Question:
Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
Well I have settled on one of these two notebooks, since both are available with a matte screen. After spending all day in various stores checking out glossy notebooks I just can't see myself ever getting used to the glare. Since I will be spending alot of time outside or under alot of lighting glossy just doesn't make sense.
The question now is which one of these notebooks would be the better choice for me.
My only concern really is with Merom chips coming out soon I don't want to buy an NC8430 and then see HP release a new line of notebooks with the Merom procs in them but I also doubt that HP will be adding them to the NC8430 either when they are released. Normally it wouldn't bother me that much but with Vista around the corner and me going to school to study programming and systems admin, having a 64bit proc in my laptop might come in handy for school.
Another downside to the HP is that I will need to install Linux on the machine as well as Windows and ATI's Linux support isn't that great from what I understand (been using Nvidia for ages now) unless that has changed recently.
I guess I am having trouble deciding whether it's better to give up the HP's 3 year warrenty and better build quality for Compals better video card (for Linux that is) and better accessibility to Merom chips. I don't know if I would want to buy a NC8430 only to find out that a few months later I need to upgrade to a 64 bit proc for school reasons and/or Vista.
Anyone have any opinions on these two notebooks....and my concerns?
Thanks. :)
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
Some HEL80's come with 3 year warranties (powernotebooks.com powerpro line comes with it), so I don't think that should be a concern. Vista-wise, there are going to be 32 bit and 64 bit versions or something like that.. but I'm guessing you know that. I think HEL80 should come out with Merom soon enough, probably by early September, might wanna ask a reseller about that. I'm not familiar with HP's, so maybe you could try contacting them about that.
Also, the NC8430's graphics card is slightly more powerful (the HEL80's 7600 is underclocked slightly), though I know close to nothing about linux support.
I have the HEL80 and it's a great machine with a noisy but easy to type on keyboard, and the screen is great.
I hope I helped a tad.. definitely try to get information from sellers of both machines about merom support if that is a deciding factor for your laptop buying decision.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
I called HP about the release of Merom chips but all I got was the "HP doesn't discuss upcoming models or releases" ect ect. I am certainly leaning more towards the HP as it just seems like the better machine over all but Merom proc thing is killing me.
Thank you for the opinion though. :)
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
Well I taked to my local Compal reseller and they said that I will be able to get a Merom chip in a Compal as soon as they are on the market.
Really doesn't help me make my mind up though.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
I believe that HP announced an upcoming BIOS upgrade for the nc8430 for Merom. To tell you the truth I don't worry about these processor issues as I feel what I have is fast enough and runs all the current 3D games.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
I have heard that nVidia is better for Linux from a number of posts here, but I don't use Linux.
If you get the HEL80 from powernotebooks under the PowerPro label, you will get a 3-year warranty with next-business-day shipping covered automatically.
I don't think 64-bit processing will be an issue for anyone for a while. Even if you're studying programming and systems admin, since the majority of computer users out there will not switch over for at least a couple of years. And you'll be studying to accomodate them, not the early adopters. Even so, you could probably get a Merom in your laptop by early October.
Bottom line is you'll be fine with either. I wouldn't sweat it either way.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
Being in Canada means my chioces are limited to NCIX and Milestone for Compal resellers, neither of which offer a 3 year warrenty as far as I know without addition charges.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
Unfortunately it sounds like geography is making the decision for you :(. But at least the HP nc8430 is a great choice ;).
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs HP NC8430
I might hold out for another few weeks when Merom offcially hits North American distributors. Hopefully HP will be able to tell me if they will be using Merom in the 8430's by then.
Since Intel isn't going to be producing the Core Duo anymore I would think it's only a matter of time before HP is forced to use C2Ds in their machines. :D
Well I can hope anyway.