Comments on: HP G60-630US 15.6-inch Notebook (Black)

By: Tell It Like It Is

Tell It Like It Is — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:09:10 +0000

Review by Tell It Like It Is for HP G60-630US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: The graphics processor on this and many other HP laptop models runs so hot that over time it actually melts the low grade solder HP uses to construct these units. This causes the graphics processor to lose electrical connectivity with the mother board. The unit powers up (lights go on) but the screen stays totally black. There is a big class action lawsuit in the formative stages regarding this very issue. When you examine the motherboard from this model (and every other HP laptop since the Compaq/HP merger) one thing is striking...the motherboard thickness is about half that of any Sony VAIO model or Toshiba unit. HP engineers also elected to use a single heat sink to cool both the GPU and the CPU. The fix for this endemic HP laptop problem involves either reheating the GPU to readhere the solder to the motherboard or, better, removing the GPU, cleaning up the low grade solder, and resoldering the GPU with a higher grade solder that will not degrade at GPU operating temps. If the high temps and inadequate heat sinking has caused mother board warpage, you're looking at a new motherboard. When the computer is reassembled copper shims should be fabricated to place between the GPU, the CPU, and the heat sink. Use thermal conductive paste also. There are a number of YouTube videos that go through all this and the fixes in detail.

In summary, HP laptops seem to be steadily declining in quality. This is due to a combination of poor engineering and the use of inadequate quality materials. A laptop should last at least 5 years. These current production HP laptops often fail between one and two years. That is, right after the factory warranty runs out. Sony and Toshiba don't suffer from these issues near as often as HP, Dell, and even Apple does. The few dollars HP saves in producing these laptops costs the consumer hundreds down the road. Cost to fix the above problems ranges from $125 + shipping to $400 plus. Thus these repairs may not make economical sense. A new laptop purchase is mandated. The only vote the consumer has is with his/her wallet. Until HP fixes this endemic problem, consider purchasing your laptop from a different manufacturer.

By: Temporary Texan

Temporary Texan — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:53:08 +0000

Review by Temporary Texan for HP G60-630US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: The internal microphone is broken, and not just in the one I bought. According to HP, it's broken in the entire G60 series of laptops. I've had mine for one week; I discovered the microphone was broken on the second day, and I've been talking with HP's case managers about my options. Looks like I'm going to return it, because there's no fix in the works at HP. And who needs a laptop that you can't use for videoconferencing, Skype, Gmail Videochat, and so on? It's a shame, too, because the laptop is otherwise great.

Why is HP still selling this product when they know it's dysfunctional?

By: M. Webster

M. Webster — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:12:14 +0000

Review by M. Webster for HP G60-630US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: I have only had this laptop for a week and so far it has been working very nicely. I have always been an HP fan so I love it even more. I love the look and feel. The graphics is wonderful and the brightview screen enhances the colors. All the features makes it very exciting to use and I love the fact that it has a built in webcam and wireless network ready. I have also notice that it is not a noisy machine in which is a plus.....thanks its wonderful!

By: MB

MB — Sun, 30 May 2010 09:24:15 +0000

Review by MB for HP G60-630US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: Overall, I'm very happy with this laptop. Works great, is fast, clear picture, and love the Windows 7 vs. my old Vista. Only gripe is the battery lasts under 2 hours with normal use - not the 3.75 hours listed. We keep ours plugged in mostly, and use on the go as necessary. Would buy similar one again, just upgrade the battery.

By: Benjamin D. Kittrell

Benjamin D. Kittrell — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:28:17 +0000

Review by Benjamin D. Kittrell for HP G60-630US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Rating: This laptop worked perfectly right out of the box! I had absolutely no problems setting this machine up or in getting it to connect to my network. It does everything that it was advertised as being able to do. Even the built in webcam works great. If there is even a single negative , it's that it comes with a lot of superfluous HP software. Other than that, I am incredibly pleased with this laptop.