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Compaq Evo N800 Review
N800 is a powerful model from Compaq Evo line of laptops that could honestly be classified as desktop replacement with its large, high resolution displays, full size keyboard, powerful graphics card and processor.
Value, corporate and workstation versions
It comes in three different versions, indicated by "v", "c" or "w" suffix, where "v" stands for "value", "c" for "corporate" and "w" for "workstation".
The N800c and N800v versions are very similar, with "v" having usually slower CPUs, lower resolution displays and only TouchPad as a pointing device.
The Evo N800w is a "mobile workstation", as a vendor calls it. It comes only with 15" TFT, high resolution matrix, bigger and faster hard drives, can accommodate up to 2GB or RAM and features ATI Mobility Fire GL 9000 128-bit graphics card with 64MB DDR RAM instead of ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 found in "v" and "c" types.
Processor and RAM
Evo N800 is based on P4 Mobile processors with 1.6GHz to 2.5GHz clocks, featuring Intel SpeedStep technology. You might also meet N800c versions with Intel Celeron Mobile 1.8GHz - 2GHz CPUs. They have 256kB of L2 cache, comparing to 512kB in P4. All CPUs run on 400MHz front side bus and work with DDR PC2100 266MHz RAM memory mounted in two SO-DIMM slots. The "c" and "v" subtypes support up to 1GB of RAM. "Workstation" version can work with up to 2GB RAM installed in two 1GB SO-DIMM modules.
Hard drives
When it comes to HDDs, you can meet items with 20GB - 60GB hard drives, where 60GB ones work with 5400rpm speed. N800w versions are usually equipped with bigger and faster disks, with 50GB (7200rpm) and 80GB (4200rpm) deserving special mentioning. If you need more space there is an option to install additional, up to 60GB hard drive in MultiBay, where optical drive resides typically.
Optical drives and MultiBay
The standard, optical drive in N800 is DVD or DVD-CD-RW combo. You can also rarely meet models with CD-ROM or CD-RW. All optical drives are installed in MultiBay, which is universal bay that can alternatively accommodate LS-120, Zip 250, 30GB to 60GB hard drive, second battery or floppy disk drive.
Display and graphics card
As Compaq Evo N800 is supposed to be a desktop replacement system, it comes with big, high resolution displays. The smallest TFT matrix available has 14.1" diagonal size and maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 at 16.7M colors. Most items available on used laptops market are equipped with 15" TFT matrix with 1024 x 768, 1400 x 1050 or 1600 x 1200 maximum resolution, depending on model and configuration. Many of the most powerful N800w models come with exceptional 15", 1600 x 1200 x 16.7M matrix with wide viewing angle. All displays are bright, clear and sharp with vivid colors.
All N800 notebooks use ATI Mobility graphics chipsets with dedicated RAM memory. The "c" and "v" types incorporates ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 64-bit graphics card with either 32MB or 64MB of DDR or VRAM memory. Owners of Evo N800w can enjoy the power of professional OpenGL ATI Mobility Fire GL 9000 128-bit chipset with 64MB of dedicated DDR RAM memory. Even the former chipset should satisfy all needs of great majority of users if it comes to graphics performance.
Networking and MultiPort
Every N800 comes with Mini PCI 56K modem and 10/100Mbps ethernet card integrated on system board. Wireless networking is available via innovative MultiPort 802.11b or Bluetooth modules. MultiPort is a specialized slot on the top cover, where wireless modules like 802.11b or Bluetooth can be installed. Its advantage over integrated, internal solutions is better signal strength as antenna is exposed to open space and not covered up by any other laptop parts.
Expansion features
N800 features only basic expansion capabilities like single Type II PC Card slot, two USB 2.0, 4Mbps IrDA or parallel port. There is also VGA, docking connector and S-Video output port that enables you to connect the laptop to external TV set. Nice feature is the ability to display different pictures on internal TFT matrix and external monitor connected through VGA port, so you can use external monitor with up to 2048 x 1536 resolution with graphics or CAD/CAM software, while using internal screen to watch mail or communication software or to display some diagnostic information at the same time.
Keyboard and pointing devices
All versions of Evo N800 have good quality full size keyboard. It is solid, with good travel and nice touch. The only complain could be a little small space bar, but after few hours with the laptop you can get the feel of it. As pointing device there are both PointStick and TouchPad, each having its own set of buttons. Only "value" models usually come with the TouchPad only.
Battery
Li-Ion 8-cell 4000mAh (4400mAh in some "w" models) battery is a main power source for Compaq Evo N800 notebook. N800c and N800v work on it for up to 4 hours. N800w drains a little more power and lasts for up to 3.5 hours on battery. For those who need to work longer without external powering, there is an option to install second MultiBay battery that extends work time to up to 8 hours in case of "c" and "v" versions and up to 6 hours in case of "workstation" type.
Other features
Front mounted JBL speakers sounds good enough to watch movies, or listen to the music. There are also two buttons placed over the keyboard to easy volume level control.
The casing is solid with dressy, casual look. It is mostly black, with small metallic accents. All items with 15" matrix have magnesium enclosure that protects the screen and looks good for long as it is very durable to hits and scratches.
Some people complain that the location of the exhaust fan causes the unit to heat a lot. It can be uncomfortable if you like to keep the laptop on your knees but do not cause any instability or crashes.
With weight up to 6.6 lb (2.98 kg) it is not ultraportable, but thanks to lack of integrated, obsolete floppy disk drive it is still thinner and lighter than most similarly equipped notebooks.
Summary
Compaq Evo N800 is a very good laptop that deserves to be called a desktop replacement. Big, high resolution screens, capacious hard drives, powerful graphics cards, DVD-CD-RW combo, integrated modem and LAN should be enough for majority of people to replace their desktops in all tasks. The Evo N800w is a "workstation" not only in name. Great 15" 1600 x 1200 screen with wide viewing angle, professional ATI graphics card, up to 2.5GHz processors and 2GB DDR RAM memory is enough to run most engineering CAD/CAM and graphics software and to work with it comfortably. In my opinion Compaq Evo N800 is a lot of power for a reasonable price.
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