Compal FL90 (Santa Rosa Model) Will be shipping in June

The main differences between this model and the EL80 are:

1. Intel Crestline PM 965 Chipset (Santa Rosa)

2. 512MB Nvidia NB8P DDR2 Graphics

3. 2M Pixel CMOS Camera

4. Intel Wireless a,b,g,n

5. BD-Multi Optical Drive Option

I will post more info as I get it.

 

Wow Blue-ray, expensive......
Wonder if the 512MB Nvidia NP8P DDR2 GPU is the Go 8600...

 

great info! I wonder if they'll use the same chassis or something new.. can't wait to see! generally Compal uses totally new models every year. I'd like to see something like the DL70 but with the brushed aluminum accents of the EL80.

does this mean the next 14" model will be called the HL30?

--edit--
looking at the road map on intels site, looks like the 14" one will be called the FT01

 

Maybe Donald can pitch in some secret's on this system?

 

That's exciting news. Thanks Chuck! The FL90 seems like it will be a nice system.

And Goren...wouldn't it be the IL40 .

*watches as Donald's crew hogties pyro and throws him into a waiting cargo van*

 

Too early for us to pitch in.

This kind of "early news" too often starts rumors with unreliable information swirling around so we resist the urge to "scoop" the world and get everyone confused.

When we have production specifications we will be happy to bring them here, but at this point Compal doesn't even know exactly when or what is going to be released.

Right now for example the HEL80 has 3 versions (Channel, VBI and CBB). There is a big question about the survival of the VBI program, or at least which ODMs may or may not participate in it and with which models.

So please be patient for the real specifications for the production model(s).

*Now, it is not necessarily to early to 'pitch' pyro into that cargo van*

 

Hey now.. whats all this about me being stolen? *install lo-jack on self*

 

pyro, you da' prize man!

 

I wish I could have waited before getting my HEL80, but I'm very happy with it. Personally, I don't need the graphics boost or the BRD option and I probably won't use 802.11n, but the nicer camera and support for more memory would be nice.

I wonder what the deal is going to be with displays.

 

Its hard to say what displays will be offered with the new model. The specifics are up in the air at this point. Once production models are released more concrete information will be provided.

 

As far as the displays, I was told the WSXGA probably will not be offered due to the shortage of the panels. So most likely we will be looking at just WXGA+.

 

Chuck, that is just more guess work and potential misinformation.

Please...everybody...simply accept that NO ONE knows what these specs are going to be yet so guesswork and gossip is just a waste of everyone's time and emotional energy.

 

But the man at the store said my Magic 8 Ball knew all!
*shakes it and turns it over*
Look! It even says says 'YES' when I ask if it knows all!

 

Donald. I am not guessing. This is what the Compal representative told me. On the official specification sheet it shows both but he told me that the WSXGA+ will most likely be dropped by the time the actual units are shipped.

 

Chuck..."...will most likely..." is guessing.

At this point your Compal representative doesn't know for sure and neither does anyone else.

The mystical WSXGA+ screen on the HEL80 that was supposedly discontinued several weeks ago just arrived, albeit in a small amount, in our warehouse and are available on our website now.

 

Do you think perhaps compal will ever sport 12-cell batteries? Or hotswap?

 

I like the 9 cell on this machine, and the last few machines I've really enjoyed all had the little "handles" stick out for the battery. What I'd like to see is a comeback in multibays that let you drop the optical drive for other stuff like a battery. Even better was like on my Inspiron 8100's multi-bay + fix optical + fixed HD...

 

hot-swappable multibays huzzah!

I would rather the battery didn't stick out. It doesn't bother me at all, but it would be sleeker were it flush with the case, I think.

 

Yeah...I had some really cool features on my Inspiron 3500 too. I still have fond memories of that machine (even though I still have it). Not fond of the price paid though .