HP Direct

Full review
As I wrote in my review of the HP Pavilion zv5000z Notebook Computer, I try to replace my (personal) personal computers once every three or so years if not sooner. Being in the Information Technology field I need to keep up abreast of changes as they evolve. And that means actually utilizing the technology I might find myself recommending to clients, friends, and family.

My old laptop, a Toshiba Satellite 1905-S301, which still works mind you, is getting a little long in the tooth, and she is getting progressively slower, as I add more and more programs. And she is starting to make far too much noise, and the screen is getting harder and harder to read; perhaps it these old eyes. And while I am not running out of usable hard drive space, the built-in 10/100 NIC and DVD/CD-RW are both malfunctioning, so I recently sent the laptop in for service; thank God for long-term service contracts!

So I decided that it was time for a new laptop; my old one has served me well, but it was time to move on. In a new portable I was looking for a semi-desktop replacement laptop, one that could hold all of my day files, play movies & music, and conduct business away from my home office. And to be quite honest I have so much hanging off my desktop, no laptop could replace it one for one.

So, starting around November of last year I started researching the Internet for the right “mobile workstation” to fulfill my ever increasing mobile computing needs. I choose an HP Pavilion zv5000z, which I bought from HPShopping.com. I choose HPShopping.com for a few reasons, not the least of which was free shipping, and no tax. But the overriding reason was the ability to customize my new laptop to my liking, instead of going to a local electronics or computer store to buy a ready order machine with features I didn’t want, and pay tax on my choice.

The Web Site

The first thing that struck me about the HPShopping.com website is that the page is busy. There is no one place to rest the eyes, there is so much to see. The wakeup page is laid out like a newsletter with three columns of distinct information to digest. It is almost too much information! HP uses soft colors and rounded fonts throughout the site and the effect is soothing on the eyes, and is therefore inviting. There is no Flask intro, no loud obnoxious sounds; this is a serious site.

Arrayed along the top of the site arranged from left to right in a row are dark gray clickable links entitled HP Home, Products & Services, Support & Drivers, Solutions, and How to Buy. Most of these links relate to Hewlett Packard’s main site, HP.com; only the How to Buy link is associated to the HPShopping.com website. Below these links is a number to use for phone orders (perish the thought), catalog orders, and a Search box, from which item can be sought from HPShopping.com or “All of HP US.”

Finally there are links to the diverse body of goods HPShopping.com sells. These black on white labels include:

Desktops
Notebooks
Handhelds
Printers
Ink, Toner & Paper
Photography
Entertainment (music, television, Home-cinema digital projectors, Entertainment systems, CD, DVD, & movies writers, etc.)
Outlet Store
See All

Situated along the left hand side of the site is the ubiquitous shopping cart, and a host of other information, including links and sub-links to Shopping Info, Product Support, inkjet supplies and more. In the center of the site is usually a very large colorful ad for whatever is on sale for the moment. For example, HPShopping.com is currently featuring the new HP Pavilion zd8000 Notebooks. The site is offering a Free Upgrade to a BrightView Wide angle display (I recommend it), Plus $50.00 off, Plus Free shipping on the entire order. Along the right hand side of the site are another series of menu boxes, labeled Just for You, New Products, and Top Sellers.

Ordering

I knew which item I wanted from HPShopping.com, but I needed to customize the machine. HPShopping.com made the process simple and painless. I chose the base unit I wanted and then via clickable radio buttons, I was able to choose which options I wanted on my notebook, sorted by price and performance. As I chose, the total price for the notebook was continually updated in a floating box on the left of the page. This box also factored in the mail-in rebate amounts, and gave me an estimate on when my notebook would be built and shipped. Once I completely finished configuring the notebook, I can but in my shopping cart where it will remain for two week.

HPShopping.com makes it very easy to choose between models of the same item by providing an Overview, and Specifications tab for each. This comes in handy when trying to decide which model printer, PDA, or notebook would be a better fit for you. Some items on HPShopping.com can only be had through retail outlets, and the only reason they are listed on the site, seems to be for features comparison; i.e. to allow you to compare on model to another.

Before actually placing your first order with HPShopping.com you must of course, create an account (your user ID is an email address) in which the customary information can be entered and saved. There are a number of items currently listed on HPShopping.com that qualify for free (ground) shipping, and this special designation is noted by a small red delivery truck icon with the words FREE SHIPPING next to it. Not all products are so anointed, indeed customized items seemed to be the only products that qualify for free shipping at this time; postage will be added to Ready to Ship items.

Methods of Payment

HPShopping.com accepts all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express (yes American Express), and Discover, but according to the website, they “must be U.S. credit cards with U.S. billing and shipping addresses only.” HPShopping.com e-financing is also available for U.S. customers only. Program highlights include:

• No down payment, application fee, or annual fee
• Credit lines up to $5,000
• Immediate credit decisions
• Secure on-line shopping
• Toll-free access to your account through a Household agent or on-line customer care

Word to the wise: don’t bother signing up for HPShopping.com e-financing unless your credit record is darn near spotless.

A word or two about Sales Tax from the folks at HPShopping.com: sales tax will be collected on deliveries to CA, TN, VA and WI. Isn’t lucky for me that I do not live in any of those states.

Shipping Charges

My shipping this time out was free, and I actually received my notebook before I was supposed to. After my notebook was built, HPShopping.com send my a confirmation email. I then logged into my account and clicked on the FedEx Ground tracking number and followed my package from China to the US, and finally to my doorstep four days ahead of time.

HPShopping.com’s regular shipping & handling prices are somewhat unreasonable and on the high side in my opinion. For instance, I am thinking of purchasing a HP DeskJet 450wbt Wireless Mobile Printer; price: 349.99; shipping cost: $32.99 for 5-7 Business Day ground! It appears as thought the site calculates shipping cost based on the price of the item—a practice I have never understood—instead of the weight. To me that cost is excessive.

HPShopping.com offers the following shipping terms: 5-7 Business Days, Two Business Days, Next Business Day, and Saturday Delivery, if ordered by Thursday and they will they ship to street addresses within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. However, if you want your item shipped to PO boxes, APO, or FPO addresses, United States territories, or addresses outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, you are out of luck.

Return Policy

HPShopping.com will accept product returns and exchanges up to 30 days after delivery, except on opened, boxed software, if the item in question was purchased at the site. After the 30 day period has elapsed, support for defective merchandise will be provided by HP customer care.

Conclusion

HPShopping.com offers an unbeatable selection of HP products at competitive prices. The ability to customize computer and notebooks makes the site a must for the individual who wants to tailor a PC to his or her specific needs. And the free shipping on customized computers and notebooks, free upgrades, as well as no sales tax, beats what a local store can offer. On the other hand if you want a prepackaged HP product, and you don’t mind the shipping charges and the wait, this is the place for you.

Related Reviews:

HP Pavilion zv5000z Notebook Computer

Toshiba Satellite 1905-S301