World's First DIY Notebook Kit: FL90

Not sure if anyone else has seen this but Zipzoomfly is offering Compal FL90 barebone kits.

Free 1GB memory and 60GB SATA drive. you get to customize the configuration and they send you the parts to assemble.

i think this is an industry first (from major etailer) ... DIY laptop. finally starting to get close to what we've been able to do with desktops forever.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/NBmicro/BIYConfig.html

 

Thanks bud, but barebones kits have been out forever now. They're called whitebooks, and Xoticpc.com, powernotebooks.com, Gentechpc.com have all offered them for quite a while.

http://www.xoticpc.com/index.php/cPath/95_51_174

 

yeah but i guess i've never seen DIY pricing like this before:
FL90 w/ 8600-512, 1680x1050 screen, T7500, 2GB Corsair, 160GB-7200rpm HDD

Only $1386 at zipzoom vs. $1507 at Xoticpc. And at the zipzoom price includes XP Pro.

cool to see big online retailer get into the mobile DIY game with decent prices.

 

the free 1gb memory and 60gb drive are sweet deal, but the laptop is bundled with windows vista might scare some people who doesn't like vista.


EDIT: sorry I didn't see there's bundle with XP but I still like some more option like no bundle with OS.

 

do you find it strange that all three models have a Vista Business option for OS?

 

Looks like Chem USA is providing warranty for the FL90 units for sale at zipzoomfly. anyone have experience or knowledge of their service/support?

 

they have IFL90 pictures but it's actually a FL90? wtf!!11!11!!...

 

thats pretty sweet .. i know they have ben around for years but to come from a large etailer like that is pretty sweet ..price is great!!

 

Zipzoomfly now has the Compal DIY kit with a "Do Not Include OS" option! Time to go get myself one.

Still would like hear feedback on Chem USA support if anyone has past experience.

 

ChemUSA's IFL90
For $750
You get WSXGA+ with 6-cell battery thou.

 

10006842 $649.99
COMPAL 4090 Series FL90 15.4in DDR2 667 Barebone Notebook Black Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006842

10006843 $749.99
COMPAL 4090 Series FL90-S 15.4in DDR2 667 Barebone Notebook Black Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006843

 

looks like the only difference between these two models is screen resolution. for $650 you get 1280x800 and for $750 you get 1680x1050. Both have nvidia 8600M GT w/ 512M.

but if you buy one of them as a kit with cpu, memory, hdd you save $160 or more. killer deal.

 

You only save $61 if you buy KIT.
$1009 (No OS) - CPU, RAM, HDD, NETWORKING = $589.02

I would say this is a good chance for people to purchase WSXGA+ from ZipZoomFly.com instead of waiting on Sager.

And then purchase the rest of parts to make it work.

 

Not at all. Vista Business is the normal version of Vista. It has all the features of Ultimate minus the media center, where every other version has only the media center and none of the advanced options.

 

Just to let you guys know, theres a $160 discount if you choose T7500 BUT IT INCREASES TO $180 DISCOUNT IF YOU CHOOSE T7100

Heres my cart

Zipzoomfly Kit
--------------
$650 FL90 Barebone
$220 T7100 - 1.8GHz
$58 60GB HD
$32 1GB Hynix DDR2 667 RAM
$50 Wireless n
----- No OS
____________________
$1010
- $180 Discount
-----------------------
$830

 

That looks like the value package.
My choice was the Show Stopper package (WSXGA+).
That's why.

 

Doesn't mean it wasn't a good deal!

 

I really hope the 1280x800 still have nvidia 8600M GT w/ 512mb. Under the product description on zipzoomfly site it says nVidia GeForce 8600M GT 512MB but under the kit configuration (black background) it says 256mb

Which one is it?

 

Nevermind, its 256mb

This is from http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Compal-FL90-Notebook.4209.0.html

 

Sager NP2090 (IFL/FL90) WXGA only use 8600M GT w/Dedicated 256MB GDDR2 (TurboCache 512MB), plus 6-cell battery.
WSXGA+ comes with dedicated 512MB GDDR2, plus 9-cell battery.

 

That is NOT TRUE. The Sager NP2090 is the IFL90, not the FL90, and the WXGA has 512MB with the 9 cell battery.

 

That's odd.
I thought IFL90 = FL90.
On Compal's website, there's just IFL90
http://www.compal.com/Product/Html/notebook/IFL90.htm

 

I am really not sure of whether it is 512MB or 256MB for the 1280x800 FL90... or whether it comes with the 9-cell. It says differently for everywhere...

 

according to Chem USA, both of the FL90 models have 512MB video regardless of resolution. ZZF should update their details on the performance kit.

 

There is a difference between the FL90 and the IFL90.

The FL90 is the CBB/VBI version and the WXGA screen comes with 256MB and a 6 cell battery.

The IFL90 is the higher end Channel version that comes with 512MB and a 9 cell battery. This is the Sager NP2090.

There are unfortunately many vendors that do not know the distinction. What ZZF is selling is the FL90 VBI version WXGA with 256MB and the 6 cell battery.

 

Palladin44, if you add both skus to shopping cart you can see they are listed as Compal 4090 and both have 512 of memory. only difference is screen resolution. i have the 1680x1050 version and it came with 9 cell batt. this is NOT a VBI version. hi gloss piano finish too.

i also confirmed directly with Chem USA:
-WSXGA+ is 1680 X 1050 resolution with NVIDIA 8600GT/512MB (Showstopper sku)
-WXGA is 1280 X 800 resolution with NVIDIA 8600GT/512MB (performance sku)
-Both are 9-cell battery
-IFL90 not FL90

 

honestly it doesnt matter... you will see next to no real world difference between the 256 and 512. now if one was ddr2 and the other ddr3 than yes there would be a huge diffrence. 256 will do basically the same things a 512 would do unless you are doing major graphic work in which case the 512 would have a slight advantage stil should be small though..

 

I wouldn't say so.
Video memory is used to store 3D vector data, textures, backbuffers, overlays and GPU programs. If we run games at higher solution, the PC would suffer with little RAM. Therefore the WSXGA+ is recommended to equip GPU with 512MB of VRAM.

 

i agree with you masterbw but the point is both models have 512 so it's a none issue. now the only question to be answered ... is the additional resolution worth the additional $100?

 

Good question.
1. WXGA (1280 x 800) - Close to 1024 x 768
This is the standard resolution for 15" up/down.
2. WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) - Close to 1280 x 1024
Enhanced resolution for 15" up/down.

Nowadays, what would be the most suitable resolution?
The PRO: I would say with 1280 x 1024, we can have more stuff on the screen, see more, and enjoy more. High resolution of gaming, graphic design, and high def video. I would say $100 is worth it.
The CON: Due to higher resolution, people with weakened vision may not like it since they won't be able to see the text clearly. In addition, due to high demand this LCD panel is hard to come by, so the long wait is pain in the butts.

 

imo wsxga on the 15.4 is perfect. i am not a fan of the wxga+ id rather have a wxga instead but id still pick the wsxga first. imo its def not to small till you have seen te wuxga on a 15" lol.. now thats small...

 

I am really considering to buy barebone from http://www.zipzoomfly.com/NBmicro/BIYConfig.html and install the components myself. I have some questions. Please help me on this.

1) In order complete page it says IFL90 but when i add NB to cart it says COMPAL 4090 Series FL90-S. Which one is correct? Or 4090 Series FL90-S = IFL90?
2) Is it risk to installl the componenets myself?
3) How will the warranty works for barebone? As we need to open the system for installing components.
4) If i buy NB from US and if i go back to home country (India) within the warranty period will i get support there?

 

Guys, any help?

 

1) Its a FL90
2) Well watch this and ask yourself if you think you can reproduce it : http://syndication.intel.com/DistributeModule.aspx?ppc_cid=GF1_0003064101 about the same is putting a desktop computer by yourself.
3) I don't think it is an International warranty... So if you need to repair it you';; have to find somebody to ship it for you a receive it within the us...

 

just trying to get some clarification, is the wsxga+ glossy screen?
Thanks
-TNK

 

NO, it is a matte screen.

 

Thanks for the reply....

 

we recieved my mom's wsxga system today if anyone has questions.

 

Which one doid you order? COMPAL 4090 Series FL90-S or normal one?

Did you install all the components? If yes how difficult was it? IS there any performance difference betweel IFL 90 and COMPAL 4090 Series FL90-S?

Which batery it has, 9 or 6 cell? Is it sticking out?

Thanks in advance.

 

The picture seems to be an IFL, is that right or is it the FL? Can someone point to pictures that are right?

 

Has anyone received his?

 

Okay, so I've been looking around for notebooks and have decided to just get this barebones laptop. (IFL90)

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006843&prodlist=msn

Then this Hard Drive (Western Digital 250 gig, 8 MB Buffer)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136159

Then this for a CPU (Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4Ghz 800FSB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111316

Two of these for memory (2 Gig Patriot Stick)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220229


Okay is there anything else that I might need, and is it just this simple as to just format the drive, load the operating system, install all the components and then be good to go? It seems like I'm missing something because it seems too simple. Well thank you everyone for this thread, it has helped much. Oh, also, is there any possibility that the barebones won't be around for long or is it here to stay for a while?

 

Yes, it really is that simple. Use ZZF's PDF download as a guide. You can find it on this page:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/NBmicro/BIYConfig.html

You might also save a bit of cash by using the "Show Stopper" link on that page to build your IFL90.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you'd be missing a wireless receiver.

 

The hard drive( Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVE ATA-6) wont work. You need a SATA(Serial-ATA) hard drive for the (I)FL90.

 

you can get the 200gb sata for 150 on newegg... I think I saw a 320gb on the western digital website for 189...

 

That would be a desktop drive, more like $89

 

More like $200 and it's for notebooks.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=377

 

Thanks guys. I meant to post this Drive, got mixed up when i went searching for it and copied the wrong page

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136123

Oh and i already have a wireless card for the express slot. It's not necessary to have both is it? I really don't know. Well either way, thanks So what is the best version of Vista in your opinion that is 64-bit? I've always liked business/professional OS's so that's the area i'm heading right now.

 

Sorry for bringing this thread back to life, but does anyone know ZZF's return policy on these? I'm concerned because their resellerratings score is a bit low and people seem to complain about difficulty getting in touch with them. I'm thinking of getting the showstopper, but I'm concerned about dead pixels... Also, does anyone know other places that sell the barebones IFL90? I've seen them at Micro Express and RJ Tech, any other places?