I CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE!!!! (aka z70va or not)

OK Heres the deal:
I searched the internet (yes the ENTIRE internet) trying to find a laptop that suits my needs... I thought I had found it with the z70va... so I searched the internet again to try and find the best price... 1415$USD...

So I start talking to my dad about it, bragging about how I searched the internet 2 times and found this awesome laptop for this awesome price. However, He says I'm stupid for even contemplating paying that much for a laptop... I point to how my school doesn't offer any laptops for under 1700$ and that laptops with similar performance to the z70va have a cost around 2000$... He then points me to a deal that just expired that was for a HP zx6000 for about 500$ stating again that noone pays too much more than 600$ for a laptop now adays (he had seen it in his work's IT dept. and the WallStreet Journal just had some article about it, he says)...

So I start looking through my old choices, none of them are under 1000$ (mostly HP 14"ers) but I see that every once and awhile CompUSA or some other chain has a deal on them that drops their price down to 600$ or so... the problem is that they all have the schiesse-like integrated graphics... and small screens (typing this on a 17" LCD).... I think 15" would be a minimum now that I've looked around so much...

So then I look back at some of the Asus notebooks I've looked at (they look like good Priced notebooks). OK 1284$USD for a similarly speced Z71v... Aw.. but the z70's look better and the z70va is NEW!!!... WHY CAN'T IT JUST BE CHEAPER!!!!

I know I should be posting some where else to ask this next question without getting a bias, but i'll ask it anyway... any laptops for around 1000$ (1.86P-m, 1Gb RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HDD, DVD/CDRW, no less than x300 GC) that have decent battery life (3.5 hrs wifi and browsing)?

Thanks,

:asus: :750: :gateway: :hp:

:decision:

 

I just found the link to the WSJ article... looks like the article said as low as 650 with wifi with models around 800-1200$

WSJ Laptop Article

 

Pretty much none, especially if you want a dedicated GPU.

Dell i600d comes to mind though...

 

I really don't think your specs can be met at $1000...not from ASUS at least.

Perhaps Dell, Gateway, or Compaq can meet your budget. Perhaps even Acer!

 

I think as a whole we've got to jack up the prices on systems built around Asus. As it stands right now people want to compare them to the the rest of the junk out on the market.... then they start pinching pennies here and there and actaully struggle between an Asus and an HP........ I'm sorry to say it but I liked the type of person who looked for Asus systems 2 and 3 years ago..... they understood why they wanted and Asus and knew regardless of the price, it's more valuable than something that's cheaper that appears on paper to have similiar specs....

 

yeah, I really don't want an integrated GC... It looks like $1200 is typical according to the WSJ, but that shouldn't be my limit!!! all of those laptops have integrated Graphics cards . I got $1800 for Graduation and have saved up a $800, so 1400 is alot but it isn't all of it... Heck. I could still upgrade (euphimism for buying a whole new PC because of new CPU and VidCard sockets) my current computer and have money left over...

I don't know... it is a lot of money... and I could get a REALLY good Wired PC with it... but I could use a laptop... Mostly as a Desktop Supplement... A computer comparable (probably 65%) to my desktop that I can take with me and use like I would my desktop... but I could use it anywhere i wanted...

What other laptop models would be competition for the z70va?

Hey corilois what laptops are those bears holding up? Asus ones I'm guessing. : \

 

Or you could show benchmarks on your sale page showing that it is a better machine...

I personally LOVE the majority of Asus' designs, as they tend to be very simple and exude a feeling of "OMG I AM 1337"... but that isn't as important (to me at least) if a other computer has better performance (function over form, that is unless your counting ergonomics as form, then the cliche hits the fan)

 

Yea - even if the ASUS were 10%-20% more expensive(the barebones ones only though), I'd still buy it.

As for the bears, can you guess?

 

What Asus offers is far beyond bench marked numbers....... first and foremost, everyone know Asus unclocks their graphic cards probably more than anyone to find a nice level ground where it's not sucking the batteries dry and producing a lot of heat.

The construction down to the motherboard level is something Asus is obviously known for..... there's a reason their motherboards are the best in the world and one of the reasons their notebooks are our favorite is because on a laptop basically everything is part of the motherboard so it needs to function all the time. I've seen Asus' notebooks out live other computers 2 and 3 times over...... Their build quality and design speak for themselves and for the computer illiterate, that's what they see and feel.... I honestly say that there isn't a soul who's seen and felt an Asus system who didn't think it was better than anything else they've ever seen. I've often said that even if Asus made just a box of a notebook...... it'd still be the best notebook you could buy. They way they've used the folks in house to design their models helps and hurts them. I remember LAPTOP magainze reviewing the S5 against an IBM last year and the S5 beat it out in everything......... but they said the S5 looked delecate..... where as the IBM looked like it could weather a storm. The fact is, the IBM model was plastic and the S5 is carbon fiber....... the S5 is probably twice as durable as that IBM but it didn't have to look clunky to do so.... After that review IBM struck a deal with Asus to design their new thinkpad models............. shortly after that IBM got eaten up by Lenovo and obviously you won't see Asus designing them now.....

I guess the bottom line is..... if you're apt to get an HP or a Dell....... getting an Asus is going to to be like pulling teeth and after all that it's hard to be happy because some people will then be so concerned that maybe they made the wrong choice that they'll nit pick the dumbest things and you'll have to check into a mental hospital......

Before you even consider Asus you have to clense your system and denounce HP, Dell, Gateway or anything of that nature!

 

I have been a hardcore DIY computer person for the last 5 years... Almost to the point of your fanaticism towards ASUS (that last line makes me think that the Asu Asus Assosiation *AAA* will be having a cross burning and marches on washington soon, LOL),

but the root of my obsession was that I could get better performance/$ and quality/$ than the Dell (esp. with overclocking)... now in the world of Laptops has been new to me (my current lappy is a Pentium 150Mhz, 32Mb ram, 2Gb HDD) so the bargain hunter in me almost orgasms when he sees a 50% off deal on a laptop... but what has been keeping me from dell's are what kept me from them before...

They are Dell... they are the man... they suck... even my non geek friends think Dell laptops suck ( which I reply "well the **** doesn't fall far away from the ass")... but I have to admit... their deals can be VERY tempting... *OOOhhhh 50% off*

right now I'm having a hard decision between the z70va and the z71v they are both similar in performance (the z70va is a bit better), the z70 looks better, the z71v can be had for less, the z70va weighs less... etcetera etcetera etceterea...

I need to go do HW... but I just got an Idea... Someone send me a z71v and a z70va... I'll do a review of each and have closure on my delema *i'll have 2 laptops *

 

Haha........ let me guess... your parents are footing your bill though and basically say "A.. what? We're not going to spend our hard earned money on something we've never heard of" ......... am I that far off base?

 

By the way... 50% of crap is still crap no matter how you split it. It might be a "good deal" but you get what you pay for...... for worse off... LESS..... When you replace your laptop in a year or two because you HAVE to...... there is no deal that can make up for having to buy a new system. I say it all the time........ I'll never tell someone this is the last system they'll ever buy. I learned my lesson back in like 95 when I said it myself..... The bottom line is though, you're going to get a new system 2-3-4 years down the line regardless of what you say now or what kind of financial situation you're in now....... There's always going to be something new that is going to get you going and you're going to end up with it. However, you're going to make your next purchase on your terms and get what you want when you want it and probably pass down this Asus to family or friends or someone.......it's still going to function like the day you got it. ........... If you're the type of person who never likes to get something new until you have to.. then maybe this isn't the best thing. But if you want something you can count on, it's an Asus without a doubt.

(maybe we could clean that up and make a PSA on the subject?)

 

People do pay up to $2000 for computers. If your dad's company gave him a laptop it proabably cost at least $1500 but prolly more like $2000. My dad works in software and his company gave him a t41 that, at the time, cost nearly $3000. The point is that a reliable, fast, but expensive computer, increases productivity. In other words, a good computer may be expensive, but it can definitely be worth it in terms of what you can do with it.

It's true that you can find special deals on computers that cost less than $1000, but these wont last for more than a year or two and even within that time period you will find many faults that will interefere with your work.

Of course, it's not necessary to spend an obscene amount of money to get all the lastest tech, but investing in at least a decent machine is important and will pay off in the future.

 

I don't know if I would call Dell crap, but there's obviously a difference in the quality and reliability of their parts compared to more expensive brands. It makes sense. Dell doesn't have a magic machine that makes everything cheaper (although they do get pretty good deals for bulk purchases). Just like anyone else, they have to cut corners to cut prices without cutting profits too much. The only reason I say they aren't crap is right now I'm typing on my sister's now 4-5 year old Dell Latitude and it's still going strong. The only thing that had to be replaced was the optical drive because the locking mechanism was originally faulty and it kept falling out. Now given, that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but it's also not something that's falling apart after 24 months either.

Personally I won't ever buy another Dell computer or laptop because A) I like AMD for desktops, period. B) Their laptops are, IMO, too bulky and heavy. C) Last and most important, I don't mind paying extra for quality parts and a configuration that fits my needs EXACTLY. Plus, the satisfaction of knowning I put it together and know it will work is pretty great too. That said, Dell still has a place on my credit card bill with their 50%, etcetera deals. Their monitors are pretty fabulous for the price, and use very good parts, namely screens by LG (I'm sure most/everybody on here knows its the same screens Apple uses in their displays). And when you find the right deals, their coupons can make for some insane deals. Those BFG 7800GTXs for like $380. I got my Logitech Z-5500s from them a couple months ago for $215, shipped.

But yeah, I personally wouldn't buy anything 'built' by Dell ever again.

 

regarding the Z71v vs Z70va, both are good computers. I have a Z71v. It's great, but if I was buying a computer now, I'd definitely get the Z70va. It's sturdier, looks better, performs slightly better graphically, has a better screen & better speakers, and has less complaints than the Z71v. The Z71v wins in system temperature, price, and fan noise, and has ALS, but loses in the other variables. If you can get your folks to go for it, get the Z70va. If not, you can suggest the Z71v as a "value alternative", considering it's a very good computer as well. However, given the choice, go for the Z70va.

 

The Money situation is that all my Graduation money is in my bank account at home... Which I have no authority over because I don't even know my bank account number... So to get the money I have to make it or be REALLY sneaky...

My dad's laptop is a Compaq of some sort with a 1.6 Dothan and an ATI 9000 IIRC... Not a IBM by any means and he has been working there for 25+ years... but they have always used Compaqs.. In fact that Pentium 150Mhz that I mentioned is a Laptop from his work that he bought (for like 50$) from the computer dept.. What rules that out now is that his company only leases Laptops now so He has no way of getting them cheaply, like before...

Could I get some documented cases where HP/Compaq/Other laptops fail, or some customer testamonials that the ASUS last forever, that would help me get some leverage...

Oh.. And a PSA is a good idea...

 

Well, I'm kinda similiar, *kinda*, as my parents are telling me to buy a Acer 1691 because its a laptop. Thats the only reason. But over the summer and still, I have a part time job, along with school, and I finally got enough, so I'm paying it on my own. Made my own bank account, etc.

I'm not trying to disrepect them, but we grew up years ago!

 

OK I've been thinking about this for a little bit (OK, 14hrs, there I said it) and I have been occilating alot... z70Va? z70V? z71v? No laptop?...

I removed the option of the z70v... for the price I can get a z70Va, the z70v can't really compete.

the z71v is a option that I seem to keep coming back to (in fact it was the first laptop I speced out *about the time the articles about laptops started on overclockers.com*) It is the least expensive of the two laptops. It is supposedly cooler running. It has the Ambient Light Sensor. But It has "sparkles" *I still don't know wtf people are talking about when they say this* and is less sexy than the M6 chassis of the z70va.

The z70va has a better screen, better vid Card(by a bit), is better looking, and newer. But it is more expensive (131$USD to be exact)....

Then comes the "Anti-Laptop".... Why do I need a laptop? I see other people taking notes in class with their laptop, but they can't draw diagrams as fast as I can on paper. Plus I am not a stenographer, I can't type 15000+wpm (hyperbole)... I was planning on using this laptop as an extension of my current desktop systems... surf the web... do my HW... play some games...
There exists my problem... I spend hours each day at my computer doing these things, and I am probably in my dorm more than I am out where I can't access my computer in less than 2 minutes... I would have my laptop with me when I am off at classes but would I use it when i at at my dorm? would I use it when I can access my desktop in less than 2 min? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY DESKTOP SYSTEM? I have spent alot of time modding and tweaking it, and I don't think I could leave it.... Would my laptop would go to waste?

please help me talk out the logistics of this decision... I have spent too much time on the problem and need some more outside opinion... feel free to ask any question that would help me make my decision... *Ohh the 2nd track of HalfLife2 just came on WinMediaPlayer I LOVE THAT SONG*

PS... Can anyone find some real gameplay benchmarks for the z70va and z71v at native resolution for things like the following(in this order in particular): Counter Strike:source, Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, UT2k4, and Counter Strike.

Thanks,
Carl V.

 

Well Carl, I am also a university student so I can help you with this a bit.

I've found that my M6Ne has served me well for the past year. In my first year, I HAVE taken notes with it... but realistically, it's not needed. It really depends on the teaching style of your professors; if they draw diagrams, then perhaps a tablet notebook will do. If they give you nothing but text and an OCCASIONAL picture, then a laptop will be fine. I took notes in my biology class and english class with this laptop... worked great.
Conversely, even when i didn't use my laptop to take notes, I DID use it to download Powerpoint presentations that the professors used during lecture.

Here comes the deciding factor: WHERE do you study the most? If you find that you study in various different places often, ... say the library.... outside on the grass... in a coffee shop... then a laptop would be quite useful. However, you're going to be couped up in your dorm all day...then honestly, a desktop will serve you just as well.

So in summary, if you find that your classes can accomodate note taking via laptop... and you study a lot OUTSIDE of your dorm, go for it. You won't regret it. (I'd go for the Z70Va)

If you have many professors which draw diagrams... and you stay in your dorm a lot, then you don't need a laptop. Save the money and continue modding/upgrading that desktop.

The choice is yours!

 

well right now I have 2 classes (out of 4 REAL classes) that are not english based (Intro to Electrical Engineering and Calculus).... I could take notes on it in English and Programming but Thats it...

But HW-wise All I use my current desktop for is Word (Essays)... and the occational use of the Calculator... I did do alot of school work on my HighSchool's computers (Web research)...
On the studying note... I usually don't study... or didn't have to ... but when I did it was pretty much anywhere I could sit and not feel overheated (I lived in Atlanta ,Georgia) and just read over my notes....

I think I head someone talk about using Visio for making diagrams... I've played with it a little but it seemed pretty simple (my dad is an Engineer and had it installed on our PC).... in math there is that Maple program that I think is incorperated into classes later (I haven't used it yet)...

Overall... I use the computer MUCH more for recreation then I do for learning... (online everyday searchin' for computer related stuff a lot)...

I have a Palm Pilot (Tungsten|C) that I use to access my email and stuff in between classes right now... but it can't access as far with it's wifi (I had my PC on wifi So I have a comparison to a Pc level WiFi device). So essentially It would be neat to have a laptop that could funtion as a giant PDA, except for the fact that I think I would find I f i got a Tablet that I would want to play games on it sooner or later and I would want to buy another laptop... are there any Bluetooth Drawing tablets on the Market?

 

For me, I'm probrably not using it in class for notes, I'm pretty sure using a pen and paper is more effective and less distracting(No MSN/IRC in class )

 

I agree that pen and paper are more efficient... but having a laptop around can be quite useful too. It really does depend on the professor and their teaching style...

Regardless of all that has been said, I love my M6Ne and if I could go back in time, I'd STILL buy it and wouldn't change a thing

:asus:

 

What types of teaching styles did you find to be computer friendly? There has been some talk about the Va being loud and hot... I certainly would not want to disturb my class with a noisy laptop... I heard speed fan is a way to slow down the fans but it doesn't have an option to start up at boot... are there anyother programs?

 

Its loud and hot whe you take it to the extreme, like any laptop would.

Its quiet and cool when im doing nothing but typing.

 

OK, but can you give a comparison to something that gets just as hot?

 

nothing too hot, warm at most.

but that was when it was "stock" and i didn't tinker with it.

 

coriolis, I assume youre writing a review with LOTS of pics for your notebook (z70va)...^.^

 

LOL!

It's the same as the z70v which has already been reviewed detailedly, but If you really want, I'll review it.

I was only thinking of doing a very basic review...

 

We Need as many Real-Life Benchmarks as possible!!!
Maybe Benchmarking at different power optimization levels?

 

I just like seeing pictures

Even though I have an M6Ne... and it's basically the same... I just can't get enough

 

Well I do think some of the "oh my god, this laptop is so loud I can hear it from (insert a number above 15) feet away" talks about the Z70va are sort of unrealistic. It really can't be that bad - my now ex-laptop was a bit noisy. It was an Inspiron 8200 (yeah, I now know it is a mistake to buy a Dell without a huge warranty), it did get quite hot - full load 70C+ but still if you have some sort of music on, it can't bother you. Yes, you can hear the fans sometimes, but still...
I'm receiving my Z70va tomorrow hopefully, after FedEX screwed up big time with the delivery. Anyway, I'll post some benchmarks tomorrow, but I think the wait was worth it.
Btw, does undervolting void the warranty? I'm still a bit confused on that part.
Coriolis - so, your z70va is not loud at all when idle/doing light work? I'm asking because of the above quoted statements

 

I came from a AMD Duron, so the z70va is NOTHING compared to that

I can hear the fan on, and thats about it, even while typing this. I can even turn the fan OFF, and doing light work makes the heat somewhere along the 55~ mark which isn't bad(I think?)

Undervolting doesnt harm your warranty since it is all software based, not hardware.

I'd start on my review but right now im missing my PhotoShop CS CD(Ahhh crap...) and Word documentation program. I may try that free one

 

Im in college right now and I prefer studying in the peace of my own dorm. However, my classes are a long 20 min walk away and when I have around an hour or two between classses I really rather just go to the library and pass time instead of walking 20 mins to my room, resting for 20 mins, then walking another 20 mins back to class. Because of this, I'm really glad that I have a laptop since I can bring it along with me and do some internet research, word processing, or just entertain myself away from my room. Most college campuses these days have wireless so there are definitely advantages to having a laptop that you can carry around with you.

Also, since I live in CA but go to college in NY, a desktop was out of the question for me. I wanted a laptop so I could easily bring it home with me during breaks; there is no way I can go for 4 weeks during winter break without my own computer. Also, having a laptop as opposed to a desktop means that it is a lot easier for me to move between dorms, when I have to, and it means more desk space, which is also good.

 

Just a quick update. I'm done the review + benchmark, but the pics turned out really bad.

Hmmm....

 

Take more pics then!

 

Lol... Draw them in MSPaint... LOL... and then Photoshop and do a benchmark on which is better...

lollollollollollol <-----the crowd cheering

PS I started looking at a mac 12" iBook today (despite what is in my sig... when I read that metaphor I had to put it in my sig...) as someone on campus is selling one of the new ones for 825$USD... I wouldn't be able to game on it(well I dont think so...someone on the mac forums here says he's playing Halo at medium detail and 800x600 res)... but I would be able to do internet and email type stuff... and it is pretty cheap... well at least the cheapest dedicated vid, lappy I can find...

I'm still trying to figure out whether I could take the heat/noise of the z70va... a z71v is looking pretty good... BUT IF IT WAS AT LEAST MADE OUT OF CF and was a little more squared off (ughhh.. and don't even get me started on the gap between the Screen and Kb when it is closed)...

Bah.. :decision:

:noisyfan:VS. :asus: VS. :base: < insert Apple symbol.and then a compfuzled PC user that can;t rightclick]

 

No photoshop as of yet, lost my freakin CD!


Ahhhhh.

You guys dont ant 1600 resolutio pics do ya? LOL

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Windows Image resizer powertoy..

If you don't want that Email them to me (the(period)lipster at gmail d0t com) and I'll get them down to the size you want

 

Found it, just finished installing.

Gonna start it.

 

AHH cant wait for the review...im on the fence for this comp...be sure to run a game or two on it...doom 3 or BF2 would be nice ^.^

 

If I owned it, I'd do that but I don't heh...

 

Isn't there a demo floating around the net?? When can we expect this review?

 

Currently installing it,


How do you want me to do after? Take screenies or use a DigiCam?

 

Play the demo with MAX settings and tell us about the performance

 

Very smooth, no presence of lag whatso ever

I played the game for a bit on max settings, and I was totally destroyed by my friend(who owned the game). Im not a FPS gamer

 

Max settings.. and very smooth? I'm jealous.
I'm sure the Radeon 9700 on my M6Ne would struggle quite a bit... but then again, I'm not much of a gamer anymore so it doesn't matter

Where's the review?!?

:asus:

 

3dmark05 score - 2507 - that is with ati 5.8 drivers, AV & several other programs running in the background. Do I need to tell more ? Z70va is amazing....

 

Similiar.

The card was underclocked and I was on firefox/Azereus/MSN.

SuperPI: 1minute 42 seconds
3DMark05: 2428
PCMark05: 3009
HD Tune:
Min: 19.5mb/sec
Max: 40.1mb/sec
Avg: 31.1mb/sec
Access Time: 14.3ms
Burst Rate: 77.6 mb/sec
CPU Usage: 4.5%

 

scheisse!!! that is nearly as fast as my desktop machine

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1028953

PS/EDIT : WHERE DID THE BEARS GO did your 42,000rpm HDD explode and destroy their utopia?

 

wait whered u get your z70va at?