Cheap ASUS still =Quality?

I have a W3V that I can't praise enough. My wife has a Dell Inspirion that I can't curse enough

Her modem is now fried and we are shopping for a new one. Her needs are extremely basic as the $499 computer suited her fine (basic publishing, spreadsheets, quickbooks, etc.)

I figured if we wanted to stay under $700 and hug the $499 if passable that it would mean Acer, Dell or other product with a 75% chance of meeting customer service during it's life span.

Then I came across this ASUS A9 Series A9RP-5A052A for $658.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220133

Should I seek an Levona or HP or can someone tell me something about this machine?

 

In my opinion and from what Danny stated from some of his conversations with the Asus execs, Asus notebooks really can't compete in the sub-$1000 category. In my opinion, they hit their stride in the $1300-2000 price range. However, that said, it depends on what your needs are. If you're not too picky on battery life and processing or graphics power, the A9 should work fine. But at that price point, you might be able to get a better deal from a different company. Just my 2 cents' worth.

 

Asus CHEAP = Quality ?

Asus ALWAYS = Quality!

True, but I agree with djembe's post. You CAN get a better deal in terms of faster processer, more RAM, and even bigger harddrive. Asus in general, is a tad bit more expensive than other notebook brands, but they have reason to be because of their excellent quality notebooks they produce. (plus 2 year warranty, free mouse and bag you get with each laptop, also keep this in mind when buying a laptop)

My honest opinion (although I am an Asus fan), in your case (the fact that you mention you don't want to spend so much money) would be better off to buy ANOTHER brand with BETTER specs for the SAME price.

 

Asus has sort of a bell curve of value =P. In the low range the bigger companies are generally better (IBM/Lenova being my favorite). In the mid-range ASus is without a doubt the top dog in my book, on the high end boutiques like Voodoo and Alienware hold the crown. Just IMHo though

 

I got a nice 14" pavillion for my wife. Consider a used ThinkPad or a brand new Lenovo.

 

I would take a look at the cheaper Dell Latitudes.

 

maybe an HP?

 

As mentioned, I don't know why ASUS has to cater to the low end crowd, they're doing fine at the moment, but can they compare to the mass marketing and production lines such as HP, Dell, Acer, etc. Of course they can't.

If they focus more on mid to high end notebooks, perhaps even more models, it'd be great. In the mid to high end crowd, they can easily dominate, there are a few competitors(small parts of various brands, like the Sony SZ series, Dell Latitude, Acer Ferrari, HP nc-series, just to name a few), but much less then the low to mid end crowd.

The A and F series are their low end units, they aren't bad, better then majority of Acer units, but it's still a tight crowd.

 

Just to reiterate, Make sure to take a long look at the ThinkPads in that range as I feel that Lenova is about the best value on the market in all of the ranges they are involved in. (They just don't have the gaming power and styling flash that I love from Asus =P)

 

I would look at the low end Lenovo N100 series. Very good build quality, decent specs, well under $700 price. Or look at the Gateway MT3707 (By far, my favorite nb for under $600). It has decent build quality, especially for the price, and it comes with some great specs (Core Duo, 1GB/100GB, X200m, 14"). I really wouldn't go for an Asus unless you were looking at something in the $1200+ price range.

 

I think I have to disagree with the Gateway idea.They usually have the worst build quality of all.But I double the N100 idea.And of course it's Santa Rosa refresh (I think N200) will be nice.

 

well really the plastic of the case of the asus wont be any better than your insiron

but the electronic components are still better. Failure of the mother board is less likely.

All things considered you do get something for the extra you pay. But when its down near 800$ youd get more from your money with a hp dv 6000

 

I don't recommed that asus you could get a better hp for the same ammout of money. look at the hp dv6000t

 

For the most part Asus makes quality notebooks. But I'm not at all impressed by their A8 line up. If I was, I would own an A8js. The A8 series quality is very similar to dell's e1405. The e1405 has far superior speakers. You can actually hear them!

 

I would go with ASUS for premium units, but not budget units. They ARE better quality, but just on principle that you're going budget it might not be worthwhile to go fancy on budget. There is a 2-year warranty on it vs. other units which usually offer one, but laptops are almost disposable these days...

That model you're looking at is far from impressive for something in that price range. Don't think for a minute you'll be able to play any serious games on that (if it goes beyond WP and email), since it's a Celeron AND it's a Radeon Xpress 200 (ie: ATI's version of integrated graphics, this was rated at similar performance to a Radeon 9600 Pro if not less). Oh, and it heats up just as much, too. I'd try to find one with an Intel GMA950 integrated.

Most of these big-box stores just grind and churn out the older models and selling them at cost just to get rid of them because they're eating floor space. Since SR is coming out, it might be a good idea to wait until they get them and start dumping the older models.

 

There may be a bit of a grey area between build quality, specs, and design. I own the a8js and I don't find a problem with the build quality. It's supposed to be a light and thin 14", so it doesn't feel heavy duty like my old Dell but it's significantly lighter to carry.

There are some design flaws to me like the trackpad, speakers, Fn key, front button, etc but design flaws exist in any laptop...or at least they can't meet all of your preferences.

The specs on the a8js are difficult to beat, especially for the price. It's easy to say the Sony or Dell is a "better built" laptop, but the a8js speed would run circles around their 14" models for less $.

 

I think the idea for Asus is to make performance for less. The problem is that when you get into budget range performance for less requires you to cut some serious corners, like the speakers and build materials, etc. Consequently on the high end this doesn't work either because when you don't cut ANY corners then it is just you charging a bit less per part than the competition, and I don't think Asus is going to undercut the industry to market there. (That last part was irrelevant but why not =P).

 

True, the A8 and F3 series isn't built as nice as the other ASUS notebooks, but for that price bracket there isn't anything that matches it's specs.

I don't even think ASUS is making any profit from the A8/F3 really

 

We ended up going with an HPdv6308nr @ Best BUY. It was priced $799. Circuit City which had a HPdv6324US for $749 (after a rebate). The difference is that the Circuit City model had a built in web cam and lightscribe.

But Best Buy offered to sell theirs for $699-no rebate to keep me in the store. I hate rebates as I still am owed by various company's so I took them up on the offer.

So far we like the computer but hate VISTA (E-mail transfer crap, quickbooks not compatible, etc).

Thank you for the help everyone!