Build quality of Asus..

So, I am about to pull the trigger on either the A8js/p? or w3j. My only reservation comes in the fact that I have never seen or handled a Asus laptop. I'm sure this may have been a problem for many of you in the past so I ask for your imput on this question. Does the build quality of Asus justify the extra cash that I may pay for a similarly configured HP/Toshiba/Sony etc that I find at the local Best buy or CompUSA? Or in other words, when I get my a8js will I feel that the overall feel and quality of the machine is better than say the HP I played with the other day in the store?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

You will be quite amazed at the build quality of Asus, particularly the W3J. The HP notebooks literally feel like toys in comparison.

 

In this case, u better go to a store that carry ASUS, HP, Sony & Toshiba. Play around a bit (not too much or-else the sales lady will stare at u ). See which you like the best the search for the best buy on-line or reseller.

 

I am in a similar position. From my research and talking to other people, I would say that Asus is easily a notch above HP/Sony/Dell/etc but with notebooks there are still potential problems.

With the A8J models I am hearing lots of conflicting things. How different are the different models? P/M/S??

I have also heard or read about problems with the build quality on some A8JM's.

 

HP doesn't feel like a Toy. TQ.

 

Keep in mind that the A-series are on the lower-end of the Asus spectrum. The W and V-series are the premium lines.

Every brand has it's low-end and high-end offerings. You can't compare a Toshiba Satellite A-series to the Asus W3J, that just wouldn't be fair.

 

the A8 models have similar build quality to HP's and Toshiba's, whereas Sony would be a bit better, as A8 is a bang for the buck 14", by all means it's not badly built, but u won't find a 14" anywhere near as powerful as the A8js for the price (if any).

W3 however, is in a league of its own, the build quality is superb, you really need to see it to understand what i mean, or read some reviews on the W3. If you are looking for build quality I'd recommend the W3 or a G1, the G1's armrest/touchpad build quality is excellent. But seeing how you seem more interested in 14" models the W3 is for you, in my opinion

 

Asus' higher end lines like the W series are simply unmatched when it comes to their blend of high design, performance, features, and build quality. Their more mainstream - performance models like the A8js is meant to attract those typical dell buyers away from dell....... slightly better build quality, with the same average ho-hum design....... but great performance and the underlying Asus quality when it comes to your motherboard and graphics card - which is really the number one, or should be the number one concern with anyone who's looking for a long term system.

But if you want to be impressed, I things as I see them and have given Asus hell and praise with various models...... The W series is an entire series I can confidently say, without know what you're coming from, that the quality of build, components, materials, design, features, performance, everything down to the smallest detail - will all be better than anything you'd ever seen... and 99.9% of customers will still say the same after a year or two of ownership... after all the abuse and so forth.

 

Is the build quality of the W series better than thinkpad T series ?

 

^ They both have great build quality. But the thing about the W series is it combines style with excellent build quality (like the brushed aluminum lid on The W3). Thinkpads are tanks, but really don't have quite the look to them...

 

Where would you say the G series stands in build quality?

 

I would consider the finish on the G1 to be very nice, the lid is high gloss, and relfective, and the palm rests area is also the same high gloss and reflective.

The notebook is considerably strong, and tough looking when you compare it too the V1JP. The lid looks a bit thicker than the V1, the overall chasis feels strong and not cheap.

I would say the G1 rivals the V1JP in build quality, despite the fact that the V1JP uses a magnesium alloy lid and carbon fiber chasis.

 

I would take very lightly those comments that tend to overbash Sony/HP/Dell (like they equally fall into one group). Sony's SZ series is extremely nice, and so is their TX. HP I feel is way better than Dell in terms of build quality and even so, they do not feel like a 'toy' at all. The person above who said so is obviously a committed ASUS fanboy.

Don't bash Sony much, either, as they do indeed make quality-build laptops. Their old flagship R505 that I am currently using (and have been for 5 years) is insanely durable. The lid is made of magnesium AND SO IS THE BOTTOM CHASSIS. It is so strong and metallic-like that on a cold day the laptop will literally seep out all the heat from my hands upon handling it. My R505 is still doing perfectly fine - no loose keys, cracks, scratches, and the LCD still takes two hands to open. Nope, it does not wobble at all and even on a car ride will not budge a milimeter.

I am in the same boat as you guys - it would be nice to have an ASUS reseller store you can walk into and feel the laptops before biting the bullet. However, I am one of those people who tends to take faith that others are saying things in good-will (but I also believe that most people are ill-informed and/or opinionated) so I will thus tend to believe that ASUS is indeed built as good, if not better, than the Sony/HP/Dell competitors.

 

i have a toshiba satellite, asus z33a and an averatec notebook, and i got to say that the asus is the better build quality of the three and from what i have looked at, i personally think it is one of the better built notebook company out there

 

Thanks again for your input.

I'm going to be taking this laptop to and from work and some travel. Overall, do you think the A8J is up to everyday "business" type work. Also, I've thought about buying a Yonah w3j and replacing the processor later. Is that a good idea and is the processor difficult to access?

 

I use my A8Jm for business travel etc, I travel to and from work with it every day, and 4-5 airplanes a month on average, I'd go with the W3J if I were you, I originally went for that but ended up with the A8, bad decision on my part, build quality is on par with other consumer laptops, but the W series is much more solid ( granted you pay for it ), also you have the modular bay on the W3 so you can pop another battery in there for flying.

I've had my a8 since May of last year and the hinges/LCD casing were toast with a month or so, it seemed as thought they became too tight or something, they ended up cracking the back LCD casing. ASUS replaced the parts no problem though. That really is my only build quality dissappointment with the A8 is the hinges are just like every other laptop out there, the W3 design is likely a lot more robust.

The other thing for business usage the warranty stuff kinda stinks as you have to mail it away, to my knowledge ASUS does not offer anything like completecare or any onsite service so you are without a laptop for 3-4 days if something does go wrong. I believe from discussions I had with portable One that they offer an onsite service program, you might want to check into that.

Adam.

 

Just to let you know, computer companies often have a selected line of notebooks for large retail chains that sell for a lot less money because they use inferior components or cut corners in places most people don't look for. And most employees of those chains won't tell you that.

 

Let me point something out....... in a response to build quality, "high gloss and reflective" or "tough looking" should not even enter the thought process.

I could lump all of Asus' systems together and say their all built very well. However, what I'd rather do would be to say the V1 is a hair under the build quality of the W3 and V6 - a bit futher below the W1 and W2....... Whereas the G1 (based on the A6) is MUCH better than the A6 it's design was based on, and let's just say above the current A and F series models.... but there is still a giant gap between it and the V1.

Now I look at these on a different scale - I'm at a point well beyond trying to compare Asus' quality to dell and hp, etc....... There are many differences between their own series that should be exploited, in my opinion. Even though in a 5 minute head-to-head, you may not see a big difference between the V1 and G1 in quality, you will over time, and I guarentee you over a year and even two years, the G1 will not be like it is out of the box, and the V1 will be. It doesn't make the G1 a bad system, infact for the price it's off the charts.... In terms of build quality it's above average, but that's where it needs to end.

 

Lets say I do not care about style at all, and for all I care thinkpads could be bright pink with pictures of flowers on them.
How would the build quality of the thinkpads (say T42) compare with that of a W3 ?

 

The build quality of Thinkpads are the best in the market. I have never compared one side by side, but I can venture to say that the Asus W3J's build quality can match a Thinkpad, or at least it won't be shabby.

Don't worry one bit, Asus W3J has a top notch build quality.

 

Asus' W and V series are the quality of a thinkpad, with the design of an apple, sony, or sharp (all coincidentally made by Asus, but sexy, sexy systems)...

 

Yah I would also say that the quality of a high end Asus is comparable to that of a Thinkpad. I would not go as far as to say that Asus quality is definitely better or worse but I will say that Thinkpads are boring as hell (IMO). If you like looking at basically a black box of a laptop all day then maybe you can stand Thinkpads, but I cant.

 

The asus quality is as good as a thinkpad easily. But the thinkpad may be more durable if dropped if that makes any sence. but i would say the electronics used in the asus are def better than the thinkpads. When i worked in IT granted most our machines where thinkpads but i had entire shipments that went bad all the same issues. i cant tell you how often the thinkpads needed new motherboards or had display issues.

 

My z81sp is a great notebook, but the internal ASUS USB Wireless Network Adapter has been nothing but trouble. As of latley, the WLAN card shuts down and won't be detected by the device manager. This happens just about every other time I start the computer up.

P.S. Yes, I just installed new drivers off of Asus's site and the problem is still there.

 

Thanks for brining this to attention. Our group too has had display/motherboard problems with thinkpads.