how are compals so cheap?

how is it really possible that you can get a compal ifl90 with a geforce 8600gt 512mb card, 2.2ghz processor, good hard drive, RAM, etc. for under 2,000? similarly specced laptops from dell or other places are in the 3000s.. is there a catch? are compal laptops really that cheap?

 

well, the middlemen that sell the notebooks don't make such a high profit, and since compal is trying to enter the consumer market, im guessing they are keeping prices low, and really, it cost less to make laptops than u think. there generally is no catch other than buying from a non big brand name, but sellers that sell compals ie xotic pc and powernotebooks prob provide better service than most big brands and u get a 3 year warranty. so really, no risk.the only reason im not buying is because of the weight of the laptop.

 

ok so it really is true then? i'm not going to order the laptop and realize it doesn't have a screen, doesn't have a motherboard, etc?

it's just crazy to look at like a m1710 from dell for 3,000 and then get basically the same thing for 1900...

 

I think it's similar to assembling your own computer out of parts rather than buying them as complete packages from different brands.

There is obviously less money spent on advertising, inclusion of OSs (unless you exclusively order one), bloats, among other factors.

And here's another one of my wild guesses, that the barebone structures of Compal models may be shared by some other retailer models, significantly reducing the production prices. Again this is just a guess, but I can't help but to think my HEL80 and previous gen Toshiba Satellites are separated at birth.

Now if someone with actual knowledge would provide answers worth considering

[edit] Just read your response above, and no, you don't have to worry about your laptop not coming with any critical parts. Unless you assemble your laptop up from the barebone, have no worries about getting a non-functioning laptop [/edit]

 

ok then i just have a few quick questions if anyone can help me out, thanks for the info so far:

1. what is cosair memory and how does it affect performance?
2. uhh.. that's pretty much it.. is the FL90 the way to go as far as compal notebooks are concerned?

edit: and one more thing, is xotic better than.. powernotebooks or whatever the other site is that sells compal laptops?

 

i got a question also any have any links on where to buy compals i checked there website worthless

 

For the IFL90 look at Powernotebooks.com or xoticpc.com in the US other European/other resellers are listed in the Compal FAQ(look towards the last couple of post/pages)

 

Dell can overprice as much as they do as well as Toshiba because people who don't know a lot about computers are paying for the name and assume it is a fair price without researching much.

 

If you are referring to Corsair as in a RAM brand, I hear differences between RAM manufacturers are minimal. As long as they are not something extremely sketchy, most RAMs are good to go, without huge performance gaps.

I think they differ only in warranty coverages. I could be wrong though.

 

ok one more quick question.. why is there no "dead pixel policy" option when upgrading from the "barebones" version of the IFL90 on xoticpc.com but there is when upgrading the other versions?

 

let me revise that last question: what is the difference between the "barebones" "ultra" and "elite" IFL90s after upgrading?

 

I've found Dell's new 1520/1720 are cheaper with similar specs after coupon.

As for barebones/ultra/elite, they just give you different starting options and some won't allow you to change certain options. If you start barebones and choose all the options for elite it comes out the same price, though. Barebones is more useful if you were going to purchase all the components yourself and install them.

 

^^ it looks to me like you can get an ifl90 with 4 gigs of ram for under 2,000... on a dell that puts you well over 2,000

 

Such is why people often urge others to buy aftermarket RAM rather than having extra installed by the vendor. Much cheaper, and not exactly a hard task to undertake either.

 

Dell charges you $1000 to upgrade to 4 gig of Ram.

As far as the zero dead pixel policy - there isn't one per sey, but there is a 15 day no question return policy. 100% refund, no restock. I think thats better than most dead pixel policies.

 

Yes, Dell is outrageous with their RAM pricing. 1 gig standard, 1.5 gig $75, 2 gig $150 and 4 gig is an insane $1000. Thats criminal if you ask me.

You can get a 2 gig stick for 85 - 100 right now and pop it in yourself in under 2 minutes. There are even deals for 2 -2 gig sticks that come to less than that per stick, I think it was $165

 

So it's not really that insane. You can just do what you like nobody's forcing you to go dell ;]

Cheers,

//m.

ps. it's 'per se' not 'per say', urgh

 

You're right. Dell is not insane. Just people who pay $1000 for their 4 gig ram upgrade are insane

And I added a 'y' 'per sey' I didn't say 'per say'. Sorry if I offended the typing, grammar and spelling police.

 

Heh ;] it's no bother I guess people don't offend that easily, it's more of a thing you should yourself mind, but if you don't, I guess I can't force proper spelling onto anyone.

As to the insanity clause, well, I'd not say insane, rather, misinformed

 

Well, I said criminal because anyone out there that pays $1000 for that ram clearly doesnt know what its worth and is relying on Dell for a good price. It is certainly taking advantage of someones inexperience.

 

that's called good marketting criminal is when you do similar stuff, but not right with the law. wonder if it is right tho. then again I guess it must be I mean anyone can charge whatever they like for whatever they wish. you can't force them to lower their prices unless it's some general price rate that must be obeyed for some product, usually tho then the price is too low and is to be raised.

 

In communist Russia, you can

 

well in communist anything, for that matter. and it was the United Russian something you're referring to I was thinking about that too, but ack, it's for different reasons it seems tho the price settings in commy lands. Basically, if my understanding serves me right, it's only in a transition phase anyway, until at some point you loose money as an exchange factor in total. Or so. Anyway, commy stuff is pretty neat if you got it working and certainly I think one of the reasons for it's downfall was the will to confront each other system and prove to be the best, using often force. And the whole revolution thing - shouldn't have happened that way Can't build a grande house on mud (in this case often bloody), unless you're willing and prepared to stand for the consequences. I mean St. Petersburg's for example (Russia too for that matter ) been built on swamps And they aparrently manage just fine. Took a while tho.

But enough about that

 

haha, this is the same thing I asked myself when I looked into the IFL90. Of course its not perfect but for me pretty damn close, and alot cheaper than the same thing elsewhere (from the big names anyway). And to think I almost bought a Dell after I was e-mailed a catalogue from the university.

I just hope it doesnt explode for some reason while all the niave notebook buyers are fine...

 

A big fault in communism is that central planning is very hard and often produces inefficient results in economical terms. Although this could be eased with the improvements in technology we're seeing this days. Corruption is also a common problem. Politics are much more fast and efficient tho ;P

 

Do have in mind often these claims as for example regarding central planning, being very hard and producing inefficient results in economical terms, well, are based on capitalist economical terms and real-life results. The USSR is not the greatest example of communism. Nor are some other countries currently using the system. I heard once I think was it Cuba? That got closest to the real ideals of communism. Dunno so I won't back that up as a fact.

It's not hard to plan or so, if you got the right 'gut' for it. I suppose that may just be the possible failure, the need for a good leader (I do say could be since that is how we have had it in all histories and cultures so far that I can think of off the top of my head, there always is a leading party emerging somewhere in some area, be it just simple human relations, so it feels to be the only 'human' way to go). But that could be resolved with having more than one person leading in certain areas, and judgment might therefore work in a more decentralized order.

Just because the systems used have failed does not mean the idea is bad to the core. Had it been implanted in a different way, there isn't really a particular reason for it to go hay-wire

That said, there still probably will be a while before anyone makes the attempt to sort commy stuff out once more. That, or we'll just slowly adopt it as money becomes obsolete due to higher standards of life. Dream on, huh Oh and it would've been easier I suppose had the communist countries (i.e. USSR) in the past not tried to create their own mini-world. Interaction with different orders shouldn't really cause much harm, one should be sure enough of their choices not to be afraid of people who have taken them differently.

PS. Isn't this a compal discussion to begin with? ;P PM me or mail me if you like to discuss this further tho I guess it really isn't the place Not that I mind but getting off-topic is usually not the greatest move to take; and the Mods don't look down too kindly on it either. Don't you, mods? That said, this is a pretty laid back forum And I'm quite thankful for it not being too strict But let's keep our end of the deal at least partially, and try and stay ontopic.

 

Political science, in MY Compal forums?

It's more likely than you think.

 

back to the questions...is there a real difference in CORSAIR and other brands?

i've heard its mainly for OC'ing, but i plan on doing little/none OCing when i get my IFL90.

 

Corsair RAM isn't (much) faster than normal RAM. It has the reputation it is good for overclocking, but for normal use or normal overclocking you'd better buy 'normal' RAM.

 

When it comes to notebook ram, Brand is a personal preference since most of the name brand ram all have very good quality and usually come with a lifetime warranty. Corsair/Kingston /OCZ/Patriot/Crucial are my preference.

 

Dude, that's really insulting.
50 million dead Russians don't really mean anything to you and the system still can be implemented in the "right" way???
People like you give me creeps.

 

Supporting communism is a common teenage phase. It will pass.

 

Maybe you should move the communism discussion to the off topic forum.