My Potential Hel80 System

Hey, I'm looking to build up a babebone Hel80 System and put Ubuntu 6.10 on it.

Here what I've got so far.

System: Compal Hel 80 from NCIX -$646 US
How's NCIX? Should I go with rjtech? Any opinions on the matte lcd finish, is it worth the extra $100?

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83Ghz from Newegg -$250

Memory: 2GB Corsair DDR2 from Newegg - $170

Hard Drive: Seagate Momentus 80GB 7200 RPM from Newegg - $110

Internal Wireless: Intel WM3B2200BGMWXF Mini PCI Wireless Network from Newegg -$30
I am not sure on this. Anyone know if its compatible with Linux? Or any other suggestions on a wireless card? Should I go with a pci?

Not sure on an optical drive, i think i want dvdrw any suggestions?

Bringing the total to..... around $1,275.

Let me know what any of you think, any suggestions would be greatly welcomed. Thanks.

 

Go for matte if you want less vibrant colors and no reflections from sunlight
Also take a look at the Notebook screen Guide for mroe infro on matte vs. glossy:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2549

Also that Internal wireless wont work, you need a mini-pciE(mini pci express). so basically the Intel 3945

 

Hi JonniePee.

Have you checked out GenTechPC's prices? I know they have some good prices--and you may want to check them out before pulling the trigger.

 

You might want to consider the matte display because of the resolution difference. (The glossy is 1280x800 and the matte is 1680x1050). I think the interface for the wireless card in the HEL80 is mini pci express, as opposed to mini pci.

 

Just tossing in my two cents here... but I just built your system on powernotebooks.com for about $200 more and you get a 3 year they pay shipping both ways warranty + 24h domestic tech support.. Knock a chunk of the difference off if you get the sager version from them that only has a 1 year warranty..

As for the Intel wireless that comes with the hel80, works great with linux out of the box

 

I personally agree with pyro on this issue as well. I actually have a post that I can quote where I outline the advantages to not buiding your own notebook.

Let's see:
Here are my thoughts on barebones vs. professionally built systems:

And a video illustrating the assembly of a HEL80:
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(this one's for you, pyro )

 

I just noticed you asked about the screen too. I've got the matte screen which I like both for the resolution and the lack of glare from the screen. Use the search feature on this because there have been many posts and threads about the screen difference. There are also screen protector film things you can find that will give either a glare or matte finish to your screen but I've not ever tried one.

Supreme Commander looks great at 1280x800 with everything maxed, shadows turned off.

 

I actually got my matte screen mainly for the resolution. I almost went with the Z96J for the glossy.

But after seeing it and and especially using it for an extended time--I have come to appreciate this matte screen. The reflections/glare are just not there and my previous glossy screen did give me some eye strain when I was on it for long periods. Those issues are absent with this screen. Keep in mind though--that glare/reflection and eye strain are not problems for everybody.

 

hey guys, thanks for all your help. you can get some really quick and great advice from these forums.

I see the advantages from buying a prebuilt from somewhere like powernotebooks. The only thing wanting me to build my own is knowledge of whats inside. I built my desktop four years ago and have never had to format or anything, and its nice knowing whats inside when I want to clean it out, or swap in some new pieces. I guess the options for swappable notebook parts is at a minimum because of all the restrictions... so that's what I'm caught between.

 

Maybe call powernotebooks and ask them if after testing, they could take a few things back out of your notebook so you could have the joy of assembly?