I know compaq's used to be properietery, but are they still that way?

[The Stigenator]

My co-worker wants to buy a new computer, but she doesnt want to spend too much. I found a Compaq 8030 (I think) with a 800 celeron (30GB 128MB ram, 11MB Onboard Video) and a monitor from Fry's for roughly $550.

She was skeptical over it being a compaq. From my reasoning is that compaq no longer has to make custom boards they can buy boards off the market hence they arent really properitery.

The system looks good for basic stuff like word processing and internet and a few other stuff.

Am I right in recommending that system. I am not building her one. But if one can recommend a good prebuilt system for around 800 bucks maybe under a 1000, I can look into those.

But from my side that compaq looks good.

 

[The Stigenator]

ttt

 

[TunaBoo]

When did compaq mobos go totally industry standard? I was workin a computer show where we had "brand new" refurbs, the mobo looked standard, I was shocked. Must be a new thing.

BTW we were selling the compaq you priced for like 499 + 50 for a 15 inch monitor. So you have a good deal.



For a good custom built umm... cough *my sig* cough

 

[Gunbuster]

Compaq dropped the wacky custom mobos back in the k6-2 days
99% of the consumer line is ATX or MicroATX

 

[TunaBoo]

<< Compaq dropped the wacky custom mobos back in the k6-2 days
99% of the consumer line is ATX or MicroATX >>



Now that I think of it, 99% of the compaqs I got in to fix were k6-2 or eariler. Must be their other systems are still under warrenty.

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, Compaq has gone pretty standard, but they still have that crazy hidden partition that stores system info and don't allow much access to BIOS tuning features. IOW, you still have to go through them for any system software updates. See the August PC Mag for the latest service/support/satisfaction survey--Compaq brings up the rear...
. If I couldn't build it myself, I would buy a house brand before any of the big names. Of course it really depends on the risk tolerance of the perspective user. If she consults Consumer Reports for all purchases and always buys comfortable, name-brands, then house brand or custom built are probably not options if she is to have a chance of being happy with her new system.
.bh.

 

[MasterHoss]

Their mobo is still Compaq-ized. They use VIA chipsets on their mobo but the 4-in-1's don't do much (nothing for Compaqs). Further, their cases and mobos DO NOT conform to ATX standard.

 

[Gunbuster]

<<Further, their cases and mobos DO NOT conform to ATX standard>>
wha?
Just about all the Slot athlon compaqs used a variant of the FIC SD-11 and the cases are about 100x more &quot;ATX&quot; than the current shoehorned HP and convoluted sonys.

They use OEM &quot;no teweeking bios's&quot; but so do all the other vendors

 

[SocrPlyr]

hmm my friend's old k6-2 450 compaq was replaced by a standard atx mobo (bcm cheap pos i think...) in the same case (of course you couldn't use the front joystick and usb ports... but that was just my experience...

Josh

 

[yourharddrive]

nada