Question:
Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
I'm torn between these two notebooks. I can either go for the smaller, more easy to travel with, and slightly cheaper m1210. It is around 1750 - 1800 with the epp coupon
Or I can go with the HEL80 (powernotebooks.com) with a larger screen, slightly better graphics card, but more expensive notebook. It would be around 2000
both have 2 mb ram, 100 gb 7200 hds, extra battery, bluetooth and wirelss, and I the compal has a 2.16 ghz processor, I think the dell did too, bu it may have had the 2 ghz.
I will be traveling a lot this coming august, and will be in Thailand for a whole year. The computer needs to be reliable and quick, as I will be doing large photoshop image dumps, as well as video editing, and gaming.
I've filled out an FAQ earlier, but now its pretty much down to these two.
I just dont think the 1210 is enough screen for me though and what I will be doing. I looked at best buy for 12 in screens, and the only one I could find was attatched to a flip down car tv.
Also is the dv8000t even worth looking at now with all its problems with the keyboard. It wouldnt ship out till the 15thish, and I leave the country the 5th of august. I can't have the laptop not working at its full a week before i go.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
The Compal will have much better quality and about twice the video performance for around the same price.
If you want to make a compromise between size and portability, the Asus A8JM is worth a look; 14", Core Duo, Go7600.
I just dont think the 1210 is enough screen for me though and what I will be doing. I looked at best buy for 12 in screens, and the only one I could find was attatched to a flip down car tv.
I would suggest trying to find a Dell kiosk in your area, or take a look at CompUSA/Circuit City. Best Buy doesn't have any 12" notebooks as you have found.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
I think the most important aspects of laptop are its battery life, weight and screen for readibility [given similar performances]. And of course, its built quality.
Yes, you can get extra batteries but if you have a long battery base to begin with, it's always one less battery you have to worry about.
So if I were you, I get the one with longer battery, better screen (usually bigger) and lighter.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
The Compal will have much better quality and about twice the video performance for around the same price.
If you want to make a compromise between size and portability, the Asus A8JM is worth a look; 14", Core Duo, Go7600.
I would suggest trying to find a Dell kiosk in your area, or take a look at CompUSA/Circuit City. Best Buy doesn't have any 12" notebooks as you have found.
I don't know why you say the Compal would have better quality (especially "much" better quality) - do you mean build quality? AFAIK the m1210 is made of better materials than the HEL80, and I've heard of no issues regarding the way it's put together.
I agree that it's really important to take a look at a 12" screen before passing judgement - I didn't realize just how comfortable it is to look at a screen that's seemingly so small until I spent some time with it.
I just recently owned a 15.4" (two, actually), but the 12" xps m1210 I ordered hasn't shipped to me yet, so I can't give you a comparison. I can tell you, though, that people who say that it's possible to travel with a 15.4" are right - it's just uncomfortable and awkward. With a 12" you can take it out for a 30 minute bus ride, for example (I surmise), or an hour-long plane ride, but with a 15.4", you won't end up taking it out of your bag nearly as often, just because it's more of a hassle. It won't fit as well on crowded desks or counters or tray-tables, it'll be heavier, and it'll take up more space in your luggage.
However, if you find that the 1280x800 is just plain too little screen space for your needs, then I guess you really have no option but to go with something higher! Several 14" offer 1440x900 (and 14" is still a pretty convenient size, significantly less awkward than a 15.4"), such as the Asus Z62J, the Lenovo Z61t, the Compal HGL30 (soon to be released - not certain if it will offer the resolution) and the Dell D620.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
its hard to compare the two. I would make a compromise and get the W3J. At gentech You can have them add a gig of ram and it would still be 1800 after their 5% discount.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
I don't know why you say the Compal would have better quality (especially "much" better quality) - do you mean build quality? AFAIK the m1210 is made of better materials than the HEL80, and I've heard of no issues regarding the way it's put together.
It is put together better . . the overall feel of the Compal is more solid and superior materials are used. I am not bashing the M1210, merely stating that the HEL80 takes it up a few notches.
I can tell you, though, that people who say that it's possible to travel with a 15.4" are right - it's just uncomfortable and awkward. With a 12" you can take it out for a 30 minute bus ride, for example (I surmise), or an hour-long plane ride, but with a 15.4", you won't end up taking it out of your bag nearly as often, just because it's more of a hassle. It won't fit as well on crowded desks or counters or tray-tables, it'll be heavier, and it'll take up more space in your luggage.
Could not have said it better myself. Never enjoyed carrying 15/15.4" machines.
Answer:
Re: Compal HEL80 vs. Dell XPS m1210
I ordered my Compal Hel-80 from powernotebooks.com
I'm really happy with my choice, and while its a little large for traveling, It will be a little better for my art with the larger screen
15.4" glossy (1280 x 800) lcd w/ nVidia geforce go 7600 w/256mb
Intel Core Duo T2600 2.16 GHz Processor
Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compund
2 gb ddr2/667 ram
100 gb 7200 rpm hd
dual layer supermulti DVD/R Drive
Built in Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 802.11 a/b/g
Windows XP Pro...
I'm very happy with my choice
All of this came at about $1950