Asus s96j is enticing but with all the problems...

Hey guys,

I am once again looking at the s96j and it seems pretty reasonable for the price. Of course the E1505 is cheaper, but the s96j has better gpu.

As I am considering this computer, I am turned off by the keyboard problems and the graininess issue...why would there be so many problems for a $1400 computer?

Should I wait till there is a new batch of s96j? SHould i just stay away?

Thanks.

 

I never really noticed the graininess issue with this computer until I actully looked for it. In my opinion it isn't very noticable. I think the screen is really nice, as long as you don't mind the reflectivness of a glossy screen. The keyboard would be my biggest complaint about this computer. It doesn't seem all that sturdy, and there is a bunch of flex in it. The good thing about this computer is that the keyboard can be swapped out and replaced. One other thing I should point out is that you will need a Windows SP2 disk. If you don't, you should get one otherwise you will have a hard time getting this computer set up. Other than that I think this is a very good machine for its price. It is very fast, and the GPU is excellent.

 

There is a very odd thing with this notebook. Some s96j's from Mwave acted with weird screen problems, and started the screen issue. I dont know about the keyboard issue, I myself dropped a book on the keyboard and it didnt even feel weak after 2 days use after the drop. This notebook is a really good deal for the money, will possible last you till you die, and is really upgradeable. That you wont see in a Dell or HP with some trouble or compatability issues. Just have good support(Gentech, Powernotebooks, and other vendors who I forgot) and its worth the money.

 

rydude07, Im not going to try to convince you to get an S96J, but i will tell you that i am very satisfied with my unit. Next month i will be heading back to school and the S96J will be my only personal computer while im there; i have no doubt it will serve me well.

Some of the Asus resellers have a money back guarantee for a certain period of time, you might be able to return your unit if you don't like it. I know powernotebooks had a 15-day return policy when i bought it, but check with other resellers and determine if this is an acceptable "back door" for you to escape.

Chances are you've already gone the Dell route before, you know what's down that alley. The bottom line is that no matter what we tell you here, get that with which you are most comfortable.

 

" but i will tell you that i am very satisfied with my unit."

ha!

 

Yea, i have gone through the dell valley and have friends who went down that valley are are just happy with their products. I think I will keep my eye on the s96j, and hope that the problems are solved, because i really love the x1600.

Baronvonfunke, you do not agree with safer?

 

Am i missing something here?

 

There are some problems here and there with this computer, but overall I love it. I would recomend it to most people who want control over what is in their computer (processor, memory, HD) and who are able to troubleshoot some computer problems. Other than the key problem I am happy with my purchase.

 

I also recently just got my s96 about 3 weeks to a month ago before anyone started posting about the problems. I personally don't notice any of these. My keys havn't fallen off and i really don't notice what this grainnyness people are talking about. If maybe you are getting yoru thingy for picture editing than the graininess might bother you. But for the average gamer, it shoudln't be a problem. I don't notice.

 

thats good. The keyboard problem started to scare me..with keys starting to fall off...

 

The keyboard, in my opinion, is the worst part of this computer. The rest of it feels very sturdy, and has little to no flex. I really like the screen, and like I said, only noticed the graininess when I was looking for it (and even then it wasn't that apparent). Games like Half Life 2, CS:S, and Oblivion play beautifully.

 

htat was one reviewer, who reported that he was almost certain it was an isolated issue, nobody else has reported the keyboard problem

 

I've heard of at least one other keyboard problem on these forums. But keys can fall off any laptop, and I'm sure you'll find reports of keys breaking on other brands if you look hard enough.

 

I'm presuming it's a little Beavis and Butthead humour...

"Huh huh, huh huh, you said unit..."

 

I have a question.

What is this about the s96j having keyboard flex problems. Exactly what does this mean. when I press in the keys softly or very hard, I don't feel any flex, in any area of the keyboard.

 

If you look level at the keyboard and push it "down", you can see a slight amount of flex but not to the point where it will be mushy, and it aint no thinkpad keyboard aswell.

 

I say go for it. The graininess is not limited to only mWave computers. It affects all of the S96 and Z96's, as well as most other models with the x1600, to my knowledge.

Keyboard is kind of cheap, seeing as it is part of the VBi program. It is definately not bad, is not too loud, and I can type perfectly fine(and fast) on it. Took no getting used to. There is some flex, which is not noticeable at all while typing. Keyboard does rattle just a tad, which is why I say it is cheap. Blame it on intel, not Asus.

Everyone who has seen this notebook thought it to be VERY nice, ESPECIALLY dell owners. I have a few friends who are dell fanboys, and they were DROOLING all over my Asus. =)

Well only one of them drooled, and he missed the laptop and got his table, so I don't really care.

Get it from somewhere reliable, with good policies. Consider a 30 money back guarantee in case you change your mind. If you aren't completely satisfied, you can send it back and get a full refund. Not all places do this, so look for one that does.

They keys are incredibly hard to get off and back on the keyboard by the way. The only thing cheap about they keyboard is that it sits kind of loose in the laptop(it can rattle if you tap on the lappy chassis).

Performance and battery life are great, so is the screen. I don't see anything that a dell or similar has over this thing, except maybe more accurate colors in the case of the graininess, but you'd have to sacrifice a lot to get something with a "perfect" screen.

The graininess issue really isn't that big of a deal. I don't even notice it myself most of the time, and I am very picky. I almost never notice it while gaming or watching movies. I would definately take this any day over a crap dell lcd.

Oh, the onboard speakers SUCK, but the audio out KICKS ASS. HD Audio output is amazing. Just use external speakers or headphones. You won't believe what you hear. I'm listening to some DT right now as I'm typing this. Sounds better on my cheap earphones than what comes from my desktop on my surround sound system in my room.

I actually would recommend the Z96 because of problems with the VBi program. Could be some issues down the road if anything goes wrong with your S96. Get a Z96, you won't regret it. If you don't like it, return it for a refund. You won't regret atleast trying it out.

~JPZ

P.S. Stick around here. I'm working on a review for the Z96. Lots of pictures and details. Might be done tonight. Not sure. Taking a LONG time.