Asus W1g vs W3

Hey,

With the 'imminent' release of the w3 series, do you think it would be wise to wait for the w3v or even w3n or purchase the new w1g series notebook with similar specs to the w3n. What are the pros and cons of each system.

Also Does the Asus w1g have a high quality screen. Does it have the glossy coat similar to the w3 etc.

Regards
Adrian

 

Adrian,

I don't know if you're in the US or not - but the W3v is the only W3 coming to the states.... Likewise, the W1g isn't coming, but the W1v will be.

Spec wise they will be almost identical... same video, chipset, cpu, hard drive, maybe a little more ram in the W1.... The only thing that isn't totally nailed down is if the W1 is going to get a glare-type screen. The screen on the W1 has already gotten some pretty good talk and it's almost like why mess with a good thing.

The W1v should be coming in late April, once all of the new notebooks have arrived. As is, the $2399 price for the W1 will probably stay intact, maybe go up $100 or more if they go with a glare-type screen or some how decide on 128mb x600 graphics chip. The W3 should still be a few hundred cheaper.

So, you're looking at two identical notebooks. One is just a little smaller and lighter.. So it depends on what you're really looking for.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable
the W3v is the only W3 coming to the states....<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I know you've mentioned it before, but will there be a barebones model of the W3 coming to North America? I've heard you saying that it will look quite different from the W3, but it will have the same chassis. Does this mean that it will have a different model number?

Honestly, I think it would be a shame if Asus didn't release the W3 as a barebones unit. Part of the attraction of Asus' notebooks for me is the high level of customization without the sacrifice of quality. The W3 is the notebook I've been waiting for, but if it is only going to be available as a prebuilt notebook, I don't know if I'm still going to get it.

I'm not sure whether it's the W3A or the W3V which has dedicated video, but I know that dedicated video is not something that I need. I am also in favour of a slower CPU (~1.6gHz). These are both important factors for me as I would like to have more battery life. Also, I do not need a big hard drive (60gb, max). That being said, getting a pre-built W3V with unnecessary components, for me at least, will mean ponying up an extra $300, if not more.

I believe that the M6 made a very good compromise between customization and quality, hence it's popularity. It'd be a shame to see the W3 not offer that to the many customers who have been anxiously awaiting its release.

 

Well, I've said it before.... all of the new Asus models should be available towards the end of April in a barebone format for us to truly customize. Like I said, the difference Asus wants to stress is like the difference between Lexus and Toyota. The "Asus" models will be a standard package with the extra high end finishes and components. One thing I don't think will be offered on any barebone unit may be something like bluetooth, or the glaretype screen (don't quote me on that yet though)

You get the global warranty with the "asus" model, which is invaluable to a world traveler... and you also get a nicer bag and mouse and some extra software. I don't know how the barebone models of these laptops will look and feel, but Asus wants to make them different enough that there are two different options out there for the customers. The barebone laptop, configured identically to the complete "asus' model will surely be cheaper, but you will lose certain things. However, if you want to configure a very low end or a very high end system, you really want to go with a barebone.

I think the V6 may be the only model that won't be offered as a barebone...... but a w3/w1 variant are supposed to be in the works at the very least.

The W3A is the sonoma model with integrated video - the W3V is sonoma with dedicated x600 graphics..... to give you an idea of how our centrino laptop lineup should look by May, I'll list some info below.

Sonoma with integrated graphics:

S5a
M5a
W5a

Sonoma with dedicated graphics:

W3v - 64mb ATI x600
V6v - 64mb ATI x600
Z71v - 128mb Nvidia Go 6600
Z70v - 64mb ATI x600 (may be able to fit 128mb x600 / undecided to date)
W1v - 64mb ATI x600 (may be able to fit 128mb x600 / undecided to date)
W2v - 128mb ATI x700

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Hey Justin, I was just about to ask you which notebook will have the x700 in it.. (Asus was mentioned in an ATI announcement) I see you've leaked that it will be the w2v.

Care to give us any other details?

 

Details...... End of April.... 17" widescreen that will make the Apple Powerbook jealous.. that enough? I think I might be able to give you guys a couple pictures if Asus clears me.

Basically... I think it's going to be a LOT more than the W1.. it's most likely going to be the black anondized brushed aluminum similiar to the W3 --- (by the way...no word on if the W1 is going to get switched over to that color too)

Asus wanted to order it with a 256mb x700, but I think for now they are limiting the card to 128mb because of price or something...

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Pictures! That would be nice.. and what screen rez have they considered?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

As soon as they give me the ok to release the pictures, I will. I don't know what screen it's going to end up with, but I'm pretty sure it's a WUXGA and a glare-type screen....... but don't quote me on that just yet.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Hey Justin,

When will the S5a and M5a be available in Canada/US??? What will the specs on each of them be? Will there be a barebones version of either available?


Thanks in Advance

 

My bad, you said around May right? But what about the exact specs on each of them, will anything change Aside from the upgrade to Sonoma based?

 

Right, early May.... All the new ones come out, then all the current ones get turned over. Specs should be the same... cases and colors probably won't change any on those two models.... Just an update to a 915 chipset, everything else is probably going to remain the same - except for those things that have to change, like the ram and cpu.


- Not sure if you're just excited or what, but there's no W6...... "Fan noise" has never been a problem on a single asus notebook, ever and for a year, it hasn't been a problem on the M5, until a handful of people started complaining about it. Fan noise isn't an issue on them.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Will there ever be an S5v or M5v model option?...basically an S5 or M5 model with Dedicated Graphics? (Or upgradeable graphics?)

Also, can anyone tell me in theory or from experience If I'd be able to play any of the AGE of EMPIRES series game titles on an S5N, M5N, or any ASUS laptop equipped with Embedded Intel Extreme Graphics 2 (w/ up to 64MB shared system RAM) relatively smoothly? Would I notice any difference/improvement in gameplay (of AoE2) waiting for the 915GM Chipset's integrated graphics over the 855GME's integrated graphics on the above mentioned systems? (any model I get will have the maximum amount of memory installed If that makes a big difference)

I know these models aren't meant for gaming...I'm just curious because It's the only series of games I play and It'd be a nice bonus If I am able to play them from time to time on one of these awesome models.

 

I believe you should be fine with the AoE series using the integrated graphics (likely even moreso on the newer 915 chipset.) I've witnessed WarcraftIII running just fine on some pretty old systems--with what I believe was 32mb shared video memory, at that--and so I doubt AoE would pose any problems.

 

No way to fit dedicated graphics in them.... way too damn small...... that wouldn't just require more space for a chipset..... but more space to cool it - bigger fan and heatsink for the system....

When you look at something like the apple 12" powerbook.. I think that uses an ati 9200 w/ 32mb of ram.... (if I'm mistaken, just correct me, but I think the point is taken).... I'm not 100% sure how that compares to 64mb worth of intels extreme graphics 2 as in the S5n/M5n...... or even the bettered graphics of the 915 chipset.... but my guess is it's pretty close if not better. That integrated chipset is pretty darn good....... it's not ati 9600, but you can get a lot out of it.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Yea AoE 2 runs fine on my brothers laptop and he has 855 chipset and integrated graphics (the Asus S5N). I know that AoE 3 is supposed to come out soon and I'm wondering if integrated will still suffice...if it will I may not need dedicated GPU.

 

I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but the improvement with the 915 chipset and it's integrated graphics is probably enough to offset the upgrades in AoE 3 -- although I don't know what changes they made....

AoE 2 seems to run more than just ok on the S5... Last year we had a friend of mine of tech tv use an S5ne for a couple months. I think he was a big AoE player..... atleast it was loaded when we got it back.. but he had nothing but praise for the system, and it's only gotten better since then.

It depends on exactly what you need and have to spend..... there are a lot of options out there, but weight, size, price, all play a part.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]