Asus W3J or Asus S96J? Please help me decide!

I have read the reviews for both, the Asus S96J that I have customized is the same speed as the W3J but it is $500 cheaper.

I'm just wondering if that sturdy build that the W3J is worth it or not?

What are the chances that the S96J will crap out on me?

 

The more your travel with it, the more the superior build quality of the W3j will come in handy.

 

The parts and everything used in both computers will be of the same quality. Externally the W3j is built better than the S96j. Like Zaz said, if your going to be travling more the W3j is better for that. It's also a pound or so lighter and better looking...

 

W3j's built quality is more beautiful than S96j, it has a metal plate on the front cover and look be deluxe. The both also have the same resolution, go to W3j will be worth for more portability.
Cheers

 

I went with a S96J.

I loved being able to hand select every component in the notebook. I love the theory of the VBI program.....being able to easily find compatible spare parts. And $500 is a decent chunk of change.

 

Unless you specifically want the x1600 your other alternatives in the same form factor as w3j is the s62j and z62j both have nvidia 7300 and less expensive. The a8jm is also 14" and about 300$ less expensive and has a nvidia 7600 which is almost very comparable to the x1600

 

Will I be able to play Half Life 2 with high settings and get good FPS with the a8jm?

 

For sure .

 

w3j is better but both are grainy

 

im in same dilemma.. i probably will go with the s96J too...

does the Z96J have the grainy thing?

 

all x1600 laptops do, not just asus

 

Get the W3J, the exterior build quality will last you longer and will look more attractive then the S96J.

 

Does anyone know if the price will go down in the next couple of months?

If so, by how much do you think?

 

Probably not, laptops generally don't get cheaper, they are only upgraded

 

I find the S96j a robust notebook. The W3J isnt my cup of tea, and never will be. Out of all the computers ive been with and notebooks too, the S96j has been the easiest and most capable computer I have ever dealt with. I agree with Hyperluminous that the VBI program is a good thing, but a number of retailers have stated the program is hard to get support from. If you want to have a powerful notebook with just as good build quality as the W3J, go with the S96j line.

 

I just read in the s96j that oblivion will only run on the lowest settings at 1024x768...is this true?

Also...how yould you compare this laptop to my desktop?

My desktop:
amd athlon xp 2500+
1gb ram
9800 pro 128mb
120gb 7200rpm

to the laptop i want to buy:

Asus s96j
T2500 Dual core 2.0
1gb ram 667
80gb 7200 rpm (hitachi)
ati x1600 256mb.

 

Processing power is WAY superior. Video is probably very slightly better only due to newer tech. HD will be a little slower.

 

Ferny - Have you recieved your laptop yet? If so, what are your impressions of it?

I have been in the same boat as you for sometime now and still cannot decide. I like the w3j because of its build quality/looks/configuration but as you stated I could get the s96j w/ the same specs for cheaper.

What were your deciding factors for choosing the s96j over the w3j?

I can go either way w/ the 14 or 15.4" screen. The w3j appears to have a bit brighter screen that the s96j, do you have any complaints about this?

 

Keep in mind the form factor... You pay to get that kind of power in a 14" lappy. There are only 3 notebooks that compare to the W3J.. The Zepto, Compal and the Asus A8Jm (sorry no model numbers). Nobody else has managed to do what the W3J does and you pay a premium for it!

I dont think he's ordered anything yet... or even decided for that matter.

 

Oblivion went into auto "high" mode, after checking my S96J when it first ran.

Krista

 

I run Oblivion medium-high at 24-50fps with Cats 6.8

The X1600 is more powerful than a 9800 because of the newer onboard techology.