While Compaq offers the R3000 series with several different configurations, the test machine for this review included an Intel Pentium 4 running at 2.8 GHz and 512 MB of PC2700 DDR memory. Our wide 15.4-inch model also has a 40 GB 4200rpm Hitachi HDD, ATI Radeon 9000 integrated graphics processor and an internal Broadcom 802.11b / g mini-PCI card. Compaq sells the R3000 series with Microsoft Windows XP Home or the operating system as our system was configured with Windows XP Pro.

The 15.4-inch TFT WXGA wide angle screen runs at a native 1280x800 resolution. Compaq offers the R3000 with WSXGA + (1680x1050) and WUXGA (1920x1200) options, as well as a new "BrightView" WXGA screen version, which is supposed to provide better image contrast.

Smooth corners slice black and Presario R3000 stylish look that has proved to be quite durable over a few months of use. The top and bottom of the computer are black plastic with the center, including the keyboard and the rest ended in a feeling of thinner plastic money. The bottom of the case has solid rubber feet in the four corners and edges through, probably to assist in heat dissipation.

Use a different concept than other laptops, Compaq has made over the expansion of ports and interfaces on each side of the machine instead of at the rear. These annoyed to have to turn around a computer or awkwardly reaching behind him to plug a USB device Compaq appreciate the design of choice here. The only interfaces to the back of the computer are the legacy devices - one VGA port, a parallel port, and a telephone modem. Although we did not use, we were pleased to see a parallel port since many new laptops do not include one, but many people and businesses still have the printers parallel.