But Why? The C90S -- Whats the Big Deal?

People keep mentioning the Asus C90S as the cheap alternative to the Compal -- but when I configured it with everything the compal has to offer (without Robinson mind you), it actually came out to be about 120 dollars MORE expensive. Heres what I put in:

FORCE 3680 ASUS C90S Core 2 DUO Conroe / 15.4" WSXGA / nVidia 8500 or 8600 / DVDRW / Upgradeable Video
- 15.4" WSXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel Core 2 Duo "Conroe" E6420 2.13GHz w/ 4MB L2 Cache - 1066MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 8600GT DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- 2,048MB (1 SODIMM) DDR2 667MHz Memory
- Standard Finish
- Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- 80GB SATA 150 7200RPM Hard Drive
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Integrated System Speakers - Included
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- 110/220V 120W Auto Switching AC Adapter - Included
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime Toll Free Tech Support

Price: 1,744

Is that even Santa Rosa technology? I lose the 9 Cell Battery. Is that screen inferior to the WSXGA+? I don't see why everyone is clamering over the Asus!

 

This site usually has the best prices: 1toppc.com

 

It's not santa rosa. It's a desktop processor. Whips the santa rosa silly, with its 1066 MHz FSB. The screen's the same.

 

Oh, wow. Heres what I got from 1toppc.com

Asus C90S 15.4" WSXGA+/GeForce 8600M GT 512M MXM II/Bluetooth/FingerPring/Webcam
Non-Refundable, exchange for same item only: I Agree
Installation: Hardware Install
Carrying Case: Included
Warranty: 3 Years Warranty
RAM: 2GB DDR-2 667 SODIMM (1X2GB)
HD: Seagate Momentus 100GB 7200rpm S-ATA
Operating System: None
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Conroe E6420 2.13 GHz 1066FSB 4M $205.00 $205.00
Heatsink, Fan, Thermal Paste: Included
Arctic Silver 5 (CPU purchase required)
WiFi: Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/b/g/n
AC Adapter: One AC Adapter Included
Webcam: Built-in 2.0 MP Webcam
Bluetooth: Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.0+EDR
Optical Drive: 8 x DVD-RW Dual Layer Super Multi
GPU: Upgradable GeForce 8600 GT 512MB MXM 2.0
Screen: 15.4" WSXGA+ 1680X1050 Glossy
Availability: Pre-Order, ETA mid June
Fingerprint Reader: Built-in
Platform: Desktop Replacement Notebook

And that would cost $1,590 -- actually a little (30 dollars) less then the Compal IFL90. The question now is who handles customer support?

 

Nice. That would be a sweet computer. I just don't think battery life would be that good with a desktop processor.

 

You're right. the maximum advertised battery life is 70 minutes. And on full performance, it lasts about 14 minutes. Cannot live away from the power socket, at any rate...

 

There are 2 reasons I want the C90:

-Power/Price ratio (desktop CPU + outsourced components)
-Unreadability

 

Battery life 14 minutes? Is there any mode one can turn on if I want to bring the computer to the library or something for simple word processing?

 

The 14 minutes is when overclocking the CPU, which you wouldn't need for word processing =P
You should get around 70 minutes as stated earlier. I would imagine you could also underclock the cpu for better battery life, but that's just a guess.

 

It all comes down to what you need. Manufactures put desktop components into a laptop case before with mixed results. Speed will always be better on a machine like this but you do have to deal with heat and shorter battery life. If you're working on your desk most of the time and only need the battery for short times it might be an ideal computer for you. If you'll be in many situations where you need longer battery, or you already have a powerful desktop and need a computer for notes and travel the C90 isn't going to be the ticket for you.

 

Go for the C90 if you want performance without portability. It wouldn't last too long without a power point. If battery life is important, then look at some true notebook.

 

This will mostly act as a desktop replacement -- the only times I will take it out is for the occasional class, and the library (where I assume they will have outlets).

Would lowering to the 1.8 processor save me much battery. If so, would it still be better then, say, a 2.0 T300 Santa Rosa? Should I consider buying a cooling pad?

 

Im under 1500$ for a far far better system than the compal, not sure what your doing to get those numbers, and you didnt post the specs of the compal and the price to compare it too.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=128015

 

I think the 3 years warranty is next to useless. Asus laptops are solid and rarely break down. If it works fine in the first year, it should have no problem.
Save the 200 bucks and upgrade the cpu to E6600, which the best choice here because u can overclock it the system maximum-- 2.93Ghz. Its same as the X6800 in performance.

And a lot people are getting C90s because to some people, its really good looking. I personaly like the muscular look of the C90s. When people see C90s, they will be in awe for what they see. Cant comment on the early 90's design of the Compal tho.

 

Overclocking the C90 is going to be difficult. The thermal dissipation is going to drive temperatures up like crazy, and in a closed environment like a notebook, this spells disaster for the components. For a desktop replacement the C90 is the best. I can't say whether a lower processor would save battery, but it would anyway be better than the mobile merom. Have you considered getting a desktop, and a cheap, basic laptop for portability?

 

OK, I'll play counterpoint here since there have been a few warranty posts on the forum lately.

A warranty is an insurance policy, nothing more. While it is true that Asus makes top-notch components, and statistically a notebook is less likely to fail in years 2-3 if it was problem free during the first 12 months, the fact is that repairs can get expensive quickly if it's something like a motherboard failure, for example. The question that needs to be considered, and has been debated around here considerably in the past, is whether you think you might need the peace of mind that comes with having the notebook covered for repairs for 2 more years. If you don't use it, yes you're out the cash you paid for the warranty; if you do end up needing it, however, then you've likely saved a substantial amount of money in the end.

The 2-year extension at GenTechpc for the C90s, for example, is $125; at BTOTech it's $129. That's ~$65 per year ($5/month) for the peace of mind that they will fix the notebook if something happens - not so much in the long term, perhaps. Virtually anything that might happen to a notebook requiring service repair out of warranty is going to cost more than $125. In the end, it depends on your point of view and whether you want the peace of mind, or are willing to take your chances with (what is still) a superior product.

DISCLAIMER: I bought a 1-year extension on mine when purchased in '06.

 

Plus the Compal is looking like a notebook from the 90's, with a very very cheap plastic looking. Maybe the build quality is nice, but it's just not looking sexy AT ALL. Then where are the digital video out? No DVI, no HDMI. You have all the power you want, but you cannot even use it with your brand new LCD TV if you want; VGA is still possible, but come on, it's another stuff from the 90's. Then Compal is also missing the eSata plug. So if you want power over portability, the C90 could be the way to go. If you want portability, the Compal is probably a very nice choice. But it's impossible to deny that the C90 is very interesting according to your need...

 

Only thing that really makes heat go up is a raise in voltage, the C2D are able to pull 3ghz on average on stock volts and thats why thats the limit of the C90. I bet it does the 2.9ghz on stock voltage and the heat really wont change.

I challenge you to downclock your cpu to any speed 1ghz 2ghz, and if you can overclock it to a higher one and keep your voltage the same, watch your temps stay the same. I know this from experience. I run my Opteron 148 at 2.8ghz 24/7 at stock volts and my room feels the same and my temps stay the same, to get 3ghz out of it required a small voltage increase and I was very much able to notice the diffrence in heat.

If you use a power save mode like cool&quiet that downclocks your cpu when your not using all of its power, it lowers the clock speeds and the voltage and thus why the battery power is saved adn the heat goes down.

C2D are so very conservative on there stock clocks, intel did this for a reason but I dont feel like explaning the whole thing to you. Its not about performance its a marketing technique.

 

Thats very subjective. Its far better depending on your needs. If you don't need alot of battery life then maybe. You could make the statment that a desktop is far far better system than the C90 because the components will be cheaper for better performance, but again it depends on what you need and why you're buying the computer.

 

I mean better in terms of processing ablity, it only loses in what battery power? thats it.

Better warrenty if you buy individual parts, better looks imo, more power, and cheaper. Hmmm.

I wont lose any sleep debating wich to choose between those two...

If I wanted somthing portible and with alot of battery power I still wouldnt be looking at the compel id be after a ultra portable.