Doesn't the new HP NC8230 look sweet?

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...f1-447338.html

Sonoma
15.4" WUXGA available (is this better than Dell WUXGAs?)
5.8lbs (isnt this the lightest for a 15.4" widescreen laptop bar the mac?)
1.1" thick (in the front, scaling the diagram, it looks like 1.25" in the back) (isnt this the thinnest for a 15.4" bar the macs? Even sony is 1.0-1.3" or so)
60gb 7200rpm available (others 5400, no 4200 like Sonys)
X600 128mb (is this equivalent to MR9700?)
SD/Smart Card slot
3-5 hour battery life
Double battery life with "travel pack" battery. WTH is that? Any pic?
DDR2 533 support

Missing is azalia sound and express card slots, but for some reason much of the Sonoma bunch doesnt have these yet. Anything else?

Would HP release a consumer version of this (soon)?

X30, funny, this laptop matches your "future lappy" pretty well.

Also, isnt PCI express graphics upgradable? So one can put an upgraded card in there 2 years from now and swap the X600 out right?

Does HP include the optical drive and battery when quoting weights? Dell is usually pretty specific about what is included when the quote laptop weights. HP is quite vague, in fact they say it is 1.1 inches thick everywhere, but if you look at the detail technical spec document it says 1.1" (front)...

Here is a chat I had with HP today with additional info regarding this laptop...

you: Hello
Lori: Hello and Welcome to HP USA presales mobility and wireless chat!
Lori: Hi.
you: I have a question regarding laptop model nc8230. The website states it is "coming soon" I am trying to make a purchasing decision today. Do you know when it will be available?
Lori: We are looking at the middle to end of Feb. for the 8230 to become available.
you: Ok. Will there be an equivalent model under the consumer line as well?
Lori: Since I support the Business line only, I do not know what is released in the consumer group.
you: Ok no problem. Can I ask 2 technical questions as well?
you: The weight is listed as 5.7lbs. Does that include the battery and optical drive?
Lori: No, the weight listed is for just the notebook.
you: Thank you. The other question is the thickness. the specs say it is 1.1" in the front. Do you know its thickness on the back? I carry my laptop everyday, size/weight is very important to me.
you: Thanks
Lori: Sure, let me chek.
Lori: *check
Lori: I just found some information stating the weight includes 8-cell battery, 60gb hard drive, 512Mb of memory and 15.4" WUSXGA display.
Lori: I just wanted to share that with you.
Lori: Regarding the thickness...
Lori: I show the front dimensions only. It does not include the back.
Lori: I can do some research for you and email you with the dimensions for the back.
you: That would be great. You can email it to XXXX
you: Regarding weight does it say WUXGA or WSXGA?
you: There is no WUSXGA
you: I presume it doesn't mention the optical drive in its bay being included or not.
Lori: No it doesn't so I would think the optical drive will add a little weight.
Lori: You right there is not a WUSXGA. My mistake. We offer the WXGA, WSXGA and WUXGA
you: So which one was stated as included in the weight?
Lori: weight includes 8-cell battery, 60gb hard drive, 512Mb of memory and 15.4" WUXGA display. This is stated.
you: great. I have one last question (promise). The website mentions a "travel battery module" for extended battery life. What exactly is that? How does it connect to the battery?
you: Connect to the laptop I mean
Lori: The Travel batter module is very cool. It actually attaches to the notebook itself. It connects on the bottom and it can stay connected at all times. It will charge while plugged into the wall as well.
Lori: *battery
you: Does it extend in the back, or is it flat under the notebook? How much weight/size does it add (if you know)?
Lori: I do not know how much weight it adds. Too bad weight is not listed for every accessory item.
Lori: But the travel battery attaches on the bottom towards the back of the unit.
you: Ok. I will look forward to see what it looks like. Based on the great information you provided, I think I will wait for it to be released before I buy anything.
you: Thank you very much and have a great day and weekend!
Lori: This model is excellent.
Lori: You are very welcome.
Lori: Thank you for visiting today.
Lori: Here is my contact information -

Read on. It does include the battery

Cnet has a preview of this. They say 6.3 pounds somewhere, 5.7 pounds elsewhere...

http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Compaq_nc...2.html?tag=top

CRN has a preview as well

http://www.crn.com/sections/hardware...cleId=59300486

What makes you say that youhou? (Unless you want her number, which I have )

I don't think it will be a nice looking laptop, I expect something similar to T43. Except T43 has an express card slot. The big blue always ups the ante just a tad bit...