HP's Compaq nc2400 ultraportable notebook reviewed

You may have missed that Compaq nc2400 ultraportable business laptop among the slew of notebooks we reported on yesterday, but according to Laptop magazine, those on a budget looking to travel light should probably give the 3.6-pound (with battery) model from HP a second look. You can't really expect stellar performance or a satisfying gaming experience from an ultraportable that starts at only $1,600, and benchmarking indicates that even with the fastest available Core Solo processor (the 1.2GHz U1400), this model may falter when attempting any serious multitasking. On the plus side, battery life seems to be very good, clocking in at almost six hours with the standard six-cell battery and about nine with an optional nice-cell model. You also get a combination DVD reader / CD burner, fingerprint scanner, and built-in accelerometer to lock the drive heads in the event of a fall, but unfortunately no trackpad (just the nub) or extras like 3G and Bluetooth connectivity (WiFi is still present of course). All-in-all, if you don't mind the relatively pokey processor and integrated graphics, and are fairly adept at navigating a computer using just the pointing nub, then the nc2400 seems like a pretty good way to shave some pounds from your travel gear.

[Don @ May 10th 2006 2:36PM]

I don't understand why they're releasing a lemon?

[Matt W. @ May 10th 2006 2:36PM]

an optional nice-cell model?

Shouldn't that be nine-cell?

Heh, perhaps you should use spellcheck, eh Evan?

[ccunning @ May 10th 2006 3:09PM]

I thought "nice" was a word?

[Matt W. @ May 10th 2006 3:20PM]

It is, but a nice-cell doesn't exist. Read the article.

[msafi @ May 10th 2006 3:39PM]

This is almost a Thinkpad X series rip-off, except the X series doesn't have built-in optical drive, but it makes up for it by including Core Duo starting at $1600. The X60 series is a better option in my opinion.

As for the nub, I proclaim that anyone who can't take advantage of the beautiful nub technology is a total moron. The nub, as a navigation device, could only be topped by Brain-Computer Interfaces. Because if you set the nub correctly, you can control it with the slightest movement of your finger. That's almost like being able to control it with your thinking...

Just put a little faith into it, and you'd never want to go back to the Mouse-Keyboard arm exercise. Thinkplus USB Keyboard with UltraNav is a good place to start practicing your faith.

[dc @ May 10th 2006 3:53PM]

I agree with msafi concerning the nub. I CAN'T STAND trackpads. The nub or 'pencil eraser' is the best mouse replacement I've ever used. Thanks for the "Thinkplus USB Keyboard" advice. I'd replace my desktop keyboard with one but I don't want that annoying trackpad including.

[msafi @ May 10th 2006 4:50PM]

dc, you could disable the pad.

[anon @ May 10th 2006 5:01PM]

AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE?

This seems way overpriced, especially for a Core Solo machine with a "nub". I know some people like the nub, I used to love it, but the trackpad has so many more options for functionality that the nub can't begin to compete.

I don't see how anyone can say Apple is overpriced as their 12" model is $100 cheaper while still having a great deal more hardware and better hardware for the money. (e.g.: Standard Superdrive, Bluetooth, DVI, etc.)

Oh wait, the HP nc2400 does have an integrated fingerprint scanner. Lame!

[karan @ May 10th 2006 5:16PM]

they also released the nx9420, which is a 17 inch desktop replacement that got an awesome review from laptopmag. so its weird that they continue with mediocrity. read it here - http://www.coreduoinfo.com/blog/2006/05/10/hp-compaq-nx9420-review/

[Richard @ May 10th 2006 5:17PM]

That thing is f'ugly as hell. Can't people design laptops that don't look like a calculator manufacture company made them?

[Slavior @ May 10th 2006 11:25PM]

I hate the nub too! I owned 3 ThinkPads in the past (before they came with trackpads), and I'm glad I've moved on. And performance concerns with these types of laptops are over-rated - I do a lot of programming and computationally heavy tasks (no gaming though) and my ultra-light does very well. If anyone is looking for the smallest laptop with integrated DVD burner, 10.6" screen and NO FANS check out my review of Fujitsu P7120, well worth the cash:

http://slavior.blogspot.com/2006/03/review-fujitsu-p7120-laptop.html

[wb @ May 11th 2006 5:02AM]

Please don't discriminate against nub users. It's very hard to find a good laptop with a nub and some people like me can't use the touchpad because of hiperhidrosis (i.e wet hands). It would be best if every laptop had two options.

[ScooterJP @ Sep 26th 2006 12:50AM]

nubs suck (a bit like nipples). And fingerprint scanners victimise the fingerless.
This machine is no good for people wearing mittens. Or welding gloves. Or baseball mits on both hands.

[lory @ Mar 7th 2008 4:07AM]

compaq battery is bery good.
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/compaq/
:)