Hel80 or Z96j

which 1 is the better laptop?? 1st was considering the Hel80 over the S96j,
than i ran across the Z96j. is the Z96j a worthy opponent against the Hel80

 

The Z96J is pretty much the S96J with a higher resolution screen and bluetooth. I still think that the HEL80 is a better laptop (for all the reasons listed in the other thread, except the one regarding bluetooth).

 

It boils down to -> features, matte screen = HEL 80, more gaming power, glossy screen = Z96j, appearance = personal preference.

 

Come on guys, this legend of more gaming power in the 96J just because it scores a few hundred points more (less than 10% difference) on a synthetic benchmark is just not supportable. That difference is not statistically significant, nor will it be perceivable in your gaming experience.

Keep in mind that certain games are written for ATi cards while others are written for nVIDIA cards. This difference will be more noticeable than any performance difference indicated by the few points difference in the synthetic benchmarks.

Yes, you will have to adjust the clock speeds (core/mem) in your nVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 video card, but that isn't rocket science, it is just typing some numbers in the core and memory boxes in your nVIDIA Control Panel. We have a whole thread here about how to do that.

These are comparable cards and I lay out the challenge that if you had one of each machine you could not tell the difference in gaming performance, other than some games will play better on the ATi card while other games will play better on the nVIDIA card.

Help me out here Chaz...do you agree or would there be a perceptible difference in gaming performance between these two machines other than what I have suggested?

 

I would have to agree with Paladin44. If you take a look at the "Ultimate x1600 vs. 7600go thread" in the gaming section (its a sticky), you will see that the differences between the two cards in real world gaming is none but a few fps, swaying from either ATi to Nvidia's favor in a few different games.

That being said, I believe the only reason one can favor the ATi over the Nvidia in performance is Nvidia's inability to run HDR and AA at the same time. In my opinion, this doesn't make such a big difference for me because I have a gut feeling telling me that even if the x1600 can run both at the same time, the game will NOT be playable (in my opinion). I mean, it may look nice...but thats if your just staring at a wall with no action on screen.

Just my opinion.

 

there's also nvidia's nice linux drivers to consider

The performance difference I refer to isn't between the normal 7600 and x1600; it's the difference between a normal x1600 and an underclocked 7600. If you can OC the 7600, you can also OC the x1600... I maintain that the z96j will have an edge in gaming (I think I'd notice the difference), though I don't think it's deal breaking -- obviously I bought the HEL 80.

 

That's almost certainly correct. Unless you run everything at 640x480 with HDR+AA, the X1600 will have problems.

Really, don't worry about the video cards. As others have mentioned, each one is going to be better in different games and overall they'll be very close.

I'd be more worried about the screen - what's the point in having a GPU which can render a beautiful image if it's being displayed by an awful LCD? If you prefer a matte screen, the HEL80 is an excellent choice. If you prefer glossy and the same high resolution, the Z96J is probably a better option. If you don't actually want the high-resolution screen and you're just considering the Z96J because it's got bluetooth, get the HEL80.

 

The Go7600 is a fast card, no doubt about that. Now, the X1600 does score higher in benchmarks, but they are only that - benchmarks. I wouldn't judge any machine based on a synthetic (not real) program.
The HEL80's Go7600, even underclocked, is more than enough for the latest games. I ran CS:S flawlessly at 1680x1050, and FEAR at 1024x768 with the details maxed.

I would be inclined to recommend the HEL80. Runs very cool, even when gaming for extended periods. I also fancy the build quality and design on it. Not to disappoint Asus owners, but the S96J/Z96J really do look rather generic in comparison.

 

I'm also comparing to buy one of both.
About the features, sure, that fingerprint reader of the Hel80 is atractive. But on the other hand, the Z96J has 4 USB ports, vs 3 of the Hel80. I think I really would miss that fourth port, now everything goes USB.

 

I'm very satisfied with the Compal HEL80. Very beautiful screen and I think you schouldn't depending your choice for one usb port less or more.
Almost everyone who has de HEL80 is satisfied with it. The bouncy keyboard is the only negative thing that you can find.
I don't know anything of the Z96J, but I read something about a bad screen, but I don't know of that's an exception or not.

Succes with your decision!

 

Since the dawning era of Teh USBzor.... there hath cometh a delusion of grandure! Out! Spawning forth from the little elves that bring you cookies! (ok, so its there cousins that nobody invites to dinner)

WE HAVE SEE THE FUTURE, AND IT IS GREAT!​

What do I speak of? USB hubs you crazy mutt! Now, sponsored by the set-it-and-forget it guy is a way to plug all your mess of USB cables into one device, then plug 1 cable into your usb notebook! SIMPLE BRILLIANT!

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT!​

[/crazy rant with no intended offense]

Check this out..
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=ACH81US
7 USB ports.. and it will work as a pass-through device to connect your amazing surround system to the laptop.

 

This is exactly what I would have said if Donald hadn't already articulated it so perfectly already. It deserves being repeated.

I haven't overclocked my go 7600 yet, and it games just fine. I even play at native resolution (1680x1050) with pretty good settings.

Nothing against the S96J/Z96J, but these are some key points in favor of the HEL80.

I use a small USB thumb hub. It gives me 4 USB ports, and allows me to plug/unplug all my USB devices in one move. I wouldn't base my decision on an extra USB port. There are more important differences between the systems.

 

Of course it doesn't, but neither the fingerprint reader. And then you need to plug the hub to the wall, don't you?
I'm just saying that both have comparable extra feauters.

 

So chrystiano,
Which are the more important differences between the systems.

 

Depends on what you're using the hub for--not everything needs additional power. I don't plug mine in, and I charge my mouse battery with it.

They've been covered above. To me the main ones are the fingerprint scanner and aluminum styling vs. 96J's generic VBI design. There are more differences you can find by reading more in the forums. Either system is a great buy.

 

If you study the specifications carefully you will notice that the PowerPro L 8:15 (Compal HEL80) is more feature rich than the PowerPro A 2:24 ULTRA (ASUS S96J) AND the PowerPro A 2:24 SUPRA and FORCE (ASUS Z96J):

1. nVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 w/256MB
2. Built-in Bluetooth (Optional) – it is not available on the ASUS S96J and standard on the Z96J so you have to pay for it whether you want it or not.
3. Built in Fingerprint Scanner – Standard. This will allow you to encrypt any application, file or folder on your laptop, and will also encrypt and remember all of your User IDs and passwords for the various websites you visit.
4. 9 Cell Battery - Standard (6 Cell spare is optional) This will give you an additional 1+ hours of battery life.
5. Built in Multi Regional TV Tuner with Remote (Optional)
6. Has both a PCMCIA slot and Express Card slot – This is really important to me because I currently have a PCMCIA VTBook video adapter ($239) for my 2nd external monitor and a Sprint Merlin Air Card ($200) for Internet access anywhere Sprint has coverage. Others have the Creative Labs PCMCIA Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (about $90) and several other types of PCMCIA cards. Most of the new Core Duo laptops only have the Express Card Slot so without a PCMCIA as well, we would have to throw away our expensive cards and sit around and wait for this functionality to come out in Express Cards, and then buy them all over again.
7. In my opinion the PowerPro L 8:15 is better looking. The LCD cover and the ring around the keyboard (see the Picture Gallery) are brushed aluminum, and the fit and finish are definitely a step (or two) above the 96J.

 

Now, Z96J and Hel80 (1680x1050) are comparable in price and resolution so lets let S96J at the side, and Go7600 is equivalent to x1600. PCMCIA are going to be out of busyness in twelve months, and personaly I like better the Asus look.
So I agree with Christiano that it gets to the fingerprint reader and the VBI design (and an extra USB)
Thanks for the help.

 

I constantly came back to these two also in my search, which ended temporarily upon being loaned a G4powerbook. I would personally take the Z96J "IF" it could come with a matte screen. To me it simply looks cleaner than the hel80 and is built more logically. i.e. cd on the left, not right. I would be using a graphic tablet often and this could cause annoyance on the right side with a cd tray. But for me, it's all about the screen.. glossy is impossible to deal with when doing graphics work. Still a non issue, my g4 has a matte screen