HP Pavilion laptop - what is your experience regarding 1) the laptops & 2) CUSTOMER SERVICE?

I can't speaki directly to the one your looking at, however, I have the zv6015 and it's been great for 3 years now. I know as a computer tech that HP's customer service/tech support is horrible. I do a lot warranty work for them(independant contract) and the customers hate dealing with them. Their phone tech support guys are morons.....

I have the pavilion dv 1000 and I really like it. I have had it for 3 years now and (knock on wood) not had any problems with it. I use my notebook for music, pictures, work, etc.

When I do call HP for info, it is usually a programing question, and they want to sell me an extended warranty or they won't help. I think you might be able to email or chat and it would be free. I go a different route and find my answers elsewhere.

Check with the warranties and help centers available with different computer manufacturers. Ask what kind of help they offer after the warranty expires and not just for breakage but for programing problems also. Best buy(I do not work there, but buy all my stuff there) guys will answer a lot of questions. Hope this helps and good luck.

Since Oct. 2003 I've been using HP Pavilion ZT3000 series. I only had a dying hard drive which I backed up and replaced just in time before it died. I wouldn't say that's an HP thing as hard drive failure can happen to any PC.

I bought a used Hp ze5170 about 6 months and have had a lot of problems. Had to completely restore from discs a month ago, video driver pooped out, and it started overheating and melting my power cord.

I called their customer service and they were a joke. Basically after your 1 year warranty runs out you are SOL.

as a owner of nearly 5 HP laptop/desktops ive found them quite durable. also tech support is Better than sony and they dont bring u in endless loops but confront the issue.