| Compaq Presario C552US 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel celeron M Processor, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive, Vista Basic) | 
 enlarge | List Price: $871.00
Buy New: $573.02
You Save: $297.98 (34%)
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 4 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1718
Category: Personal Computer
Publisher: Hewlett Packard
Studio: Hewlett Packard
Brand: Hewlett-Packard
Label: Hewlett Packard
Media: Personal Computers
Batteries Included: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 11.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 14.1 x 1.8
MPN: RZ342UA#ABA
Model: C552US
UPC: 883585125432
EAN: 0883585125432
ASIN: B000O58PW6
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Affordable, reliable business notebook with 1.6 GHz Intel Celeron M 520 processor | | • | 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB installed RAM (2 GB max), DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive | | • | Connectivity: 2 USB, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 headphone, 1 microphone | | • | 54g Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 64 MB shared memory | | • | Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Basic |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
PRESARIO C552US - INTEL - CELERON M - 520 - 1.6 GHZ - DDR2 SDRAM - 512 MB - SERI
Amazon.com Product Description
Wherever your hectic schedule takes you, you'll stay productive thanks to reliable Compaq Presario C552US notebook PC, which offers all the basics at a nicely affordable price. Optimized for mobile performance, this 6.6-pound laptop is powered by the battery sipping 1.6 GHz Intel Celeron M 520 processor with Intel 64 architecture and features 54g wireless networking (802.11b/g), enabling you to stay connected at coffee shop and airport hotspots. Its 15.4-inch WXGA BrightView display supports High-Definition playback enhanced by Altec Lansing audio. Other features include an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), Intel GMA 950 video processor with up to 64 MB of shared video RAM, and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. This laptop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, which delivers a safer, more reliable, and more productive computing environment. It integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures. The Basics
- Processor: The Intel Celeron M Processor 520 is designed specifically for mobile computing, offering a balanced level of mobile-optimized processor technology, good mobile performance, and exceptional value. Its Intel 64 architecture is also ready for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, and offers enhanced performance through improved virtual memory. The 1.6 GHz speed is complemented by a speedy 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
- Hard Drive: The 80 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) has become the average size for notebook PCs. It provides enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
- Memory: The 512 MB of installed RAM (1 x 512 MB DDR2) is enough to get you started, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. It provides two DIMM slots and has a 2 GB maximum RAM capacity. To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.
- DVD/CD Drive: With the included DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, you'll be able to watch DVD movies as well as burn data and your favorite music mixes to CD. It has a 24x write speed for CDs.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a full-sized 101-key keyboard and touchpad with four-way scroll zone on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.
Screen, Video & Audio
The 15.4-inch LCD offers a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The widescreen display gives increases the width of the notebook's display while giving the computer the form factor of a smaller computer, so it takes up less space on your desk or in your briefcase. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 64 MB of shared video memory. It also offers an integrated audio card and built-in Altec Lansing speakers. Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. You get a very basic offering of connectivity options: - 2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- 1 VGA monitor port
- 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV
- 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). Operating System
Windows Vista Home Basic is the operating system for users with basic computing needs, such as surfing the Internet, corresponding with friends and family using e-mail, or performing basic document creation and editing tasks. Additionally, Windows Vista Home Basic integrates new search tools throughout the operating system to help you quickly find the precise file or program you need. Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities. Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer DVD Edition, Sonic Digital Media Plus, PC Recovery, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update). Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.1 x 10.2 x 1.38/1.77 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.6 pounds. Power
It's powered by a 6-cell lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which provides between 1.5 and 2 hours of battery life (depending on usage). What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Compaq Presario C552US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Cheap but has problems May 16, 2008
My brother and I bought four or these for our families one year ago. They were cetainly cheap after rebates which is what we were looking for. But each of the four machines has its share of problems from minor to broken. Here are the highlights:
1) Really bad keyboard. The keys pop off this thing easy compared to any other laptop I have owned. Once off they are a bear to get back on. You can always use an USB keyboard so I guess this is not a fatal problem but it sure is damned annoying. Every one of our four C500 laptops has missing keys for us. That should tell you something.
2) Fragile. These machines don't take heavy bumps well. Their screens are prone to breaking if given abuse. I suppose this is to be expected given the inexpensive price. I would suggest
a) instruct your kids not to put anything on the top of the computer when the lid is closed. This causes the screen to flex. To its credit, it can take some amount of this without issue but why tempt fate. You should show them what not to do by doing it first. Cats favor sleeping on these because they can be warm. This does not seem to to break it though.
b) buy a good laptop bag that offers considerable protection in case of a drop. Kids will drop these, they are after all kids. A drop for one of these means broken screen unless you take precautions like this.
c) though I hate warranty packages from the retailer, this is one situation where such a warranty might be worth while. Make sure first that the outfit you are buying from is going to be around two years from now. COMPUSA as I recall is where we got ours. They were going out of business but the stores had no issue with trying to sell us a warranty they would not be around to service (geesh!). Next inquire as to the extent of the warranty. These warranties will ususally offer a full replacement on the screen once no questions asked and this covers a drop by your kid. But make sure you ask "does it cover a drop by my kids".
3) Low quality motherboard. These machines have a higher incidence of motherboard issues than the statistical average for laptops. If your C500?? runs hot, randomly shuts down, won't post, won't power on, or takes forever to boot/shutdown (talking 10 to 20 mintues or more each way), then you likely have a MB problem. After shipping, a MB repair might be a good deal, or more expensive than a new computer after rebates. You should consider cut and run using EBAY. Problem is, many MB issues are cumulative. A hot CPU can run for a year till it fries some MB component and then a computer that worked long enough to be out of warranty now starts giving you problems, or even no longer works at all.
4) It comes with Vista. Vista is I suppose a fast OS if you have dual core CPUs or better, and 2GB of memory of more, but these cheap machines will have neither. Fortunately they can be downgraded (with effort) to XP if you have an XP imaage. Make sure to turn off that NATIVE SATA SUPPORT or XP will blue screen you.
If this machine did not have such a crappy keyboard, and not so many MB issues, it would be one excellent deal. We got ours for 350 after rebates and they were as fast as any other compute we had owned. But they just don't last.
Kevin CT USA
 Dee's Presrio June 27, 2007
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is my first laptop. It is easy to use, and I can set in my recliner and be comfortable while I use it.
Compaq C552 laptop June 26, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Great low price laptop, display is very good and everything worked well out of the box.
Great Cheap Laptop May 16, 2007
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I got this when my cat knocked a vase of water over my cheap Acer laptop which ran really hot, needed the DVD drive fixed anyway and was not worth the money it would have cost to fix. Fortunately I had a Fujitsu ultraportable which I loved with a few minor problems (so I thought), but apparently it would have been over 200 to fix the broken mouse pad (for the second time) and the ac connection needed soldering there was no guarantee they could fix it but they wanted 80 dollars to find out. So I got this Compaq to the tune of $450.
For the price I paid I have no complaints, ok, a few complaints, but they are complaints I would have had with a more expensive laptop, at this price they certainly wouldn't keep me from purchasing it. Overall this is a good laptop for basic home or student use.
Vista is clunky and has some really annoying features which I won't get into read the reviews. Some of my software doesn't work with it, so instead of the free antivirus I was stuck buying one. There's no PC Card slot. I am not sure what I need a PC Card for at the minute but it is a little irksome that it isn't there. Most of the time I like the sharpness of the shiny screen, but it can be hard to see if you are outside. I like the feel of the keyboard too. Volume buttons are located above the keyboard and are quick and responsive. I would have liked a mouse scroll button but that is a minor thing.
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