system: Windows XP Professional

Introduction

If you ask most people in the Ars Mobile Computing Outpost what the best truly-portable business-class notebook with a decent graphics chipset is and they'll probably say it's the IBM T40/41. While the conventional wisdom is frequently right, it sometimes pays to buck the trend and give an aspiring newcomer a chance. So when faced with the opportunity to pick up a Compaq nc6000 series laptop with a 15% discount, the choice was even easier. The savings? Around CAN$500 vs. the comparably-equipped ThinkPad T41.

Configuration

The laptop under review here is the top-of-the-line DQ880A#ABA model with the following specifications:

Pentium M 1.6GHz, 512mb 333mhz DDR Ram (1 slot open, 2GB max)
60GB 5400rpm hard drive, 8 MB cache
DVD-ROM/CDRW Optical Drive (8/24/10/24)
14.1 XGA 1024x768 TFT
ATI Radeon 9600 Mobility video card
802.11 a/b/g wireless, Bluetooth, 10/100/1000 Ethernet
6-cell Li-Ion battery
Serial, Parallel, 2 USB 2.0, SD memory slot, docking port, Smart Card support
S-video port
3 year international warranty, 24x7 phone support
Price: CAN$2464 at time of purchase after 15% buy and try discount
Price as of April 2004: CAN$2899, US$2099, prices start at CAN$1999 US$1444
4.96 pounds travel weight (about 5.42 lbs with optical drive), 12.5x10.3x1.27 inches
Windows XP Professional
Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 and InterVideo WinDVD

Shop for the HP Compaq nc6000

Store	Rating	Price
		US$2,064.74
		US$2,099.00
		US$2,079.91

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A second review unit was identical to the first with the following exceptions:

60GB 4200rpm HD, 2MB cache
8-cell Li-Ion battery
Price: US$2,099

Buying requirements for this particular laptop purchase were: a 14" or smaller screen, a trackpoint pointing device (for those who hate trackpads), weight around 5 lbs or less, good battery life, at least DX8 level non-integrated graphics chipset, and a three-year warranty. Usage requirements included being able to run a Windows web server, application server, and database at a decent performance level, which is currently not possible using Virtual PC on a PowerBook G4. This could be a viable option once the PowerBook G5 appears, but Apple is highly unlikely to be adding a trackpoint to their machines anytime soon. Is there any rational reason why more companies don't include a trackpoint on their laptops? No matter what your preference, giving the consumer a choice would probably expand the market for their products.

Other laptops considered included the Dell Latitude D600, the Toshiba S1, and the IBM ThinkPad T40/T41. The recently-released Toshiba M2 would have warranted serious consideration had it been available at the time of purchase. The IBM was hundreds of dollars more expensive and had an inferior graphics chipset, the Toshiba seemed a little too big and the build quality of their laptops in the past has not always impressed. The Dell was actually ordered and returned after they sent the wrong model and then made accusations of lying to them concerning the order. After using the Dell for a few days it was discovered that their definition of "business quality" did not equal mine. The case creaked, the keyboard flexed, and the system froze every other time it resumed from standby. Some advice when buying something you're going to use every day for a few years: spend a few more bucks and buy quality. Life is too short to work with bad tools.