Compal HGL30 (Nvidia Go 7600)

All laptops are plastic...some just have a metal veneer of some type. The HGL30 does not have a metal veneer.

Build quality is simply excellent. This will be the dominant 14.1" laptop with discrete video on the market this summer. It is so much more feature rich than the ASUS Z62J only the "ASUS HEADS" will want that over the Compal HGL30

 

Yeah, having a metal lcd cover is nice but as long as the build quality is good I don't care. Just wouldn't want it to be cheap feeling like most dell, hp, compaq, etc.

 

i can't believe that it's not going to have a 1440x900 option... i need AT LEAST that resolution, so now i can't get it. big time bummer...

 

Thanks very much for that update. How soon before we can find out the complete specs?

 

That resolution might make for too-small-text at 14.1". I might suggest taking a look at COMPUSA to see what a 14.1 WXGA looks like. It matches the screen size pretty well. I don't know of any WXGA+ [Edited] 14.1" screens offhand so you may be hard pressed to find that.

Either way, this machine is sounding very nice. I wonder what it will cost--I think that will determine exactly how popular it will be.

 

Any idea what the battery life will be with the 9 cell battery?

 

The Dell Inspiron E1405 (14.1") has a WXGA+ screen...

Not that I'm considering Dell, but it's the quickest example I could find.

 

I think its safe to say that the battery life will be over 4 hours. The HEL80 is a 15.4" and can get over 4 hours with the 9 cell if you conserve power well enough. These 2 laptops are pretty similar in standard features and available configurations. So I think we can assume that the HGL30 will have just as good of battery life, if not better then the HEL80.

 

What other specs do you want?

 

DUDE...get the DELL (with integrated graphics)

 

The battery life will be pretty similar. 3.5 to 4+ hours. At the low end if you are using your wirless card, or using processor intense applications. At the high end for note taking or other typing, spreadsheet use etc. Cut it in half for gaming.

 

Now once you get use to the higher resolution and realize how fantastic it really is, I wonder how easy it is to go back. o.o;

All and all it's not a surprise WXGA+ is even rarer in 14.1"s than dedicated graphics. Guess you can't have it all. This might be a good thing considering it's possible Compal builds either the Inspiron or Latitude lines as we have discussed earlier and the Dell forum is plagued with complaints on the WXGA+ screen used in the e1405 and D620. Atleast we know the Compal's screen may not have the same problems with excess light leakage.

All and all the Compal HGL-30 looks like it will be an awesome package. Have we confirmed there is a firewire port on it somewhere?

 

No firewire or FIR

 

Wow...
Not that I plan to go film the Blair Witch and edit it on a laptop.

 

Are the basic specs the same as in this link?
http://www.marasst.com/product-1-HGL30.htm

 

?? What would you have in mind

 

I don't see the TV Tuner, and the 9 cell will be standard but otherwise those specs about cover it.

 

In addition to the Inspiron 640m there's the Latitude D620, Thinkpad z61t and LG T1 so there's a growing number of them.

B&M stores don't display WSXGA+ 15.4" laptops either but there's enough demand for them for the HEL80 to offer it. WSXGA+ on a 15.4" displays things even smaller than WXGA+ on a 14.1" would.

Without anything really special like a WXGA+ screen option, the HGL30 only really has customization for it when put up against the A8Jm, A8Ja and W3J. And those are already out.

 

Higher res doesnt necessaraly mean better. It's kind of a preference thing. The D620 WXGA+ screen sucks to put in bluntly, and many of the thinkpad ones arent that great either. The A8JM is the model im looking at getting vs. the HGL30. While the A8JM's 7600 has more dedicated memory (which I dont think is much use in most games as of yet), the HGL30 is likely to be cheaper for a similar or higher configuration. Add in the bluetooth, the fingerprint reader, both expresscard and PCMCIA, a working instant on hopefully and a much better warranty if u get it from a place like powernotebooks, and I think the HGL30 has quite a bit going for it. The build and battery life may be better too. Only time will tell...

 

Actually if you want to see WSXGA+ on a 15.4 in a B&M, check out your local Dell Kiosk at your local mall. Usually the e1505 display model has the WSXGA+ Trulife screen. This may be true to the e1405. My nearest Kiosk used to have an e1405 on display. Can't remember which screen it had though.

 

Thanks, that is what I needed to know for now.

 

I've been following the details on the HGL30 for a while now, and if it's going for a good price then it seems like a pretty great deal, but...

But I'm not sure if I could live with something so ugly! People were saying the Z62f/j is ugly, but really it's just plain - but the HGL30 is just plain awkward! I'm probably overreacting solely because of the the hugeness of the bezel above the screen, but still...

I mean, the ridges actually look pretty cool and all, but it seems kind of bulky, doesn't it? With that much added extra back-to-front distance, I might as well get a non-widescreen! Both the seemingly insane bezel AND a battery that sticks out makes from a pretty long laptop.

Maybe you could post some more accurately representative pics to prove me wrong

 

Since beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, it is impossible to prove you wrong. You are certainly entitled to your opinion.

However you state your opinion as if it were fact Please allow that many others find it quite appealling

Also consider that most laptop buyers are more concerned with ALL of the features of a laptop, only one small piece of which is what it looks like. After all, we are not buying art here , we are buying a working tool.

 

theres pros and cons of any current 14"w/gpu thats out right now. the HGL30 doesn't have a firewire port or an dvi out like the A8jm.. however the A8 is limited to just its 6 cel with what seems to be no plans for any extended battery option like the compal which has a 6 and 9 cell option. The W3J does have a modular bay option and is certainly the sexiest 14" model out there, but some may want more configuration options, or can't afford the higher price of it.

 

the battery sticks out because it's a 9 cell. if you go the 6-cell it'll be flushed.
as for looks I think it varies from user to user.. I think its very typical looking.. along with the A8jm.. the Z62 series is ugly..while the W3 is the sexiest. height wise.. comparing the official measurements at least..its not that much taller than the A8jm..very similar.

 

I'm pretty sure that I heard in this thread that the 6-cell won't be available in the US - although I'd get the 9 cell anyway

paladin44, I do allow that some MAY find this laptop to be appealing. I haven't really read of anyone who subscribes to that opinion, though. Mainly I just want to know what the deal is with that huge flat surface above the LCD - does that microphone really need to take up so much space?

EDIT: wait - just noticed that the microphone also faces forwards - that's a cool feature! Makes me not so negative toward that flat surface, if it's to accomodate a forward-facing mic for lectures and stuff now all that remains to be seen is heat, because if it's lap-able, then it's definitely got the a8jm beat.

 

are u sure? the marasst site says it has 1 x IEEE 1394

i thought IEEE 1394 = firewire port?

 

yeah, the heat and price will be a key issue for me too in deciding between the two

it says that, but in all the pictures I've seen of it.. I don't see any. although the left side looks like it should have room for one though.

 

It does not have an IEEE 1394 firewire port.

I am sure and I am sad about it...but it just doesn't

 

I wonder why compal would choose not to include firewire. Thats generally something thats just a given on any consumer oriented notebook. Good thing that firewire has little to no use for most people these days.

 

yeah that really is quite odd.. especially since the left side should have room for it

who knows, there's still time before they bring it to the states. They did change the teal lid to a dark grey.. although.. i really hope they switch it to the black one like its integrated cousin has, the HGL 31

 

"Good thing that firewire has little to no use for most people these days."

I think you can count on that being the reason that IEEE 1394 is not available.

I think it is more important to have the PCMCIA slot.

 

We won't know what color the LCD cover is until the production models come in to the US.

 

use your persuasion powers on Compal USA

look how much black adds to the sex appeal!

 

I have already put my input in to nix the teal, but there has to be a consensus with all of the OEMs to make it happen. We will have to wait and see.

 

lol...that is a nice look. But yeah, as long as its not teal, im sure it will look good.

 

I'm about this -><- far from ordering an a8jm, but I use my T41 on my lap all the time. Not being able to have a *laptop* is a deal breaker. Do you know for a fact that the a8jm is a scorcher on the lap? Even just editing text, web browsing and other light use (I always have my notebook on a desk or table when gaming ... gotta have a place for the mouse).

Regardless, the HGL-80 sounds nearly interresting enough to get me to wait a bit and hear the initial reviews.

As for the looks of the HGL-80, I have to say I agree that it looks a bit odd. In addition, the wide bezel looks to an an extra half inch or so to the depth/height when open. Suboptimal, IMHO.

 

There's no laptop called the HGL80, there's an HGL30 that's 14" and an HEL80 thats 15.4". As far as heat on the bottom goes.. we'll see when it comes in the hands of resellers and reviewers.. until then you can ask existing users of the A8jm in the Asus section and see their views.. however it does seem that its not meant for lap use for extended periods of time.
The bezel isn't that bad. dimensions wise it's only a few mm more than the A8jm.

 

My mistake ... I meant the HGL30

Yup, I need to go do that. I was all set to order a T60P, but the legendary ThinkPad reliability appears to have become just that ... a legend. The A8jm was my fallback, but I decided to expand my horizons a bit. I'm also evaluating whether or not I could stand going up one size to a 15.4", but this is all off topic in this thread.

That's good to hear. Looks are certainly not my primary deciding factor, anyway. I appreciate the info. Your awesome community involvement is what got me to have a look at Compal as an option.

 

thanks

Im in the same boat as you and am considering 13.3" and 14" because 15.4" is a bit too big for me. Thinkpads are great.. one of my past notebooks was one.. great in terms of build quality and the keyboard.. but if you compromise a lil on the build.. you can get a much better spec'd laptop elsewhere (i.e Asus or compal) with a better vid card and a better screen (outside of their flexview models, IBM screens are ho hum).

 

Yeah, I'm typing this on a T41. It's great, other than the screen (14" ... very dim). The problem is that the T60p I was considering seems to have an awful lot of issues.

RE: the size thing, I'm starting to think I may need to either learn to live with the extra size and weight, or decide if I can stand to fall back to a less powerfull GPU. I'm not a heavy gamer, but I was looking forward to being able to play some current titles. My primary concerns are "lapability", CPU (I'm a developer), reliability, screen quality and keyboard quality. Anyway, this is getting pretty far off topic, and it's getting pretty late/early here. I'll have to ask around about the lapability of the A8jm and such on the morrow (actually, later today ... how the heck did it get to be 1:15 here!?)

 

Grrrr i dont know if I should preorder the w7j for only $1500 now or still keep waiting for the HGL30 >.<

 

Pre-order?

It appears that the w7j is in stock a couple places, at least in small quantities. Check Proportable.com or powernotebooks.com.

If it turns out the A8jm is too toasty for lap use, I'm considering stepping down to the W7j as an option, and, if I do, I'd be ordering it from ProPortable.com or powernotebooks.com.

[edit: Was in a hurry to post (two year olds will do that to ya!) and forgot powernotebooks.com.]

 

Sindsil, do you intend to actually place the notebook directly on your lap, or use it on a lapdesk? The former is a bad idea because you'll obstruct the intake vent and make things toasty for the computer; the latter is always a good and viable idea. The link above has some good suggestions for lapdesks.

 

It may not be optimal for heat intake, but it's certainly not a "bad idea".

Yeah, a lapdesk or some other apparatus will keep the notebook cool - but who wants to use a lapdesk or other apparatus? It's no fun carrying around two things instead of one

Just keep an eye on the temps and put it on a nearby flat surface for a while if it gets too hot - and if your laptop has a reasonably suitable cooling system, the temps shouldn't get that high in the first place, even on a lap.

 

I've used every one of the half dozen or so laptops I've owned directly on my lap. The only one poorly designed enough for that to be any issue at all was my most recent Toshiba. It's not like I'm gaming when I use it like that. My T41 doesn't change temp at all lap vs. desk for light use.

The whole point of a laptop for me is ubiquity and convenience. If I have to screw around with a lapdisk or some such every time I want to use my machine, then why not just use a desktop? It's no more hassle to walk down to my office than it is to go dig up a lapdesk when I want to move from table to easy chair.

 

well, maybe you should read this
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/22/1037697856858.html
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php?id=628628213&eid=-108

 

That is old news, and has been pretty much debunked.

 

By Eris, those are a load of crap. But, you saw them on teh intarweb, so they must be true, right? Well, you *did* include a smiley, so I'll assume you meant these as humor.

The first is obvious BS, and not even worth responding to. That man's problems had eff-all to do with using a laptop for an hour to "write a report".

As for the second, my healthy two year old boy is all the refutation I need. And I'm not even a "young man". We conceived Ian when I was 37, after many years of using laptops as ... wait for it ... laptops, and my wife was 39 at the time, stacking the odds against us in the fertility game.

Next you'll tell me that wearing little magnets can cure my knee pain, and my cell phone is going to give me a brain tumor.

 

well, i don't think constant exposure to radiation from cell phones, wifi, etc can do much good to your body, but i'm not the kind of guy who stops using something because of something like that.
anyway, i ment the post above more as a joke than a fact