The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Customizable W3V

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ilikefreestuff, Aug 9, 2005.

  1. ilikefreestuff

    ilikefreestuff Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    73
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    What online stores allow you to customize the w3v by choosing processor speed and hard drive. The processor isn't a huge deal but the 60 gig drive in the ensemble unit seems rather skimp. Also, sticking in a 100 gig 5400 rpm drive wouldn't have any effect on heat would it?
     
    ilikefreestuff, Aug 9, 2005
    #1
  2. Paleotechie

    Paleotechie Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Check out Portable One and go to the Portable One model MX. ( http://www.laptopsinc.com). Although they call it their own, it is built on the W3V platform. They make some other changes to it too, so it voids the ASUS warranty but they cover it with their own. Give them a call - they are very helpful.
     
    Paleotechie, Aug 9, 2005
    #2
  3. haydini

    haydini Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You can ask Justin at Proportable about this....but generally speaking the W3V is not customizable. It is a package offered through ASUS and supplied by ASUS dealers.....but is not part of the "Built on ASUS" line that is customized by the individual dealers. Important to realize is that the warranty for a prepackaged unit like the W3V is handled through ASUS....whereas the dealer handles the warranty and support for the customizable models. In the US....the Z series units are "built on ASUS" customizable units. The customizable version of the W3V is the Z63A with the important difference that the motherboard used in this otherwise identical unit has the 915GM chipset that uses integrated graphics thus no dedicated GPU (X600) like the W3V. It is downgradeable or upgradeable with processor, CPU, memory, hardrive configurations but no dedicated graphics card is available currently on this specific comparable model to the W3V. I believe if you want to upgrade or change the components in a W3V you can do it yourself but you will void the warranty.
     
    haydini, Aug 9, 2005
    #3
  4. Oregan

    Oregan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    This is the answer
     
    Oregan, Aug 9, 2005
    #4
  5. ilikefreestuff

    ilikefreestuff Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    73
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Is this true? So even adding memory or swapping a hard drive would void the warranty on one of the not built-to-order ensemble units?
     
    ilikefreestuff, Aug 9, 2005
    #5
  6. ray50000

    ray50000 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    312
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    www.agearnotebooks.com offers customizable w3v's. Since it does void the asus warranty agearnotebooks offers their own warranty. I ordered from them and have been very satisfied. I upgraded to 1 gig of ram and an 80 gig hard drive and everything is working great. I would recommend them.
     
    ray50000, Aug 9, 2005
    #6
  7. nogocchumi

    nogocchumi Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    how 'bout buying $150 LESS, and use the money to upgrade urself? My w3v is fine dont need upgrade except I like to add another 512mb ram, around 40-80.. PM me if you interested to buy..
    EDIT: with 3 year warranty
     
    nogocchumi, Aug 9, 2005
    #7
  8. ray50000

    ray50000 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    312
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    If you upgrade yourself you void the warranty. Of course, you could take out the ram and switch the hard drive if you ever need to send in your laptop for repairs, however if there is a problem with the new hard drive or ram that you bought you're out of luck. I would rather purchase from a reputable retailer and still get a warranty.
     
    ray50000, Aug 9, 2005
    #8
  9. startech

    startech Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    136
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    We will customize the W3 or any of the other Ensembles for you.
    You will then get our 2 year warranty instead.
     
    startech, Aug 10, 2005
    #9
  10. ilikefreestuff

    ilikefreestuff Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    73
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Anybody on this forum ordered a customized w3v from startech ( www.stipc.com). If so, what specs and how'd it work for yah?
     
    ilikefreestuff, Aug 12, 2005
    #10