The Compaq Presario 5724
Written: Jan 29 '00
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| chrisknowsbest's Full Review: Compaq Presario 5724 (135846-003) PC Desktop |
The Compaq Presario 5724 is an attractive blend of features for a mainstream home system. It includes a quick CD-ROM/DVD, 56 K v .90 modem, and a 100 Meg Zip drive in addition to a nice sized 12 Meg hard disk and 3.5" floppy and soundblaster compatible audio. The memory supplied is a generous 96 Meg, although the video consumes 8 Meg for it's purposes. The video is unremarkable, but certainly not below standard. USB and game ports are accessed from the front.
The thought that has gone into setting up the machine is good. The software is fully installed AND BACKED UP on the hard disk. This consumes most of a D: drive that chips off 2.5 MB from the hard disk. If you value this easy approach to recovery from disasters that don't involve the viability of the drive, you'll like the approach taken by Compaq. If not, the files are readily deleted and the space converted to normal storage. Compaq includes a nice suite of utilities to control features and diagnose problems. This includes the control program for the simplified one-key interface with the internet, e-mail and the e-commerce community. The downside of all this is a VERY full system tray that many will want to reduce the size of. This isn't a simple matter for the casual user, who may well give it all up and just live with slow boots and the occasional hang-up.
The physical layout is a negative in many respects. The silly little door that is pandemic with the presario is useless, makes opening the CD drawer problematic, and hides access to the two expansion bays under the CD. Fortunately it removes easily without damage to itself or the unit. It just leaves a rather "broken" appearance to the machine. Inside, the expansion is not all that it appears to be. Some of the slots that you see from the outside turn out not to be there when you open the box up. However, there should be plenty for most needs.
All in all, and for the price, this unit is a good choice, unless you're cramped for space, or need a lot of spare slots.
Recommended:
Yes
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chrisknowsbest
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Member: chris noll
Reviews written: 83
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