Did I get a decent laptop?

[dianmichele]

Hello everyone,

I bought a clearance laptop from FS yesterday as a gift for by boyfriend's b-day. Here's the link...

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/12139188-78299199-78308301-78308301-78308301-80642769-81869298.html

It's a Compaq F764CA Notebook and I paid $498 (reg. $698). It was a demo and also came with a 2 year PSP as well. It didn't have a box or anything else with it, but I have 14 days to return it if he doesn't like it. My boyfriend will use it for light surfing, reading the news, reading books online, and possibly taking it outside to hang out in the summer. He has his "big rig" for gaming in his office so this really will be a second computer for him.

He has mentioned that he doesn't like Vista, but he has never used it. I tried to get a refurb with XP on it, but I didn't like the fact that there was no return policy (only exchange) at the places I went to. Good deals...but I didn't want to take the chance that he wouldn't like it or something. I looked at the Asus EEE but couldn't get past the fact that they are just as expensive as some other notebooks, but they don't have an optical drive, which I feel is important.

Do you think this will be a decent system for basic use? I can't really find any reviews on this model so I'm a bit concerned.

Thanks for any advice...and sorry if I posted in the wrong spot!

[dianmichele]

Sorry, I forgot to add that I was hoping to spend around $400 so I'm already a bit over budget! Not to mention, I was planning to buy him a $100 mouse...which has ballooned into this!

[evanx]

Sorry, I forgot to add that I was hoping to spend around $400 so I'm already a bit over budget! Not to mention, I was planning to buy him a $100 mouse...which has ballooned into this!

As a sidenote: The Logitech G9 mouse (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10094050&CMP=BAC-FS_hbad_t1_s2-EN) is on sale at FS for $59.99 and that's a good quality gaming mouse.

[Kwirky]

First, that's an awesome birthday present! Secondly, you got an okay deal; although it's not worth the pre-clearance price, $498 is just right for a laptop with the hardware listed - if I recall correctly similar machines were going for $450 around Boxing Day.

Performance won't be amazing, but it will be more than enough for basic computing, and you should expect about 2 hours of battery life.

There aren't many reviews since Compaq makes so many different variations for different retailers, so this is the closest review I could find (http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4202); ignore the comments on performance since the one you got is different.

[dianmichele]

Thanks! I feel better about it now. And...if he wants something better, we can take it back and he can upgrade. I hate buying this sort of stuff for "computer savvy" people, I always question myself.

Evanx, thanks for the mouse info. I was trying to get my hands on the World of Warcraft mouse by Steel Series but it's sold out everywhere and is on backorder. I looked at the G9 though...until I bought the laptop!

[exiledinottawa]

That's the exact laptop I bought last spring, have had absolutely no trouble with it whatsoever

[sickcars]

Its a decent price for the laptop. So be happy you did good and he should be happy hes getting a laptop from his gf lol.

[gordholio]

I'd say you did well. You got the extra warranty included, so that's good.
I'm sure your boyfriend will be quite happy with it.

Windows 7 will be out within the next year, so he can upgrade to that. It's much better (faster) and nicer looking than Vista.

[dianmichele]

I'd say you did well. You got the extra warranty included, so that's good.
I'm sure your boyfriend will be quite happy with it.

Windows 7 will be out within the next year, so he can upgrade to that. It's much better (faster) and nicer looking than Vista.

Thanks everyone!

I thought the Windows 7 thing was just a rumour...there was some chatter about this on previous threads. Has there been an official announcement? Because that would be sweet!!!

[Zero1]

Thanks everyone!

I thought the Windows 7 thing was just a rumour...there was some chatter about this on previous threads. Has there been an official announcement? Because that would be sweet!!!

Yes it is official. It has been released to the public to test and find some bugs.

AS far as the laptop goes. Its a good one for the price you paid. I would go with evan's suggestion for the mouse.

[Kwirky]

Yes it is official. It has been released to the public to test and find some bugs.

Yep, you can get the beta here if you're feeling brave: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx

I've encountered a few bugs, but I still prefer it over Vista.

[dianmichele]

Yay!!! He will be sooo happy when I tell him...it will be like another birthday present!

I'm still thinking about the G9, maybe I'll get his buddy to get it for him.

Thanks everyone!