The Compal Notebook FAQ [read this first]

1. What is Compal?

Established in 1984, Compal Electronics is an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) based in
Taipei, Taiwan. While they may be relatively unknown to the everyday
consumer, Compal is regarded to be the 2nd LARGEST notebook manufacturer
in the world, being second only to Quanta. These two companies alone
produce over half of the world's notebooks! Compal has been producing notebooks for over
22 years.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile/display/20060102220108.html

Compal is responsible for manufacturing notebooks for many popular
brands, which include, but are not limited to: Dell, Compaq, HP, Fujitsu-Siemens,
etc
http://tuxmobil.org/laptop_oem.html

Generally, consumers will be unable to buy the notebook Compal produces
for other companies due to contract agreements. However, Compal also
releases their own line of whitebooks that are sold by resellers,
sometimes under different names.

2. What is a whitebook?

A whitebook is a highly configurable notebook that is often sold with
just the chassis and vital components such as the motherboard, screen,
battery, etc. What's missing is the software, CPU, RAM, Hard Drive,
Bluetooth, and occasionally optical drives. Often, Compal resellers
give consumers the option of having them install these components for them,
or allowing the consumer to purchase it as a barebone should he/she decide
to install these component themselves. As such, whitebooks can often end up costing
much less than their name brand counterparts. In addition, most American consumers
are able to avoid hefty sales tax, provided that they purchase a whitebook from a reseller
residing in a different state.

3. Where to find Compal?

Due to the number of resellers, as well as the varying designations given to
rebranded Compal whitebooks, it will be difficult to list them all. However
the list below represents some of the more well known Compal vendors.

USA:
PowerNotebooks - usually sold under Crown or PowerPro lines. Nevada based
Mwave - found in their configurable laptop section. California based
Agearnotebooks - found under Compal section. California based
Micro Express - California based
XoticPC - Nebraska based

Canada:
BizCOM - Ontario based - edit, now moved to California! -

Europe:
Multicom - Primarily Norwegian based
http://www.laptops4u.nl - Netherlands

Taiwan:
Marasst - One of the two large Compal distributors
Anadem - One of the two large Compal distributors

4. Summary of Compal Whitebooks:

3rd Generation Intel Core models 2012-2013 era-
Compal QAL30
Compal QAL50
Compal QAL51
Compal QAL51-FHD
Compal QAQ12

Centrino 2 models -
JHL90 - 15.4" wxga/wxga+/wsxga+ (glossy) Nvidia 9600M GT DDR2
JHL91 - 15.4" wxga (glossy) Intel x3100
JHT00 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Nvidia 9300M 256mb dedicated
JHT01 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Intel x3100

Santa Rosa models -
IFL90 - 15.4" wsxga (glossy/matte)/ wxga+ (glossy) / wxga (glossy) Nvidia 8600 512mb dedicated
IFL91 - 15.4" wsxga (glossy)/wxga (glossy) Intel x3100
IFT00 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Nvidia 8400 256mb dedicated (?)
IFT01 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Intel x3100

Core Duo / Core 2 Duo Yonah / Merom models -
HEL80 - 15.4" wxga (glossy)/wsxga (matte) Nvidia Go 7600 256mb dedicated
HEL81 - 15.4" wxga (glossy)/wsxga (matte) Intel 945GM embedded
HGL30 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Nvidia Go 7600 256mb dedicated (Powernotebooks has a matte option)
HGL31 - 14.1" wxga (glossy) Intel 945GM embedded

Pentium M Sonoma models -
MDL76 - 15.4" wxga (glossy)/wsxga (matte) ATi x600 128mb dedicated
MDL75 - 15.4" wxga (glossy)/wsxga (matte) Intel 915GM integrated
MAL50 - 14.1" xga, 15" xga/sxga+ (matte) ATi x600 128mb dedicated
MAL51 - 14.1" xga, 15" xga/sxga+ (matte) Intel 915GM integrated
MFL30/EFL30 - 14.1" wxga (matte) Nvidia Go 6400 64mb dedicated
MFL31/EFL31 - 14.1" wxga (matte) Intel 915GM integrated

Pentium M Dothan models -
IAL55 - 15" xga/sxga+ (matte) Intel 915GM integrated
CL56 - 15" sxga+ (matte) ATi 9700 128mb dedicated
CL51 - 14.1" xga, 15"xga (matte) Intel 855GM integrated

For pictures of these models, visit
http://www.marasst.com/index.htm

Many resellers often omit the first letter of the model name. For example
EFL30 is often labelled as FL30, and MDL76 as DL76.

5. Links & Resources

Reseller Ratings - Unsure of a reseller, check out their ratings! Simply type the name of the reseller under "Find A Store"
http://www.resellerratings.com/find.pl

Compal Electronic's homepage -
http://www.compal.com/index_En.htm

Compal Bios and Drivers -
http://www.compal.com/asp/driver_dnd/index.htm


6. Useful threads in this section

Ultimate Dummy Guide on Flashing the HEL80

Compal HEL80 Geforce Go 7600 OC Results

HEL80 Owners Lounge

HGL30 Owners Lounge

Latest Drivers for HEL80

 

well heres the faq, feel free to add or help edit it! I'm pretty sure there's more resellers than those above.

 

nice faq very well made and in a very good order if i do say so myself

 

Excellent job Goren...thank you!

 

rep point to goren for compiling information.

 

thanks stamar, really appreciate it

so anyone know any other resellers? preferably Europe, Australia, Asia, etc since the US is pretty much covered

 

i have definitely heard that quanta is the odm of all fujitsus

where is information that leads you to think that compal is?

your chart is like from 2002 or something

what id be most interested in is, right now current models. I mean, ok new model is out its toshiba yadda yadda, hp blah blah so who is the odm.
It would give us a good idea of what they make on the market.

I mean ok we can all look at like a inspiron b130 and say thats the cheapest thing there is. but ok, what are the most expensive compals out there?

the xps 1710 and the precision m90 come to mind. I wonder who makes the toshiba p105, i assume it is compal, i think all the satelites are compal but i could be wrong.

this is data i would like to know...

 

the chart is old, but I was referring to Fujitsu-Siemens, which include Siemen's line which definitely contain Compal and Uniwill models.

 

I agree this would be helpful information stamar, and any help you could give in digging up the answers would be appreciated by all of us.

Thank you in advance for you efforts doing this research.

 

Another good source for current statistics is:

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/MailHome.asp?datePublish=2006/6/19&pages=A1&seq=2

Notice that ASUS ins't even on the chart

 

Thanks for the information Goren!

 

Great info!

Is there a page that has more up-to-date drivers? I found one MXM notebook, but would like to check HEL80 etc

 

Here is a great (short) read about the battle between Compal and Quanta where that 36 cent difference I talked about earlier that caused Compal to lose a 1,000,000 laptop contract to Quanta:
http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/MailHome.asp?datePublish=2006/6/22&pages=PB&seq=200

"Quanta snatches Dell order from Compal
Latest news
Commercial Times, June 22; Rodney Chan, DigiTimes.com [Thursday 22 June 2006]

Quanta Computer has recently snatched from its chief competitor, Compal Electronics, a Dell order for 1 million units of a 15.4-inch notebook model, as the US vendor continues shifting orders between suppliers in a price-slashing strategy, according to the Chinese-language Commercial Times. Quanta is expected to ship 10 million notebooks to Dell next year, retaking the crown from Compal as the US vendor's biggest notebook supplier, the paper said.

Quanta will ship a total of 8.8 million notebooks in the first half of 2006, up 25.7% from the same period of last year, while Compal will ship 5.5 million notebooks in the first half of this year, up 22.2% on-year, according to the paper."

 

And here is another one that shows that while Quanta expects to ship about 17 million notebooks in 2006, and Compal expects to ship about 11 million notebooks in 2006, ASUS expects to ship about 6 million notebooks in 2006 which is only about half of what Compal will do.
http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/MailHome.asp?datePublish=2006/6/22&pages=A4&seq=13

"Asustek begins production at Shanghai plant

Latest news
Monica Chen, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DigiTimes.com [Thursday 22 June 2006]

Asustek Computer on June 21 announced the opening of its Nanhui plant in Shanghai, where production of notebooks and handheld devices is beginning to ramp-up. Asustek has invested a total of US$125 million in the new manufacturing site, which covers an area twice as large as the company's Suzhou plant (Jiangsu Province, China), the company said.

In line with adding production lines in Shanghai, Asustek is progressively expanding capacity at its 200-acre plant in Taiwan, according to company chairman and CEO Jonney Shih. Asustek expects complete capacity expansion in China and Taiwan to be fulfilled by the end of this year, said Shih.

Asustek's manufacturing facility in Suzhou mainly targets motherboards and desktop PCs, while production of its notebook PCs, LCD TVs and handheld electronics devices will be located at the new Nanhui plant, according to the Asustek China operation.

The capacity ramp-up will assist Asustek in reaching its notebook-shipment goal of around 6 million units in 2006, market sources indicated, adding that major contract orders for the Apple Mac-Book may contribute about 2 million units."

 

Too early to have drivers up on our Support page yet...we're still too busy building and shipping. We will have them up before too long though

 

NCIX.com also has the HEL80 in Canada (I think they ship to US too).

It's kinda confusing since you have to go to PC builder, Gaming, H80 Laptop.

 

Hello, for the european people, I bought my notebook HEL80 under the trade LittleBit in Switzerland.

www.littlebit.ch

A lot of Swiss retailers are selling "littlebit" in all the europe.

 

Welcome to the forums, zerohuit. And thanks for sharing that.

I believe Zepto's are available in Switzerland as well--the Znote 2425W is also the HEL80.

 

Thanks for all the info guys, it really helps. It's also nice to know about this stuff if someone asks you.

 

what is the zepto version of the compal hgl30?

 

Actually the Znote 6214W is not the HGL30. Zepto only carries the HEL80 as their Znote 2425W.

 

updated with the new santa rosa models

 

In Norway are Multicom.no probably the biggest webshop when it comes to Compal computers. Beside Zepto. The thing is just that multicom is about 20% cheaper than Zepto with the same specs (in fact the multicom computer are some better)! And they are an serius shop with good service and 10 years in the business. So the low price isn't because of low service, for that we a couple of years did have "whitebox.no", a terrible company.

In adition Multicom also sell the HGL30 wich Zepto does'nt. And zepto have just had the 1366*768 display resolution, while Multicom are selling HEL80 with the 1680*1050 version. Then they both have some models with lower resolution. The point is that multicom have more (and better) models. And that they are not just 20% cheaper, at that price you also get an much higher display resolution...


And just to say: I have NO connection to Multicom, I just think that when summarizing this arguments they should be listed in the list

- Amund
* who is realy looking forward to buy IFL90 as fast as it is possible to buy one (in Norway).

 

thanks! updated the faq with multicom

 

I Dont suppose Multicom supply to the UK (and have a English site) do they? As those prices are pretty good

 

Well, you could ask them on this email [email protected]. I guess you get an negative answer, but on the other hand you dont't loos anything by asking...

(Salg is norwegian for sale).

EDIT: Let me now what they answer

Btw. If you go directly to this page, I guess you can manage to set up your computer (even though it's on norwegian). I'm not sure how the prices of Multicom is at IFL90 compared to f.ex. the XoticPC price. Remember that in Norway is it 25% VAT.

And another thing: I think Zepto have never been verry cheap? So that Multicom is a bit cheaper than Zepto doesn't automaticly say that the prices of Multicom is SO good. (In Norway though is they the cheapest, but I mean that I would'nt be supriced if f.ex. XoticPC is cheaper).

- Amund

 

The fact that the likes of Xotic are in the US mean customs etc can be involved adding to the price, whereas Zepto supply to the UK, thats my main concern

Edit: anyway ive emailed them so will let you know the result

 

I'm not sure what jo meant now, but you do now that Multicom has nothing to do with Zepto right?

- Amund

 

yeah i know zepto has nothing to do with multicom, im just interested in the Compal IFL90, and so far the only 2 euro suppliers of Compal notebooks that ive found are multicom and zepto, and multicom seem cheaper, hence why i was interested in UK sales

Although im not sure the newer Zeptos are actually compals, despite very similar specs

 

I'm pretty sure Z-Note 6625/6624 is NOT Compal. This because Z-Note 2425 is HEL80, and when you now that 6625 is build on 6615 it's pretty obvious that 6625 is not Compal. Or at least: It's not IFL90. (That would have meant that Zepto had to HEL80 models with completely different model numbers. That isn't logical.)

And another thing: 6625 doesn't have the fingerprint reader.

If it was 6625 you was think about...

- Amund

 

The Compal supplier in the Netherlands is Laptops 4U : http://www.laptops4u.nl/

They sell The HEL80 and the IFL90.

Edit: They now also sell the IFT00 and the IFL91

 

Yep, and I'm a very happy customer.

 

what kind of warranty is associated with Compal machines?

 

The warranty is provided by your dealer, not Compal, so you would have to check your dealer's warranty.

 

What kind of quality/durability can I expect from Compal whitebooks? I'm looking at the IFT00, but I might use this laptop for 4 years of college(although, I'm somewhat of a laptop enthusiast now so I would probably replace it sooner). Anyone have any good/bad experiences to relate?

 

compal supplier in the UK

Rizeon

they even keep the compal names

will be buying a Fl90 from them very soon I hope

John

 

in Poland you can buy compal as californa access
for expmple ifl90 in our country is sold as ca m160s

 

Europe resellers:
Germany - http://www.nexoc.de/

 

I started just now and went right through this final post so forgive me if it´s repeated.
Here in Brazil, Amazon PC sells many Compal models without a mention to its original brand. The best is known as HEL 83, but is just a Compal HEL 80.
This is sold mostly on Internet but by major dealers in here, none specialized.
The other reseller I knew is PowerNote, http://www.powernote.com.br/Maxx.htm.
I bought mine from www.americanas.com.br, but it showed a misfunction at VGA external port and it don´t show any image anymore. Any external monitor I plug shows nothing although the driver recognize the PnP info of the monitor and even turn them on.
Ops sorry for the extension of this...
I guess it´s better to open a new post.
Overall I´m very satisfied with the equipament and its price tag.

 

I hink Ahtec is selling Compals as well now..

 

USA comparison shopping for computers and accessories:

http://computersnext.com

www.bizrate.com etc

Regards

 

Is Micro Express still a good place to buy? They have some bad feedbacks on resellerratings, but some are from non-techie people.

They say they have a 2 year parts/labor warrantee. I was thinking about buying the IFL90 barebones and just buying the HD, memory, and CPU on Newegg since they are cheaper there than on Micro Express.

My eventual config:

T7500
1GB DDR2 RAM
1680x1050 LCD
160GB WD SATA HD
Wifi and Bluetooth
1 extra ac adapter

$1284.92 after shipping

This is the cheapest I've seen. The next cheapest would be powerbooks at around $1400 before shipping (with the cash payment discount).

 

Thank you very much Goren.

 

In Europe, Germany:
Schenker-Notebooks

 

You can find Compal in www.ahtec.net for users in Spain (Europe)

 

You can find Compal at http://www.bto-notebooks.nl for users in Europe.

 

If you got nothing better to do with your money, you can buy this rip-off:

http://www.voodoopc.com/sellpage/sellpage.aspx?spid=82

 

www.mooncompal.com on the moon, just kidding

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???? 3000$ for the base configuration with crappy specs... Did they plate it with gold or something? That's not overpricing, that's highway robbery....

 

Yeah, it sound too expensive!