Compal HGL30 (Nvidia Go 7600)

Yes, it is a very strong polymer alloy.

 

Has anyone recieved a Compal HGL30? Does anyone have the performance marks for the Compal HGL30?

 

That's very good to hear, my other big question about this laptop has to do with Linux, but not really directly. Does this laptop have a switch/button to control WiFi and Bluetooth wireless? Is it hardware and does it still work in Linux? I only ask because I prefer some hardware control of my laptop functions, but it all seems to be going software these days. I know there aren't many of these around yet, but maybe some of the dealers know?

 

It is a hardware switch.

We have not tested it in any distro of Linux.

 

That's fine, the basic question was about he hardware switch. It's usually easiest to see if it is a hardware switch in Linux for the average person. Are there any pictures around of the power supply for this laptop? I have seen on PowerNotebooks that it's a 90W power supply. I believe they are generally larger than lesser wattages and I currently have a 65W power supply for my laptop. It would also be nice to know the dimensions as well. It may seem weird, but the size of the power supply is very important in my decision since I need to carry it around everyday.

 

You can see the switch clearly on a couple of the pictures in our Picture Gallery.

It is on the front edge in line with the left touchpad button.

It requires the 90W AC Adapter for the video card. It is quite small and light (about half a pound), but we don't have a picture of it.

 

Does the HGL30 use the same adapter as the HEL80?

 

Yes it does...so we actually do have a picture of it in Justin's review of the HEL80 at http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=63572

Thanks Chaz!

 

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for! It doesn't look big at all for the wattage, how hot does it typically get?

Also, it looks like there might be a typo on the product page on PowerNotebooks because I don't believe this notebook has a "RF-in Connector," correct?

Another question I have is where is the best place to get drivers for this computer? I have been on the PowerNotebooks site and they don't appear to have drivers posted yet. I know they give a drivers cd, but can standard drivers be used as well? What about BIOS downloads and updates? How do you update the BIOS?

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm always this when when shopping for something like this...

 

AC Adapters get hot. How hot depends on what you are doing with it. They should not get too hot to touch, but they will get close.

As for the RF-in Connector Oops! Thanks for the heads up...that has now been deleted.

You should stay with the drivers that come on the CD, or once those have been updated you will seen them on our website on the drivers page.

We don't publish BIOS updates anymore (too many people killed their laptops by flashing improperly and thinking they always had to update their BIOS whether the update addressed any issue they had or not). If you have an issue that a BIOS update has addressed we will email it to you with flashing instructions and utilities. If it ain't broke...don't fix it However if you are having an issue, just call our 24/7 Customer Service team (the toll free number will be on the bottom of your laptop) and they will take care of you.

 

paladin, excellent and speedy responses, I must say that I'm impressed. I honestly don't think there were nearly this many dealers around to answer questions when shopping the first time.

Two more questions while they are fresh on my mind, are the NVIDIA drivers that are included good with games? Would there be any performance increase using regular NVIDIA drivers?

Second, the media buttons. How do they work, what programs do they work with, and do they require special software to run?

Thanks in advance!

 

There was definately some sort of glitch, it looks like this thread somehow got crossed with the Asus W7j thread. There were two posts that ended up in it that definately didn't apply do this laptop. Here is what paladin44 posted:

Man, that is great service, I didn't even have to wait an hour for the response! Just verifying, this laptop doesn't have soldered RAM, right?

 

In reading it one more time, what programs do those buttons work with? Currently my buttons work in iTunes and Winamp, I'm not a big fan of Windows Media Player, so they wouldn't be much help to me there.

 

YEOW! Thanks for grabbing that...I thought I lost it.

The second link for the drivers should be http://laptopvideo2go.com/ Please correct it in your quote of my original post.

The buttons should work in most media programs...it is not limited to Media Player, but you do have to be booted into Windows (Windows environment).

 

That is correct...the reference to the on board memory was to the ASUS W7J, not the Compal HGL30

 

For more video driver information there are 3 great threads at:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=64910
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=41454
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=39568

 

Haha, not a problem. I had read it and I went to look and it was all messed up. There was a post titled "W7j Review" with tons of unrendered HTML, then that disappeared and a comment to the review showed up. After it all cleared out and yours didn't show up, I decided to post it again. The link is now fixed too. I think that's all I've got for now, thanks for your ongoing support though, that's really good to see. I probably won't be acting too quickly, but I do like the custom build of the laptop.

There are a few things I'm not sure of, like the lack of Firewire and SIR, but in reality I've never used them on my current laptop anyway (except to try and send files to a neighboring laptop in class ). Other than those two things and the NVIDIA GPU, this is basically identical to the W3j. The really added advantage also is that I wouldn't even need to buy the OS software, I could just use what I have, that's really nice. When I do decide, if I go with PowerNotebooks, I will "Please remember to CALL US for Special Promotions on PowerPro and Crown Models."

Thanks again, I don't think I can say that enough!

EDIT: Fixed the name of PowerNotebooks.

PS. I had heard of your company before recently as well, one of my college friends and his roommate each got one of your CL56 based PowerPro Elites back in 2004. They have been extremely happy as well!

 

I spoke to Donald tonight when I called power pro and I must say I have never had a better experience with a sales person (although he doesn't refer to himself as one).

I just wish there was a review of this notebook! Also I am a little weary of the teal, but I am probably going to order tommorow and I will let you guys know what I think of it when it arrives. (I wish there were more pictures of it around).

 

i'm in the exact same boat as you are hehe.

 

http://www.discountlaptops.com/index.php?section=specs&model_id=1386&added_specs_popup=1

That's pictures of the chembook, which is the HGL30 by another re-seller. I'm not sure if the lid actually looks like that and it's just powernotebooks pictures, but It looks much better in those pictures.

 

Those are "stock" pictures from Compal, and don't really represent the true color. Those pictures are blue, and the actual color is Green/Teal

 

This computer looks great. Does anyone know any places in Canada where you would be able to buy one or som1 who ships to Canada relatively cheap?

 

thanks paladin for all the info, but could anyone put up some nice pictures with the teal color? that blue color looks really sexy, but maybe the teal doesn't. thanks a bunch in advance.

 

Any news to when we can get this sucker with a Merom?? I know Don is running promotions through August, so thats pretty tempting too but I really want to wait for Merom.

 

A quick search would have revealed this thread: Intel Merom Core 2 Duo will hit Distributors shelves on August 28th.

Oh, and my friends call me Donald, and you can too.

 

Hey all!

Donald, I took a look at DiscountLaptops, and they have the HGL30 listed with a FireWire port. Are their spec's incorrect? I'm really looking for a laptop with FireWire for video capture...are there any alternatives aside from a PC Card?

Also, is there an option with the HGL30 for a dual monitor setup through the VGA-out?

 

The HGL30 does not have an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port.

If you will look on our configurator for any of our models that do not have a built in TV Tuner both the Xpert USB 2.0 Video Capture and V-Stream USB 2.0 TV Tuner are available. Either one will handle video capture quite nicely.

All of our notebooks have dual head video cards that will support a dual monitor setup. This is standard, not an option. In addition, you can also get up to 5 monitors by using the video adapters (Matrox DualHead2Go and/or VTBook PCMCIA adapter) that you will also find on our configurators.

 

Thanks for the quick reply Donald! I guess you're working late today like I am, eh?

I have a completely unrelated question that you might know the answer to, or might not. I'm looking to capture a composite or component video signal, and at the same time display it. With capture cards there is a noticeable lag. Is there any way to "boost" the signal so that I have two outputs, maybe through a separate device? I'm looking to capture a video game signal, so I need to be playing while it's capturing, and it decreases the quality significantly if I simply "split" the signal.

 

I always work late...but it is only 4:33 PM here Just about time to break and take my lovely wife out to dinner...

Sorry, I cannot help you with the lag issue.

 

Hi Donald,

Thanks for your reply! I did see that thread from the front page. I was wondering though, if the HGL30 will use the Merom. Also, if so does this mean you'll be getting them in early Sept? Looking forward to owning of your machines

 

Yes, the HGL30 will start shipping with Merom as soon as processors become available.

There will be a very limited supply released to the US Intel Distributors on August 28th (I can hardly wait for that dogfight to see who gets how many. You can bet that our Purchase Order is already in ) and then the shipping will be embargoed until late September.

 

hi ive been away from nbr for a while but I was following this machine.

I am looking specifically for reviews of the screen manufacturer, and the stats compared to asus a8jm screen.

 

If I get the HGL30 now with a Yonah, will you guys provide a BIOS update (if required) for people like me who might want to upgrade their CPU to a Merom in the future ?

The way I see it, I would get the base 1.66 Yonah now and maybe upgrade to a fast Merom later if I feel the Need for Speed(tm), As opposed to getting a 2.16 Yonah now ...

 

Yes, all necessary BIOS updates will become available once the Merom processors are actually shipping.

 

paladin44, could you confirm that the hgl30 does have an s/pdif port? I've only found it listed on your site.

Thanks!

 

Oops! I apologize. Thanks for catching that.

The HGL30 does not have a S/PDIF port. Our specifications pages are now corrected.

 

Hi guys,

I'm wondering whether the Teal/Blu-ish/I have no idea lid of the laptop is customizable, and if so what would be the price?

Also, on powernotebooks.com, the spec says this weights 5.5lbs w/ the 9cell battery which I personally feel is perfectly fine, but I read somebody saying their 15.4 Asus Z96J weights 5.25 w/ 6cell battery fully configured. Is there a reason this 14" compal could be heavier?

 

Whoever has the ASUS Z96J advertised at 5.4 pounds is not accurate...we have weighed it on our calibrated digital scale and it is 6.8 pounds.

 

not even the Asus V6 or Samsung 15.4" models are 5.25 lbs, and they are the lightest and thinnest laptops in that size range.