There are far too many budget-priced laptops competing for the attention of the small and medium business users. Consumers in this niche face a wide range of options as almost, if not all, laptop manufacturers carry models that target this market. You really can’t blame manufacturers from investing a lot into this market because they know it is growing at neck-breaking speed.
Manufacturers now know that the business user is getting wiser. The average lifespan of a laptop is about two years; the small business user thinks, “Why would I get myself a high priced unit only to see it outdated in a couple of years?” He thinks getting a budget priced device that has the minimum features and performance he needs is a better investment decision.
Giant computer maker Hewlett-Packard is not contented with its share in this market. It further exerted its muscle by throwing not only one new entry into the fray; in fact, it threw in twins – the HP Compaq 615 and the HP Compaq 610. Both share the same features with one major difference – processing prowess. The Compaq 615 relies on AMD’s Athlon™ X2 Dual-Core processor, while the Compaq 610 depends on Intel’s Core2 Duo Processor T5870.
We wrote a review on the Compaq 615 in an earlier post. This review covers the Compaq 610 model.
Like its twin, the Compaq 610 banks on a 15.6-inch LED-backlit screen that HP claims reproduces images similar to HDTV but consumes less power than its LCD counterparts. There is another aspect that separates the twins – the choice of graphics card. The Compaq 610 uses Intel’s Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 while the Compaq 615 utilizes an ATI Radeon HD 3200 chip. The average business user may not be able to tell the difference. Users who indulge in games or watch movies in between business meetings or during breaks will find that the Compaq 610 (because of the X3100 chip) offers a slightly better viewing experience.
Essential business applications are standard, allowing the user to run his enterprise while on the go. Also found standard on this model are video-conferencing essentials like web camera, microphone and a mono speaker. HP also threw in some of its proprietary applications like HP Total Care Advisor and HP Connections Manager, among others.
| SPECS | AVAILABLE OPTIONS |
| CPU | Intel Core™2 Duo Processor T5870 |
| RAM | 1GB upgradeable to 4GB |
| Screen Size | 15.6 inches diagonal |
| Operating System | Genuine Windows Vista Business with downgrade to Windows XP Professional custom installed |
| Battery Life | Up to four hours |
| Graphics | Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 |
PROS
Excellent build quality, great screen, full sized keyboard and available built-in security features that favor the business user.
CONS
Like its twin, the Compaq 610 only has USB and VGA ports are available. HDMI, DVI, Fireware and eSata ports are unavailable.
CONCLUSION
For us, the HP Compaq 610 is a sensible and safe choice for the budget business user. The only slight advantage we see that it has over its twin, the Compaq 615, is its better-performing graphics card.
| Store Rating | Store Name | Price | Visit Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
   185 Store Reviews |  Amazon Marketplace | $ 19.95 | 
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1683 Store Reviews |  Amazon | $ 83.95 |
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185 Store Reviews | Amazon Marketplace | $ 59.90 |
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- HP 6510B COMPAQ – Review
- HP Compaq Presario CQ 20 – Review
- HP Compaq Presario CQ60 – Review
Tags: Core 2 Duo, HP Compaq, laptop review
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compaq 610 does not have hard drive activity led (like you have for battery and caps lock)… hp forgot to put it in …. while you stare at your pc when it freezes ….. no clue if your pc reading hdd or not…
@rajesh
HP really put the budget into “budget laptop” by leaving the leds out of the laptop.
[...] range of configurations. This laptop has screen size of 15.4”, a tad smaller than its 15.6” HP Compaq 610 competition. Nonetheless, the 15.4” of screen is nothing to complain about. The screen is of [...]
[...] 610 and HP Compaq 615. The only difference between these two is the processors that they use. The Compaq 610 Laptop uses Intel’s Core2 Duo Processor T5870 while the 615 has AMD’s Athlon™ X2 [...]
Recently, I purchased a Compaq 615 Laptop. There are so many cons in it, e.g, there is only one speaker, the left one. I find it so strange. Also, there is 4 GB RAM available BUT only 2GB is used. Another important notice is that this computer freezes during any downloading i.e, you can’t do any other function during any dowload process. My old cheap computer was much better.
i got a hp comoaq laptop. every thing is ok except the Speaker. only one Speaker is working and other is not working
You could move you mouse to check if it freezes, this is what input devices are for.
recently i got the HP 610 compaq laptop, with the windows operating system. I have a issue with the wirless network adaptor, wireless wifi is not working. I haved downloaded the all the required drivers and try out but still it is not working. can any one send me the drivers for the same or help me out on this issue. Please mail me on ashok_bhandare4u@yahoo.co.in
Am just about to purchase a laptop and am stuck between hp cq61 and 610..where is the country of manufacture for the hp brand pls?and which of the two is more stable?
USB ports are at the left side only. And only three…two few!
i want to know about my laptop compaq 610 offers.
i bought on march 1st 2010
i want to know procedure to apply offers to my laptop
i want to know what is the last day for my laptop offer
i recently purchased compaq 610 but found many cons in it.firstly there is no HDMI port availabe.Secondly There is no HDD light available no idea if the computer is processing or not… and the third is its pathetic sound qualiy.sounds like listening to a 20 years old radio…my sugesstion to all is please consider other notebooks in this range before purchasing this one…
i purchased cmpq610.i found it too hot while operating and sound is nt also gud.subtracting dis 2 problem,this piece is much,much better………
the sound is do not work with ubuntu.windows ok.how can I solve this problum????
We have a compaq 610 that my parents use for internet and word processing.. no problems at all. Great little system. Only complaint is that 1GB of memory is not really enough for Windows 7. Installations take ages but other processes are largely uneffected.
Also.. computer freezing while downloading is not a feature of this model. Aldin might want to check his software set-up, this does not sound like a hardware issue.
i bought this hp compaq 610 an since havnt being comfortable wt it …its gt jst one left speaker and also the key board has arabic alphabets even the system looks so fragile
i got a compaq 610 laptop,when sometimes are good.its not a entertatement laptop.
HI, I discovered that COMPAQ610 has ONE SPEAKER ONLY, as mentioned on its booklet. so FORGET stereo sound and hard disk led… do somebody also have FLASHING backight?
please rate it out of ten.i am going to
buy it
aldin learn to keep your computer in better condition and maybe it wont freeze!
I got a hp comoaq laptop. every thing is ok except the Speaker. only one Speaker is working and other is not working, and the output quality isn’t great.
HP 610 laptop badhiya hai par HP india me bakwas aur bekar insano ke hath me hai,
maine 610 naya khareeda aur turant hi usme ek safed line screen par aane lagi jo aaj bhi aarahi hai,
koi sunvai hai nahi,
on line case banaye 6 mahine hogaye par koi fayda nahi,
ha ab consumer court bacha hai wo bhi ab dekh lete hai
I got a HP 610 a week ago and it is an upgrade from a Compaq presario 6210 with Windows XP I used to have.
So far is good, works great but the only one speaker issue is annoying, I almost send it back until I noticed that it only had one speaker. The OS Window 7 Starter is also annoying, I need to upgrade it in order to use the full range of functions.
Is a good purchase but there are better out there for the price.