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Compaq Presario R3000T dedicated graphics & shared graphics notebook upgrades?

post #1 of 8
6/12/04 at 5:42am
Thread Starter 
Besides the memory, is there anything else in these notebooks that can be upgraded down the line, such as harddrive, video card (I know the shared model uses the memory from the computers memory but are you able to upgrade it with a physical dedicated video card?) Just curious.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 8
6/12/04 at 9:24am
It denpends on a lot of things.

Memory and Hard Drives can be upgraded on most notebooks with out many problems.

Video cards, most can not since they are proprietary to the manufacture.

I did a little research on the Compaq models that you asked about. I believe the memory (video) and graphics are attached to the system mother board a can't be upgraded.

My current Compaq notebook has upgradeable video memory. The 2700 series came with 8, 16, or 32 mb of video memory. The video memory I upgraded from 16mb to 32mb. But the actual graphics card is part of the system board and can't be replaced. I also upgraded my hard drive from a 30 GB 4200 to a 60 GB 5400 unit. Very easy to do.

The only upgrades I'm aware of on the Compaq R3000 series is System memory and HD. But keep in mind that only one Dimm is user accesiable on that model.

I personnaly would not buy a notebook expecting to upgrade video cards in the future. Try to find one that will meet your needs for atleast 2 years. If you want to upgrade components you may want to stick with a desktop.

The Compaq 3000 series was what I almost purchased, but I decided to give Dell a try and so far I really like my 8600.

John
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post #3 of 8
6/12/04 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your input. Another thing I am concerned about with the 3000 series is that the fans are all on the bottom of the notebook. I will be using it on my lap A LOT, do I need to be concerned about this?
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post #4 of 8
6/12/04 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sseaott
Thanks for your input. Another thing I am concerned about with the 3000 series is that the fans are all on the bottom of the notebook. I will be using it on my lap A LOT, do I need to be concerned about this?
That was a big concern of mine also. My 8600 also has the fan intake on the bottom, but it has louvers that helps keep it from getting completely blocked. I also use mine on my lap a lot. I will just have to ensure I set it on a magazine or something to keep the intake open. I really like the Compaq 3000 series notebooks. The build quality looks better than my Dell. I have been extremely satisfied with my 2700 Series Compaq. It has a lot of time/use on it. I believe you will enjoy the Compaq.

John
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post #5 of 8
6/12/04 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Oh hold up. The Dell 8600 has the fans on the bottom as well? I looked at the pics for the 8600, I don't recall seeing that. I must have missed that one.
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post #6 of 8
6/12/04 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sseaott
Oh hold up. The Dell 8600 has the fans on the bottom as well? I looked at the pics for the 8600, I don't recall seeing that. I must have missed that one.

Mine has the fan on the bottom. The fan vents have not been a problem so far. Most of the newer laptops I looked at had the fans on the bottom. Are you considering the 8600?

John

http://nbinside.com/dell/img/8600-1.gif

Here is a link to a pic of the bottom. You can see the fan on the bottom left.
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post #7 of 8
6/13/04 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jetmech1
Mine has the fan on the bottom. The fan vents have not been a problem so far. Most of the newer laptops I looked at had the fans on the bottom. Are you considering the 8600?

John

http://nbinside.com/dell/img/8600-1.gif

Here is a link to a pic of the bottom. You can see the fan on the bottom left.
Actually, I'm considering the Presario R3000T more then the Inspiron 8600, only because I can get exactly what I want for 250 less and I think Presario notebooks are the best designed notebooks out there besides Apple.
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post #8 of 8
6/13/04 at 9:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sseaott
Actually, I'm considering the Presario R3000T more then the Inspiron 8600, only because I can get exactly what I want for 250 less and I think Presario notebooks are the best designed notebooks out there besides Apple.
I thought the same thing until I started checking out the Dell outlet. I got mine for 1394.00 (tax included) and free shipping.

But building a NEW laptop your are correct about the price difference between the two manufactures.

If you do buy the Compaq, give us a review. I'm still like reading the reviews on that model.

John
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