Buisiness Model Similar to U30JC with Disk Drive?

I like everything about the U30JC except the glossy screen. I am very portable but don't mind too much weight.

I do like the PL30Jt but was wondering if you all know one with a DVD drive, if so then do you think there would be a way to get a HDD caddy to replace it with? That way I could use a SSD as a OS drive and a HD as storage. Not looking to purchase too soon either way.

 

An attempt at changing the thread title.

 

is this a slot load DVD drive i see?

From Asus global website

 

The PL30Jt is classified as a business notebook and it seems to be the image you have posted above (correct me if I'm wrong). If that's the case, then there's no optical drive.

 

I understand that the PL is a business model, and previous to tonight I did not think it had a DVD drive as well however, In the photo above which is from Asus' global site I see a Slot load Drive on the right side. All the ports on the right side are also displaced farther back from previous photos I believe reinforcing my analysis in this case. Just something I noticed.

Thoughts?

 

Upon further inspection, it appears that the image you put up is not the PL30Jt.

Here's a couple pictures of the actual laptop showing no optical drive on the right side:

 

Presumably there aren't plans to release this stateside, yet? It shows up on the Global site, but not the North America site.
Probably don't want to flood the market with business laptops with the release of the B series coming soon.

Also, the exact same listing for the screen is used for the U30JC as for the PL30, "13.3" HD (1366x768) Color-Shine (Glare-type)," so it is hard to tell whether or not the screen will be anti-glare, though those pics seem to suggest it is. And if it is, then how the hell can we tell which notebooks are going to have anti-glare screens when they are all listed as "Color-Shine (Glare-type)"

 

I'm flipping through AsusWorld's March/April issue, the ones that are close to the PL30JT but with optical drives are UL80JT (i5-520UM processor) and UL80VT/VS (Core 2 Duo SU9400/SU7300 or Celeron processors), but they don't specify "anti-glare so I assume they have glossy displays.

There's a P8lJ that has an optical drive and specifies anti-glare, with a range of Core 2 Duo processors, 14" screen, 2.35kg w/ 6-cell battery, an optical drive, and - get this - a chocolate keyboard . So I'd buy a USB keyboard immediately, because the original keyboard wouldn't last more than 3 minutes . On a related note, what's a chocolate keyboard? And is it milk chocolate, or bittersweet?

Also, a P50lJ, similar specs including matte display, but with 15" screen, weighs 2.6 kg, equally delicious keyboard.

As with all enticing products in AsusWorld, who knows when and if they will ever actually be sold, and where .

These were on pp. 200-220 of their March/April issue.

 

Here's a pic of the AsusWorld page about the P50lJ. I think I figured out the mystery of the chocolate keyboard. I have a feeling it's a spellchecker's best guess at "chiclet" keyboard, and not, unfortunately, a promise of real chocolate. Which would be awesome, although not a sustainable business model.

Also, looking at the picture enlarged, I'm noticing more clearly that it doesn't seem to have an aluminum casing - looks like some kind of engraved plastic.

Well, there's the rub - there are very few models with the matte display and optical drive, and they don't have other features that might be important to you.

Do any aftermarket manufacturers make an accessory that can "mattify" a glossy screen?

 

Yes, 3M makes anti-reflective protector films for glossy laptop screens.

 

do they work well?

 

Just realized the pic i posted was for the PL30Jt my bad. Like it but would like more than a UM proc.

Do any of you have personal experience with the matte screen protectors. I know they decrease brightness and reviews say around 5 or 6 nits( correct units?) on average. Your thoughts?

Also does anyone know if anyone really makes hard drive caddys for dvd bays? If so where?

 

Check the DIY'ers board for a lot more information about this kind of stuff.

Here’s some links: Adding SSD-HDD storage using an optical bay caddy

And a vendor they recommend who sells laptop hard drive caddys: NewModeus.com.

Actually came in here to mention that this morning I saw the ASUS P50IJ-A1B for sale at mwave.com, $690 before shipping or any discounts.

There were also some other “PxxlJ” models. I guess this means the other vendors will have them soon too.