HEL80 - Considering a Purchase, a couple of questions!

I've been at odds about what Notebook to get, wanting something powerful, yet light and mobile. I finnaly settled on the Asus W3J. It looked to be just about everything I wanted but was still too expensive and seemed rather limited in features. I also looked at the HGL30, but found it repulsively ugly, really not my thing (especially if I want something to last me for the next for years). At last I stumbled on the HEL80, which not only had the great specs, awsome features, nice design, and power to boot, but also came at an affordable price. Right now the only downside I see is that it is a bit bigger and heavier, though that does allow it to have a better screen...

Here are my questions:

1. Will the weight and size difference make it that much harder to lug it around? (the HEL80 is about a pound heavier, and an inch wider)

2. What is the difference between the WSXGA+ and WXGA screens? (other then resolution)

3. Is it possilble to have the TV tuner installed after purchase?

 

1. I decided to get the HEL80 over the HGL30 mainly because the HGL30 was only available with a glossy screen, so I can tell you what experiences I've had lugging the HEL80 around. Personally, I feel the way the HEL80 is constructed effectively distributes the weight of the laptop and it isn't tiresome to carry the thing for long periods of time. It's a shade under 7 lbs, and that really isn't too heavy. With the free carrying case I got with my order from powernotebooks, I find it to be very easy to bring with me from place to place.

2. The WXGA screen has a glossy appearance that can, at times, be almost mirror-like. Some people prefer this type of screen because it offers better color contrast, but others can't stand the glare this kind of screen is known for. The WSXGA+ screen offers a higher resolution, giving you more room to work with, and it doesn't have the glare associated with the glossy screen. Which screen you choose really boils down to personal preference.

3. Someone else can answer this, although I can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't be able to.

 

thanks a lot for that. Yeah I'm not planning on much lugging, pretty much to and from class, so that shouldn't be too much of an issue... I'll probably wait till I can get it with a Core 2 Duo though

 

2. Personally, after seeing alot of glossy screens out there, I'm -very- happy with my choice of the WSXGA+ 'matte' on my HEL80. I use it on the lowest brightness setting, and I consider that to be enough already. Up to personal preference of course.

3. It's very possible.

 

1. That's up to you and how much you can carry. And what type of bag you are using. Backpacks make it easier.

2. The WSXGA has the matte screen+ and higher res. Here are some good pics to see the difference between a matte and glossy. The HEL80 is matte and the Z96J is glossy. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=65819

3. Yes, you can instally the tv tuner

 

2. The WSXGA+ screen looks very nice on the HEL80, bright and vibrant. I'd recommend getting it.

3. It is possible as stated. I would skip it at first, see if you really want to watch TV on your laptop.

 

To be fair, this post does the Matte screen more justice than the first post does.

 

1) Size and portability is too subjective. I personally don't think a 15.4" is too large to carry around, but of course a 14.1" would be easier to take around all the time.

2) I had a glossy screen a few months ago. I have to say that I like matte screens much better having used the two in a short period of time. The higher resolution doesn't hurt either. The WSXGA+ on the HEL80 is a great screen.

3) You can definitely buy the TV tuner later if you want it and install it yourself. It is said to be very simple.

 

Where can you buy this tuner? I see the explanation on how to install it at powernotebook.com but where to buy it is the question and which one? And can you put in any TV tuner, like could I put in the FlyTV model LR219F miniPCI? Of course I have no idea where to buy it. Just seemed cool cuz it has FM too, but then the HEL80 probably doesn't support it.

 

Where are you located plzlisn?