Asus top quality???

Someone on one of these forums once said that asus was top quality.

If this is the case (?) then why does my z81sp have such horrible keyboard flex??? Don't get me wrong, I've been happy with the computer so far but the keyboard flex is something that I can't ever remember encountering on a laptop and it is just a tad bit awkward.

 

While in general, I've heard that almost all Asus products are well-built, it's also my understanding that the reputation comes mostly from the quality of the Ensemble models which I don't think the z81sp is.

~ Brett

 

They ARE top quality. However, nothing is perfect. I am not sure about that specific model u have, but theres always flaws on laptops, and i suppose flex is that flaw on yours. Dont expect perfection, you will never get it.

 

ahh, nope.

I'd buy somthing else if I hadn't waited for a W3j

 

Asus' units are top quality in general, but they make almost as many models just this year as they did in the previous five all together.

The Z81sp is out of the A series and anyone who's ever read my posts knows I'm criticle of that series because most people who want to get into Asus systems are thinking of their high end models. Not to say the Z81sp isn't highend, but it's certainly not the best. It was the first p4 laptop offered by Asus in two years prior (why they brought it back I don't know), but it was because gamers wanted something more powerful, but although you get that power, it's not the same quality as say a W2.

Keyboard flex is not common on the W, V or S series...... and although they're unrelated, sort of, their build quliaty and materials used are better on those models as well.

In terms of help, you could always layer some tape around the edge of the keyboard on the underside.... just a bit often tightens up those keyboards to a point where that goes away.

 

See a W2, touch the W2, and u ll know wat exactly they mean by top quality. It is 1 of asus top end in the notebook world, and u ll seldom find anything better than it.

 

Some don't understand why something like the W2 would be the cost it is...... see it and use it and you'll think you got it for a steal.

There's nothing wrong with the Z81sp, but I'll tell you right now that our reputation stands on what I prefer and if I'd own the machine..... We did sell a couple Z81sp's to customers specifically looking for them and who were made aware of the differences between that and something better..... but on a whole, it's issues like these on the cheaper chassis, yet that have high end performance that boggles some peoples minds. You get what you pay for and the Z81sp was and still is a powerhouse..... but it would be $3-400 more to have something like that with the same power yet built more like the W2 - and that would put it way out of reach for people who either don't care about the design and build or simply just need the power.

 

I think I'll go buy a B series Dell and complain about how sh*tty their quality is. Or the $399 Wal-Mart HP laptop and complain about how sh*tty HP is. Jeezes.

 

You know those Dell commercials where they show the Dell "assembly" line to prospective customers with that catchy tune and in the end they open up their Dell box and smile? Well wouldn't it be funny if some public awareness group showed the video of that Dell laptop exploding in a conference in Japan? And maybe merged the two vids...heheh

 

In my opinion, the higher end ensemble ASUS notebooks are worth a look. They have excellent build quality primarily because of the choice of materials they use (ie. magnesium and brushed aluminum).

 

Sony batteries = boom

Why do people blame Dell for sony's faulty batteries or at least feel the need to constantly make fun of Dell about the explosions when they're not even responsible?

 

Don't know where your comment fits in, but Dell's systems are average at best when you compare them to better quality systems out there, especially Asus. Leaving the battery issue out of it - because Asus has used many Sony batteries, and because Sony' cells are pretty much the best out there, they're used on quite a few more systems than have had problems...... That isn't Dell's fault, but it's still their responsibility.... see right now they're the ones paying for the recall and until it gets turned over on Sony (which it no doubt will), it doesn't mean the person who puts their name on it isn't responsible for what they sell the public... But regardless, I've said the dust plume that was raised over Sony's findings that one particular cell model was made in such a way that basically instead of simply failing - a failing cell could mix two elements that could cause excessive heat....... I think at least over 80% of all laptop makers over the last five years may eventually be linked to this problem through sony cells...... But that doesn't make Dell worse than they are... but it certainly doesn't make them rock solid either.

 

I have no complaints about my Z33Ae, other then the fact that I probably won't be able to get another standard ratio/matte screen ultraportable from Asus ever again...

No noiceable keyboard flex under normal useage. Because the keys provide such good tactile feedback (best non-buckling-spring keyboard I have ever used) you don't need to use a lot of force at all. I have a desktop keyboard sitting here right now, unplugged, because I tried going back to it after driving across the country with the laptop and couldn't stand it.

I bought a used Thinkpad for my little sister through a friend who works at Boeing and gets a discount at their surplus store, and the keyboard is mushy as all hell and generally sucks. Don't know what people are all about with the "OMG thinkpad keyboards are the best".

The case and screen have held up perfectly so far. I really like the carbon fiber or whatever it is that it is made out of. There are some shiny spots developing from use - touchpad, keys, etc - but no sign of discoloration (poor MacBook Pro users), and the letters don't seem to be wearing off the keys at all (something I've noticed with my friends ThinkPads they bought through the school 4 years ago).

I'd consider it top quality, it has met or exceeded my expectations in every respect. Compared to other similar ultraportables at the time of purchase, it was a good price. I seriously considered an X40 series, but could not justify buying a machine with no optical drive, a 1.8" HD, limited options for customization, etc. No to mention the understated but smooth grey and silver styling, which I like a lot.

 

Your M5/Z33 story is one I've heard a lot over the years from owners who had previous 12" models from every other company... for a small system that was a great design..... the new S6/W5/W7 really follow in the footsteps of the S5/M5 and that's what make those small systems really good.

 

I was looking at the W7 today and drooling over it... I'm not such a huge fan of the Z35 since they differentiated the Ensemble and Built-On lines in terms of styling, and a few of the styling cues I like such as the flush touchpad and buttons went away. (And the square power button, what there they thinking!) I understand why Asus had to do it though, and I'm sure my budget once I graduate in May will allow me to go with the Ensemble next time around

Honestly, I never thought I'd like it as much as I do.. I had research funding that needed to be spent or it was going to go away, so I figured I would get something small to take with me traveling to conferences and such.

Now my X2 desktop has been out of commission for a month, and I haven't even bothered to take the time to fix it.. I just plug the Z33 into my 19" LCD with Extended Desktop mode when I'm done with classes in the evening. Only game I've been playing lately is Defcon, which runs fine on the GMA900.

I see the S6 is an 11.1" widescreen... Ohhh.. When is that coming over here?

 

Jumper, you're in the US, right? If you are, the S6 is already here..... I'm loving it myself actually. Two of my earlier Asus models were the S8 (which was yellow and I'm pretty sure it was an 11" regular ratio display and the S200 which I'd have to check, but I believe was a 8-9" screen... both awesome, but I do a lot more than just internet, email and chat..... but the S6 is really the update to those models.... yeah, the W7 is awesome and pretty much what you'd want coming from a Z33/M5 and say - if you decided not to fix that desktop of yours...... but the S6 is deffinately hot.

 

I saw the leather edition on Newegg - is there a non-leather edition? Leather on a laptop seems like a bad idea to me

I saw the S200 a few places online during my general research into Asus, at the time I thought it looked like a very unique model for a company that I had never heard of as making laptops before.

I run MATLAB a lot for engineering homework, lot of Bittorrent downloading over the summer, movies, music, old games in emulators and DOSBox... Pretty much everything... Coming off my previous laptop experiencs (a series of Toshibas my family had - I say had because they all fell apart) it has been amazing.

I have run into several other Asus users around school - a Z70va who also built a Z33 for his younger sister (a real help in my purchasing decision), a Z61, a W3, and I think another Z70 series model. It's always a little weird because we all think we are the only ones.

Something else I am very impressed with - screen hinges are still like they were the day I took it out of the box.

 

We're selling mixed versions of both. I didn't like having leather under my palms when I tested the unit out this summer. When Asus said a none leather version would also come in, I thought it would be seriously different - almost like how the barebones differ from the ensembles. However, it was the same configuration, setup, box, accessories, warranty, everything and the palmrest was brushed aluminum..... So, we ordered in about 20-25 leather lids for the leather model and instead of the $400 or so more for the leather model, we can do just the leather lid and not the palmrest as an option..... I personally think the aluminum palmrest will hold up better over time and totally works with the machine... the leather lid is darn nice though.