Review HP Compaq 15-a024sg Notebook
For the original German review, see here.
HP releases laptops for the low-budget sector within the Compaq product line. The Compaq-a024sg merges seamlessly into this range. A well-configured, gaming-capable, 15.6-inch laptop is available for 400 Euros (~$550). Our report reveals whether the laptop is just as convincing in real-life use as it is on paper.
We used the Acer Aspire E1-572G (Core i5-4200U, Radeon R7 M265) and Asus X550LD-XX023H (Core i5-4200U, GeForce 820M) for classifying the laptop.
Since the Compaq's build is identical with many current HP laptops, we will not go in-depth about casing, connectivity, input devices or speakers unless there are differences. Further information can be found in, for example, the review of the HP 250 G2.
Case & Connectivity
The Compaq is in line with the design that HP currently uses for its consumer laptops. It is most similar with the HP 250 G2. Both laptops have a completely black casing. However, unlike the matte surfaces used for HP's 250 G2, the Compaq features glossy surfaces.
Display
The Compaq features a 15.6-inch, glare screen with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. The average brightness of 200.3 cd/m² is class average. However, the screen delivers very good rates in contrast (586:1) and black level (0.36 cd/m²).
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 83 %
Center on Battery: 211 cd/m²
Contrast: 586:1 (Black: 0.36 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 11.25 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 13.17 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
56.5% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
81.4% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
54.7% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.61
The average DeltaE 2000 shift is 11.25 in state of delivery. This is an average rate that we ascertain in most screens. No color achieves the target range of DeltaE less than 3. The screen also exhibits an intense bluish cast. However, we discovered that calibrating eliminates it.
The Compaq's screen only provides limited viewing angles. This was to be expected considering the laptop's price level. Using the laptop outdoors is at most possible in the shade. Otherwise, reflections will thwart any such plans.
Performance
HP offers an affordable and well-configured 15.6-inch all-rounder with its Compaq 15-a024sg. The installed Core i3 processor provides enough computing power to manage everyday tasks. It is even possible to play computer games on the device. The laptop is sold for approximately 400 Euros (~$550) but does not include a Windows operating system. Nevertheless, HP provides drivers for both Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.
Processor
Surprise: HP still installs a processor from the Ivy Bridge generation. The Core i3-3110M dual-core processor runs with a base clock of 2.4 GHz. There is no Turbo. It is a standard mobile processor (not ULV) with a TDP of 35 watts. The Compaq's processor ran the Cinebench CPU tests at full speed in both AC and battery mode. The Aspire and X550LD manage somewhat better rates. They benefit from their Haswell processors that have a higher performance per MHz than the Ivy Bridge processors.
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg | |
| Lenovo G505s-20255 | |
| Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk | |
| Asus X550LD-XX023H | |
| Medion Akoya P6647 (MD98571) | |
| Lenovo B5400 MB825GE | |
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg | |
| Lenovo G505s-20255 | |
| Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk | |
| Asus X550LD-XX023H | |
| Medion Akoya P6647 (MD98571) | |
| Lenovo B5400 MB825GE | |
System Performance
We installed Windows 8 for performing our benchmarks because the laptop does not come with a Windows operating system. We did not encounter any problems. The installed system ran smoothly, and the laptop also achieved a good score in the PCMark benchmark. The X550LD is on par, and the Aspire achieves a slightly better score due to its stronger GPU.
| PCMark 7 Score | 2464 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 7 - Score (sort by value) | |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg | |
| Asus X550LD-XX023H | |
| Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk | |
| Medion Akoya P6647 (MD98571) | |
| Lenovo B5400 MB825GE | |
| Lenovo G505s-20255 | |
Storage Devices
HP installs a hard drive from Hitachi's Travelstar line in the Compaq. It has a capacity of 1 TB and spins with 5400 revolutions per minute. The ascertained rates are on par with what we expect from a modern 5400 rpm hard drive.
Graphics Card
The Compaq sports two graphics cores: Intel's HD Graphics 4000 GPU and the GeForce 820M graphics core. While Intel's graphics core is used for routine tasks and in battery mode, the GeForce chip is enabled in graphics-intensive applications, such as computer games. Both cores support DirectX 11 as a minimum. The GeForce graphics core is a member of the entry-level category. Its base speed is 775 MHz, which can be increased to 955 MHz via Turbo.
The scores of the Compaq and the X550LD are on par in the 3DMark benchmarks since both laptops sport the same graphics core. The Aspire delivers the best results because it has the strongest GPU.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 1351 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 51917 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 4323 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 822 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg | |
| Asus X550LD-XX023H | |
| Medion Akoya P6647 (MD98571) | |
| Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk | |
| Lenovo G505s-20255 | |
Gaming Performance
The Compaq is also suitable for rendering computer games. Most games can be played smoothly in the screen's native resolution using low to medium quality settings. Games with low requirements even allow more. The Compaq cannot compete with the Aspire. Its Radeon core is stronger than the GeForce GPU and generates overall higher frame rates.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civilization 5 (2010) | 46.6 | |||
| Batman: Arkham City (2011) | 47 | 25 | ||
| Battlefield 3 (2011) | 36.7 | 24 | 19 | |
| Risen 2: Dark Waters (2012) | 30.6 | 20.7 | 15.9 | |
| Counter-Strike: GO (2012) | 135 | 105.8 | 78.7 | |
| Medal of Honor: Warfighter (2012) | 36.6 | 24.3 | 20.8 | |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012) | 60.7 | 46.9 | 28.4 | |
| Far Cry 3 (2012) | 51.3 | 33.3 | 15.9 | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 78.8 | 39 | 22 | |
| The Elder Scrolls Online (2014) | 58.6 | 34 | 25.2 |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg GeForce 820M, 3110M, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541010A9E680 | Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk Radeon R7 M265, 4200U, Seagate Momentus Thin ST500LT0 12-9WS142 | Asus X550LD-XX023H GeForce 820M, 4200U, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | 18% | -11% | |
| 1024x768 Low Preset | 78.8 | 74 -6% | 70.4 -11% |
| 1366x768 Normal Preset AA:FX AF:4x | 39 | 45.6 17% | 34.7 -11% |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:FX AF:8x | 22 | 31.4 43% | 19.7 -10% |
Emissions
System Noise
The fan is not inactive when idling. The produced noise level will soon be found annoying in quiet surroundings. This is due to the enabled BIOS option "Fan always on" that is common in many HP laptops. The fan occasionally stops spinning or runs at low speeds when this option is disabled. However, that does not change anything about the fact that every hard drive access is heard. The fan increased its speed up to 40.2 dB in medium load via 3DMark06, and 41.1 dB in full load during the stress test via Prime95 and Furmark. Both levels are quite audible.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 33 / 33 / 33.2 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 33.8 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 39.6 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 40.2 / 41.1 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
The casings of the three comparison devices barely heat up when idling. We ascertained the highest temperature increase in the Compaq. But that is not surprising because the Compaq sports a standard mobile CPU unlike the ULV processors in the Aspire and X550LD.
The CPU ran the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) with 2.4 GHz in AC mode and 1.2 GHz in battery mode. The graphics core started the stress test with its full speed of 955 MHz in AC mode. Its speed dropped gradually in the course of the test and settled to 878 MHz. The graphics core ran at full speed when the stress test was performed in battery mode. The CPU's temperature settled to approximately 74 °C in the stress test (AC mode).
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42 °C / 108 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 48.6 °C / 119 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 29.4 °C / 85 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(±) The palmrests and touchpad can get very hot to the touch with a maximum of 37.7 °C / 99.9 F.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-8.9 °C / -16.1 F).
Energy Management
| Off / Standby | 0.2 / 0.4 Watt |
| Idle | 9.7 / 13.1 / 13.4 Watt |
| Load |
52.7 / 56 Watt |
   
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
Battery Runtime
Websites are automatically opened every 40 seconds, the energy-saving profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to roughly 150 cd/m² in our practical Wi-Fi test. The Compaq achieved a runtime of 3:05 h, which is not an extraordinary rate. Both the Aspire (4:01 h) and the X550LD (4:04 h) last longer.
| Battery Runtime - WiFi (sort by value) | |
| HP Compaq 15-a024sg | |
| Acer Aspire E1-572G-54204G50Mnkk | |
| Asus X550LD-XX023H | |
Verdict
HP demands 400 Euros (~$550) for its Compaq 15-a024sg. The bundle seems balanced in view of the price. The buyer gets a strong processor, gaming-capable GPU, high storage capacity, and 8 GB of working memory. The screen will not reap in awards, but it is acceptable in a 400 Euros (~$550) laptop. The battery runtime ascertained in the practical Wi-Fi test could be longer. The standard mobile processor is noticed here (no ULV).
Asus' X550LD-XX023H achieves a longer battery runtime and has approximately the same application performance as the Compaq. The advantages of Acer's Aspire E1-572G are its matte Full HD screen and higher gaming performance. However, the laptop also costs almost 600 Euros (~$825). Users who do not need an HD screen and Windows operating system will find the laptop for 450 Euros (~$619).
