Thinkpads Forum

I've been a long time Thinkpad user, and most recently owned the T60p. I was just made aware of the HP Compaq nw8440 laptop, which appears to have a lot of the same features as the T60p, but in addition, offers:

1) Core 2 Duo available now
2) 1920x1200 resolution screen (or 1600x1050 screen)

Other than those features, the nw8440 has similar specs to the T60p, and also offers docking station solutions for DVI output, swappable multibays for a 2nd HD, FireGL V5200 video, etc. So far the reviews I've read are pretty positive, but was wondering if anyone here has done a comparison. In particular, I'm curious about the build quality and keyboard feel of the nw8440.

This is something I've bounced around a bunch myself....

here's a link to a C/Net "end User" review of the machine by a long time Thinkpad user
http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Compaq_Mobil ... uolstC/Net

Here's a review I found also:

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread163290.html

I wish I could find a review of a model with the 1920x1200 screen though.

I think the HP business line has come a long way recently and are excellent machines.

The Flexview screen is what did it for me. Also, the keyboards on Lenovo's are a bit better in my opinion but that may be subjective.

It would have to be a BIG step up from what I'm typing this on.... It's a 3 week old HP dv8000t.....

Nice consumer machine... a bit too many bright blue lights for me, (read waaaay to many) --but it was meant to be noticed in a big box store next to whatever flashylights competitor.....

The screen is fine... I prefer "matt" but it's definitely not bad, not over glossy... and the keyboard is "OK"....

It's an 8000 series machine, so I don't know if the keyboard in the 8440 is going to be THAT different than the 8000t.... this Keyboard is definitely OK --much better than a toshiba, for example, but definitely not a thinkpad. fairly crisp, not mushy, feels pretty solid, good tactal feedback....

BUT....

For day in and day out.... I'd definitely take the keyboard in the T43p I had over this..... hands down

Well I just found out that the nw8440 does not have a swappable optical drive, despite some literature implying that it does. The optical drive is fixed and not swappable with other devices, such as a 2nd hard drive. That's a deal killer for me, and a real shame.

While I will agree that HP has made some improvements and are beginning to introduce some interesting laptops, that's where it ends for me. Noticed I said "beginning to introduce". When one purchases an HP laptop computer there is a huge risk involved. As a longtime ThinkPad business user, the comparison is truly apples and oranges. HP does not have a track record in this segment. They are just beginning to produce machines targeted at the professional laptop user. There is a long way to go.

Conversely when one purchases a ThinkPad there is the peace of mind, knowing this a first class machine with a long history of customer support, business expertise, and follow through. An example is the T series form factor which was centered on years ago and they have stuck with it. One of the first (if not the first) to incorporate a bay for removable devices, such as the hard drive, optical drive, battery, etc. The depth of support coverage from a software & parts standpoint is beyond what any other laptop mfg offers.

So, if you want a computer that will handle all your mission critical work reliably, the best choice is a ThinkPad.

[quote="archer6"]They are just beginning to produce machines targeted at the professional laptop user.[/quote]

That's not correct. Compaq produced them for years, and with HP's buyout of Compaq, they continue to do so.

nonny wrote:

archer6 wrote:They are just beginning to produce machines targeted at the professional laptop user.

That's not correct. Compaq produced them for years, and with HP's buyout of Compaq, they continue to do so.

Here is a quote from CNET
"This configuration of the HP Compaq Mobile Workstation nw8440 is a 6-pound, consumer level notebook computer. Compared to other mainstream consumer notebooks on the market, it is relatively expensive at around $1,970."

Years ago I had a very nice Compaq laptop. I'm aware that HP has them now, however where is the quality, durability, great keyboard?

archer6 wrote: Years ago I had a very nice Compaq laptop. I'm aware that HP has them now, however where is the quality, durability, great keyboard?

I will answer that with another question; where is the HP OmniBook and the original Compaq Presarios?

That said, I still have a Compaq 1900 Presario that is older than 5 years and, despite some heavy battles it has been through, keeps on going. I have known people that either didn't like Compaq or didn't like HP and, because of the merger, simply left and/or stopped buying from them because of the sudden changes. From the newer Compaqs I have seen, they look much more like what HP did with its Pavilion laptop consumer brand than what Compaqs used to look, and perform (unfortuanately), like.

I still have my 266Mhz OmniBook that is about as old as the 1900 Presario and they still work. Can I foresee that for the "newer" HP/Compaqs? Not well at all.

I never worked with a Compaq notebook, but I never particularly cared for their desktops.... --who knows why-- but I was definitely on the side of "not a great merge", Definitely felt it would cheapen the HP brand.

meanwhile, I'm chomping at the bit waiting for my new T60p to arrive..... any day now

christopher_wolf wrote: I will answer that with another question; where is the HP OmniBook and the original Compaq Presarios?

well maybe competitors decided that the Dell War Machine is unbeatable with their cheapest notebooks on the market.
and maybe they decided that it makes much more sense to make good buisness notebooks and attract a lot of regular consumers to buy them as well.
i've read someone claiming in here that since for regular home tasks such as word processing, web browsing, email and other basic applications computers don't need to get any better and that eventually there will be trend to make more reliable instead of cheaper notebooks.
maybe HP finally got the idea. a lot of "maybies."

Few years ago before becoming a ThinkPad-ThinkCentre user
I purchased an HP notebook and it was the biggest mistake in my life!
After that i took my brothers advice and purchased my first ThinkPad R40 and i fell in love! HP should stick with printers!

Well, I would have been happy if, not only had HP stuck with printers, but also the OmniBooks as well as *kept what has now become Agilent* and did not cut back on research. They did feel like, somehow, they could get down and dirty with Dell successfully and decided to increase their exposure to a cut-throat and bloodthirsty market (Consumer PCs and most laptops).

As a humorous aside, some of the ex-HP veteran engineers I have worked with still believe there was some sort of conspiracy by Compaq to start the merge/buy from inside HP's board....to which some, including David, did not like. They used to focus alot on research, now they have condensed that into the phrase "invent."

Why do HP only do wide screen?
I still dont understand why widescreen is usefull?! a good 1600*1200 15" flexible is just perfect.

cakos wrote:Why do HP only do wide screen?
I still dont understand why widescreen is usefull?! a good 1600*1200 15" flexible is just perfect.

i don't understand it either. regular 4:3 seems to be much better to look at. i mean i don't have to move my eyes from one side of the screen to the other to see entire screen. but it makes sanse to have widescreen TVs because when you sit in front of your TV you are not 2 feet away but 10 feet away and you don't have to move your eyes around.
i wonder if 4:3 will disappear because soon it will be more expansive than widescreen to produce.