new HEL80 owner here; some initial questions

I just recently received my PowerPro L8:15 (WSXGA+ "matte," T7200, 2GB RAM, 80 GB 7200 RPM HDD, etc) which I purchased via PowerNotebooks and I have a few basic questions:

(1) I ordered the variant with the WSXGA+ matte screen, and while I think the overall display is quite lovely-- great color representation, quite bright, etc-- I notice very faint horizontal lines, like striations, running across the screen, that can be quite noticable (at least to me) when viewing certain images, video, etc. They're like white-ish horizontal gaps, visible when you look closely at the screen; I'm assuming that this is inherent in the build of the LCD. Now, given that I stare at digital images pretty much all day (I photograph work for an art gallery) my eye is probably more sensitive to this sort of thing than most. Do other people notice this? and is this normal for hi-res laptop displays?

(2) if there is anything that truly bothers me about this machine, it's the bouncy keyboard, which clearly has received a lot of attention in this board. I've read pretty much all the posts detailing the process of taping the keyboard, and I actually spoke with Ron at PowerNotebooks about this issue, and I'm wondering: most of you seem to be using the thin archival sort of double-sided tape (with a width similar to that of regular scotch tape), but Ron and I discussed using the thicker, foam-based variant, which I would think would be more effective (?) Of course, as he pointed out, it's important to avoid elevating the keyboard so much as to present an issue with its pressing against the display when the lid is closed; I also want to confirm that most of you find the modification to make a sufficient difference, before I open it up;

(3) finally, did most of you get region 2 DVD drives? after burning a few DVDs that wouldn't play in my home unit, I realized the problem and changed the region; I just found this a bit odd...

Those are just some initial questions/remarks; thanks for any feedback; and of course, I'll join in the unanimous praise of PowerNotebooks by noting that the purchasing process constituted at least one of the very best customer service experiences I have ever had. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone looking for a quality laptop.

edit: one more question: (4) I like to wipe my computer clean and re-install the OS (Windows) every once and a while and I'm wondering what you all have found to be the best order for installing drivers (or does it not really make a difference)?

 

1) Can't say that I've seen this on my matte screen. Can you post a screen capture that shows these lines?

2) Another concern about using the foam double-sided tape is that it may make the keyboard rest unevenly--with some keys supported higher up than others--like support beams beneath a floor. This may result in an uneven keyboard--with some keys supported and others "floating". This wouldn't be an issue with the thin tape.

 

I have one of the first L 8:15s (my first laptop) and I have the 1680x1050 matte screen too, since I wanted the extra real estate. I have not been aware of any lines or problems in the display, and DPT shows no dead pixels.

I was surprised that the flexible keyboard was such a problem for so many people. I finally gave in and applied the double sided tape fix. It certainly has helped, and I recommend it. The keyboard is much stiffer now. I used the 3M thin stuff that looks just like regular Scotch tape, and put about 8 pieces in, equally spaced around on the plate under the keyboard. I think it does the job quite nicely, and don't see any need to go with something stiffer or thicker.

Good luck!

 

if you look at the hel80 owners lounge page some where in it shows how to install a very thin piece of metal that stop the bounce

 

the tape i used was some kind of removable double-sided scotch poster tape, I believe. I've found that it's made a huge difference. You do want it to be pretty flat, as the bottom of the keyboard actually touches the laptop beneath it.

As for the screen, I can imagine that I'm seeing them if I put my face about two inches away from the screen. Far enough back that I can't distinguish individual pixels though, I can't notice it.

I haven't actually tried to play any dvds in this laptop yet... So no comment there.

 

Being a resourceful geek without resources, my fix for the keoyboard flex was unorthodox.
I studied the layout of the wires and holes beneath the keyboard for about 42 seconds.
Then I lokoed around and found some old CDs. I split one in half (two half-circles) so I put one half the left side at a certain angle, then the other half to the right, covering the big hole through which you can see the CD drive. I taped both halves, and then I taped a smalle dime-sized coin which is the same height as a CD. Don't worry I taped it very well
and all around and it won't fall off
Anyway, the keyboard is now VERY firm all over, except a little flex on the right-arrow key and its surroundings.
I did not think about the issue mentioned above, relating to the keyboard height after the fix, which might touch the LCD. I'm not sure how thick this "double-sided" tape is compared to a regular CD-R. In any case, the keyboard does not seem to be higher than before, and the LCD looks perfectly OK after 2 weeks.
I may take a second look later on, to see if everything has stayed put and maybe fix the right-arrow key but so far I'm very pleased with the result.