The Compaq Presario CQ60-615DX is a mainstream laptop that comes with a nice design and good ergonomics. It offers you a pretty solid performance for normal computer chores and can even prove useful in some multitasking. You will definately love its keyboard and generous display that are a welcome change from other low -cost netbooks that offer congested keyboards and tiny displays. The machine suffers from its single -core CPU -that hinders production-, lack of a multimedia card reader and the lack of a Webcam. But its conservative price of $349 will go a long way to soothing the setbacks.

The machine is powered by a single -core 900 intel processor that works at a speed of 2.2 GHz. It is this processor that is one of Compaq Presario CQ60-615DX’s biggest letdowns, particularly in multitasking. The storage armour is beefed by a single 250 GB hard drive disk that masters a top speed of 7200 rpm. The machine uses 2 GB DDR2 SD RAM memory with a memory speed of 800 MHz. It uses a GMA 4500M graphics chipset from intel. The said graphics are pivatal in the system’s quality video streaming.

HP installed Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition Operating system that is quite responsive when tackling basic applications.But it starts to misbehave when put to task by more potent applications like Photoshop. HP provides a six -cell battery that runs out of juice after 2 hours 45 minutes when put through the rigours of CNET Laboratory’s revered video playback drain test. That a pretty average time for its niche. When put on the anecdotal test it performs maginally better, but still fails to meet the 3 hour threshhold running in Windows 7 and the display in maximum brightness.

The unit comes with a specious keyboard, complete with a numeric pad. The keys feel nice in the glory of a matte finish. The trackpad is rather recessed with the right amount of glossy finish, devoid of disturbing drag when working. The mouse buttons on the other hand are a bit stiff. The 15.6 incher measures 14.9 inches by 9.9 inches by 1.7 inches. It weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces, but when fixed with an AC adapter the weight balloons to 7.2 pounds. It comes with a native resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels.

The machine comes with VGA video interface, but lacks the HDMI found in other mainstream laptops. It also provides three USB 2.0 ports, ethernet, 802.11n/b/g networking connections and a DVD burner. It lacks an SD card reader, eSATA, bluetooth, Express card 54 and an optional mobile broadband. Compaq CQ60-615DX certainly doesn’t look or feel like a cheap product, but it is, as laptops don’t come cheaper than $349. For that price you will expect some cutbacks.