Compaq Evo N1020v

The Compaq Evo N1020v was a notebook PC created in 2003 as a response to the change of AMD to Intel in notebook PCs by Compaq. The Compaq Presario 1580AP have the same hardware for asian market. There were several models, dependent on the RAM and CPU. The standard specifications are as follows:

• 128 MB RAM
• 1.8 GHz to 2,4  GHz Pentium 4 (Northwood) or 1.6 GHz Celeron
• 20 GB hard drive at 4200RPM to 60 GB hard drive at 5400RPM IDE PATA
• 16 MB to 64MB on an ATI Radeon IGP340 UMA
• Windows 2000 or Windows XP

The notebook was designed for Windows XP, although on some models it states that it was designed for Windows 98. The system was backward compatible with Windows 98 and 2000.

It came standard with a CD-ROM drive but optionally could be upgraded to a DVD-ROM/CD-RW.

MultiPort

MultiPort is an innovative feature created by Compaq. The idea was that it would use the MultiPort to connect to various expansion cards. The MultiPort used on the Evo N1020v used the USB 2.0 technology. This meant that, as though the notebook has no USB2 controller, and only supported the USB1.1 hub, the MutliPort was a separate technology altogether. There are three major variations of the cards that slot in; namely:

• W200 - Wireless LAN (WLAN) 802.11b standard with 11 Mbit/s
• W300 - Bluetooth standard with 2 Mbit/s
• W400 - GPRS standard for worldwide communication

There are possible other versions which can be built customly on the technology.

Interfaces

The notebook conceals its interfaces behind a flap on the back. This means that the notebook has the following connections:

• 1x ECP/EPP IEEE1284 parallel port
• 1x PS/2 port
• 1x VGA D-Sub DB-15 connector
• 1x S-Video mini-DIN connector
• 2x USB ports
• 1x IEEE1394 Firewire 400 connector
• 1x IrDA connector
• 1x MultiPort connector
• 1x Expansion port connector
• 1x RJ-11 modem jack
• 1x 8P8C Ethernet jack
• 1x 3.5 mm line in
• 1x 3.5 mm line out

Internally, it contains:

• 1x mini-PCI
• 1x IDE hard drive controller and connector
• 1x Optical drive connector
• 1x Floppy Disk drive connector

These drives are "set-in-stone" drives and cannot be removed.

Upgrades

CPU and RAM The CPU can be upgraded in this desktop replacement system, but with great difficulty. A maximum of 2.4 GHz should be inserted, as the formula determines this:

$\ P = {C}{V}{^2}{f} \$

where

P is power in watts

C is capacitance measured in farads

V is voltage measured in volts

f is frequency measured in hertz

The capacitance in the CPU is generally around 8.6 nF:

$\therefore \!\,$ Maximum voltage (VCore) would be reduced to make up for the increase in power and the voltage is minimal as it is. Hence, the frequency increase to 3 GHz for instance, cannot be compensated by this notebook without further study. The maximum power usage of the CPU in this notebook is 56.5 W. This also requires a 90 W AC adapter. The CPU uses a Socket 478 connector.

The RAM can be upgraded to a maximum of 1024 MB or one gigabyte of DDR PC2100 RAM. The RAM used in this device is 266MHz.

Wireless LAN Wireless LAN can be inserted via the expandable MultiPort or via the mini-PCI inside. This method requires the removal of the modem and the insertion of the card with two anntena (or three if using 802.11n). This can be a difficult process but when accomplished, it can work rather smoothly.

Hard disk drive

The backing storage of the initial 40 GB drive is usually insufficient. The drive may be upgraded to a 320 GB IDE drive. These can cost very little amounts.

Optical storage

One expandable upgrade to the drive is a CD-RW/DVD-ROM. This was as far as Compaq produced, but, others have dismantled other drives and formed DVD-RW drives for the notebook, some of which have Lightscribe.

Operating system

The notebook can operate Windows Vista, but it can do this only with great difficulty. As HP did not assign drivers to it for Windows Vista, the graphics card will not function and allow you to run Windows Aero.

Pros and cons

Pros

• High specification notebook at its time
• Firewire 400
• Battery life is ideal for desktop replacement
• Ideal for business and has a good style
• Docking connector

Cons

• USB1.1 against USB2
• Short battery life
• Heavy weight
• Expensive
• Overheats
• Loud Fan always running due to overheating

Article does not specify what type of RAM the laptop uses