Trying to figure out which computer to get.

Excellent point and I am trying to use smaller sentences . I will try the filters first to start. However no matter the outcome Donald has plenty of other computers that I could get anyways. So one scenario is I could opt for the glossy Compal screen which I have read some good things and some bad things as always or worst case get another machine. I am starting to feel very confident in PowerNotebooks and Donald they have a first class operation.

 

See if you can find a local PC Club.. * http://www.pcclub.com* They have the compal with the glossy screen under their own brand, take a look at it before you decide... Thats where I went to look at the screen, and other then fullscreen video's, I could tell I wouldn't like it.

Make sure to open some sort of document to read (take a pen drive with you that has some kinda HD video clip, and take some programming documentation with you) That way they can't use anything you haven't seen before, will make it easier to tell how it looks to you. Get some nice game trailers in HD here.. http://www.gametrailers.com/

 

Thanks all excellent ideas I am going to check on the clubs now.

Thanks Again

Alas you are from the West coast I am from the other coast. But it is a good idea and I am determined to find one near me.

 

I've heard that best buy also has the VBI version under their own name, maybe you could check that one out? I am pretty sure that the VBI only has the glossy..

 

Yes everyone heard that from me but it isn't at the stores yet and it is the 1680x1050. I have found one place but they are an online company however they are down the street from me so maybe they will give me a break. I did try this initially before I found this forum but everyone gives their own brand name and most really don't mention Compal at all. So it is a little bit of a challenge but what is life without challenges.

 

Well, to be fair, glare aside (not much of a problem for me since I'm always in near dark), the glossy looked better for full screen video's at any brightness, but text wasn't as sharp (more resolutions fault then technology). At maximum brightness with with 1 setting up for digital vibrance makes the matte screen very close.. but not quite all the way there..

Right now I've got my screen all the way up (just about a minute ago), and I've got to squint to see this screen at all and I can already feel the headache coming so I'll turn it back down..

 

Pyro those are helpful observations. I am amazed that you can put the brightness down at all which makes me believe that we have two totally different experiences with the screen . But now can you tell if you are getting a headache from the brightness or from there not being enough contrast? I get headaches using my wife's Toshiba which is glossy but a good screen just the same but it takes a while. I did notice that when I used the matte I literally had trouble seeing afterwards for about 5 minutes but no headaches. This lead me to believe that the resolution is too small so I am focusing too hard for too long and straining my eye muscles but it is hard to tell if it is the resolution, dimness or contrast that is causing the problem.

 

I have heard from Donald that the screen was faulty and I should be getting it back by Thursday. I can't wait to see what the screen should have looked like I will hopefully be wowed.

 

Sorry to hear about the bad screen. Happy to hear this is already being sorted out.

I feel confident enough to say you will love the WSXGA+ matte screen on this notebook. Enjoy!

 

Good update... Grats to Powernotebooks on more excellent service.

 

Thanks Chris and Pyro I am psyched I thought it was just me well I will tell you how it goes when I get it back. Hopefully the increase in brightness will be enough because it is a great screen and a great computer. PowerNotebooks has been excellent.

 

I just received my computer today with the screen fixed it is still a little high resolution wise but it is very very bright now much much better.

 

Happy to hear that. Enjoy your HEL80.

 

You can change icon sizes, and font sizes and whatnot for the OS.. you might want to consider this.

 

I changed the DPI settings a little weird looking but easier. I may just get used to it. It is a much better screen now than it was it is too bad that none of these LCD screens can go between resolutions, that looks awful and it would be nice to have the 1680x1050 res some of the time and maybe 1280x800 other times like when you get a little tired. This is a really great computer probably the only thing that comes close is the Lenovo Thinkpad but those are a little expensive and I am sure that PowerNotebooks would give better support. Also they have poor graphics cards and I don't game at all but still want to see Vista crank without slowing down to a crawl and other 3D type stuff.

 

You could be all means add the custom resolution 1280x800 to your resolution list using the nvidia tool.

As for watching your system "crank", try linux if that is what you want =P

Remember all those great 3D desktop settings from Vista (Glass/Aero) will drain your battery since you are essentially rendering your entire desktop like a fullscreen game.

 

I tried the 1280x800 resolution but it looks really bad, bigger but bad I am currently using 120 dpi. I will use it for the next couple of days and see if I get used to it because it is an excellent screen. It takes a little push sometimes to know your limitations . Once I get the resolution thing under control I do plan on making it a dual boot system running Linux.

 

Beryl on Linux is one of those things that makes people envious It chews through battery life, though. Gotta underclock my video on Linux one of these days.

 

Cool, yet useless... lol

 

I think I am adjusting because the screen is getting much easier and not hurting my eyes so much I guess it just takes a little time. I think this is the highest usable resolution.

 

Alas I will have to send back the Hel80 and get the Glossy Screen for it. I simply can't adjust to the sharpness of the 1680x1050 res. I do agree with everyone though now that it was replaced, my first matte was defective, that it is an awesome screen simply the best I have ever seen and it is in fact brighter than my wife's Toshiba with glossy screen. Also I have to say that the colors are true on a matte and I think that the colors on the glossy are diffused. For example white on the matte Compal screen is far more intense white than my wife's glossy Toshiba which is actually off white. I think the glossy screen is inferior when compared to the Compal's screen and I think some reviewer may have unfortunately been testing with defective screens. I do think that the sharpness and intensity may be difficult for some people. I post this to help others and also to see if anyone has ever been able to go down to 1400x1050 resolution on this screen without massive distortion I will try anything to keep the matte that is how good it is I generally wouldn't waste my time. If anyone has succeeded in finding a lower workable resolution please post.

Thanks

 

I don't know how feasible a solution this is for you, but you could consider a larger, lower-resolution external monitor for your home use.

By the way, do you have the "fixed aspect ratio scaling" feature enabled on your go 7600?

 

I have tried the fixed aspect ratio but it shuts shrinks the sides of the screen and so everything is just as small unless I am missing something. It is tough to beat the native resolution requirement of LCD panels.

 

Check my last post on hel80 screen pg 2.

 

Hey,

Anyone out there want to take a stab at pros and cons of Aj8s vs Hgl-30? My interested is in build quality and screen/angles. Too bad i can't get my hands on them side-by-side.

thanks!!!

 

I'd like to do that myself. I've had my HGL30 for 2 days now and so far I love it. The only thing I've found that I DON'T like is the click/drag mode on the touchpad...it defaults to enabled, so make sure to disable it.

I'll be installing games and transferring my documents tonight, so I'll hopefully have a chance to do some testing. I'm thinking about how I'm going to set the 7600, since I've got some old 2d games (Jagged Alliance 2) that I want to scale, but I want them to stay 4:3 aspect if possible.

 

"Display Adapter Scaling" should let you do fix aspect ratio scaling. thats what I use so I can play BF2142 at 1400x1050.