Review HP Compaq nx7400 Notebook
Solid Basics. The Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx7400 is optimized for office use and has a solid and robust case. Current versions of this notebook can regarding performance by all means rate high, because of their Core 2 Duo processors.
Case
In contrary to the HP notebooks of the nc-series, the surfaces of the nx7400 (except for the display cover) are completely out of plastics.
This does not have any impact on the appearance. However, I want to mention, that it does not feel that good, like notebooks with a specially coated hand ball region.
Regarding robustness and flexural rigidity the plastic version hardly rates lower. The HP nx7400 is relatively rigid. If you pick up the notebook at its edges, you might still observer slight creaking noises.
The notebook's workmanship can well convince. Searching for uneven gaps or poorly attached parts is a waste of time- at least at the notebook's top side. If you turn the nx7400 around, you'll quickly discover a somewhat wobbling battery pack.
Despite of a magnesium cover the flexural rigidity of the display could be better. The hinges too allow a clear see-saw and you can discover a big play. At least, if closed, the display is well secured and no wobbling is possible.
The order of the ports is typical HP: LAN, VGA, network and power connector are in the left rear corner. The three available USB ports are similar to the audio ports relatively near the front.
- Front side: no interfaces at all
- Left Side: Kensington Lock, LAN, Modem, Fan, Firewire, USB, PCCard
- Back Side: Battery, VGA-Out
- Right Side: Audio, 2x USB 2.0, DVD drive
Input Devices
The keyboard is apparently identical to those of expensive HP models. It turns the nx7400 into a durable and comfortable to use office notebook.
What comes up to you first is the clear layout of the keyboard. E.g., function keys are arranged in groups of four, Del, Ins, etc. are put together in a group above the keyboard, the cursor keys are moved a little bit more down.
The size of the keys is alright. All important keys have a good size, only the function keys are a little smaller than usual. The enter key extends over two rows as might be expected.
Typing is relatively comfortable. On the one hand there is not much resistance, on the other hand the travel ends with rather harsh stop. I would deem of the keyboard as well suited for long time typing.
The touch pad, too, well leaves a positive mark. It reacts well and is precise in use. Furthermore, clicking both of the touch pad buttons is comfortable, because they have a clear and soft feedback.
Regarding miscellaneous additional keys, the HP nx7400 provides buttons for controlling the speaker volume and the WLan.
- Touch pad
- Keyboard
- Color Diagram
The Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx7400 comes with a reflecting 15.4" standard display with a resolutions of 1280x800 pixels (BrightView). Additionally, a non-reflecting WXGA panel or a 1680x1050 WSXGA version are available.
The maximum brightness was measured 152.0cd/m² in the center of the display. An illumination of 82.2% is also a good value.
The measurement diagram shows the usual deviation of the blue color curve, which leads to warmer colors.
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Informations
Maximum: 152.0 cd/m² Average: 136.2 cd/m² Black: 0.8 cd/m² Contrast: 190:1 |
The black value, i.e. the minimum brightness of the display is 0.8cd/m². This leads to a calculated maximum contrast of 190:1, a rather average result.
The usability of the notebook outdoors is very limited, because of the display's reflecting surface. In bright environments you can therefore expect heavy reflections.
Horizontally the display provides an amply area of operation. Especially at acute angles you will notice reflections too.
Vertically the area of operation is to be considered just sufficient. If you wander from the optimal normal vantage point a little more, you will soon discover the usual darkening or brightening.
Performance
3D performance is a minor matter for a typical office notebook like the HP Compaq nx7400. The integrated video chip Intel 950 GMA still allows to play older games without big demands on graphical performance and to use Windows Vista.
The T2400 Core Duo processor is also not state-of-the-art, but its performance is yet alright. Newer configurations of this notebook are already offered with Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU and should provide better performance.
The notebook comes with 1024MB PC5300 (667 MHz, 1 module) main memory. So, it's possible to easily upgrade the notebook later on. The 100GB hard disk of Fujitsu with 5400 revs rates average regarding its transfer rate and access time in the HDTune benchmark.
Further information about the video card can be found here or in our comparison of mobile video cards. Detailed information about the Core Duo CPU can be found here.
Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.
- Benchmark Comparison 3DMark
- Benchmark Comparison PCMark
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| 3DMark06 in comparison | ||
| Review Sony Vaio VGN-TX2XP/B (min) | 49 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Dell Inspiron 1501 Notebook | 150 | |
| Review IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 | 169 | |
| Review HP Compaq nx7400 Notebook | 184 | |
| Review Asus U1F Notebook | 204 | |
| Review Dell Inspiron 6400 | 223 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Alienware Area-51 m9750 Notebook (max) | 7472 | |
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| PCMark05 in comparison | ||
| Review Samsung Q30 (min) | 861 | |
| ... | ||
| Review IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 | 2890 | |
| Review BenQ Joybook S61 | 2892 | |
| Review HP Compaq nx7400 Notebook | 2903 | |
| Review Asus R1F | 2912 | |
| Review Sony Vaio VGN-C1 | 2916 | |
| ... | ||
| Review Asus G1S Notebook (max) | 5568 | |
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Quake 3 Arena The average results of the timedemo demo1 were 117.7 frames per second (fps) |
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Emissions
Loudness
During idle mode or even during low office load the fan stays most of the time deactivated or very quiet. At higher demands the fan turns up, but it's still rather decent.
If one demands full load for a longer time noise levels up to 45.2dB are possible.
The noise level of the DVD drive in playback mode is acceptable at 36.4 dB.
Loudness
| Idle |
   34.1 / 36.2 / 36.2 dBHDD |
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34.5 dBDVD |
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36.4 dBLoad |
| 37.8 / 45.2 dB |
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| 30 dB | silent 40 dB | audible 50 dB | loud Key: min: , med: , max: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Temperature
There aren't any anomalies regarding the surface temperatures, neither on the top side nor on the bottom side. Whilst we measured about 30°C in the region of the keyboard, the increase is clearly higher at the bottom side. However, the maximum temperature of 38°C cannot be criticized.
Temperatures on the top
Ball of hand max.: 28.5°C Top max.: 32.9°C Average: 30.2°C
Hotspot:Temperatures on the bottom
Room Temperature: 22.5°C
Bottom max.: 38.4°C Average: 33.4°C Hotspot:
Speakers
The sound is not really excellent, still it is alright for simple background music.
to topBattery Runtime
Especially under load the HP Compaq nx7400 does not have a long runtime. Only 70 minutes under load are, considering it is an office notebook, definitely somewhat poor. The reason is the 4000mAh battery of the notebook.
With maximum energy savings setting the notebook reached a maximum runtime of above 4 hours.
In order to be more battery-supplied, HP offers a 12 cells battery and two external battery solutions, which can be docked at the bottom side of the notebook (Extended Life Battery und Ultra Capacity Battery).
Battery runtime
Idle, min. brightness, no WLAN: 260 minutes
Full-load, max brightness, WLAN: 70 minutes
Internet surfing, adapted brightness, WLAN: minutes
DVD, max brightness, no WLAN: 80 minutes
Current consumption
| Idle | 16.4 / 21.6 / 21.8 Watt |
| Load |
43.5 / 44.3 Watt |
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Key: min: , med: , max: | |
Verdict
In general the notebook is of good workmanship. Despite that you can discover slight weaknesses like a wobbling battery or a teetering display. Although the case is expect of the display cover (magnesium) completely out of plastics, it seems to be very robust.
The input devices are, as we are accustomed to, of high-quality and suitable for long-time typing. Even the touch pad could convince, especially its buttons, which are comfortable in use.
On the one hand the display has an acceptable brightness and illumination, on the other hand the vertical stability to the vantage point is very poor. The reflecting surface is also not ideal for office work.
The reviewed notebook was equipped with a Core Duo CPU. Currently the nx7400 is only offered with the more powerful Core 2 Duo CPU. Therefore, one can expect an increase in performance.
The HP Compaq nx7400's emissions are rather limited. The surface temperatures as well as the noise emissions are all together alright.
The battery runtime is, because of the 4000mAh battery, not really one of the notebook's strengths, especially under load. Optionally available battery packs should nevertheless ensure a longer battery runtime and therefore a battery-supplied operation.
- Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx7400
