Compaq R3000 series review
While Compaq offers the R3000 series with several different configurations, our test machine for this review featured an Intel Pentium 4 processor at 2.8GHz and 512MB of PC2700 DDR memory. Our 15.4-inch widescreen model also included a 40GB Hitachi 4200RPM hard drive, ATI’s Radeon 9000 integrated graphics processor, and an internal Broadcom 802.11b/g mini-PCI card. Compaq sells the R3000 series with Microsoft’s Windows XP Home operating system or, as our system was configured, with Windows XP Pro.
The 15.4-inch WXGA TFT wide-angle screen runs at a native 1280×800 resolution. Compaq also offers the R3000 with WSXGA+ (1680×1050) and WUXGA (1920×1200) options, as well as a new “Brightview” version of the WXGA screen, which is supposed to offer a higher contrast image.
Smooth rounded corners give the black and sliver Presario R3000 a sleek look that has proved to be quite durable over a few months of use. The top and bottom of the computer are black plastic with the center portion, including the keyboard and hand rest, finished in a thinner-feeling silver plastic. The bottom of the casing features solid rubber feet in each of the four corners and ridges throughout, presumably to help with heat dissipation.
Opting for a different design than some other laptops, Compaq has placed most of the expansion ports and interfaces on each side of the machine instead of at the rear. Those annoyed with having to turn a computer around or awkwardly reach behind it to plug in a USB device will appreciate Compaq’s design choice here. The only interfaces at the back of the computer are the legacy devices — a VGA monitor port, a parallel port, and a telephone modem. Although we had no use for it, we were happy to see a parallel port since many new laptops don’t include one, yet many people and businesses still have parallel-only printers.
The left side of the Presario R3000 features the optical drive, two USB 2.0 ports, a Type II/Type III PC Card slot and a 5-in-1 flash card reader. The reader can handle SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, MemoryStick and MemoryStick Pro flash storage formats. Missing is the popular Compact Flash format, but those with CF cards can find a PC Card adapter for under $20.
On the right side of the laptop is another USB 2.0 port, an IEEE 1394/Firewire port, audio controls and plugs, a 10/100 Ethernet port and an S-Video out. There is a button for volume up, volume down and mute as well as a headphone and a microphone jack. The right side also features a port that plugs into HP/Compaq’s notebook expansion base, an optional docking station that includes a wireless keyboard and mouse and built-in Altec Lansing speakers.
The front of the computer features a button for turning the internal wireless on or off, and amber lights indicating hard drive activity, system power, and AC/power. The system power button slowly flashes when in standby mode which is useful if you have closed the lid and can’t remember if you turned the power off or just went to standby. Also featured on the front panel are speaker grilles hiding the included JBL Pro speakers and a pushbutton to release the cover latch. The solid screen hinges and unique lid latch really gives the Presario R3000 a quality feel. We really liked this mechanism as the u-shaped metal latch was easy to open and release and kept the lid tight when closed.
With many competitors offering multimedia buttons on their laptops, the R3000 only offers the aforementioned volume buttons. Compaq’s keyboard utility configures the F-keys to be used as multimedia keys, but you have to push them in conjunction with the Function key. Since many media applications such as Winamp have keyboard shortcuts anyway, we found Compaq’s solution here to not be very useful and didn’t like having to use a two-key combo.
About the Author
|
|
NEW HP Compaq M2000 V2000 V5000 R3000 Spanish Keyboard $21.59 |
|
|
HP Compaq R3000 NX9100 NX9105 Klavyesi Turkish Keyboard $25.99 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R3000 15.4″ Laptop Parts Keyboard $19.99 |
|
|
NEW HP R3000 R3100 R3200 R4000 Keyboard Teclado Spanish $18.00 |
|
|
New HP R3000 m2000 m2200 v2000 v2100 v2600 Keyboard $18.39 |
|
|
New HP R3000 V5000 C500 keyboard 407856-001 394277-00 $21.99 |
|
|
COMPAQ PRESARIO R3000/ HP COMPAQ NX6125 KEYBOARD $19.99 |
|
|
Keyboard for Compaq Presario R3000 R4000 M2000 V5000 $11.99 |
|
|
Compaq Presario V2000 R3000 Laptop Keyboard 394363-001 $14.58 |
|
|
NEW OEM HP R3000 R3100 R3200 R3300 R3400 Keyboard $27.11 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R3000 Genuine Keyboard 350787-001 $10.85 |
|
|
R3000,R4000,M2000,V2000,V2100,V2200,V2300,V2400,V2600 WHITE KEYBOARD KEY ONLY $4.99 |
|
|
R3000,R4000,M2000,V2000,V2100,V2200,V2300,V2400,V2600 BRAND NEW WHITE KEYBOARD $34.99 |
|
|
NEW HP R3000 R3100 R3200 R4000 Keyboard Teclado Spanish $18.00 |
|
|
HP Compaq M2000 V2000 V5000 R3000 C500 C300 Keyboard US $42.78 |
|
|
US Keyboard Film for HP Compaq R3000 M2000 V2000 Series $2.13 |
|
|
Keyboard for Compaq Presario R3000 R4000 M2000 V5000 $11.63 |
|
|
NEW Compaq Presario R3000 ZV5000 keyboard 350787-001 $14.95 |
|
|
Keyboard for HP Compaq Presario R3000 R4000 M2000 V5000 Replacement black latin $11.63 |
|
|
Keyboard HP Compaq Presario R3000 ZE2000 V5000 US layou $18.98 |
|
|
For HP Compaq Presario M2000 R3000 V2000 V5000 Keyboard $15.94 |
|
|
HP ZV6000 ZV5000 BLACK laptop keyboard OEM Used Mint fits Compaq R4000 R3000 $0.99 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R4000 R3000 Laptop Notebook Keyboard $27.99 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R3000 M2000 V2000 Laptop Keyboard EX+ $24.50 |
|
|
COMPAQ PRESARIO R3000 KEYBOARD $7.00 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R3000 V2000 M2000 Laptop Keyboard $27.99 |
|
|
Compaq Presario R3000 V2000 M2000 Laptop Keyboard VG $18.99 |
|
|
NEW HP Compaq Presario R3000 R4000 C300 C500 Keyboard $26.11 |
|
|
COMPAQ Presario R3000 Series WHITE Laptop Keyboard KEY $4.75 |
|
|
Lot of 3 COMPAQ Presario R3000 Keyboard 350787-001 $34.99 |
|
|
Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 Keyboard $29.50 Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 Keyboard & Pointing Device Kit 920-002836 Keyboard & Mouse Combos… |
|
|
Apple MacBook Pro MD313LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (NEWEST VERSION) $1,049.00 The Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro is a powerful notebook computer with an innovative aluminum unibody design. It is loaded with advanced power management features and an integrated battery, which work together to provide up to 7 hours of wireless web browsing. You may notice an unfamiliar logo next to one of the ports on the left side of the system. This is Thunderbolt, a high-speed interface that can m… |
|
|
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 $16.77 USB… |
|
|
8 GB 8gig 8GB SD (SDHC) Secure Digital High Capacity Flash Memory Card $9.63 - 8GB Secure Digital Memory Card, for use in Nintendo Wii - SDHC High Speed Class Rating: Class 6 - Built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss - Low Power Consumption (10,000 insertion / removal cycles - Supports Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM) for music and other commercial media… |
|
|
16 GB SDHC 16gig 16GB (SD) Secure Digital High Capacity Flash Memory Card $64.99 - 16GB Secure Digital Memory Card, for Nintendo Wii - SDHC High Speed Class Rating: Speed Class 2, Class 4 & Class 6 - Fully compatible with SD Card Association – SD2.0 SDHC memory card specification standards - Minimum Sustained Write Speed : Class 6: 6MB/sec - Durability: >10,000 insertion / removal cycles - Supports Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM) for music and other commercial m… |
|
|
Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Portable PA System $540.70 Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Public Address System STAGEPAS300 Public Address (PA) Systems… |
|
|
HP Notebook DV6T SE – Windows 7 Professional, Intel i7-2620M 2.7GHz, 12GB Memory, 1TB HDD, Intel Graphics, Blu-ray player, Webcam, 15.6 FHD Screen $2,099.00 Get the power and performance to match your fast pace. Our Pavilion dv6t Select Edition has a 15.6″ (diagonal) high-definition1 Brightview screen so you can enjoy entertainment on your terms. An industrial-looking design with brushed aluminum finish and argento-colored stream motif. A 15.6″ diagonal high-definition1 Brightview LED display. An HP logo that lights up when you turn on the PC for a co… |
|
|
Sony Creative Software ACID Music Studio 8.0 – 2011 $44.99 ACID Music Studio 8 from Sony Creative Software is the perfect tool for original song creation, audio recording, MIDI production, studio-quality mixing and effects processing. The software allows you to share your songs any way you want – burn CDs, upload to the web, or export to MP3 for playback in portable devices such as the PSP or iPod. Built-in tutorials help guide you through the various pro… |