14.1in Asus and 8600GT

It seemed that before, there was hardly any difference between a 14.1in and 15.4in notebook in terms of graphics power, as the A8Js had the same video card as the G1. However, now that there seems to be a clear distinction between the new 8600GT and 8600GS (which, from what I hear, is akin to the difference between a 7900GS and a 7600), is it possible that Asus will not be able to put a 8600GT as it requires a chassis like that of G1S or V1JP (Santa Rosa)?
Asus had mentioned something regarding an updated A8JS called the F8, do you think Asus may be able to put a 8600GT into that?

 

From what I hear, the next upcoming version of today's a8js will only be using a go8400, not even an 8600gs.

 

Compal plans on putting a 8600GT into its IFL00 (14.1), so I would not doubt that Asus could do the same.

 

That's the low end version of the A8, called the A8Sc. Asus still has to release the A8 with the 8600M. Rest assured that Asus will understand why customers buy the A8 series, and why it continues to be successful. So, my money's on the 8600M GT in the A8Js refresh.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I didn't know about the other version that will use the 8600m gt.

 

This is the reason why I didn't buy the A8JS right away. I can't wait for a US release of an 8600GT in a 14.1". Over in Europe, Zepto recently released the Znote 6224W, so it's for sure doable.

 

well according to this site the ifl00 has the 8600 gs

 

I'm using a W3 V right now and when I get some money from my summer jobs I'm getting a new 14" laptop. I was hoping that a new Santa Rosa version in the W3 series would be available by then. The reason I get a 14" and not 15.4" lappy is that I love the portability. And if I'm going to carry it around I need it to be sturdy and not some plastic low quality chassi(like the A8 series).

If Asus don't come out with a Sturdy, ok looking, 14" laptop with 8600 graphics card I'm getting a Zepto 6224W. Atleast that's what I'm seeing right now.. The price is really cheap also!

 

If my info is correct, the W3 series is discontinued
The options are the Santa Rosa refresh of V2Je or A8Js.

 

Asus REALLY need to bring back the W3. I was seriously considering a W3 with Centrino Pro but now thats not going to happen. Noone else makes a high quality 14.1" gaming worthy laptop. The A8 is just not sturdy enough. There is a gap in the market and asus kicked a$$ but whats it doing now!!!

Im going to have to go for zepto aswell as asus dont even sell the high end A8s in the UK!! Best we get is the go7300/x2300 versions.

Zepto are gona make a killing from santa rosa as the only company that does 14.1" + Hybrid HDD + 8600M thats is widely available.

 

Sadly, there are no Zepto laptops in Iran.

 

Well there is some hope...they are going to refresh the A8 sometime this August and call it the F8. I think that means they will have a new chassis. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
Tim

 

Is Zepto an ODM? Or is the Znote series built on Compal or something?
The Znote 6224W is very similar to the preliminary-announced Compal IFT00, except that the 6224W doesn't have the integrated fingerprint reader.

I'm with you W3 fans.... I would have loved a W3 refresh. Does anyone know how the Compal IFT00 or the Zepto 6224W will compare in build quality to a V/W series Asus?

 

Zepto is a dealer, but a very large one.

 

Rumor is that IBM/Lenovo will be putting a 8600 equivalent quadro into the 14" t61p in july - so there are alternatives: personally i would take a thinkpad over an asus any day at the same cost. Theres always a mod community writing quadro to geforce drivers/bios's and vice versa

 

Apparently the Quadro NVS140M currently in the T61 is very close in 3DMark scores to the X1600 and Go 7600. Even more graphics power is good news for Thinkpad buyers.

 

zepto znote 6214 is made by inventec
it is called the inventec w14
zepto is the exclusive dealer in europe and australia. It is possible that someone sells the inventec w14 in iran or the benq joybook which is based on the same thing but looks different. However I havent seen a whole lot of inventec w14 owners I dont think its ever sold with the inventec brand on it.

zepto sells whitebooks from all brands but mostly compal

 

So, what about the 8600GT's? Seems to me this time, there will be a performance difference between 14.1 and 15.4 ...

 

Now ZeptoUK does have a 14.1in notebook with the 8600GT ..
Maybe Asus will follow the suit? Does anyone know how much time passed from the time the first A8 was released till the A8Js came out?

 

If they give it build quality similar to the G1 series and price it at $1800 for one with a T7300/2GB/160GB/8600MGT then it should be a winner. That still doesn't stop me from wanting a W3 though. That was an awesome notebook right there.

 

IF Asus doesnt come out with the 8600m GT for A8Js or any 14 inch notebooks I guess I have to settle for Zepto.

I know this is off topic but I heard Zepto notebooks had trouble with heat.

 

Zepto notebooks are rebranded Clevo/Sager, Wintec, Arima, Compal and another-brand-which-I-forgot notebooks, so you can't pinpoint that 'claim'.

 

Almost anything with a 14" frame and a really powerful graphics card will have problems with heat dissipation. Even the W3J and A8Jm/s/p ran pretty hot, as far as I remember.

 

Is that right? That's interesting. Maybe I'll have to settle for a 15.4in then. Which companies tend to underclock their GPUs to reduce heat? I have to avoid those.

 

no the a8js runs really cool. no heat problems at all with mine. Gaming for hours straight.

 

But doesn't then fan never switch off? (sorry for double negative )

 

My guess for the F8 would be T7300/1 GB/120 GB/8600M GT. I think the biggest improvements would be a better chassis, so it doesn't scratch as easily, as well as a swivel webcam and much better battery life (perhaps a 9-cell in the back, like almost all other Asus laptops, instead of the small 6 cell at the bottom).

 

i hope this new model has the "bamboo" hinge thing from the W3 but i want the modular bay more. That was a nice addition.

 

The 'F' series has always been a lower end series, if ranked I'd say:

A - F - G - V - W

The U1f, R1f, and other single models are exceptions

 

So the A series is lower than F? I thought the A8Js was of better build than the F3Jp

 

It's really hard to say with all the various different types of models within the series, as the A8 is the 14.1" version of the F3, which was 15.4" of course. Both are plastic and very similar.

 

I think he was talking about the order, so are you saying

(lower?) A < F < G < V < W (better)

 

Yea, my bad, should of explained that more

 

How about,

A,F < G < V,W

=) Since it is at least very clear that the V and W are the best quality and the A and F together are much more mediocre.

 

Yea, pretty much, though the V2/V1 are above average but in no way near the V6.

 

I will be moving a notebook around (university) but will also be very careful when doing so... do you think a A/F series notebook will suffice in terms of toughness?

 

so no 8600GT in 14" Asus this summer ?

 

The F8 (successor to the A8Js) is expected in June/July, I think. So yes, to answer your question.

 

Ah, more waiting. Has any site formally announced the F8? Or, is there any detailed information regarding it available?

 

Well, PROPortable says its coming in June/July in his thread. I don't think it has been formally announced, but in my year on the forum, I have rarely found PROPortable to be wrong about upcoming Asus products.

 

Well, that's good news. I think I can wait that long. Does he know whether it's a 8600GS or GT in there?

 

I don't think the specs have been finalized yet or anything. It should be out in a month or two, so its not that long a wait. I would be led to think that it will have a 8600MGT though, seeing as it currently has a Go7700, effectively the equivalent to the Go7600GT. It makes more sense for them to do it that way, at least.

Here is a link to his post on the Santa Rosa/DX10 update schedule: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1935900&postcount=2

 

so any updates on the birth of the baby of my dreams ?!

 

Ahhh yes actually.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=128202

But looks to have a ATI HD2600 but maybe there is more then one version.

 

Actually I would say A series and F series are the same thing

The A series is the old plastic consumer version and the f series is the newer one.

Why its so confusing is that the a8jm should really have been called the f8jm. Then it would be congrous, that all the new economy models would be called f something, the older ones were Asomething.
No new A series have come out, the A series is the old series from a year and a half or more. The G series recycled some parts from the old A series the a6 and the a9

I would say, the old A series is tougher than the new F series. The old A series is like a dell inspiron very thick, the new f series is like a acer aspire thin.
But also much heavier, the F series is lighter. And the A8js should be called F series.

 

Actually A8SC came out within 2 month ago..? It's got Santa Rosa & 8400GS

 

I am hopeing the F8 has a slightly better build and quality then the A8. Hopefully the price will be close to the A8.

 

Ok,
you missed that i said the a8 series should have been called the f8.

If it were called the f8 orignallly then no new a series have come out for a year. Only f series.
The a8 looks like the f series not the A series, and is up to date with the tech while the A series is older tech like it might have a pcmia or vga, ide hd etc

Then the G series, which uses old a series parts