How would you rate ASUS's build quality?

Just in general. From the chasis itself, the quality parts used, strong (non flexing) keyboards, strong plastics, hinges, etc

 

.... sexybeast.. and I use that term without really knowing you... read one post on this forum and there isn't even a chance that someone who hates their notebook, as long as their honest that could even say it was just "good" ... at most there may be people who think their particular system is between superb and good.. but you don't have an option for that

 

What do you mean lol.

 

Um... because even the worst chassi in my option is better than "good".... I work on a totally different scale, so I've always disliked the "A" series and always loved the M/W/V series.... but I'll call the A3 and A6 "budget system", but they're still better than just "good"... While systems like the W1/W2/V6 are simply above that "superb" IBM level option you have.... with everything else.... W3/W5/M6 all being in that upper level of "superb".

 

A fashionable Thinkpad?

 

Thanks for clearing that up Pro and good point.

Well, im sure the crappiest line A series is still miles ahead better than the toshiba tecras.

I played with a Z6000vc while back and it seemed rock solid. So i would imagine mine to be the same, since its the same line - Z.

THanks Coriolis for recommending me the Z83v, I cant wait, looks awesome.

ATI X700!!!

 

... that's exactly what IBM noticed and why they contracted ASUS before the whole Lenovo buy out...

 

The Z83v is so sexy. I was so tired of toshibas silver tad with fruit colour lid. ASUS is classy with black around the keyboard, love it. FInally black keys for me, always thought it looked better than grey or silver.

 

JEEZ IM SO EXCITED IM WETTING MY PANTS LOL

I just looked at those reviews with the pics, WOW. This X700 card sounds amazing and the whole model itself. I dont play games but i might start doing so now. Throw in that 1.5gb of ram i have and it'll fly.

17'' - thats why i wanted it, games and movies. Entertainment centre.

I cant wait!!! woo!!

It would look even hotter if it was all black.

 

... If you think the Z83 is sexy and you're wetting your pants over it.... I wouldn't want to put a V6 or a W2 infront of you.... there's a good change you would sexually assult it.

Few important things to note on the Z83........

1. heavy..... a pound and half more than the W2
2. low res... WXGA+ ... not most gamers cut of tea...
3. i know the w2 is more expensive, but if you were looking at loading up the z83.. it's actually only a little bit more... but if you were going for more of a low end spec, then the w2 is far out of reach.

 

Im not doing anything to do for now. Im happy with the specs ive put into it.

Not many 17 are WSXGA, my older toshiba M60 that i brought back yesterday was a low res and i thought it looked good. Remember im not much of a gamer anyways. Surprised i got it with a X700 radeon, but all i know is onboard sucks. Even for windows use, you can never configure an onboard screen to a dedicated one.

 

ok... so you already have a Z83? If so, your poll is made for the same reasons a lot of people make them... but I'd place the Z83 in your "good" option.... there are many systems Asus make that are better, but that's a very good machine by itself.

However..... you're incorrect about your assumption of "onboard" video... You're like 5 years off the mark.. totally. Intel's latest graphics on even the systems that have been out all year, are better than the highend desktop graphics of only 4-5 years ago... Originally they were really meant to help dvd performance when that become popular and it even sucked for dvds then.. but now, you can play games from only a couple years ago and play them pretty well.

If you don't game - or run 3d graphics programs.... you paid about $250 more into the system which will never be used. True, there isn't another z83 without the graphics... but I mean you weren't really educated about it beforehand. It's not going to kill you, or make your go broke... but you didn't need those graphics, I can promise you that.

 

Justin, remember you are comparing it with the ASUS W2v, but then again, you wouldn't even consider comparing it to a Gateway or an Acer

 

Hmm.. so Justin, would you say that the A7/Z83 series is better than or equal to the A6/Z92 series?

 

Well.. it's the "A7" ... technically the same build as the A6, just a larger form factor.... but I do feel some minor touches on the A7 platform help make it better.... but it's still a plastic machine and I haven't regularly used a plastic machine in over 4 years now..

 

Oh Justin, you're so spoiled with your Ensembles...

 

LOL HAHAHA, and umm *Cough*, when everything is the way it should be, Asus is hands down my fav' in terms of build quality/price/performance/style.

Just straight build quality in terms of quality of materials used, actual build of the unit and such things I would have to say Asus is up there near the top, but I'm sure there are laptops out there that best Asus in just straight build quality, like high end Panasonic Toughbooks, I would say Thinkpads, but their palm rests are straight plastic and freakin' bend a bit, I don't like that, Fujitsu's are solid, and some of the Toshiba's I've seen are pretty darn solid, except their screen lids, which just don't do enough to protect the lcd.

All in all, Asus is my pick.

 

You KNOW Asus is just that good when Shampoo, a guy who's had several "bad luck" issues with his Asus notebook, still recommends it wholeheartedly with hesitation

 

Those are exactly the type of responses I eluded to above...

 

Yeup, that's just the way it is. Asus is just DIFFERENT and BETTER than the rest. This also shows in their warranties and extras you get with each laptop.

Also, if your system goes in for repair you get a free gift, one of those keyboard brushes, just as a "sorry" gesture.

Gotta love that. I don't know any other companies that offer ZBD = Zero Bright Dot guarantees or Global Warranties for that matter.

Yeah they have trouble with engRish in their manuals and support, but what the heck, no big deal right? hahaha

Cheers,
Mike

 

Oh yeah, just to add a little something about the rise in popularity of Asus laptops, not build quality, here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Asus has started advertisements in subways.

I've only seen one type, the W5 award for something or other blah blah, with a picture of that girl on their website, and a listing of official resellers.

They only listed 2, Canada Computers and something else.

Asus is making a move to hit mainstream, also with one of their laptops being sold at futureshop.

 

really? what model? and only at select locations?
i can't find it on futureshop.ca

 

i thought they were only selling the A3E at office depot and the A6V/A6VC and A3H at source.. but futureshop wow..

 

Oh, was it office depot and the source? Ooops? hehe

No, no I'm sure I saw it on the website and at the store. Wait did I?

I think it was futureshop. Yeah it was. Hrmm...If not, then my bad, but I'm sure of it. It was one of the lowly Asus models, but it was there for sure.

Anyhoo' yeah Asus is making the move to mainstream.

 

Yeah, I saw a V6V about 2 months ago at my local business depot. I mentioned it back then, I was totally shocked!!! I had to do a double take and even then I couldn't believe my eyes! I Just got back from the autoshow, and sure enough, I also saw those Asus W5 ads/posters in the subway stations. And It's true, The Source has also had two of the "A" series laptops for sale for some time now. The amount of ASUS dealers here in Canada has pretty much tripled over the last 14 months. Close to two years ago only two places carried them here with limited and delayed selection, now It seems a few of them had the latest V6J and W5F models on sale before any other dealers in N/A, It's pretty crazy stuff if you ask me!!!

Also, I go to futureshop quite a bit, and I've never seen an ASUS on display or for sale there to date. I'm not saying you're wrong it's certainly possible.



Hey Justin, now that you've done/ are doing all that work I guess It's too late, but the RS4 was looking pretty **** sweet in person today! Not to mention how limited and unique they are...RS4+V6 Lambo w/IPS= One of a kind!!!

 

I will have it this morning, at my door

Well coming from a user of onboard graphics all i know is they suck. I do design work and I need the absolute best picture quality, even if its just in windows. ONboard Intel video wont allow it, as you cant customize it to the degree of a ATI or Nvidia card. Its like night and day the differences. Plus I do video work as well.

Dont forget you are talking with a former Toshiba owner for the last 1.5yrs. Ive used nothing but toshiba. But im so fed up with their build quality that I have finally jumped ship to ASUS. My last toshiba M60, just bought 2.5 weeks ago and it started overheating couple nights ago. Thats what sealed it for me to cut ties off with toshiba altogether and go ASUS> I gave them one more shot and they blew it. Besides, toshiba has that big lawsuit against them for sending out defective units, etc. Its pretty serious stuff mind you.

Toshibas, flexy plastics, cheap build, flexing keyboards, weak hinges, the list goes on and on.

SPeaking of the Z83v, you say its avg build quality? THats not a good thing to hear. im expecting mine this morning.

it was down to this or the Z70va and what made me edge out the Z70va was the 17''. If im unhappy with the z83v ill get the z70va. I was this close to getting it, but also Z83v has more value for same money. I know Z70va is built like a tank cause of the carbon chasis and that was a big selling point to me.

 

Yeah I was wrong it was The Source not Future Shop