VBI HEL 80 out!

for those of you, for some reason want the VBI version of the HEL 80.. well it's out!

If you don't like the black/silver/brushed aluminum look of the HEL80, or complained that it was more expensive than the S96J.. well here it is. A nearly all Silver model that costs the same as the S96J. However it should be noted that some resellers have expressed serious concern with the VBI program in general.

pics from RJtech site..

 

Ok. This is weird. The top pic shows the unit without a fingerprint reader but the bottom one does. What's up with that?

 

Can't say I like the VBI version as much as the non-VBI one. The aluminum trim on it looks very nice. Also, the touchpad buttons on this one look smaller with the fingerprint reader than the non-VBI version. I don't see the advantages to buying this one.

 

WHere did the camera go??

 

I ordered one of those, my friend already has one. Only his definitely has the cam and fingerprint reader.

As posted in the HEL-80 lounge, here's the pic where you can see the cam and fingerprint reader: click.

 

Those pics look like they are showing two seperate versions. The HEL81 which has integrated graphics and NO finger print reader and NO camera is in the first picture. The HEL80 VBI is present in the last picture.

 

It looks quite a bit like the S96J/Z96J--especially the top of the lid.

And if I'm remembering correctly--you can't configure this one as well as the non-VBI...right?

 

I've been lurking on NBR for a while now to get all the info i can about the HEL80, and from what i can see of the last photo (if i am correct that is a VBI HEL80), all the multimedia buttons are missing as well as the caps/num/scroll lock toggle lights. I can live with the lights missing, but why remove the multimedia buttons? I like the color scheme a bit more than the non-VBI, but the absence of the multimedia buttons is a bit of a turn off.

edit: ok, i just found out that the multimedia buttons are the "instant-on" media buttons. however, they should work normally with the right software in windows xp right?

 

So... let me ask the obvious question in all our minds...

What is the difference?

 

read above.. there's a bunch of missing buttons on the non VBI version. There's now wsxga+ option, just wxga. The screen is the same one used in the Asus S96J.. as well as a number of other components (keyboard is exactly the same)..etc.

Warranty is also different, at least for the resellers handling it.

 

There isn't really an "instant on" feature on the HEL80, so yeah, the buttons are pretty much to control playback in programs like windows media player.


I really don't see the point in the VBI program. From this it looks like all they're doing is cheapening a good notebook and making it look more standard...

 

The items on the HEL80 that are not on the EL80 VBI version:

1. The brushed aluminum trim on the LCD cover and keyboard
2. Multimedia buttons on the left
3. TPM 1.2 by Infineon
4. Caps/Num/Scroll lock lights.
5. Lighted Power On and accessory buttons
6. Wider touchpad buttons
6. Only comes with the WXGA Glossy screen

They both have the camera and the Biometric Fingerprint Scanner standard, with the TV Tuner option.

The warranty will be different depending on your dealer.

The price difference is minimal (less than $50)

 

I agree Sharkfin. The other reasons you won't see PowerNotebooks.com carrying the VBI version are:

At this point accessory parts like spare batteries, AC Adapters, keyboards etc. are almost impossible to get, but that should smooth out over time.

However there are 5 points that are problematic with the VBI Warranty program at this time. I am not sure there is any way to work them out as you can see if you think about what it would take to eliminate them...only time will tell.

These issues are all caused by the way Intel administers the warranty program.

If the user has a failure with any part of the shell including ports, Express or PCMCIA slots, motherboard or LCD issues like a failed back light or inverter board the dealer has to strip the laptop all the way down to the bare shell (the processor, memory, hard drive, wireless card, Bluetooth, battery, keyboard, ODD drive have to be removed) and then ship the shell back at their cost to Intel for a shell EXCHANGE, not a component level repair. This means the user never gets their original shell back. In about 2-3 weeks the dealer will get the exchange shell and will then have to rebuild the entire system once again. This could cause the following issues for both the dealer and the user.

1. The time and cost of the tech support with the customer and then Intel to get the RMA, the tear down, shipping, rebuilding, and replacement of the Custom LCD Panel (it won't be returned since the shell will be "exchanged" and not repaired).
2. It will take at least two weeks for the exchange including shipping times, and more likely will be 3 weeks.
3. The exchanged shell could have up to 5 defective pixels and there is nothing the dealer or customer can do about it because the warranty only allows for replacement if there are more than 5. So if you have a perfect screen when you take it in for warranty, there is no guarantee that you will get one back the same way.
4. The exchanged shell could have a scratched LCD screen or case and there is nothing the dealer or customer can do about it.
5. Since the dealer cannot get component parts of the shell like the inverter board, back lights, motherboards or motherboard component parts (it is a shell exchange program and there is no where to get the individual parts except from cannibalizing new shells) there is no way for the dealer to make component level repairs after the Intel warranty is over.

Also, see this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1425928&postcount=207

 

The link doesn't work... :/

 

Please try it now.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1425928&postcount=207

 

Interesting points, a lot of stuff that you're certainly not going to read in any of Intel's marketing brochures about this program.

 

That's not true, I've seen the VBI version and it does has the slide cover for the camera.

 

Thanks...I have corrected my post