ASUS Spreading their assets too thin?

This thread is more for discussion, feel free to disagree.

In my opinion I think that ASUS creates amazing products, but they are not concentrating on a specific niche in the electronics world.

Nearly everything they make is excellent, yet much of it is hard to come by, especially in the States. I mean its available, but only those who know electronics firsthand buy ASUS.

For example, I started with ASUS when I bought my first motherboard for my PC, while others purchase their customized OC graphics cards.

Not only that, the products that ASUS makes are very unorganized and poorly marketed. In laptops for instance, there are an abundance of code names and models available. Even the most knowledgeable consumer will have a tough time naming all of the available laptops, let alone even name every catagory of items they produce.

I think that ASUS needs to focus more in a specific area (such as laptops and PC's only) if they want to grow. I am not against their phones or other electronics, but they do not have enough footing to introduce all of these products at once.

Just my opinion, agree to disagree.

I am curious as to what your opinions are!

 

They actually market quite well up here, not the best but doing well.

 

i kinda agree that they sohuld have the same model names all over the world.
the only difference should be the "built-on-asus" and "ensemble" asus laptops.

 

Asus really has no name recognition in the states. unless you are a PC builder you will never hear of asus here. Its a shame to because anyone thats sees my asus laptops always stops right away and asks is that an apple or a sony. Then you say asus and they think it must be junk because they have no idea what it is.

 

It's an interesting opinion... but we have to keep in mind that although Asus isn't a household name here in North America, it IS one in other parts of the world. So making cell phones, PDAs...etc, is something normal for Asus to do - especially where they are popular. In the mean time, we only get their motherboards and notebooks. I'm sure when their products grow over here, we'll start seeing the cell phones and other devices.

I'm actually starting to see a lot more Asus notebook computers at school...
Last year, I saw maybe... 3 or 4. This year, maybe... 20? Asus is definitely growing here in Canada.

 

At my university, the only people who use Asus are international students from Asia. The rest of the people thought they only make motherboard.

 

I admit that up till Q3 of 2005 I did not know that Asus made laptops - but now I am SO glad they do !

 

Me too, just a few months ago when I was considering the Sony SZ I stumbled upon someone saying "Wait for the Asus W3J!" didn't know Asus mad laptops til then =P

 

ASUS branded notebooks were/are obviously an "afterthought;" a by-product of their ODM/manufacturing work where they "brand" their own notebooks. I think this year may be a transition for their strategy. Their ensembles obviously have taken position over their whitebooks in roll out and in form. It's a matter of price points and margins...e.g., 667 RAM v. 533, HDs, (((just do the comparisons)))...

In fact, the value in notebook performance is Michie D's, arguably so; chassis is usually a favorable ASUS argument...certainly if you buy an ensemble notebook. Peeps will protest, but certainly at the buy point: take a grid and piece together the components, line by line.

Personally, at this point, it's worthy of some patience to see the new models that will roll out with next gen processing. IMHO.

 

I think it has more to do w/ their business model - if they used large retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City, you'd see advertisements on tv, in print and when you visited the store.

Since they're not a direct seller (as far as I know), they don't spend the kind of marketing money that would ingrain them in the minds of the average consumer...and that's okay.

They're spectacular products, and it's okay that they're not "average" computers for average folks...but what do I know?

 

That's all true...their original purpose was to build for the companies who were willing to promote and incur those costs.

Proves the point: after millions of income for design and manufacturing, it's an augmentation to the income statement with the white book line and the "network" of dealers in the US...you don't see any BB,CUSA, CC et al., in this line up. In fact, anyone who's a casual reader of this forum or the other one can name them on their fingers, maybe on one hand.

Not a negative OR a positive...it's just what it is.

 

I agree with Androo. Because when I post some information about new laptop available in Taiwan, which is main computing industrial company in Taiwan. I found out that has the same name like W3J, A8J and A6J, but different component... Is kinda confuse people, they should unify all laptop. And it will make ASUS less trouble to post different modle specs in all ASUS international website. Because info. on each website like USA and Globe just mess up and complicated...

 

It takes a lot of money for an international company to launch a new business model all over the world. They have to pick an choose where to spend their marketing budget.
I probably would not have known Asus built notebooks had I not decided to research rather than running to Comp USA or Best Buy. Now I'm caught in the waiting game, like so many others, hoping that the release of my model won't be continually delayed.

 

I talked to my reseller and I believe Asus' move to push their ensemble models is a big mistake.

They are purposely making their Built On models less appealing to try to push their ensemble models to the main stream.

The paper pushers have won again. Bastardos.

 

Where would one buy an Asus laptop online? Thanks in advance

 

I think the ODM explanation is the closest. They don't have phones in their portefollio because they wanted a phone there. They have it because they have/had a contract to make ODM phones and offered them to their retailers under a 'whatever sells, sells' concept. This is a purely win/win: they make money of the ODM deal and win a bit on the side under their own name.

If they would market the phones 'properly' that would cost money. If it tanks, they loose money. In the other case, if it tanks they don't make as much money

 

Go to ASUS official website, and select your region. Then, click on "Where to buy?" button. You will find some reseller near you. And you should tell us which country you live in, so we can know exactly which reseller.

 

I have only recently discovered Asus through this forum and, like so many, I'm waiting on the models due out "mid-March." I'm hoping to buy my first Asus before they are too commonplace in the US, lest they become more like Sony/Dell/Compaq/Etc in build quality or customer service. Hurry, Asus, before your star rises too high!

 

sony's sales were shattered by that post, it got me too. now im obsessed with the w3j and developing a nervous twitch in anticipation...

 

Whoops, my bad

 

Hey Gin Bottle...where are you located? Take a look at proportable.com.

 

In my opinion they have to start with simplicity. Create a select few of desireable notebooks that are customizable. Ensemble is good in theory, but if someone wants more/less power, but the same chasis they are out of luck.

Once a power base is established in US/Canadian notebook world (it will reguardless) they should then introduce the LCD screens and PDA's etc.

Loyal customers always come back, and recommend to others.

 

Doesn't the customizable aspect increase the complexity and costs signficantly for Asus? I agree they need to simplify their line, but I would think building a custom computer for every customer is much more expensive than just providing a solid "ensemble" that isn't customizable.

 

eslayter you've got it right. Customizations mean time, money, and headaches because of the organizational factors.

I think from a business point of view they're doing a good thing, but for us folk that are keen on their whitebooks, we're in for a big hit in quality.

Guess we're all going to have to buy ensembles soon.