A Pre Ownership Review

Hey Everyone,
I had a great afternoon with another Forum member, Justin from Proportable. After scanning the net looking for and comparing specs and prices and any other related information I was finally able to settle on three machines The Asus W5a, W3V, V6V. The biggest question I had was now, which one. I travel ALOT for 7 straight months out of the year so it had to be managable, but I still needed the power to play some intensive games, watch DVDs, and be able to comfortably work for a few hours at a time. This is where Justin stepped right in to help. First of all I want to personally thank him for meeting with my wife, son and I on his day off. That alone earns big points from any consumer. But the biggest thing that impressed myself and my wife was the fact that he did not push to make a sale. That was a relief. Keep in mind that we had only emailed each other and talked on the phone once during this past week. We just got really lucky that we are within 40 minutes of each other, another big plus. Keep in mind that Justin, himself suggested that he would bring all three laptops with him for the meeting.
So to begin the Pre owner review.
The W5a after seeing it in person I knew that it really was not for me, nothing bad at all about the machine just not for me. Yet as far as portability and features go it would make a nice unit for someone else. I really did like the built in camera feature, very nice. The quality was typical, Very good Asus. The white color was a little distracting for me.
The W3V looks BETTER in hand and person than in the pictures. The pictures all over the net do not do this machine justice at all. To begin with the 14 inch wide screen is real sweet, I like the "bright, shine" screen. Very crisp, clear, and nice viewing angles. The 8x dual layer optical drive is a great feature. I loved the placement of the power button. The design of this model really made it stand out as the obvious choice for me. The extra control buttons along each side of the keyboard blend in extremely well. Nothing is distracting about this machine at all. The big heat issue I'm hearing about all over the place, I think is very overrated. We had the W3V, and the V6V running on high performance mode the whole time we were talking and guess what...no uncomfortable build up like some people are blasting off about. Great machine my choice.
The final machine in the round up was the V6V. I have to admit this was a close one for me I really liked the extra room on the palm rest, but I did not like the placement of the speakers. Yes thats what all those little holes are for. The screen was very sweet, not the glare type, but I felt almost as nice. I was not crazy about the optical drive being a 2x as opposed to the 8x in the W3. Nice layout with the keyboard and the extra keys. Again points here from myself nothing distracting at all. A very nice blend with great Asus quality.
In the end I picked the W3V for the unit for me. I will be taking delivery on it next Saturday.
I have to give Justine praise for stepping up to the plate to help out someone he did not know from a hole in the wall. We really appreciate the fact that he gave up a day off, and braved the heat for a meet and greet that might not have gone well. This is the type of guy I have no problem handing over my hard earned money for a new machine. If you are in the market drop him an email, or give him a call. Definitely a great guy to do business with.

Valsmere and Family.

If interested email me I have pictures of both machines. I did not know if I should attach them to this posting.

 

Vals,

You're very welcome... like I said, I usually spend my saturdays up there and we were only there about an hour and a half... it wasn't like the whole day.

But after the 85 degree heat and humidity, the 3-4 inches of rain that ensued as we were heading off certainly was an unexpected event...

If you want to post those photos I'd be glad to host them for you if you want... just email them over.

It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife and I hope you're son's doing better after his little accident.


Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
800-474-2296
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Wow, that type of service is very impressive.

 

Vals knows I met up with him because I was surprised to see anyone within a 150 mile radius even know about Asus notebooks..... and he was just as surprised to find out we're in the same neck of the woods...

I believe I met up with a fellow board member rather than a potential customer.... I'm sorry but I work hard enough during the week and our systems, service and knowledge sells itself. So I wouldn't call my time today, service. I enjoyed the time as much as Vals and his family did, I'm sure.

... anyway, I washed and waxed my car on Monday and with the weather being so sporadic here all week, I didn't get a chance to go for a drive because I knew if I went out the hot sunny day would go to a cold raining one..... Well... it did, but I had fun. Now Vals knows how I get away from all this Asus stuff....

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
800-474-2296
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

I was very surprised to find out that someone was selling these types of machines in the area we live. I don't know if Justin has heard this before but a lot of people refer to Pennsylvania as Pennsly-Tuckey for obvious reasons. We live in the back-woods. My wife and I think that Nicholas was more afraid than anything else. Besides he gets his hard head from his Father's side of the family [ ]
Another really cool feature that I forgot to mention about the W3V is that it has an s-video output where the V6 doesn't. The audio DJ feature is also a nice benefit for the audio junkies out there.
I really am looking forward to working with this machine.
As Justin mentioned the rain slammed us hard out here, one minute Sunny,and hot the next DOWNPOUR great way to kick off summer[ !]

 

I am new to PA state so i dont know that this pensyl tuckey refers too. I love the state. So much green everywhere. I like the northern part. Tons of rivers, water and bigger lakes. Debating moving there permanently. Ye Jusin you really have a nitche in the fact that you are the only Preffered asus dealer in PA. I do to for that matter. Dont know of any other In NY. At the rate asus is gaining notebook popularity that will not last long.

Eddie
www.Geared2Play.com
Tech Spot
4422 Ave. N
Brooklyn, NY, 11234

 

Hey Eddie,
Pensyl-tuckey is in reference to the general red neck population out here. Don't get me wrong this is a beautiful area we live in but there are some backward people out here like everywhere else.
Valsmere

 

It all depends where. There are alot of communities in PA that have city slickers comming out and buying homes there, which adds to the urban sprawl problem. On the other hand the good news...After I became an official resident of PA i saved $4000 by calling Geico. No joke. I use to pay 4400$ a year before i turned 25 in Brooklyn. Now i pay 428$ with better liability. Unbelievable! Hope i didnt just incriminate my self.

Eddie
www.Geared2Play.com
Tech Spot
4422 Ave. N
Brooklyn, NY, 11234

 

Eddie,
If you've got a good driving record, look into Amica or State Farm. They both have excellent ratings with JD Power and I'd guess either of them is cheaper than Geico.

drum while you work

 

My wife and I used to live in Jersey and the insurance there was killing us also. What I really enjoy about Pa is that you can own a firearm without being labeled a criminal or worse. I still love the winters out here the best. As I mentioned earlier is that I am on the road for 7 months and those are during the prime "vacation" months. I am off from Nov 1 to roughly April. The winters are oh so quiet out here its great.
Valsmere

 

Did the W5A look nearly as nice as the W3V?

 

Rob
I didnt have a perfect driving record at the time of signing the policy but i had quoted with atleast 2 other insurers. One flat out declined me and the other wanted 400 more. Geico by far was the cheapest and easiest to deal with. The only complaint i got is that they almsot seemed like they were pushing us to use pay by check to pay the bills. I ve had reps tell me "please consider our pay by e-check/direct withdrawal bill service. I use my amex everythime and lately they have stopped asking. I though that was very petty and felt almost embarassed to use my credit card to pay the bill. Thought it was pretty weird for a large company to do that. Now back to the subject matter. Ye PA is awesome. No crime, no smog, green everywhere, fishing everywhere and best of all i can drive my golfcart and atv in the community. Flipped over on it last weekend right infront of the security guard at the main gate and the guy looked at me in amazement. Now you cant do any of this in the inner city. People speak of great culture, diversity and the view in the city. I find it a refreshing treat to get out of the city. Best part of all. I dont know if this is common to all northwest pa residents. I have no air conditioners in my house in PA. Not one. On the hottest most humid day it doesnt get any worse then bearable. It may have to do with my proximity to the water and elevation but i think that is a real treat to be able to relax on your deck and look at the view without sweating and burning.

Eddie
www.Geared2Play.com
Tech Spot
4422 Ave. N
Brooklyn, NY, 11234

 

I'm a PA resident myself strongly considering an asus notebook. Its nice to know there are some dealers in the area.

 

Hey Guys,
Just an update because I have been on the road in Vermont all week. Justin and I met again last night so I could ick up my W3V. WOW, after I got the unit set up, which was real easy it rocks. I felt for me this was the best choice, with the help of Justin, that I made. I was at a real big advantage because I was able to see all three units at the same time before I handed over the money, plus I had a load of digital photos to go back to and compare all three. Again that was very very nice of Justin to go the extra distance for me. I will post a better review next week, after I have it on the road all this coming week. All I can say right now is that this machine has met and exceeded all the expectations that I had. Definitely the right choice for me 5 stars out of 5 [8D]
Valsmere

"The only easy day was yesterday"