Asus F3, F8, C90, or M5

The screen on my Asus Z70a cracked and since its going to cost about $500 to replace it, I decided that it makes sense to just buy another notebook. I'm looking at the F3, F8, C90, and M5. I like C90 the most, but I'm concerned that its a little too much for needs and I have yet to find an online review of it.

• Build quality is extremely important and I would like something that has about 3 hours of battery life under light load
• I'm a student and not into gaming, but I would like to have a computer that can handle the games and applications for the next four years.
• Compatible with PClinuxOS and Windows XP
• I don't want to spend more than $1000. I am computer literate so intalling a hd, memory or cpu is not really that difficult for me especially if its going to keep the cost down.

C90, M5, F8, F3 or something else?
And I won't be buying the computer until I return to the U.S. in July. Does anyone know if a new line of Asus notebooks (particularly Barebone/Built on Asusu) will be available by then?

 

If you want 3 hours of battery life, the C90 is straight out.

 

The C90 not having any reviews? BTOTech did a video review and we have a text one hidden somewhere in the asus forums...

 

Having a build quality of the class of the Z70 (which is nearly the same as my M6Bne) for under 1000 -- I'm not sure that's an achievable goal...

The ASUS F-series that you mention: F3 has a serious build issue (check the Info Booth / palmrest crack thread). F8 -- I haven't heard any complaints, but the F series is still a budget series so don't expect business-quality. The C90, I don't know, and the M5 is quite new so if there are any issues they haven't popped up yet. It's still in the affordable power-machine range, though, so again, I wouldn't expect business quality.

To (reliably) get at least 3 hours of battery life under light load, on an ASUS, you need something that has a 9-cell battery option. The newer ASUS notebooks get between 2:30 and 3 hours batt life on light load; I don't know numbers for the types that you mention, you need to check the reviews.

 

Well I dont know of any Asus laptop that will get 3 hours, atleast not stock. If you asked me what to buy I say the M50 is the best buy right now and it is compatible with a 9cell battery so you can get 3 hours of life.

However I own a C90, and also did a review of it and it rocks fastest laptop around in the cpu category and thats nice since I do video editing. Go ahead and look at my sig line for links.

 

I would also say either one of the M5-s or the F8. F3 no because of the issue mentioned in my post above. C90 because of battery concerns.

 

C90 is a great desktop replacement. It is literally a basic desktop to go. If you want portability...you're much better off somewhere else.

 

I've narrowed my choices down to the M5 and the F8. I like the f8 b/c its smaller but not too small but I think I would be more satisfied with the performance of the m5. I read a review of the both laptops on notebookcheck and it appears that Asus build quality is not the same when I purchased my z70a. I still would like to read more reviews of both notebooks. And does anyone know if Asus plans to unveil a new line of notebooks anytime soon? And how does the vaio fz compare to the m5 and f8?

 

Yes, the overall build quality has gone down significantly. In the days of the M6/Z70 you could pick just about any ASUS and be assured of good quality; now you have to either do your research thoroughly or be very lucky.

As I said (or didn't I?) F8 seems to be on the up-side of build quality in the ASUS F-series (which is a budget series nevertheless). M5 is still an open question, it's too new for any build quality issues to pop up.

to read more reviews, please click Info Booth in my signature and go to quick reviews. There are several M5XXX models, as well as F8, reviewed there by resellers and users. Also check the main review directory if you didn't do that already.

I'm not aware of plans for a new line of notebooks, but I haven't explicitly followed their lineup.

I don't know about the comparison. Personally I looked at the TZ (I think that's the 13.3 right?) and I didn't like it. WAAY overpriced here in Europe, and the screen is very, very flimsy -- like a piece of paper, almost. But that doesn't help you with the FZ.

 

How is it costing $500 to replace the screen. I thought the Z70a came with a standard 1280x800 screen? I cracked my 1680x1050 15.4" and it was about $240 to replace, and that's a more expensive screen.

 

Where did you find your screen for replacement? I think maxuel998 posted the price on ASUS eStore, there screens are in the region of 400USD or more...

 

yea, i contacted istnc (the company i purchased the computer from) for a quote to replace the screen but they told me that they didn't have it and the only place that did was asus. i checked the website and the screen alone costs $455. i have no idea how to replace the screen myself and would have trouble paying that price to fix a four year old notebook. i have already spent about $200 this year replacing the hd (i'm on my fourth btw) and upgrading the ram.

 

Fourth HDD?!? Wow that's a lot of bad luck My original M6BNe HDD is still working fine...

I agree it makes more sense getting a new notebook than spending 500 USD on a new screen.

 

I know, I 've had my share of bad luck with hd for this notebook.

1. 60gb 7200 Hitachi - 3 Months
2. 60gb 5400 Samsung - 2.5 Years (got for free so no complaints)
3. 80gb 4200 Toshiba - 3 weeks (purchased in buenos aires where there is no such thing as a warranty or returns.
4. 80gb 7200 Hitachi - Current (works well)

How much do you think I can get if I were to sell my notebook for parts?

 

I don't know, but I'm not sure it'll be worth your while. Better just give it to someone to use with an external monitor, or do that yourself...

The fully working computer would barely get to 500USD, I think, being that old (I'm talking power and not quality, right now).

Wait for another answer at least, though, I don't have any experience with this sort of thing.

 

I got my screen for $248 + S&H. Genuine OE CMO screen.

http://www.smartmicrousa.com/