Arima k730/Targa companion 811 review with pics - Page 3

Dropadrop,
Thanks for the info about the annoying cracked hinge problem. I also learnt that even the new Gateway 7405 still suffer cracked hinge.
I do think twice now whether or not to buy this Targa model....

As for Linux problem, I once read in other thread/forum that flashing yr bios with a newer version solve many problems. Seems to me you have the first release of Visionary with 2800+ proc, why don't you try to update with the Companion 811D bios?

There is one site with all version of e-machines bios (not sure if Targa bios is listed as well). Will provide the link if I find it again

I have flashed a fairly new bios. Not the newest one, but I think it was the second to newest on the page you are thinking of (the newest Targa Bios).

The linux problems are mainly to do with the Ralink wlan interface. It boots and installs without any aditional boot parameters ever since Gentoo 2004.2. I did not manage to get Mandrake 10 to install, but fedora core 2 and suse installed fine (both required some parameters to get it running). Also "dmesg" gives Acpi AML errors under any kernel (don't know if it makes a differance).

I don't care that much about the broken hinges, Targa does'nt make a fuss about fixing them, and I shipped the notebook during a vacation when I did'nt need it. I guess I'll ship it to them again in may when I go for my next vacation.

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I bought this new version of this Targa laptop (Targa Traveller 811 3000+). It promises to be a beauty.. but: I wonder why the refresh rate of the monitor is only 60 Hz (the display doesn't seem very steady). A friend told me that the refresh rate of a TFT isn't important, but I really doubt that. Can someone tell me if that is true?

Would a driver upgrade (of the monitor) be of any help? If so, where can I find a newer driver? I can't find any drivers on the targa-site and on general drivers-sites I can't find drivers for this specific type.

Thanks for your suggestions!
Metal

Can you give a mini-review of your setup .. as I'm sure a few people are considering buying this new model ..

My own concerns are regarding the 'noise' of the system and the quality of the 'screen'. I understand now that this unit comes with the "BrilliantView" LCD screen.. which means you should have a fairly good quality screen compared to standard TFTs..

How are you finding the display in general .. and are you happy with your purchase so far?

Just adding to the message that I have since had a browse through my emails and had two messages from the people who act as support for targa; both giving conflicting information regarding the "BrilliantView" display.

and another saying otherwise:

Sheesh .. either it has or it hasn't .. make up your minds -)

Oh.. I've also been in touch with support in Germany / France over the phone (seem to get directed all over the bloody world) and the lady on the other end had no idea if it came with BrilliantView or not.. and there was no way of finding out. She left saying she would make more enquiries .. and phoned me back during the writing of this message; it seems like there is no "complete answer" as she said. But the only way of finding out is to check the packaging (back of the box) .. to see if you can find 811C or 811D .. if its "D" then its the newer "BrilliantView" LCD display.. otherwise its the standard.

So maybe you can check your box.. is it 811D or 811C ..?

Hi Viva,

Thanks for your reply.

The specs:

* Targa 15.4" WXGA Wide Screen TFT-Display
* AMD 64 3000+ PowerNow, 128kB First Level Cache, 1024kB Second Level Cache. With Hyper Transport-Technology
* ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 with 128MB DDR-RAM
* Pioneer DVD-Multinorm-DVD/CD-Burner, dual layer (Write: 8 x DVD-/+R, 4 x DVD-/+RW, 2.4 x DVD+R DL, 24 x CD-R, 24 x CD-RW, Read: 8 x DVD, 24 x CD)
* Memory Card Reader (7 in 2)
* Samsung Hard Drive, 80GB. 2.5"/9.5mm/5400RPM
* Siemens Memory 512MB, DDR-RAM 333MHz clock speed (PC2700)
* ...

No idea if it's a Brilliant display, I will check whether it's a C or D as soon as possible (not on my laptop right now). Bought it at Lidl in Belgium for 1299 EUR. (appears to be same promotion as in Lidl in other countries this/next week)

I'm rather happy, but since I bought it only yesterday, I haven't much tried out.
Pro's:
* Display quality seems to be quite good, but not "brilliant" (maybe it is just me). 1200x800 is fine for me. 60 Hz perhaps too little. (I hope new display-drivers can solve this?)
* Sound quality is very good (for a laptop); has two little woofers next to the speekers.
* Performance: awesome. (but haven't tried out anything heavy yet)
* Noise is absolutely no issue: almost nothing hearable. Fan is very quiet.
* Case, keyboard, touchpad, connectivity: very good!

Cons:
* Weighs a lot! (but not really a problem for me)
* Battery adapter is hilariously big and heavy, just a brick!
* Radio controlled I/R mouse doesn't work and doesn't look very solid.

I am very tempted by it - and the chances are that I'll be buying one tomorrow, but the only thing putting me off is that once you buy from Lidl you *have* to keep it. You do not have any return policy unless its broken... so you have to be very sure that the system is for you.

I am pleased to note that you say that there are no issues with the noise as this is one of my main concerns when buying laptops; the last thing I want is a fan that is on constantly, and loud.

How well is the WiFi working .. acceptable?

I am of the understanding, like you, that 60Hz is the usual refresh rate of a laptop/LCD display and that it should offer a very 'steady' image (much more so than CRT monitors clocking in at higher refreshes!) .. *but* I could be wrong; and you seem to be of the impression that the picture is not 'steady' enough?

Oh, .. and have you checked for any "Dead Pixels" .. ?

Lastly, when you get the chance, see if you can find if its model 'C' or 'D' .. (hopefully 'D' revision) ..

Let me know more of your thoughts once you get home and get some more use out of it! -)

Regarding refresh rates:

from reading the posts in this forum, i thought both the 811c and 811d models have brilliant view screen, its only the earlier 811a model has standard screen

Exactly how I understood it .. but after "speaking ... " to various people I was assured that the only way to tell if the Traveller had the BV screen was to check the box for C or D reference at Lidl before buying ..

Not the best of help to be honest - and you would have presumed *someone* would know if the Traveller 3000+ had it ... but as targa source out 'support' to some other firm; .. getting exact information on their products is nigh on impossible.

Neither packaging nor manual mentions C or D. They just say "Traveller 811". I guess it's not a C or D, but something else. Probably a new Visionary (also according to the Targa website: http://www.targa-online.com/cms/targa_2_427.php)
What I did found is a model no, perhaps that can be a help: W730AT2-K8.

To answer your questions:
* I have no idea if and how well the wifi works (don't have a wireless network).
* Haven't seen any dead pixels, but perhaps I have to use some software to be sure?
* Display quality IS good, but I'm not blown away. The picture IS steady. Something makes me hesitant, but I cannot say what.. maybe like Anacorda says: "color rendition is [...] somewhat cold" or maybe the pictures are TOO sharp (is that possible?!) or... maybe I've just got to get used to 16/9 ??
* I *really* like the sound quality. Laptop speakers usually are crap, but these are quite good (of course nothing compared to "real" speakers, but I guess that's impossible). With headphones it's phenomenal!

Can someone advise me a free tool to do some performance checks?

Decided against buying it in the end.. as I said in an earlier post; Euro 1299 is fine for you guys, but we end up paying 1,443.31 EUR which is a *lot* more.. and not really worth the bother. Besides, its not got the BrilliantView display.. and its had a lot of moans and groans from people in the french forums, etc.. screen resolution isn't very good either.

I've decided instead to blow £500 on one of the new Sony LCD screens for my main computer; .. a laptop can wait a while longer. When I buy I'll buy a decent one .. faff.

I have ordered a Targa Traveller 811 3000+ and it'll be in the shop as of 18/12.

Now, I'm worried if I should buy it after reading 'bout the 'cracked hinges' problem.

Does this only affect older models ? 811a ?

Thank you.

Chibbi

ps: excuse my poor English (I live in Belgium)

Chibbi, I don't think that this problem affects "our" Traveller. At least, mine *seems* to be alright.

Groetjes van een landgenoot (of is't in't Frans te doen?)

Great ! I'll be buying him coming Saturday,tnx

ps: nope 't is in't Antwaarps te doen