The Bottom Line
- Very Inexpensive
- Only 512MB Memory
- Vista Basic Edition
- Single Core Processor
Description
- Intel Celeron M 440 Mobile Processor
- 512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 Memory
- 100GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
- 15.4" WXGA (1280x800) Widescreen LCD and Intel GMA 950 Graphics
- v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless
- Two USB Ports
- 14.1" x 10.2" x 1.4" @ 6.6 lbs.
- Vista Home Basic, MS Works, Digital Media, AutoProducer, Norton Internet Security
Guide Review - Compaq Presario C504US Budget Notebook
04/03/07 – Compaq's notebook lineup has changed dramatically over the years since the purchase by HP. Much of their consumer product lines have been relegated to the budget categories and the latest C500 series of Presario notebooks is very clearly targeted at being as low cost as possible.
The first areas where the cost impacting the features on the notebook is the primary processor and memory configuration. Budget notebook computers now tend to feature the low cost dual core mobile processors from Intel. Instead, the Presario C504US uses the older Celeron M single core processor design. In addition, they only provide 512MB of memory which will limit what can be run on the system with the new Vista operating system.
The second area that one will notice the reduction of costs is the Vista Home Basic operating system. The basic version of the OS lacks many of the features previously found in Windows XP and Media Center Editions. Gone are items such as Movie Maker, Media Player or DVD/CD burning software. Also missing are new items like the Aero interface. This reduces costs but also reduces the attraction of going with the Vista operating system.
Even though it has a standard size thin and light notebook chassis to fit in the 15.4-inch LCD panel, there are only two USB ports. It does not have any FireWire ports or even a Type II or Express Card expansion slot. This severely limits the external peripherals that can be attached.
Things aren't all that bad for the system though. The software package beyond the operating system is quite good and provides much of the basics that one would need for a general purpose computer system. The cost is also significantly below many other budget notebook PCs.
