Compaq Presario 730US Laptop (1.0-GHz Duron-M, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB hard drive)

by Compaq

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068ZTY
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 25, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Compaq's Presario 730US notebook delivers a surprising array of features for such an affordable machine. A high-quality, 14.1-inch display, DVD drive, and built-in networking are just a few of this notebook's first-class features. It's ideal for students on a budget or as a second family PC.

At 1.64 by 12.4 by 10.6 inches and 6.39 pounds, this Presario is about average in size and weight for a system with a built-in floppy drive. Its 14.1-inch TFT monitor, powered by the integrated Via Twister K graphics accelerator, delivers high-quality graphics and text at 1,024 x 768 resolution. Using the video-out connector, you can output those graphics to your TV. Combine that with the Presario's DVD-ROM drive to turn it into a portable DVD player. Or watch DVDs right on the display, enjoying the system's JBL Pro Audio speakers with Bass Reflex.

Compaq achieves this attractive pricing by using AMD's 1 GHz Mobile Duron CPU, which features PowerNow technology for maximizing battery life. The Duron offers more than enough power for typical home applications like word processing and Web browsing. The system's generous 256 MB of memory lets multiple applications run simultaneously without slowing down. The 20 GB hard drive provides plenty of space for storing applications, digital photos, or music files.

The Presario 730US is outfitted with a complete array of connectivity options. An integrated 10/100 Ethernet adapter will connect you to broadband or your home network, and a 56K modem lets you dial up to the Internet. Two USB ports connect to peripherals like digital cameras or scanners, and a parallel port connects to legacy printers.

The system's keyboard section features a standard 88-key layout and a touch pad for cursor control. Pre-installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Works 6.0, Microsoft Money 2001, a one-year subscription to the Encarta Online Encyclopedia, and Norton AntiVirus 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good starter laptop., August 13, 2002

By 

Rheumor (New Orelans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Compaq Presario 730US Laptop (1.0-GHz Duron-M, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

To start with, it looks great. It's black & silver, sleek & svelte (6.4 lbs), at least compared to my old HP (Omnibook 6000). All the Compaq's stuff is in the right place, with a 3.5" floppy drive & a PCMCIA slot on one side, and an acceptable DVD drive on the other. All the other connections (including 2 USB ports & a network interface port) are on the back, where they should be. In fact, when not connected to its home-based wires, the whole panel hides behind a plastic hinged door, a[n inexpensive] but effective solution.
The processor is the mobile AMD Duron. It's quite capable of most daily, non-graphics intense tasks, but not as good as the AMD Athalon or the Intel PIII or PIV mobile. Graphics are just okay, but the screen is unusually sharp. The 256K RAM is also okay for everyday stuff, and it can be increased to 384 megs. The 20 Meg hard drive is just adequate. The removal of the CD burner from its predecessor, the 720, is a bit irksome. Overall though, this is a "good enough" basic machine made by a company that looks like it's here to stay.

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW Super price!, August 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Compaq Presario 730US Laptop (1.0-GHz Duron-M, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

This is very good laptop for the price!
I use it for Internet and DVD movies.
Battery life over 2 hours not bad!
This is the best price I have seen, well worth the money, no stability or tempeture isseus!
Best Buy!

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT FOR THE CASUAL NOTEBOOK USER, August 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Compaq Presario 730US Laptop (1.0-GHz Duron-M, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

I bought this machine for a couple reasons. First I didn't want to be pinned to my desktop and second for a slight amount of business use. Performance has not been an issue at all with the exception of it running hot. The clarity of the screen is impressive. I upgraded the RAM to 384 MB and use a Linksys wireless network card. For what I use this for it's worked flawlessly. Obviously if you want a notebook for heavy-duty use, you might want to look at other ones, but for non-"power users" it's great.