Been using my S96S for a week now.

Hello all. I was going to comment in the other thread, but figured I'd start a new one doing a quick review for my S96S. I didn't see a whole lot of info about this new model here so maybe this will help some people out.

Ordered from: Powernotebooks.com (so it's actually branded as a PowerPro A 9:6 and has a better warranty than the VBI version).

My Configuration:
15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) "Glossy" LCD w/nVIDIA GeForce Go 8600 w/256MB (Up to 1GB w/Turbocache)
Intel® Core™2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz Processor w/4MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
2,048MB (2 SODIMMS) DDR2/667 Dual Channel Memory
120GB SATA 3Gb/s Seagate Momentus 7200.2 Hard Drive at 7,200 RPM
Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/Softwares
Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11a/g/n
Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
2.0MP webcam
Windows Vista Business - 32-Bit

Overall, it's been running really well for me. This configuration was a lot cheaper than a similar set up in the Compal IFL90 and suits my needs a lot better.

Vista Business is running perfectly smooth so far and I have not had any compatibility issues. I did spend a bit of time customizing it to my needs and getting it to stop asking my permission for everything.

What I like about this computer:
-Nice looking and good design overall - much better than the pictures online
-Case design is very sturdy
-The configuration works well and is very quick - good job Intel and Seagate!
-Quiet and runs pretty cool even with the 7200rpm hard drive

What I don't like:
-Overall, it's very nice although the keyboard is kinda flexible (not a huge deal and I will probably hook up an external keyboard and monitor anyway)


I would suggest this notebook to people in the market - has fit me well so far.
Any specific comments/suggestions please ask.

 

we should make a owners lounge for this. I mean it's ridiculous how this notebook isn't even in the Notebook Database yet.

 

Thanks for the input on how the case design is since it is CBB there are manufacturers out there that make keyboards compatable with this laptop so it should be exchangeable. I still have yet to touch mine and will have to wait another 20 days till I get to go on leave

mD- I know tell me about it

 

I agree MD. We do need a place where owners of S96S can exchange ideas. I have mine just a little over a week from Gentechpc. Great laptop. I just have to find a bag to carry it now...that I don't hate. I'm picky on these things. The flexing of the keyboard is not a big deal but a little annoying. I get more typos due to the flex. Just a little thing but overall...very nice laptop.

 

is it as bad as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eG0lb2B1Pc

(I never try to notice keyboard flex)

 

wow , must u press so hard? y? it is ok for normal typing..i guess.. right guys?

http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/31/15/311542_311542.pdf , since it is replaceble... may be put something underneath it(like the youtube comments)?

 

any heat issues mitsurugi? can u do a quick cs:source VST? is it heavy? What about battery life? --your opinions please

 

So basically its the S96j, but with Nvidia Graphics....(and if a new mobo if you want to be technical..)

 

yes, Bhatman , it is the new santa rosa Core2duo 965chipset by intel ---800mzt fsb and more efficient design....supposidely

 

Yeah, it's basically the S96J but with the newer intel chip and nvidia card.

I haven't noticed any heat issues worth whining about. The part under might right hand gets a little warm after a few hours of use, but that could be partly due to my hard drive.

Weight is 6.8lbs. Battery life tends to be around 2.5hrs if I'm using it the entire time and with the screen pretty bright.

I'll be doing a more detailed wright up soon - I've benchmarked the graphics, processor speed, and HD specs as of a few hours ago.

 

that is a question i have

 

Yeah, it's not that bad. It's really not noticeable to me during normal typing. I don't very often feel a need to press down super hard for no reason whatsoever.

 

so why do i here people complain about it so often?

 

I have no idea. Maybe people just like to complain.

 

The keyboard isnt really a problem, I dont get any flex and it works pretty well. Ive had my S96j for a yr now, and so far its been awesome, and works well.

 

how about the sound quality on the s96s. I want to know if they're made any kind of improvements on it because I heard that the previous version of this notebook had very quiet speakers.

 

The speakers are weak. You can turn it to the max and its still quite low. In a quiet environment, the speakers will do fine. In a noisy environment, use your headphones. Very underpower speakers.

 

but this brings up that thread about laptop speakers and most gamers use real speakers or headphones and dont really care about the speakers on their laptop I know I dont I cant use them

 

I have the speakers/headphones part taken care of. I'm just hoping that the integrated sound will work well with my logitech speakers or sennheiser headphones.

 

Yeah, I would suggest hooking up external speakers for better sound.

Just to let you guys know, I recently wrote a review on this notebook (with benchmarks and all) that will be published on this site pretty soon. So, for a comprehensive look, wait a few days. I'll post here again when it goes up.

 

Thanks mitsu,

have u encountered any new problems that we should be aware of?

 

flexing keyboard can cause inaccurate typing. .

because when the key moves lower to a cetain degree, ur finger might missed the new position like your finger used to be with the non flex keyboard.

 

do they have to approve the review by critically reading through it because I figured it would be up by now. Anyways, mine is scheduled to arrive today. I'll add some comments about it.

 

I'm not exactly sure what they have to do before posting it, but it should be up soon - they told me probably about 7 days.

 

i am getting mine today too via UPS. wooooooohoooooo

 

already opened mine and began installing stuff. I know this isn't the best looking out of all the notebooks out, but I must say that it looks much better than the pictures.

 

I hate you mD- ...j/k i am going to install my 1GB mem that i bought soon as it gets in my hands or should i say lap . r u doing any upgrades?

 

yeah I'm going to put in 1 gig after i install all my stuffs. I hope that the memory works with the other for dual channel. It's kingston so it should

 

ya, thats y i matched my memory with corsair brand. does it get too warm? how is the touch pad? your opinions on this model?

hurry up UPS!!!

 

You guys should enjoy it - I really like mine so far!

 

Wow. I live in Canada. I bought the F3svm and I am regretting it. It would have been cheaper to buy the s96s about 250 cheaper. This is after taxes customs and shipping, and the exchange rate in US. Man

 

hmm yes that is exactly y i wanted to get this model. initially i wanted to get the f3sv but for about the same features, i saved 300bucks

 

aright finally got mine. T7100 , 2GBram, 120GB HD 5400rpm, xp profe

laptop is simple and decent. Not very flashy

The bad---- Keyboard has flex 4 sure but aint that bad

right hand palm rest gets slightly warm during normal but gamin or intese use gets really warm.. i wouldn't say burning hot...

THe good---- Hella fast , sturdy well built,webcam is good (but doesn't swivel), all programs load fast. Good wireless, comfortable to carry around , thinner than the pics, good bright screen, no bloatware. overall best bang for the buck.

 

i am getting a low continuous beep noise, i think it is coming from the HD, does anyone have this problem? if so how can i fix this?

it comes sometimes and sometimes doesn't

2. in the bios, it says make SATA work as IDE or AHCI... what is this? if i put it on AHCI , the computer wont boot

 

is it a whiny noise? I get that too. I can live with it but if there is a way to fix I'd like to know how. Btw, I have the exact same config as you and this is a very fast machine like you said =]. Only issue I had was that changing the ram was a b*tch for me because I didn't have a small enough screwdriver and I ended up messing one screw up so badly that I had to call for replacements from the powernotebooks.com. I liked how easy the support was and the person said that they would call the factory for spare screws to be delivered. to me. Yesterday I used the notebook with just the one gig and it still ran very fast. It's even better today with the mix of corsair/kingston ram (both apparently compatible).

I think that there may be a problem with one of the drivers. I'm talking about the hotkey driver that lets you control the volume from the keyboard. Sometimes the display on the top left corner glitches and doesnt go away or it just doesn't show up. Also I would like to know where to get the best driver for this notebook and how to install it. If anyone could help with that I would appreciate it, thanks.

 

yes, it is a whiny annoying noise, goes and come back time to time(not that big of a deal). that is nice to hear that they giving u spare screws. 3yr warranty man better use it oh btw i installed vista 32bit. haven't tried any games yet, no time. i will report later

 

Im Jealous I have my computer or my wife does but I have to wait another 15 days to even touch it

 

ok, vista sucks. i got only 64 fps on the VST w/2xanti. But i did play Rainbow six vegas and it was smooth enough on high settings. But my laptop doesn't connect to my wireless router after vista updates. XP here i come again down on my knees asking for stability =(

 

ok, guys i started a new official s96s thread. Let us discuss it in there!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=138957

 

Well, not sure what the delay was, but my review is finally posted for all to check out:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3804