Compaq Presario R3230US Notebook PC (2.80 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

Average customer rating:

Good enough...until now

the worst laptop you can possibly buy

Below poster

Compaq presario R3000

Excellent Laptop - will do it all!

Compaq Presario R3230US Notebook PC (2.80 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

Notebooks | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
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IRIS Business Card Reader II for Windows/PC

Targus PA410U DEFCON CL Notebook Computer Cable Lock

Targus PA090U USB Mobile Port Replicator with Ethernet

Targus TSB312 16 Sport Deluxe Notebook Backpack

Targus CPT400 17 Platinum Deluxe Notebook Case

ASIN: B0002G6W7M

Product Description

The R3230US notebook PC has all the goods to keep you productive in style. Whether you're in the office, at home, in transit, or off to distant locales, you'll appreciate the power and features of this sleek, light, high-powered laptop.

Amazon.com Product Description

A true powerhouse in a portable package, the Compaq Presario R3230US notebook is powered by a 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor and has all the amenities you need to take everything with you on the road. A 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB RAM help you store files and run multiple applications efficiently, and the DVD/CD-RW combo drive means you can perform a variety of application like backing up files on CD media, making audio mix CDs, accessing CD- or DVD-ROMs, or watching DVD movies on the 15.0-inch LCD screen. It also features a built-in ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 IGP graphics card and integrated JBL Pro Performance speakers to take care of your multimedia needs.

The Basics

Hard Drive: The 60 GB hard drive has ample room to store all your files, including digital audio, video, and photos.
Processor: The 2.80 GHz Pentium 4 processor can handle the toughest applications and has a 512 KB L2 cache.
Memory: It has 512 MB DDR SDRAM to help you multitask with ease and is upgradable to 1.25 GB.
CD/DVD Drive: The DVD/CD-RW combo drive reads CDs at 40x, writes at 16x, and rewrites at 10x. It can also read DVD-ROMs at 16x.
Keyboard & Mouse: It has a 101-key compatible keyboard and touch pad.
Display: The 15.0-inch XGA LCD has resolutions up to 1024 x 768.

Sound and Graphics
A built-in ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 IGP graphics card with 128 MB video memory turns this notebook into a gaming machine. The integrated JBL Pro Performance speakers mean you can listen to crystal clear and bright audio right out of the box, whether you're listening to CDs or watching DVDs.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
An integrated 10/100 Base-T ethernet allows for convenient networking, and 54g 802.11b/g wireless LAN means you can get online quickly, easily, and without wires. It also has the following external ports:

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting to a wide range of peripherals, from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 parallel port for connecting to printers or cameras based on older technologies
1 notebook expansion port (Type I/Type II) for adding a variety of upgrades, including memory, modems, portable disk drives, and more
1 VGA video out port to connect to an external monitor
1 S-video out to connect your laptop to a television
1 audio out for headphones or speakers
1 microphone in port

Preloaded System and Software
The Compaq Presario R3230US notebook is powered by Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Windows XP Home Edition is packed with multimedia features to help you get your creative juices flowing. Windows Media Player lets you burn and play CDs, in addition to playing and organizing digital audio files. Windows MovieMaker is a basic video editing tool that helps you capture and edit digital video to save your memories and share them with others.

It also comes bundled with Symantec Norton Antivirus (with a complementary 60 days Live Update subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, RecordNow, InterVideo WinDVD, Apple iTunes and Apple iTunes Music Store, Adobe PhotoShop Album Suite, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Money, Microsoft Encarta Plus, and Intuit Quicken New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
It weighs 7.8 pounds and measures 14.25 x 11.0 x 1.8 inches (W x D x H).

What's in the Box
Presario R3230US notebook, 120 watt AC adapter, 8-cell Lithium-Ion battery, phone cord, user's manual, and warranty information.

Customer Reviews:

Good enough...until now.......2006-09-13

R3270CA notebook PC (3200 amd64, 1 gig of ram)

Good laptop until battery life became absolutely nothing shortly after a year of use. Laptop has also started using the fans too much in order to cool it down and crashes the odd time due to this.

As I said, when its working the laptop has served its purpose for me, unfortunately the battery life and overheating problem would prompt me to discourage buying this laptop.

good luck,

TCB

the worst laptop you can possibly buy.......2005-12-21

this computer barely has any battery life and always overheats its self and shutting off. if i had a choice to buy another computer this would be my last choice....

Below poster.......2005-10-24

You sir, are a FOOL! It came with 512 ram, but the video card on this machine has INTEGRATED RAM, meaning that 512-Video card ram. Your card must have been turned up to 128 MB. 512-128 = 384! Read description before giving a bad review, idiot.

Compaq presario R3000.......2005-10-22

I bought this laptop in Nigeria and 3 days later I was back in Paris, France.

To my Horror it did not have 512MB RAM but 384 MB RAM. Being a great fan of World of Warcraft in august 2005, I was obliged to buy a 1GB RAM combine it with the inbuilt memory to get a total of 1.12 GB of RAM.

Then my next problem was the touchpad. for some unknown reason mine has been messing up. I used to use my wireless mouse just for games but now i use it for everything.

This laptop is really heavy, and i cannot afford to drag to school like the really cute and light Apple laptops.

And apart from the fact the laptop can overheat, it is important to check that you do not have a battery pack with a bar code label starting with GC, IA, L0 or L1. If you do please check the internet for more information, because these packs have been recalled by HP. (they have a tendency to overheat).

Despite the above, I truly love my first laptop. ^^

Excellent Laptop - will do it all!.......2005-08-25

I got this laptop originally to replace an older Dell laptop that served me well. I have now had my Compaq for over a year, and am ready to write a review for it.

Problems: I had the computer for only 4 months when the connection where the power cord enters the computer broke (inside the computer) which means no charging of the battery. It was under warrenty, so I shipped back my computer, and within 4 days I had a repaired computer back on my lap. There is a small secondary quirk from that repair (my screen black outs from time to time, but it's an easy fix) that wasn't worth me returning the computer for service.

Pros: This screen is beautiful. I use it for many hours each day as a student, then also as my primary home computer. Having the extra wide screen is great for DVD's, but it's most useful when using word processing, as I can fit quite a bit of text on the screen at a single time if I am bouncing around in my notes. The screen is very impressive. The keyboard has great sensitivity and is full sized. The sound from the speakers exceeds 95% of all other laptop speakers. The integrated wireless works flawlessly. There are ample USB ports, and a firewire port. The hard drive is fast and quiet. The processor works like a champ. The fans that cool it all are incredibly quiet, which is very important in class. Nothing worse than when a classmate's computer has a fan come on and it sounds like an remote control plane trying to take off. I love the vertical scroll function of the touch pad.

Cons: It's heavy, really heavy. The touch pad generally works great, but I think it could be better placed to the left another half inch and it would eliminate a lot of unintentional mouse movement when typing. The button that ejects the DVD/CD-R is easy to bump and trigger. I think it would make sense to have your batteries be able to connect directly to the power cord, outside of the computer itself. This would allow recharging a second battery, and would be a life saver if/when the connection where the power cord enters the laptop breaks. This is a weak link on all laptops, and I wish they would redesign it universally.

I highly recommend the Presario 3000 series. It has served me well, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one when that time comes. This laptop has made me turn on my desktop maybe once a month. I hadn't intended/expected it to be a full replacement for my desktop, but it quickly became so.

Amazon.com Review

This travel clock radio slips into pocket or purse and unobtrusively goes anywhere. Only 1/2 inch thick, it measures 5 by 2-3/4 inches and delivers high-fidelity AM/FM radio reception and a digital alarm clock (wake to either music or a buzzer alarm). At night, the push of a button backlights the digital LCD screen, which displays time and date, and another button flicks on a tiny red flashlight for when a doorknob or set of keys is hard to locate in the dark, or when a restaurant is too dim to read the menu. For good radio reception, a telescopic antenna extends to 11 inches and tucks neatly away when not in use. The clock radio operates on batteries: a 1.5-volt battery (included) that powers the clock and two AAA-size batteries (not included) that power the radio. --Fred Brack

Customer Reviews:

OK for travelling.......2001-05-27

This is a light and compact item perfect for travelling. The sound quality is OK for a small radio. Missing a snooze button which would have been very nice. The flip clock pannel is fragile.

Average customer rating:
Micro-Star 52X CD INT EIDE ( MS-8152 )

Manufacturer: Micro-Star International
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

CD-ROM Drives | Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B00008PGJO

Product Description

In response to "Information" era, MSI offers the StarSpeed MS-815252X CD-ROM drive. MSI's StarSpeed MS-8152 includes front-loading tray mechanism, front panel headphone jack, busy indicator, close/eject buttons, volume control and emergency CD rejection hole. StarSpeed MS-8152 can read 12cm and 8cm CD, data transfer rate is 7800kb per second, and average access rate is 97 ms. It is one of the most stable drives compared to existing products on the market. StarSpeed MS-8152 is based on E-IDE/ATAP interface, which can support many different disk formats, for example, CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-DA (Audio CD), CD-Movie (Video CD v1.0/1.1/2.0), CD-ROM/XA, CD-R (CD-WO), Bootable CD, CD-I/FMV (CD-Interactive), Single/Multi-Session Photo CD, CD-Plus (CD-Extra, Enhanced CD, I-Trax CD). The most worth-mentioning feature is its data transfer ability, which provides flexible adjustment to best suit users' needs.One of the main features of StarSpeed MS-8152 is Speed Adjustment Function. It allows to easy access the designated data by pressing play/forward button without damage to CD and CD-ROM's life cycle. It can also lower down the noise when the drive is in operating mode, providing noiseless working environment for user. MSI's StarSpeed MS-8152 is strongly emphasizing product's easy operation and flexibility, maximizing top quality and efficiency.

Product Description

Whether you need regular output of continuous multi-part forms, fine business correspondence - or combinations of both - 24-pin OKI ML490/491 printers are the single solution. They handle the printing needs of the most demanding environments - including point-of-sale, automation and utility applications such as wholesale or retail sales counters, financial departments, and manufacturing or warehouse sites. Yet they also produce letter-quality type and high-resolution graphics for the office and executive suite. The ML490/491 sport features that give them a strong edge over their predecessors as well as the competition. An internal cooling fan provides continuous airflow for the printhead - maximizing throughput productivity for long, unattended print jobs. Additional feed rollers provide precise forms handling and printed-character placement accuracy. 3-piece top cover provides easy access and unsurpassed break resistance. The ML490/491 printers run the gamut of paper types and envelopes at lightning speed - reaching 475 cps in Utility/Draft mode and 105 cps in Letter-quality. Their rugged printhead (200 million-character average life expectancy) is made up of powerful samarium magnets and stored-energy pins that deliver precise, sharp characters all the way through to the last page of a 5-part form. The patented OKI closed-loop feedback system assures character placement accuracy. And a zero-tear feature accurately positions continuous forms for a clean tear at the perforation to eliminate wasted stock.

Average customer rating:
Panasonic SL-CT480R Portable CD Player (Red and Silver)

Manufacturer: Panasonic
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

All Portable CD Players | Portable CD Players | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
CD Players | Portable Audio & Video | Panasonic | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
CD Players | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Energizer E91BP-4 AA Batteries (4-Pack)

Energizer E91FP-12 - Battery - AA - alkaline x 12

Energizer E2 X91RP-8 AA Batteries (8-Pack)

Motorized SkipDoctor by Digital Innovations (Model 1013000)

Koss 4.5 Car Pack / Cigarette Lighter Adapter and Cassette Adapter

Product Features:

Thin, compact, and lightweight design with pop-up disc-eject system

No-Skip shock-protection system with 40 seconds backup memory

Up to 35 hours playback with two AA alkaline batteries or 14 hours playback with two AAA alkaline batteries (all included)

Slide-lock, full-open top cover, heat-resistant polycarbonate body

24-track programming, MASH 1-bit digital-to-analog conversion system for superior audio performance

ASIN: B00005AKZ6

Product Description

Panasonic brings a beautiful design and a wealth of features to this affordable Personal CD Player. One of the world's lightest players, it boasts a full 40 seconds of shock protection using Panasonic's New Anti-Skip System. You also get two AA batteries (35 hours play) - and two AAA alkalines with up to 14 hours of play, ensuring you'll have music for days. A new chassis combines an ultra-thin body with a vibration resistant anti-shock mechanism and a heat-resistant polycarbonate body. Pop-up eject system makes changing discs even easier than usual. Panasonic's exclusive MASH 1-Bit D/A conversion system ensures all your CDs will sound great.

Amazon.com Product Description

Panasonic's thin, red-and-silver SL-CT480R CD player offers the convenience of pocket sizing alongside long battery life and reliable anti-skip protection. The player's No Skip technology combines rubber, shock-absorbing brushings and an anti-skip digital servo with 40-second memory reserve for added back up.

The player is conveniently compatible with either AA or AAA batteries, deriving up to 35 hours of playback from two AA batteries or 14 hours of playback from two AAA batteries (two of each are supplied). Logically arranged, top-mounted controls simplify operation, while a large, easy-to-read LCD shows disc status. A hold function prevents unintended interruptions in playback and saves batteries by negating playback when the player is stopped.

The SL-CT480R's digital-to-analog converter is Panasonic's single-bit MASH (multi-stage noise shaping technology) DAC, designed to virtually eliminate distortion and deliver all the subtleties and nuances that make digital recordings so rich.

Playback options include 24-track programming, repeat (track or disc), and random play, and a four-preset equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your preference--choose from S-XBS (extra bass system), live, train (high cut). Auto power-off prevents battery drainage after your CD has ended, and the unit's aluminum top cover and polycarbonate body protects the player from the elements.

What's in the Box
CD player, stereo headphones, two AA batteries, two AAA batteries, and a user's manual.

Product Description

MIDLAND GXT-250VP2, 22 CHANNEL GMRS/FRS 2-WAY RADIO WITH 2 WATT

Product Description

Why add more memory? More megabytes of memory mean more applications can be open at the same time on a desktop. In addition to this boost of the computer's handling capacity, additional memory can make applications run more quickly. More memory allows the CPU to retrieve and retain more data, which means the applications will normally appear to run faster and more efficiently. Many users blame the slow performance of their computer on the processor speed when, in fact, all they often need is simply to add more memory.

Product Description

Super Multi DVD Rewriters can write, read and erase data on all DVD and CD media formats. They are all format compatible as they support DVD +R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R/RW and are Dual Layer DVD +R up to 8.5G.PRODUCT FEATURES:Dual layer recording enables storage of up to 8.5GB;Writes to DVD-RAM (5x), DVD-RW (6x), DVD+R DL (6x), DVD-R DL (4x);DVD-R (16x), DVD+RW (8x), DVD+R (16x), CD-RW (24x), and CD-R (40x) media;All DVD formats compatible;Interface E-IDE / ATAPI;Mounting type - horizontal and vertical;2MB buffer memory with buffer under run prevention technology.

Product Description

Automated system calculates total hours, including overtime. Fifty-employee capacity standard, upgradeable to 150. Badges replace time cards and are interfaced into your payroll software, including ADP, Paychex and others. Integrates seamlessly with Quickbooks Pro/Premier. Includes clock, software, 25 employee badges (numbered 1-25), 25' cable, mounting bracket and instruction manual.

Product Description

High-performance Telephoto Zoom Lens, Designed Specifically for use with Digital SLR Cameras. The new 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC compact telephoto zoom lens was exclusively designed for use with digital SLR cameras. The image circle was designed to match the size of the image sensors of digital SLR cameras that also allows compact body and lightweight. This remarkably compact high performance zoom lens is ideally suited to a wide range of subjects.This lens is designed for Nikon.

Customer Reviews:

Quantary-55-200.......2007-06-27

I was surprised to see how good this lens is for the price.

It is a great lens for taking candid shots.

So far it's been a good experience.

Product Description

The F520 is ideal for the demanding CAD and graphic professionals. The virtually flat, high resolution FD Trinitron CRT combined with a 0.22 mm aperture grille pitch sets a new level of performance with superior image clarity and brighter colors making it perfect for detailed 3D renderings and graphic design work.

Amazon.com Product Description

The GDM F520's short-neck CRT design squeezes an extensive 19.8 inches of viewing area into a unit less than 19 inches deep, allowing for increased space in close quarters. A cathode-ray tube that's 50 percent shorter than conventional CRTs places the entire 21-inch screen comfortably on any desktop. Image clarity is maximized with a 0.22-millimeter aperture grille pitch, and Sony's Enhanced Elliptical Correction System automatically corrects picture deformation for sharper video. The GDM F520's large screen area packs a full palette of resolutions to adapt to a variety of video memory freedoms and constraints. A maximum resolution density of 1,800 x 1,440 dpi at 80 Hz can accommodate your applications' most demanding video requirements, from DVD to CAD design.

Sony's GeoLock circuitry erects an impervious barrier between the CRT and any stray electromagnetic field the GDM F520 may encounter, resulting in consistently stable, uniform image projection. Active Signal Correction eliminates the need to manually adjust the screen settings by instantly optimizing the basic picture controls for largest viewing area. All digital controls are available, however, at the touch of the keypad below the screen. The GDM F520 is intended for Windows NT/98 platform communication with PCs but is fully Macintosh compatible. Dual input control allows for simultaneous connection to two computers, including both Macintosh and PC at once. International Energy Star compliance ensures limited emissions and more efficient power consumption. Four active USB ports are built into the base for lightning fast transfer rates.

Customer Reviews:

Actually a great monitor, but..........2006-06-12

...only when it has been new.

I bought mine in the end of 2001. The superb technical data and the extremely positive reviews you could find in that time were the reasons for spending that much money (about US$ 1600). And indeed, the picture quality was just great (using 1600x1200 at 85 Hz and working mainly with text based applications), I was very contented with it.

But at the beginning of the year 2005 (i.e. only a few months after the expiring of the 3-year warranty!) the problems began:

- Whenever the CRT is cold, it flickers extremly bright red and sometimes also blue, but no problem when it has once warmed up itsself (that means after about one minute or so).

- This phenomenon has at first started only a little bit but has gotten worse day after day. Now it sometimes even powers off due to self-protection (so I have to repower it a few times) during its "warm-up phase" because it flashes up too bright.

- For a few weeks now the picture has been getting blurrier every day. Reading small letters for a few minutes is now causing me a headache. I have to switch the resolution down to 1280x1024. Also the edges are now sometimes in strange colors instead of white.

I've also looked into the device, cleaned it from dust and it seems very much that the tube itsself is the cause of the problems (perhaps sparkover between cathode and the heating?). But due to the blurry picture repairing will most probably mean to exchange the tube which I cannot do at home. So it's too expensive and therefore not whorthwhile anymore.

After only about four and a half years it seems that I have to dispose it - I just can't use it any longer, mainly because of its blur that I don't want to expose my eyes to.

Now I am planning to buy a TFT screen very soon. I am thinking about a Samsung 214T (21") or 204Ts (20").

In conclusion I can say: As long as it functioned it was really a great monitor, great picture, great colors, great focus. But I am very, very disappointed by its low lifespan. I've used it about four and a half years, about 10 hours per day which makes about 16500 power-on hours (up to now). The problems began the first time after about 11000 power-on hours.

Although I have used it a lot - in my optionion this just may not have happened with a device that expensive. To have an ultra focussed high quality device for at least the next six or seven years was one of my main considerations before buying it.

I don't know if Sony is manufacturing this monitor anymore. But if you think about buying one you should also take these negative quality and lifespan aspects (and meanwhile there are quite a lot of negative reviews of this monitor throughout the internet) into your considerations, not only the very impressive technical data.

Sony GDM-500.......2005-09-15

Have had the monitor for 5 years. Excellent up to a month ago....after being on for 5 minutes, blurry to the point where text is unreadable. For $2000 USD, I was hoping it would last longer....the issue I'm sure exists with the 520 model....

GR, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Beautiful.......2003-11-12

Had it for a year. Perfect and problem free, and it's on almost all the time. Rock solid, sharp, even color. Flawless.

Sony GDM-F500.......2003-10-31

Re two of the above comments, the OSD shows the current refresh rate when you press "menu." And any yellowish areas ("stains") in the corners can be fixed by tweaking the LANDING controls.

The Greatest.......2003-10-24

This monitor has one the best CRT monitor award in more than one magazine. is grille pitch is yet to be challenged and it has good refresh rates at high resolutions. one problem is that there are 2 wavy lines that go down the screen but only some people notice them and most people just ignore them. I recommend that you at least try this out if you are going for a high end CRT.

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