ASUS model advice for an Aussie :)

Hey there guys, thanks for the last couple hours' reading of your posts, I've learned heaps. Your experiences and comparisons are invaluable! I'm a software/web developer in Australia, so I need to know what to get down here. Anyone know about the ASUS models available in Oz?

I do want ASUS... considering my needs, my options (afaik) are the M6V or the W3030V. I've read lots of good stuff about the Z70/71V, but can you get it here?

I'm going off the W3V, because of the "glossy" screen... from what I've read, it might be good for games and video, but not great for 10 hours' coding every day. I'd rather have a good quality matte 1k/768 screen than eye strain every night! Am I right in assuming the 14" glossy wides are not good for da eyeballs?

Also heard Z71's have "sparkly" screens... considering the work I do, this sounds bad... does the M6V have a better screen?

Basically, need something good for long hours staring at code, Photoshop, Visual Studio .NET, CAD/3D Studio... mostly on power as a desktop replacement, except when I go see clients. Reliability and solid construction as must, as is a top notch, easy to read screen with good colour representation. Will be using TV-output for playing DVDs, not the LCD. Want to play the latest games at reasonable rates, but won't quibble too much about 3D Mark scores.

And of course, must be available in Oz... Any guidance down under would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers all!

 

First, the M6v and Z70v are the same models.... The Z71v is the M7v in the rest of the world (I just don't think many other places have the M7).

an ATI 64mb x600 is going to be more than enough for what you're doing. You might be best off with the M6v. I love my W3 and I normally like large screens..... but I think you could use a 14" widescreen all day, everyday if needed.

 

Thanks Justin, you're a star.

So you're saying the M6V is the same as the M7V, which is the same as the Z71V, right?

The M6V here is 15.4", and has a 128MB X700 in it, for AU$2900 (~US$2200) Whereas the W3V is 14" with 64MB X600, and is the same price... I guess the M6V is the one to get, then.

Unless there anything the W3V has over the M6V?

Screen-wise, the M6V is the better quality screen, yes?

 

Yes I've just been browsing Oz shops lately and they have the new M6Va (with the X700) in stock.

Definately the one to get if you're a gamer. However it will eat more battery life, and if you dont play games, then the X600 in the regular M6V or V6V is more than enough. From the website below, it states that the M6Va has the glaretype screen. If you dont want that, then maybe the V6V is for you.

one of the sites I came across:

www.itbox.com.au

 

Thanks MavXP!

Sadly the V6V doesn't have any TV out... seems strange to put a TV-out on a widescreen laptop - where you'd probably watch vids on the laptop anyway - and no TV-out on a normal 15" laptop, which is where you'd really want one! Weird...

I prefer the 15" matte screen, but definitely need the TV-out..

Can you get TV out adaptors for laptops? (probably usb or pcmcia..?)

[edit] which shops had it in stock? I tried several and they're all waiting for new stock around the 26th August [/edit]

 

Just discovered that the V6V also has a "Color Shine" screen.
http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=V6000V Series&langs=09

Damn

 

Here is the list of what ASUS is currently stocking in Aust.( http://au.asus.com/products2.aspx?l1=5&l2=-1)
At the moment this list is probably alittle on the conservative side and you maybe able to get a few extra models which are listed on the global site ( http://www.asus.com/products2.aspx?l1=5&l2=-1)...eg i think the W3V, and M6V are available in a few stores.
As for naming of models Aust goes by the global site...its only the US where things are different...they have a 'z' infront of models which are customised by retailers.
Assuming that the M6V has the same WSXGA screen that the M6Ne came with then I can say that screen is pretty good, very nice for graphics etc...although if gaming is a major priority then consider getting a model with a lower res as there is no way that a X700 will be able to play at that res in modern games thus you would have to play at a non-native res which can look blurry.
The main difference betw the W3V and M6 series is the screen size and weight. Thus as your gonna be plugged into the wall go the bigger M6, the increase in weight wont be an issue therefore negateing the advantage of the W3...also the M6 has a matte screen while the W3 has a glossy screen.
a

 

Well, this means the Z70Va (or refresh) is being sold in Australia...
The M7v is the Z71v
The M6v is the Z70v

Go for the M6. It has a better GPU than the w3v and less heat.
Does it have bluetooth?

 

The current M6SNe Series does not come with Bluetooth
M6A were shipped with Bluetooth, not sure if there are still some available.
The M6QVa Series with 128Mb dedicated graphics is not available in australia as yet, eta for the first lot to reach australia is approx 1st to 2nd week of september (not confirmed). I dont think it will have a true TV-Out port like you are hoping for, it will have a composite S-Video port.
The Screen on the M6QVa is 15.4" WXGA+ with ColourShine Technology.
Hope that helps Antic

:asus: