Compal IFL90, perfect?

I am currently looking at this laptop from powernotebooks.com .
WSXGA+ LCD
1.8GHz C2d
1gb 667 ram
80gb 3gb/s 7200rpm
nVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M w/512MB
Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Camera
Fingerprint scanner
9 Cell Battery for 3.5+ Hours Battery Life Standard
All for about $1350
Looks perfect for me, and not a bad deal either.

My only concern is the 9 cell battery. It says on the website that the wsxga+ lcd HAS TO come with a 9 cell. Does this stick out of the laptop at all?
Please say no, I think Ive found the right one finally.
Thanks

 

Yes, it sticks out of the laptop 3/4".

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it does stick out(probalby less than an inch). Look at the high res photos Odin beat me to it but still look at the pictures

Also what about the OS(operating system) and you might want to get 2gb(you can get and install the other 1gb yourself)

 

Its not perfect. There is no dvi or hdmi out. No e-sata like on the Asus G1S. I still pulled the trigger on this today though. I don't want the lights like on the Asus and this was $250 cheaper.

If it come with the 8600M Gt fine, but that's not a huge deal breaker for me.

 

dammit! Is it possible to use the 6 cell with the higher res screen anyway?
maybe there is some sort of other battery that can fit flush and power the high res lcd...? Maybe they uatomaticly give the 9 cell for the sole purpose of battery life?
And about the DVI and hdmi ports, it really doesnt matter to me.
I already have a copy of windows xp home that I will put onit at first, then probably get vista home premium.
I will most likely order another 1gb ram stick later on, probably at the same time as I get vista home premium.
And this is a lot cheaper than the asus g1s. for me, its a matter of $650, and pretty much the same specs, except for those extra ports, and a slightly faster c2d cpu.

 

This from Donald at Powernotebooks

So it is 3/4" away from perfect.... If you wanted to read between the lines Donald does say that the 6 cell that they carry doesnt work, but that doesn't mean that there is one that does. I'm sure he would be more than happy to let you know if there is any 6 cell answer out there.

Based on the specs and the Norwegian review floating in one of these threads, the battery life is very very good with the 9 cell. I think after time I wouldnt notice flush or 3/4", but I wouldnt ever stop appreciating 90 extra minutes of cord free time.

 

yea...I guess the 9 cell isnt to bad...but i would really really prefer a 6 cell flush battery. I emailed Donald about this last light, waiting for a reply.
Ill let you know what he says.

 

Donald has just replied, this is what he said,
"Thank you for your inquiry!



Unfortunately it is what it is. The 9 cell is the only battery that will work in the WSXGA+ version at this time. You may be able to buy a 6 cell at a later date that will work, but those are not being brought in to the US at this time.



What I can tell you is that almost no one that has the PowerPro L 8:15 (HEL80) or that will have this new model gives a hoot about the battery sticking our 3/4"...they would rather have the extra hour to hour and a half the 9 cell batter gives them. Who can see the battery when they are using it anyway?



Don’t let that issue deter you from one of the best new models on the market. Once you start using it you won’t even notice it anymore"

So Ill probably order it with the 9 cell like I have to, then buy a seperate 6 cell for a foreign country, or wait until they hit the U.S. market. Then I can just use the 9 cell as a 3 and a half hour backup.

 

I replied and asked him what type/model 6 cell battery that's not being brought into the U.S. yet, will work. Waiting another REALLY QUICK reply. I emailed him at 12:30 last night and he replied within hours! :}

 

Well from my experiences with extended batteries I actually don't mind them. In fact I love them. It is wonderful having a powerful laptop WITH amazing battery life.
Tim

 

idk, it just annoys me, even though its only 3/4". I do realize its very minor...

 

Donald just emailed me back.
"Hey Kevin,



There are two kinds of batteries. One is for the Channel and the other is the CBB/VBI version. The Channel version battery fits everything, but the CBB/VBI version ONLY fits CBB/VBI version laptops. I know that seems backwards, but then the VBI program itself is pretty backwards L



The PowerPro J 10:15 WSXGA+ is the Channel version and the WXGA is the CBB version. So, the 6 cell only works in the WXGA while the 9 cell works in either one.



So, what you need to look for is a non CBB/VBI 6 cell battery."

Im starting to look...

 

Just for more input, I've got a 9cell HEL80, and the battery sticking out doesn't bother me at all, and the battery life is wonderful. I'm never getting a 6cell battery notebook again.

 

There is always a compromise. You can order the lower res screen and get the 6 cell and buy the 9 cell after market if you'd like.

 

Donald emailed me again, and said to wait until the laptop actually starts shipping then if there is a "non CBB/VBI" 6 cell battery, that can get to the U.S., he will send me a link. I will keep everyone updated.