Cyberpower Hel80 NOT a Hel80?

I was browsing the Compal Hel80 resellers and came upon Cyberpowerpc. ( www.cyberpowerpc.com) and when I looked at their pictures of the Hel80 "Xplorer X5-7800" I saw that it was completely different than what the actual Compal Hel80 looks like. See for yourself!

Hel80 as of notebookreview:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3060&review=Compal

Cyberpower's Hel80:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/ntbkx57800.asp?v=d

Any ideas?

 

That is the VBI version of the HEL80. VBI stands for "verified by Intel". It's a way to make components compatible with multiple systems to make it easier for whitebook resellers so they don't have to carry as many parts for the systems they sell.

The VBI version of the HEL80 lacks some features and isn't a whole lot cheaper (about $50 if I remember correctly). I wasn't sure of the specific differences between the two so I got the correct info from the man who knows for sure, Paladin44:

 

hmm, weird, that list isn't correct. It does have TPM 1.2 and it has the Caps / Num / Scroll lock lights.

 

Thanks for the information TC03. I think I remember you mentioning that you have the VBI HEL80.

Can you verify if the rest of the list is correct or if anything else should be on that list?

 

Differences that occur to me:
- Screen (VBI: 1280x800, non-VBI: 1680x1050)
- Media buttons
- Looks
- Non-VBI version has wider touchpad buttons (looks a bit ugly if you ask me).

 

Touchpads are supposed to match the aspect ratio of the display so that you can calibrate the spread so you can navigate the entire screen corner to corner without lifting a finger. Most of the people I used to fix laptops for in the past never new that and hated touchpads because they had to lift > drag all over the place.

 

I was going to buy cyberpower's Hel80 because I thought it looked all the same as the others but upon re-seeing it I really dislike the way it looks. I have decided to go with Ibuypower.com since their Hel80 looks right. But I'm having problems with Ibuypower.com too, they don't sell the Hel80 with an option to not buy an operating system! I already have windows, and ubuntu linux, does anyone know where I can get a compal hel80 without buying the operating system at a semi-similar price of that of ibuypower.com? Thanks for all you help!

 

Most resellers make the OS optional.

XoticPC.com, discountlaptops.com, powernotebooks.com, and milestonepc.com are a few that may be worth checking.

Also consider the quality of support and service vs. saving a few bucks.

You may also want to check resellerratings.com to get an idea of each reseller as well.

 

Yea I considered the quality of support, but with cyberpower or ibuypower i save over $300, and since I'm in a tight cash loop I really need those $300 for prom.

Haha my mom promised to pay for me when I go to senior prom but I'm not a senior... just a sophmore. For a ridiculous dare from my friend I asked out a senior girl to prom for the heck of things, and she said "YES!" i was like OMG WHAT?!?!? well I was happy then but then *tuxedo cost* *limo cost* *cost* *etc* *etc* heck... now i'd rather just sleep prom night off LOL