S96j > Hel80

I'm about to get a S96J (signature). It's been ordered thru powernotebooks. Which should get them in sometime next week.

Convince me to get the HEL80. How are you current HEL80 owners liking it?

 

i'd take the HEL80 over the S96J because:

-its build quality is reportedly better
-standard 9-cell battery
-PCMCIA and Express card
-WSXGA+ matte screen with that new prism jazz. also, i'm so tired of the annoying glare from my current glossy screen.
-fingerprint scanner
-IT'S JUST BETTER, GOSH!

 

Its also:

• Ugly
• Bulky
• Heavier
• Looks Like a Pre 2k4 Laptop
• Not As Mobile as an S96J
• UGLY!!!

Did I mention the higher res screen makes the 7600 work harder, effectively lowering performance 5-15%?


I love my S96J as in sig, it killed the Prey Demo, everything on and high and very smooth, so is BF2 and Americas Army. Plus ATI cards have a bit more OC'ing and longer lasting potential.


P.S. Matte screens suck.


Fingerprint scanner? Pretty useless, plus it takes just as long to verify your finger print than it would to type and enter your password.

 

The design of the Asus looks superior.....especially in regards to heat dissipation with what appears to be a larger heatsink and fan and better intake location.

As far as the features, I think the Compal's PCMCIA and 9-cell battery is it's key difference.

 

The Hel 80 seems (to me at least) to be more aesthetically pleasing ..though I have seen an S96J first hand, not a HEL 80 (I will tmw when mine comes ) but the S96J is not very impressive to look at by any means but its all relative to the person and how much looks matter to you in a laptop. The brushed aluminum was a def plus for it with me.

The Hel80 has many more available and stock features than an S96J.
The WSXGA+ matte screen like rice said is a def plus for it also.
The build quality, from what others have said, is good..but the Asus build quality is solid also.
The Hel 80 might perform better in OpenGL based games with its Nvidia 7600 card. The reason I said might is due to the fact that the Hel 80 is naturally underclocked slightly.

But at least your stuck on two excellent laptops and you have narrowed it down to these 2. I dont think you could go wrong with either one really..just pointing out a few positive idiosyncrasies of the Hel 80 over the S96J.

 

i disagree with all those points (referring to post #3). nevermind the "ugly" bit, as beauty in the eye of the beholder, and there is certainly no consensus that the HEL80 is bad looking. I think I like it just a little better than the S96j, but would hold off on judgement until I could see it in person.

As far as mobility, how are they not exactly the same in every practical sense? I've found it plenty easy to carry around and all that. It's a 15.4", but not bad for that size.

As for the performance thing, that's just flat out wrong. The ATI card has a lead there anyways, but as far as resolution affecting performance, you can turn that down. I play Oblivion at 1280x800, and it scales *very* nicely. I don't notice it at all. Of course, if I were to compare them back to back, it'd be visible that it was in a lower resolution, but without that comparison, and without looking very closely, I literally see nothing that indicates the game is scaled below native.

I like my Compal HEL80 very much, yes.

 

The only real important difference between the Compal and the Asus is the options. I'm going to assume the WSXGA isnt important to you because you didn't choose the Z96j, so all you need to figure out is if you want a fingerprint reader, the option for a built in tv tuner, and/or the 9-cell battery. If you don't, get the S96j, it'll be cheaper.

 

I like the s96j and Hel 80 a lot and thought I would get an s96j (better price), but the grainy screen issue (though some people don't seem to have the problem, or don't notice?) has me concerned. How are Hel 80 owners finding their screens?

 

how is the HEL80 not as mobile and more bulky than the ASUS? Have you actually looked at the dimensions of both?! i prefer matte screens because of the environments that i use my notebook in and i like the extra screen real estate for big spreadsheets and whatnot.

i also want to be able to game on the go, but i have a desktop at home with a 3800 X2 and 7900GT, so my notebook is more of a supplement to gaming rather than my primary rig.

regarding build quality, i believe paladin has expressed his preference for the HEL80 on more than one occasion, and i certainly doubt he's biased since he sells both!

as for beauty, we all know that is in the eye of the beholder. everyone has opinions, though, and you're certainly entitled to yours.

-Scott

 

First, they are both spectacular systems that have excellent price-to-performance ratios. I was torn between the two and was leaning towards the S96J until I was convinced to go with the HEL80. I do not regret the change. Either way, you will be happy.

But since you have already ordered your S96J, obviously you have been leaning in that direction for a reason.

Reasons for the HEL80:
1) Brushed aluminum lid and keyboard trim. This thing looks much better in person than the photos online make it out to be.
2) Fingerprint scanner that also has built-in password recognition software for your various passwords on the internet.
3) Per Donald at Powernotebooks and Chaz: better design, build quality, and richer feature set.
4) Matte WSXGA+ screen with Samsung's new technology (I've had both matte and glossy screens and can tell you that I prefer the matte after working with both).
5) Standard 9 cell battery (does stick out a little in the back though if that bothers you).
6) This thing runs unbelievably quiet and only gets warm with heavy use.
7) STANDARD 3 YEAR WARRANTY, NEXT DAY SHIPPING BOTH WAYS on the PowerPro from powernotebooks.

In the end, I think the systems are neck and neck. Both are great and either would make their owner happy.

 

based on some of the comments, lets avoid turning this into an pissing match between two brands, this is not NBF.

As far as S96j and HEL80 goes.. I believe teh Z96J is the better unit to compare the HEL80 to as they are both non-VBI, similar price range, and offering higher resolution screens.

Not too many resellers are keen on the VBI program due to the conditions Intel has put on them, let alone if it will fizzle out or not by next year which is why some are taking off VBI models on their list, or have not included them period.

As far as looks and mobility go.. its all up to one's personal opinion. I think between the two, the Compal has a more interesting look, but both are pretty ugly, especially compared to 15.4" models from last year.

mobility wise.. they are BOTH similar in size and weight..
S96J - 14.25" x 10.55" x 1.54"
6.8 lb. including battery
HEL80 - 14.25" x 10.4" x 1.25~1.5"
6.95 lb. including battery

the S96J "looks" thinner because the sides in the front angle inwards, giving the impression that it is thinner at certain angles.

as for what the HEL80 offers, its primary selling point imho, is the TV tuner (for those who need it), matte wsxga+ screen (there are still a number who prefer matte, although yes, there is a glossy wxga option), longer battery life, and the fact that it runs cool even under load and overclocked. Those who prefer Nvidia (mainly them Linux users) will find the 7600 a more attractive option than ATi.

 

I hope I did not add fuel to the pissing-match-fire with my previous post in this thread. I would like to apologize to anyone who may have taken it to be HEL80 propaganda.

Like I said, I believe both systems to be exceptional. I merely listed my reasons for choosing the HEL80 as INEEDMONEY asked to be convinced on that particular model.

 

ill let you guys know what i think about it tomarrow when i get it!

 

personally I LOVE my HEL80 I cannot compare it to the S96J but the slider on the webcam personally to me is one of the best features and the fingerprint scanner has some bad points like whenever i go onto a different computer it takes me a good 5 minutes sometimes to remember my passwords but apart from that its all great

 

This thread is pointless. If one notebook is superior to all others, then everyone would be walking around with the same notebook!

Instead, think of this. Think about how many mainstream consumers are out there wishing for the exact config that you have for the price you paid, but they are ignorant of NBR, Asus, and Compal. I visited my school the other day and couldn't stop grinning at all the uninformed college freshmen scrambling for a dell, hp, or sony.

 

Yeh I'm so glad that I found this forum, and im so excited to get my hel80 tomarrow!!!

 

Yup Im getting mine tmw also...and im really looking forward to it.. but yea SaferSephiroth your def right about it...both of them are great notebooks for the price..Im just glad I had a great buying experience with PowerNotebooks.com and im getting a great laptop for the $$.

I think Ill take some pics of my Hel 80 and up them up here..I havnt found any pictures of the Hel 80 with anything in the background to compare it too so I think Ill go ahead and fill the gap.

 

Wow, I can't believe you would actually criticize a notebook for having a higher resolution screen because the performance would decrease slightly. With that card, you will not notice the decrease in performance. In games, you can set the resolution to whatever you want, so your desktop resolution really doesn't matter in terms of performance.

WSXGA+ is a BENEFIT over WXGA, not a liability. Just curious, did you also play Prey and BF2 at 640x480 so that you would get the max frame rates and not suffer from a decrease in performance?

I have seen both notebooks up close. I think the S96J is nicer to look at. The copper frame around the keyboard on the HEL80 just killed it for me. If you are going to compare the HEL80 with the WSXGA+ screen with another notebook, compare it to the Z96J, not the S96J.

 

Thanks guys. All great post.

That's so true. I'm glad I found this forum, else I would have never known about all these other better choices outside of the mainstream.

Does one have a significantly better build over the other?

Well I'll be making my decision sometime today. Maybe I can bargain with Paladin

 

ineedmoney...have you considered the z96J?

 

Mmm...i'm not really willing to pay for the higher res screen. I'm fine with the 1280x800. Other than that its just the bluetooth the Z96J has over the S96J. I'm really leaning towards the HEL80 right now though and the HGL30 at agearnotebooks. *sigh*

 

It is actually very useful, and extremely convenient. I always had thought it to be a gimmick until I actually had a chance to use one.

I would take the Compal over the *Asus* for many reasons others have already stated
-Better fit and finish
-Better high-res matte screen
-Video camera, fingerprint reader
-Superior cooling
-Nicer fit and finish, great keyboard
-Feels wonderfully solid, awesome design.

I'm not downplaying the S96J, simply stating that I believe the Compal HEL80 to be a more well-rounded machine.

I 110% recommend PowerNotebooks.com. Their PowerPro L 8:15 has a 3-yr standard warranty.

 

Hmm...Compal over the Dell, Chaz? You're calling the Asus a Dell?! haha, people are going to be bad at that hehe

But i'm tired of thinking about the whole thing...I just placed my order for the HEL80 w/powernotebooks. It all came down to when I would get it. I could get the HEL80 a few days earlier than the S96J cause the S96J isn't in stock

 

If you need a good system, that is well rounded and can keep up in gaming and portability, go for the S96j.

I have been using this notebook for a couple days now, and overall its a good(have a better word but its a bad word) compliment of power and capability. Though it supposedely looks bad, its a good look to a nice feature set. The Hel80 is a nice notebook,but im an ATi guy, so the card was the difference maker.

 

Ah shoot, I was typing a "What Should I Buy" recommendation at the same time and must have forgot I was typing in here

 

ah that explains everything. I was wondering about it since you already have an S96 in your sig.

I personally am not too keen on the VBI program, both Powernotebooks and ProPortable have expressed great uncertainty about Intel's program.

 

Congratulations! I think you will be more than happy. Did you order the Crown or the PowerPro?

 

dont worry ..you made a great choice..i am on mine right now and the pictures really dont do it justice at all. i can blaze through Hitman: Blood Money at native resolution no problem at all and the dual core patch on Quake 4 runs great too on it. Overall I am extremely pleased and I feel you will be also.

oh yea the choices of colors for the LED lights are great..they really make it stand out

 

PowerPro of course. It was like a $3 more for it when I configured them lol. Not sure why

I opted to not get the bluetooth or tv tuner just because of the money issue, but hopefully i'll be getting them by the end of the year and another 1GB stick.

 

Congratulations on your purchase. You will not be disappointed.

 

I agree that you will not be disappointed with this laptop. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

get the asus
i can't believe people think the compal is attractive.
i'm behind usapatriot all the way.
the compal is just plain ugly and bulky

 

The cooling on the S96j is good, and when checking the GPU temps, it stays pretty cool. The design of the S96 is nice, and compared to the Hel80, 80 does win, but that aluminum finish does bring up more interests to thieves(though protecting your notebook is a must.

 

its not bulky, the side by side comparison done by xoticpc has shown that its the same thickness and has a slightly lower height.

 

I think the Compal is smexy. It fits my bill. Besides, I <3 nVidia's linux drivers.

 

Yeah it is nice...i found the Asus to be plain

But Donald said my HEL80 was shipped yesterday so I should be getting it next wednesday

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but to present it the way you do does not persuade, it only angers people.

When giving your "opinion" about whether you like the "looks" of something, state it as an opinion. When you state it as a fact, as if you are the supreme judge of how something "looks", it only makes you out to be foolish.

I guess that is why your rep button is red

 

Well, you're entitled to your opinion about how the HEL80 looks -- ugly is in the eye of the beholder, or something like that.

But bulky? Are you looking at the same pictures the rest of us are? These shots clearly show what anyone willing to just look at the specs already know: the HEL80 is the same as, if not *less* bulky than the S96j.

S96J: 14.25" x 10.55" x 1.54"
HEL80: 14.25" x 10.4" x 1.25~1.5"

So, the HEL80 is *smaller* (if only a smidge) in two of three dimensions, equal in the third. They differ by a scant .05 lbs -- within the margin of variability, I'm sure.

We know you love your S96j. I can understand why; it's a fine machine. We know you don't like the HEL80. Now give it a rest, will ya?