Compaq Presario CQ60-420us 15.6-inch Budget Laptop PC

Oct 6 2009 - Compaq's CQ60-420us is an updated version of their extremely affordable laptop. With a price tag around $500, it is certainly going to attract a fair number of buyers. The problem is that Compaq didn't redesign the basic CQ60 chassis leaving it with a below average number of peripheral connectors. The system also does not have support for the faster 802.11n wireless networking that puts it at a disadvantage to many laptops in the same class. If these aren't necessarily issues for the user, the system will work fine for the average user.

Oct 6 2009 - The Compaq Presario CQ60-420us is essentially an updated version of their older CQ60 model. This means that the system gets some performance boosts from a faster processor, slightly more memory and the inclusion of a multi-format card reader. The system still keeps the same basic layout with its various quirks intact.

The processor has been moved up from the Pentium Dual-Core T3400 to the T4200 model. This gives it a slight bump in performance but the third gigabyte of DDR2 memory probably has much more impact within the Vista operating system. These specs are pretty much what one can expect from the majority of the budget laptops based on Intel processor. It will get the job done in just about every type of application but will struggle in some.

The larger 15.6-inch screen adds some bulk to the overall dimensions of the Presario CQ60 but it also provides space to fit in a full keyboard layout including a numeric keypad. Unfortunately, the trackpad is more towards the center of the laptop that puts it on the right side of the standard keyboard that may cause issues for some.

The big problem with the Presario CQ60-420us is that it still has a limited number of peripheral connectors. Sure, they added in a 5-in-1 card reader so that it can be used with flash media cards from digital peripherals but the three USB 2.0 ports is still below average. The only external monitor connector is the older analog VGA port and not the newer HDMI port required for use with connecting it into an HDTV screen.

With a price tag of roughly $500, the Presario CQ60-420us is certainly very attractive. There are similarly priced laptops on the market with more peripheral connectors and better wireless networking. Still, if you don't necessary need these features, the laptop will suffice for most users.