Questions about the HGL30

Hello peoples,

First time poster here. This looks like a place I can get some help. I'm trying to build my own laptop. I have most everything I need except the barebone itself. I'm set on the Compal HGL30 for its size and graphics performance. I'm ready to order it, but I just need to confirm some things first before I do.

1) I've looked around and found that the HGL30 could be the same thing as the CHGL30945/90UV/KUS. These sell for around $500, versus getting an HGL30 from a laptop builder for $600 - $700. Are they the same thing?

2) If they are, then how come they're so scarce? Just about every place I find them they're out of stock. The cheapest price at a place that has it "in-stock" is $519 ( www.softwareforless.com), and even then the description says it's special order and can take 5 business days. Are they being discontinued or something? Will I even get one if I order from that site? Where's a site I CAN get one for around $500 - $600?

3) If I actually do get one, I know they don't come with the optical drive and wireless network card. I believe the part number for the optical drive (DVD writer) is ODC-DSUPEREL8X. Is this the only drive that will work in this notebook, or can I just get any slimline drive and stick it in (like desktops)? I don't know anything about notebook optical drives. Also, the wireless card seems to be a standard Intel 3945 card (WM3945AGMW1WB). I can just get this from anywhere, right?

4) Last thing, I've seen some laptop builders that offer internal bluetooth for a ridiculous price (like $40 or more). What is the part number on this so I can get it for cheaper? I haven't found any information on it as of yet.

Hopefully some of you more knowledgable folks can help me out here. Thanks in advance for the answers to my questions.

 

Welcome to the forum,

The HGL30 has been scarce because

- Palidin44(powernotebooks.com)-post located in Owners lounge

I am pretty sure its a standard optical bay so any 12.7mm height notebook odd(slimdrive) should fit but the bezel might not be flush with the side.

Yes you can get and install the Intel3945 pcie card yourself.

<object width='425' height='350'><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LP5vyxXjHuo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LP5vyxXjHuo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width='425' height='350'></embed></object>
(this is the assembly of the HEL80[HGL30 big bro] but installing the Wifi card(-7.23 on the youtube vid) should be the same for the HGl30)

The bluetooth is the Foxconn T60H928(Foxconn T60H928 Bluetooth Module 2.0+EDR).Powernotebooks sell this module with the HGl30 and HEL80.
PowerPro L 8:15(Compal hel80) Bluetooth -even though its for the Compal HEl80 it should apply the HGL30 execpt for the tv tuner

 

What's the difference between these wireless cards?

WM3945AGMW1WB
WM3945AGM1WB
WM3945AGM1GEN

They all look the same. The GEN one looks to be bulk, but I cannot find any difference between the other two. They both seem to be retail, but I don't know if the W missing in the second one is just a typo or what, because they all sell for different prices, from greatest to least in the order above. Do I have to get the WM3945AGMW1WB, or will the cheapest one work (the WM3945AGM1GEN)?

EDIT: Actually, I just found a WM3945AGMW1WB for $30 and change, so I'll probably be getting it, along with the barebone for $489 at www.futurepowerpc.com. They have to special order the barebone, so I'm assuming it will take a while as was mentioned about Compal being behind, maybe. Haven't been able to find the Foxconn bluetooth, but it's not as important. Intel says the DVD is interchangable with a Lite-On SSM-8515S, which is also pretty rare, but I can get it on Ebay for $63 shipped.

 

Found the GL30 for $489.30

http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/product.asp?PRDCODE=CHGL30945/90UL/KUS&REFID=FR

[Edit]: Oh, someone beat me to the punch.

Anyhow, any standard slim dvd burner would work. I have a personal preference for Samsung, which could be purchased for $45 used. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151135R Otherwise, $55 new.

Any mini pcie wireless card would work on the HGL30. eBay around for the best prices. It's around $15-25 for the Intel 3945.

 

Well according to futurepowerpc reseller rating(Overall Customer Satisfaction Rating), they have a pitiful Six-Month Rating of 4.38 / 10 but their lifetime rating is better at 8.04 / 10 so.........

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/FuturePowerPC
(Take a look at the comments and see if getting the barebone cheap is really worth it)

 

Huh, they seemed nice enough to me. They called me after I made the order just to ask if I wanted them to ship the network card right away because the barebone would take 3 weeks to get.

 

Be careful...the HGL30 has been discontinued so if they are telling you it will take 3 weeks to get...well...you may be quite disappointed after they hold your money for several weeks only to tell you that it is no longer available.

We actually have only 2 left at this instant, and once they are gone there will be no more.

 

Well, that's crap. If they're discontinued, why do some places say it's "special order"? Why don't they just remove it from their site? I'm going to have to call the place on Monday and cancel my order. Now I have to search for another barebone I can live with, since this was the only one that met all my desired specs.

 

you could try an asus, they're pretty neat. or you could always get one used off of ebay or maybe even a new one, who knows. that dpends tho how you feel about buying from such sources tho

 

Yeah, I just found the Asus S96Jm for even cheaper, and in stock at a number of places. Mostly the same specs, just it's bigger, which I was trying to avoid, but since I already have most of the parts for it anyway, I'll probably pick it up. Comes with bluetooth for free! No fingerprint scanner, though Oh well.

EDIT: Oops, bluetooth only comes built into the Z96Jm, not the S96Jm. Same notebook, just its black, has WSXGA and bluetooth, and costs more.

 

yeah, those fingerprint scanners are pretty neat. tho i run linux so anyway, there aren't any working drivers yet... development underway however, so maybe soon soon

 

be careful of websites with super low prices on somethings but "expensive" accessories. They will tell you the cheap thing is on backorder and send out the overpriced product, only to call you back and tell you they arent going to send out the cheap thing you wanted in the first place...they do that with digicams all the time,...cheap camera, expensive memory card....blach BOGUS!

 

Well, I can tell you that I ordered an Asus S96Jm from www.pcsuperdeals.com for only $455 ($505 tax + shipping). It was the absolute cheapest price around, and they had like 70 in stock. After I ordered it, I saw their ratings from sites like www.resellerratings.com, and started to worry if I'd even get it. I ordered it on a Saturday night, and found out the order processed at around 5pm on Sunday. I thought, Monday came and went, no message it was being delivered or anything. So, I called on Tuesday, and they assured me it was being sent, but they didn't have a tracking number yet. I was pleasently surprised to find that it was delivered that same day. I took my chances with them and got a positive experience, unlike some of the horror stories I've seen. Some of them are pretty spiteful, though, and from the looks of it, they're just making mountains out of a molehill.

 

Most of the negative stories come from when people have a problem. Luckily, you only had some poor communication. It looks like people have had to deal with much worse.