Asus W2v - user impressions

Hey, hey, hey.... I love nvidia' nvdvd (i think it's got a new name now) ...... and even love to use it on a system with an ATI card. The picture is slightly better, but the sound capabilities are great (if you have a system that can make use of them).

DVD watching is going to look just about the same on any notebook you watch it on, so there must be something up with your settings..

 

im worried about it getting marked......

 

I have no idea what you're trying to say here... get marked by ATI for playing movies through nvidia's player?

 

Does it actually get that dirty or was it like that Davinci? I see finger prints everywhere.

 

That's on the protective plastic... the brushed anodized aluminum doesn't really even show finger prints itself... or should I say they are hidden even better on something like the W1/W2 than any other notebook I've seen.

 

someone said it would look better without the plastic, i dont want to take it off, plus my watch could scratch it.

Im using it a work now, it handles all our accounting packages with ease - this is one **** fine laptop.....

as proportable said it is the plastic - they r not fingerprints, its air under the plstic as i took it off when it first arrive.

oh, proportable - i would have bought the laptop from you, but yr site said no international credit cards, and i emailed you about this and you basically restated that this was the case

 

Dude, the plastic is MEANT to be taken off...... I would think someone who bought an Asus system would at least have the taste to realize that. Brushed anodized aluminum is going to take more of a beating than that plastic will and you're never going to experience the true beauty of that machine......

.... it handles your accounting packages with ease..... no kidding? Do you realize what you bought?

Yeah - no international cards.... incase anyone in the US is dumb enough to accept your card.... we've found that even with proof of delivery, any "claimed" fraud outside of the country of the card holder is automatically returned to the card holder and there is NO way for the merchant to prove otherwise...... Like I said, we found that out the hard way and if you want to prove me wrong, you could claim you never made the order from whoever you bought from..... ... but I don't remember asking where you bought it.

 

jesus dude relax would you, have i offended u r something?

the plastic was on there while i sorted out the machine, geez....

yes i realise what i bought - as it was a review section i thought i would let everyone know it powers through em - thanks for the smart ass response though - much appreciated. As i put the machine through its paces i thought id post my results - if that is the kind of response i can can expect i wont bother

prove u wrong???? and u never asked me where i bought it from... yes i know this, i just thought i'd mention it as i would have liked to have purchased from you as you put time into these forums to help out others - i did some of my laptop research on this forum. I am aware of the potential for fraud, so i shopped around on th net, and your site (among many others) came up

u need to chill out bro - i mean u no harm

 

There's barrier between people who leave shipping plastics on their electronics and those who don't..... So don't get me wrong, you didn't offend me and I'm totally cool..... stickers and plastic and all that sort of stuff is one of my pet peaves.

I had a roommate in college who left everything on everything he ever bought...... He had a phone that was probably 10 years old that the stickers were left on so long that they just started to gel up and disinergrate only to leave the new color under the sticker while everything else was faded and with a nasty gluey substance stuck to the phone it just looked nasty. Next he left all of the stickers and hanging warnings and even the window sticker on his leased car..... becasue he thought in a couple years that would make it worth more and he could sell it outright instead of turning it in. Ok... so drive around in your new car for a couple years and look like an idiot... ooook.

I don't know if that would get on other people's nerves, but for you Davinci - you've got basically the best notebook out there on the market.... it's even going to hold it's color better than a powerbook would.... You've got two things going for you.... the fact that the surface is brushed means that even if it were to scratch you'd never see it. The surface is then anodized... thats like chroming steel....... it makes the aluminum surface something like 5 times stronger. You're not going to wear away that color and you're not going to scratch it up either. My brother has used my W1 for that last year and he wears a BIG old watch which used to scratch up his desk and other things.... his W1 looks just as good today as it did when he opened up the box.

I'm just trying to use strong language to get you to release an inhibitions and ENJOY your system like it was meant to be enjoyed..... Trust me if you're not satisfied in the look of the palmrest after a year ($40 will buy you a whole new palmrest and touchpad)........ But it's not a smart ass response - you simply put it as:

"someone said it would look better without the plastic, i dont want to take it off, plus my watch could scratch it."

That means you've actually thought about it.

Two things -

1. you actually thought about it and want to leave the plastic on - even though you bought a w2 that says a lot about you as a person

2. again, you almost seemed surprised that this machine handled all of your account software...... I don't know what you think you were buying, but if the purpose was just something that would run those....... you could have bought 3 systems for what the W2v cost.

There's nothing wrong with any of that..... but you bought CLASS... you bought QUALITY... you don't need to protect it, trust me. You also bought one hell of a powerhouse....... seeming surprised about the accounting software you're running either means you think your software is somehow above highend gaming and graphics programs....... or you don't realize what exactly you bought.... both are sort of scary.

I'm just trying to help you out dude.

 

I'm about to be able to post something relevant in this thread..lol. I wish fedex would get off there Arse, and get the W2V to me. Hopefully i can have a review done by Saturday.

 

barrier between those who keep plastic on and those that done - haha
Like i said its come off now.
the comment about the accounting software was just that, a comment on how the machine handles this kinda software...i may have erred in that it should be expected to handle this kind of softwae with ease and therefore it was a useless comment. I apologise if i wasted peoples time with it.
A few more reviews now.

I purchased a deskjet 6840 with built in WIFI to complement the system. Conects like a dream, now issues. I am having the odd issue with my logitech v500 mouse - the scroll function is not 100%, but im sure its more to do with the mouse than the laptop

Battery life - im getting close to 3 hours with office type applications at the moment

The bag that ASUS provide with the laptop is great, all cables fit nicely. The laptop fits very snugly

 

There you go..... that's cool..

 

Hey Justin,
Asus says that they don't/won't at this time upgrade their 2 year warranty on the W2v for a third (or more) year, at least not in North America. They refer you back to your dealer. Any thoughts/help?

 

They're insane? Back like 3-4 years ago they offered an extra 1 year warranty that you could buy through them..... I haven't heard anything about it since then.

However for them to send you back to us is dumb....... I'm guessing that they're saying maybe we'll offer you a warranty plan - but Asus isn't going to back it and it would be through us and certainly not global..... I'm going to talk to them about that and see why they'd even mention that.

 

Yeah, it's on their website. They'll extend for the rest of the world but not North America. Very strange, indeed....

 

I don't know... I really wish they'd take down their global site and make it so you can't visit any of the other countries sites from the US.... it's really a shame because most of the information people complain about is actually from another site....... It's like looking at the german and then US audi site... or anything like that.... they're different companies and offer different things and are only tied together by little strings.

 

Hey Justin, have you heard anything from Asus? Is there any way to up the warranty for another year on the W2v?

 

No one at Asus ever gets their mail when they're not working... I'd be lucky to get a reponse by early in the week.

 

Justin, how's your luck been? Hear anything yet?

 

No, infact... I sort of forgot about it... i'll shoot over another email now... they've got an hour and twenty minutes before they go home for the weekend.

 

Hello

DOes the W2 has a parallel and serial port? D type connectors

Thanks for your help...

Regards

 

No..... get with USB!

 

Actually, it will be hard to find on any modern notebook. I use a usb to serial converter for updating my satellite receiver.....

 

Hello everybody.

I've been using my W2V for 3 weeks now, and I think it is time to share with you my impressions, now that I'm sure they won't be affected by the excitement of the new "toy".

Before beginning, I must say that, though living in Italy, I bought my W2 from ProPortable, in the US. This because the only model available in my country features 1,73 GHz CPU, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HD and several other minor things less than the us model, equipped with 2,13 GHz CPU, twice as RAM, 100 GB HD, and slot type Optical drive.

Let's start with saying that the care Asus has put in realizing this notebook can be witnessed by just looking at the beatiful box.
- Contents of the box: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT ALL THAT STUFF )
MCE remote and IR pod, IR extensions, headphones, Tuner's antenna, several audio/video adapters, software, a couple of games, cables and just everything you need. Special mention for the included Asus-branded Targus carrying case, very beatiful, with plenty of room and good protection for the contents and for the Logitech matching aluminum optical mouse. 10/10
Now, about the notebook itself:
- Screen: Awesome. Though still not matching the marvellous 1920x1200 17" screen my friend's Sony Vaio has, is truly a pleasure to watch. Bright, clear, colorful, and with a surprisingly wide viewing angle. 9/10.
- Chassis: This is by far the best I've ever seen in any widescreen notebook. The aluminium has a very pleasant feeling, the hinges are strong, the magnetic locking system is perfect. Considering the huge amount of features the W2 packs, the dimensions are astonishingly small.
Touchpad is very comfortable, mainly because of being on roughly the same level as the palmrest. The buttons, both touchpad's and system keys, are partially cut into the aluminium plate and feel very cool.
One minor glitch is found in the two rubber feets closest to the user: after lifting the palms from the palmrest, a "click" can be heard from one or both of them. While moderately annoying, this cannot be really considered an issue. 9/10
- Graphics card: Striking. I have been able to run several recent DX9 games (Doom3, Far Cry, DoW, etc) at 1280x768 (1280x1024 in some cases) at full detail, enjoying smooth framerate in any moment. This while the notebook was connected to AC; on battery mode the performance degrades a bit. This last issue is user configurable within certain limits, though. 10/10
- Sound System: Very good. As some others said, regardless of the subwoofer the low sounds aren't very powerful. The best audio I had heard from any notebook, though. While connected to a 5.1 surround system, the results oblviously improve. 8/10.
- TV Tuner: not the best in terms of clearness of receiving (through MCE), improves considerably if used through the OEM's own TV viewing suite. Not very useful IMHO, but it's definitely cool to watch TV wherever you want . Not the one feature that led me to choose this notebook. 7/10.
- Software. A couple of not-too-excitng games, utilities, recovery cds. Special mention for the power saving utility, very functional and useful. 8/10.
- Operating system. The overall impression of MCE is good, hey, it's XP after all, with one additional theme and a very good multimedia app. On the other side, I don't think it is very suitable to be installed on a portable computer. Not for software issues, the problems that may occur are just the same found in any OS, Microsoft or not. It's for the HUGE remote control and IR receiver, suitable for home use for sure, but just too cumbersome to be carried around. If there was any way to use the built in front IR port, that would considerably reduce the problem. 6/10.

Overall: simply the best notebook I ever had, and by far. It will take some time for the market to see a machine that matches the W2, in the 17" widescreen sector at least.

 

Buon giorno!

I read through your review almost from the bottom up for some reason.... I thought it was a great, honest and reasonable approach that you took to explain everything and I'm happy that you're happy. Then I scroll up and realize you purchased this from my company and that you live in Rome. Next time I'll be in town I'll have to give you a ring and we can meet for an espresso down near the Via Veneto...

 

That will be my pleasure

 

Will Asus be developing a ATSC/NTSC hybrid tuner card that will work with MCE at some point in the future?

You know, something like

http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/HDTV5usb.aspx

but internal to the notebook?

Man if this laptop had that and DVI (or better yet, a HDMI port) I'd be all over it like white on rice!

As it stands, is it possible to pick up this notebook without the tuner for a discount or is it a fixed configuration?

 

It's a fixed configuration and it's not about Asus developing a tuner... it's about getting Microsoft to certify it....... Only certain things work with MCE and Microsoft likes it that way. The tuner isn't worth that much in the overall scheme of things, so it's not worth picking it up without it.... but at the same time nothing else is really going to work with MCE at this time anyway........ nothing to do with Asus.

 

Can anyone expaline to me the following terms:

MCE, OEM, IMHO

Thanks

 

MCE- Media Center Edition
Version of windows with certain media enhancements

OEM- original equipment manufacturer
A company that purchases computers or other complex components from manufacturers, adds other hardware or software, and sells the systems, often for specific applications.

IMHO- In my humble opinion

 

It looks like we've got something that belongs in the FAQ's.....

 

Does PROportable only offer the 1GB memory for W2V? or will there be an option to upgrade to 2GB?

If PROportable does the upgrade for the customer, the ASUS 2 year warranty is void right?

Thanks

 

No we won't offer anything that void's Asus' warranty..... but yes if we did, it will.

We will allow customers to buy other hard drives and extra ram and how they use it is up to them. To upgrade to 2gb of ram you need to replace both sticks in the W2v and replace them with 2 x 1gb sticks...... that's only something I'd do after using the system a while and seeing if you need more than 1gb.

 

Hi, everybody

Justin,

could you send hardware (disks, ram, etc) to Pointe-Noire (Congo Brazzaville) ?
DHL ? UX ? Other ?
How long does it take ?
is it possible to transfer money via MoneyGram or Western Union ?
Where can I see your prices including shipping ?

Joseph.

 

I suggest this post above gets deleted - just because it is off topic.

You'll have to email our sales team - sales @proportable.com - We certainly can - just write to them and they'll help you out.

 

Is the arial incorporated with the system or is it an external one?
Is it part of the accessories?

Thanks

 

What's the arial?

 

for the tv tuner...

 

WHAT IS AN "ARIAL"? - are you talking about an antenna? If that's what you're talking about, no an antenna is only included on this side of the pond. The antenna Asus includes in Europe is for the digital tuner for over the air digital.

 

Hi Justin. Are you making a joke or did you really not realise that Likair had slightly miss-spelt aerial?

I'm not trying to be rude here but I often sense a certain agressiveness in the tone of your posts maybe even bordering on condescending arrogance. I'm sure you have a very extensive knowlege of Asus products and computer related issues in general (certainly far greater than mine) but is there really the need for the whole "You're all wrong" "Is English your first language?" attitude? The English in your own posts is far from perfect and neither is mine but at least we're all getting the point accross and sharing our knowlege.

Time and again you've helped people beyond the call of a retailer and for that reason I assume you're a good guy who's out to help fellow computer enthusiasts. Maybe just a slight rephrasing of some of your posts would make everyone feel a bit more welcome?

As always I'm open to being told I'm totally off track

Phil
W2Vc-U005P

 

Your not, i agree 110 %.

 

I also noticed this. I am still emotionally scarred

 

No, I was wondering what the hell an "arial" was because whether it's "arial" or "aerial" ...... I was asking an honest question that I wanted an aswer to...... so I could help them and them yes or no.... I don't have the time to waste to go back and forth over little things... so I just wanted a straight forward answer.

 

Sorry for creating misunderstanding in my post regarding the AERIAL or ANTENNA post...I did not intend to create all this...
I accidentally mispelled it...

Yes actually I was referring to the AERIAL...Maybe you use the term antenna instead of aerial...

Indeed thanks for your infirmation...

Thanks

 

Would like to know if the W2v with different modelling numbers have significant difference (e.g extra feature of different sort of tv tuner). If there are, could someone please point out what is important when looking at this serial given.

P.S saw one yesterday. absolutely gorgeous notebook. fell in love with it the moment i saw it.

 

There are two models...... the W2vc and W2vb - technically the only model in the US is the Vb, but some Vc's were here initially and changed out by Asus to make them Vb's......

Vc - "c" stood for the model with Asus' mobile theater, hybrid tv tuner, pcmcia remote, antenna

Vb - "b" stood for model with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, analog tv tuner, MCE remote and usb reciever.

Neither one is "better", but the digital tv tuner doesn't work in the US nor with Media Center Edition, so to use MCE they had to use another tuner and you're really not losing anything.

 

So, if I were to buy the W2v, I would only get the "b" version then. No chance of getting the "c" then from your company? I live in Australia, and Australia seems to have the "c" version because the hybrid tuner is compatible here?

Trying to avoid buying in Australia because it's bloody expensive here compared to what your company is offering.

 

All that came to North America was technically the "b" model.... and all we have now are "b" models, so that's all you'd be able to get.

 

Hi Spun,

Can I ask where you bought it from and at what price? I am also in Aus.

 

I was under the impression that because Asus is two miles from me that I stood a better chance with an Asus laptop than with an HP, Compaq, or Dell - all famous for horrible customer service. Asus has, in the past, done well with defective motherboards. Not so with the laptop. What's wrong with the laptop, you ask. How does a dead battery and charger sound for starters? I bought this $2700 laptop because I need the large screen to compensate for bad vision. However, the screen is so reflective that a candle in the next county obscures the whole thing. The provided 1024 MB of RAM is insufficient for the Windows XP MCE OS. It comes with two 512s, so you have to throw away the memory that comes with it and buy two 1024s. Can't get a straight answer whether it's dual-channel or not. The "small and flat remote" (their user guide description) is huge and fat, like an RCA TV remote. The TV tuner doesn't work correctly. The laptop is bluetooth equipped, but comes with a wired mouse. The built-in touchpad has a "virtual scroll" feature that can't be disabled, but causes no end of trouble. Service is nonexistent. I called the day after I received this requesting an RMA. Didn't happen. E-mails are ignored except for an automated response telling you about their "overwhelming call volume". Maybe it wouldn't be overwhelming if they made this thing correctly in the first place. I rejected the Toshiba Quosimo as overpriced and because I have had experience with Toshiba's idea of customer service before. Bad move, I guess. Mostly, every time I look at this piece of junk it reminds me what a moron I was to buy this sight unseen from a dealer (NewEgg) that offers no support or refund for seriously defective merchandise. (Usually, I like NewEgg – an order of magnitude more ethical than TigerDirect, and light years beyond Fry’s.) The Asus laptop has been in its box until two days ago. I bought an external USB floppy drive (that’s right, $2700 and no floppy). The floppy drive works – it’s not an Asus product. I have not received 10 minutes’ service from this thing since I bought it 6 weeks ago. THINK TWICE – AT LEAST.