Before I say "I do" to the Asus M5a/Z33a

Speak now or forever hold your peace!
I've recently fallen in love with the Asus Z33a, the newest version of the M5N and before I take the plunge, I 'd like to make sure that I am making the right choice. My last notebook was a Dell 5150; big, beautiful, fast, great as a desktop replacement, ok to play games on. Too big for a commute and waaay too heavy.

My shopping criteria has been, in order:
* Small and light
* around 12" screen.
* Durable.
* Media drive.
* Afordable. Under $2000.
* Decent performance.
* Linux support.
* New technology.

I've ruled out:
* IBM: Although I like the durablity, slim size, and dependablity of IBM, the T series is too big for my commute and the X series has no media drive.
* Fujitzu: On the other hand, the P series is too small. The S series came close but the 2020 was too slow, the S7* too expensive, and the models in between too pricy for the technology. But close.
* Sony: S series: nice techology, great size, but out of my price range.
* Gateway: Not substantial enough.
* Averatec: Seemed the same.
* Dell: I seriously thought about the Sony S series knock off that Dell offers, the 700m, especially with all the great reviews and great pricing (with the right coupons). But I was worried about the keyboard with its reduced keys, short battery life, and the general durablility of this machine.

Then I found the Asus Z33a. Features:
* Carbon fiber alloy body.
* 12.1" display.
* Very small: 10.8" X 9.1" X 0.98"
* Light: Under 3lbs to 4lbs, depending on battery and drive.
* Nearly full keyboard with no chopped keys.
* Media drive.
* Very fast: Supports 760 2GHz (and higher) processor, 2Mb L2 cache with 533MHz fsb and DDR2-400 sdram.
* New techology: new Centrino chipset, the 915GM.
* Impressive graphics core.
* Extended battery can last up to 8 hours.
* Open source drivers for graphics core from Intel for Linux.
* Under $1800. Yes, this is a little higher than I wanted to spend, but the bang to buck ratio is high in comparison to the other laptops I have reviewed.
* Great reviews: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/asus-m5a.html
* And so far, I've gotten quick responses from the Asus forum, which is heartening.
My only fear has been the quality of the LCD.

Ok, can anyone tell me where I might be going wrong before I commit? Something else I should look at?

 

There is nothing wrong with the machine you have selected. You might want to, however, check out the Fujitsu S6231. I've heard excellent reviews on this machine. You might also want to give the 700m another shot...it's an excellent machine. I agree that the Sony's are very expensive. It's hard for me to give you an opinion on the Asus, I don't really know about it. Here's the review of the fujitsu:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2194&review=Fujitsu+S6231

Dell Inspiron 700m
Pentium M, 1.8 Ghz
1024 mb ram
80 gb HD
Dell Axim x50v
iPod 3G 20 GB

 

Asus build good machines. You could definetly get a s6231 for under $1800 at PortableOne.com.






I was robbed by a sweet little old lady on a motorized cart and I didn't even see it coming.

-Lloyd Christmas


Thinkpad T42:
* 1.8Ghz Pentium M * 1.5GB Memory * 60GB Hitachi 7200RPM * 15" SXGA+ Flexview * MultiBurner * Win 2k *

 

When I had settled on an ultraportable as the type of notebook I wanted, I looked at the M5, S5 and S6231. I thought all three were excellent. What ultimately landed me with the S5 were the numerous complaints I'd read about the M5's fan noise and the fact that I was not able to find an S6231 in my city that wasn't a display model. Also I got a wicked deal on the S5. If not for the fan noise, I would have bought the M5 in a flash and I think they have done an excellent job on the Z33. The Lifebook was pretty nice looking and the display is beautiful - bright, clear - better than my S5 in terms of brightness and it has the glare type screen if that is something you like. All three models are excellent and it is worth it to spend some time really thinking about your decision. If you can get your hands on the M5/Z33 and 6231 in person, that would be a good way to compare.

You can read a lot about how small these notebooks are, but you'll be stunned when you hold one in your hands. I saw the M5 in person before I ever saw the S5 and I couldn't believe how slim, sleek and sexy it was. The Z33 looks even more attractive. I think you will ultimately be happy with your decision if you go with an ASUS; they are amazing computers. I am happy with my purchase; I just wish I had had more time to wait for the refreshes, but I didn't and I'm still pleased with my S5. I'm sure you will find people who would say the same about their Fujitsus or Dells. Don't make your decision too hastily without considering all of the options. If you are able to wait, it might be worthwhile to wait and see if the Z33 has resolved the M5 fan noise issues.

If you decide on the Z33, please be sure to post a review! I think we're all excited about the new ASUS notebooks and love to read about them.

 

First..... the Z33 is not under 3 pounds....... 3.4 with the standard 3 cell battery..... about a pound more with the 9 cell battery.

The LCD is nice.. anyone with an S5ne/S5n/M5n/M5np or a Z33a/M5a can and will tell you that...... You're looking at a screen that has been used in these systems since November of 2003..... and with something like the S5... you have a notebook that has been reviewed everywhere... Here is a review we got this time last year... and it honestly still holds up as not much as changed.... just the obvious which are improvements: http://www.proportable.com/m5n_review.jpg

enjoy.

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

 

I've pretty happy with the M5N, and have no problems at all with the LCD screen. It seems very good quality to me.

My major complaint with the M5N is the fan-noise issue - and it most certainly is a problem. If they've sorted that out with the new model, great. However, the noise did not seem as apparent when I first got the laptop - it seemed to be more obvious after a month or two. The palm rest and the bottom of the computer do get fairly hot, but not so much that it bothers me when I'm using it. I am not using anything excessive. It's a 1.6 processor, the regular hard-drive that came with it, etc.

The other drawback is battery life. I don't get anywhere near as long a battery life as claimed, even when I'm running it on the lowest Power4Gear setting, at 600Hz. I am not doing anything intensive - mostly web surfing, word processing, and accesing simple teaching games from the CD (so not heavy on graphics or animation or anything). I get about 2.5 - 3 hours from the 6-cell battery, and 1 or 1.25 from the 3-cell.

But other than that, I'm very happy with it. Build quality is good - I've been careful, but it's been fine. Recently (it's about 5 months old now) a few bits of the paint have chipped off the front cover, and slight scratches have developed on the palm rest, but otherwise it still looks new (except for the very shiny keys, of course - which happened within a week!). So, very durable, at least in my limited experience.

The optical drive is a bit fussy on mine, and won't read all CDs. However, it seems to read and write them OK, and also reads and write DVDs (I can't tell if the American models are also DVD writers). However this particular model of DVD drive can't be made region-free either through software or flashing. Probably not an issue if you're American and only plan to buy/use American DVDs, but possibly an issue for other potential buyers. Only two-models of DVD drives are apparently un-crackable like this - the ones that are the very slim models.

Definitely small and light though, and that seems to be your top priority, so it sounds like this would be an excellent one for you if they've fixed the fan issue. Carrying the extra batteries takes away from that a little, but they're not that bad, and the power brick is fairly small.

 

Robyn
The fan noise on the m5n has been solved sorta. You need a fan assembly from the s5n. You then have to transplant the fans from both assemblys. You will also have to tranplant the pins on the harness for power. This is no easy task but i ve done it for a few customers and it takes about 10 min from start to finish. The new z33 does not have this issue. Its a very well built notebook. My only advice is to be cautios of bios updates. This is what klled the rep for the m5n. Their bios made it loud.

Eddie
www.Geared2Play.com
Tech Spot
4422 Ave. N
Brooklyn, NY, 11234

 

I keep telling you.... you loved my idea and so did Asus....

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

 

Oh, and about the Linux issue - here is a link about using Linux with the M5/S5, so if the Z33a is just an updated version, some of their experience might still be relevant.

http://www.cs.duke.edu/~reynolds/m5n-linux.html

(sorry, I still can't edit my previous posts to add extra info like this, as I can't get the edit button to appear!).

 

You're pushing less CFM..... if you have a higher end configuration, you wouldn't want to do it, becasue is is moving less air.

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

 

Well it sounds like a good idea. But surely it would screw up my warranty entirely. And I'm not convinced that's worth it. I'd like Asus to realise the issue is a problem and fix it under warranty, or release a new bios, or something. (I bought mine in the UK, if that makes a difference to the warranty. I think it's got 2 years, though I can't quite remember. I suppose I take it back to the shop initially, though they might direct me to some asus centre. But I bet they'll say they've never heard of the fan problem, let alone offer to put an S5N fan in!).

Also, it gets reasonably warm even with the fan on constantly. Does the S5N fan make it get even hotter, and is that dangerous?

 

I don't know what "CFM" means. I don't know if my configuration is "higher end" or not - it's just the standard stuff that came with this particular model (5623n-mh). 1.6 processor, 40gig hard drive, CD and DVD writers.

But I can't get this done without voiding the warranty, surely? Or have Asus agreed that it's a problem and will now be able to fix it under warranty?

What do I need to be careful about with bios updates? I've not yet done anything with the bios, because I don't really understand it. I think I have the most recent anyway - when I ran the asus live update last, it didn't give me any updates. The laptop was bought in December (in the UK).

 

It's not a problem. For that model they decided having it run cooler was what they wanted to do. It's functional and everything. The new model, they changed it around a bit... otherwise the new one's wouldn't sell and Asus would seem like they took a product which people have pointed out their distaste for the way the fan worked and just kept selling it after they updated the chipset. Just because they changed it in the new one doesn't mean they should "fix" it for everyone else. They just took into account what people have said and made it better. If it wasn't functioning then you'd have an issue.

CFM - cubic feet per minute...... that's of air the fan is pushing out of the system.

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

 

Justin, is it just me or is the Z33 a bit thicker than the M5/S5? Or is this just a trick of the camera?

 

Oooh, slick. You should post pics. You know what suckers we are for that sort of thing.

 

It's certainly a trick because I've already swapped over my white M5 to a white Z33a .... same exact chassis.

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

 

I have...... I mean it looks the same as my white M5np... infact, it's the same chassis... you can't see pictures inside the system..... so what's the point?

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

 

Nevermind then.

 

Hm, I just noticed this thread has been moved here. I meant it to be a comparison of the Z33a with other, non-Asus based laptops and thus posted in "Hardware". Now it feels redundant with the thread I started earlier in this, the Asus forum. Ah, moderators. Regardless, thanks for the feedback. I'm sold. Heck, I was sold days ago, I just like to chew on things that cost over $500.

Ok, I have one last question to ask, which I feel slightly uncomfortable asking since Justin has been so very supportive in all my questions. Where is the best place to shop? Porportable certainly seems established and is not without a respectable reputation. I am biased in that direction, certainly. Slightly less expensive is J&N Computers, Integrated Systems Tech, or GenTech, by over $100. On the other hand, AGear is higher by about the same amount, just to give a range to it. The link on Geared2Play is broken, so I can't compare. I also have a local vendor, Central Computers, but when I called for a quote no on there had any idea what I was talking about when I asked for specific model or processor information. Scary, to say the least. I am more than willing to pay extra for quality- I've learned that lesson the hard way, as I expect we all have.

What have people's experiences been?

 

Sorry the link was not broken just disabled. I belive it went live sometime yesturday. Let me know if it is still down. Central is pretty cheap by comparison it is true. Most vendors dont know the difference between anything that matters. The vendors you see on these forums are only selling asus products where others dont specialize in anything but a broad range of items which do not require support from the vendor. Going with a established reseller for a particular brand is always a smart idea.! I follow the same logic twhen i buy things. I buy on ebay all the time anything from fishing equipment to whatever else i cant get from disti and i always look for the feedback.

Eddie
www.Geared2Play.com
Tech Spot
4422 Ave. N
Brooklyn, NY, 11234

 

Hey, I just thought of something new:

Whats the maximum resolution of the external vga? The Intel chipset webpage mentions dual monitor capability, but thats it.

BTW, Justin, I've posted in notebookforums.com as well as to who to go to for Asus laptops and your approval rating is quite high. Kudos! Good work does not go unappreciated.

 

You can pump the res up pretty high, i think i've hooked my M5 up to my 23" widescreen and been able to get 1920 x 1200.... I've got to check on that though, but it certainly does go well up past XGA and does allow for widescreen formats when you use the RGB out.

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

 

I am so confused about the Z33 and the M5x. So there is no difference besides the fan improvement?

 

The Z33a is the M5a, pure and simple. Both of these just have the updated sonoma chipset.... nothing else is new.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
800-474-2296
www.proportable.com
[email protected]