Interested In W3V, but I have some questions

I am on the market for a new laptop and someone suggested the asus w3v to me. I love this notebook but I have a few concerns. I have seen several reviews complaining about the heat problem and several that say it is not a problem. My main question is: Is this a serious problem that might cause some internal damage over time or is it not really that serious of a problem?

Also, this is the first place I've seen complaints about the sound. Is this also a serious problem? Personally, the only time I'll need the sound is while listening to music at home and I have a set of external speakers for that purpose. Will the sound problem in the notebook itself effect the sound comming through the external speakers?

Last but not least, supposedly the version of the w3v portable one has alterations to help with the heat problem. Does anyone know if that version also has better sound?

Thanks in advance.

 

Portableone's MX is a well-rated unit, and many have reported that their modifications have helped with the heat issue. Sound from laptops is generally sub-par since the speakers are not great in most machines; listening through headphones or external speakers will give a much better audio experience.

 

The so called heat problem is extremely over dramatized. Its ridiculous that people even brought it up. The laptop functions just like the rest within the same temp average. I dont know why people listen this. Some people are just really picky. The latop gets warm like it should like any other.

 

So what about the sound issues, will I be ok with my external speakers which plug into the headphone jack?

Also, I saw a w3v on Tigerdirect for about $1500 but some of the specs seem different. For instance, the site says that the ram is ddr and not ddr2. Is this a mistake by the tigerdirect or are they selling an older model.

 

w3 is standard. The reseller sites are correct. Tiger is not.

 

I agree... I was worried about the possible heat issues at first, but when I actually got my Z63a... I was like huh? What heat problem?
The only reason you notice heat is because the other palmrest is completely cool to the touch...

 

Agreed... I've had one for a few days and the heat problem is well, not a problem. It's no warmer than my Dell 600m.

Sound - it's a laptop, use headphones.

Pork

 

I think "heat problem" is the wrong phrase to use.. its at most just an issue and it doesn't affect performance at all.

 

Ok, I think I'm sold, now I guess I need to know where to buy. I thought that the carrying case and wireless mouse came standard but I have seen several sites that fail to mentioin those accessories. Also, I think I saw a site that offered a larger harddrive and another that offered a free extra 512mb stick of ram but I can't remember which sites those were. Does anyone know offhand? And, does anyone know who is offering the best deal on the w3v right now?

 

Lol No it is not an issue. An issue needs to be addressed. This does not need to be addressed. The drive is under the palm rest thus the palmrest gets warmer. Over the years i have learned that user reviews are extremely unrealiable in terms of issues. This is so trivial i cant even believe we are having this discussion for the the umteenth time. Get over it. Try to understand. The people that complained about this notebook are just extremely picky. The screen the touchpad the palmrest the drive the fan the notebook are about as perfect as they can get. Yes the fan stays on all the time big friggin deal so do all of the other notebooks asus offers. It is common knowledge asus is very conservative with their temps and fans. Sorry to all the picky people out there that tried to boil eggs on the w3 palmrest but you really have to be objective when you do your reviews otherwise you cause threads like this. No offense but this is just trivial. I had to answer this question like 200 times. "I heard the w3a has heat issue and the harddrive overheats, can you do something about this". Every single day for the last 6 months. I cant take it any more. I have to beat my head into the keyboard everyh time i see this question. Now that i have vented my apologies

 

I believe that every W3V comes with the carrying case (it has their logo on it) and a Logitech wireless mouse. I got mine from geared2play with the free extra 512 RAM. It was nice to get it up front, as I had planned to install more memory anyway.

I agree that the heat "issue" is actually a "non-issue". The w3v blows warm air from the right side vent, and the underside gets warm, just like any other electronic device does. I sat with mine on my lap for 3 hours last night while surfing and watching hockey. The heat was never even noticable to me. I really wouldn't worry about it. Also, the fan is pretty darn quiet, as I can say that I don't remember hearing it cycle off or on that whole time.

I have found that the built in sound is fine for around the house, whether using the speakers or headphones. The only time I needed more volume was on an airplane (I'm sure you've read the previous posts on this). Good luck with your decision :asus:

 

Had mine for 2 months now. I love it. I first needed to work out the battery scheme software for underclocking the proc and video card, but now it works like a dream. Realistically I get around 3 hrs and 45 minutes surfing internet, email, word, powerpoint, and wireless on the whole time. I bought a 2nd battery to get me through the majority of the day.

The heat really isn't as bad as people make it out to be, but you will notice it when you get it. Otherwise, this comp lets me showboat around my classroom even next to the powerbook kids. I get all of my work done on this W3V and play World of Warcraft, Half Life 2, and Battlefield 2 in my down time. This laptop is small enough to bring everywhere and powerful enough to play my favorite games, thus I am very very satisfied.

-Mavtop

 

I've had mine for a month and I share Mavtop's view... it does everything I want it to, and it does it in style. When I first got it, I found that it did heat up... more than I was used to... but on the road, chances are, you'll be trying to conserve battery rather than gaming, so using NHC, in battery optimized mode, undervolting down to 0.733, running 800mhz speedstep, running the harddrive to enable spindown, and using ATI's powerplay at the battery savings setting, the heat from the vent isn't noticeable, and the right palmrest stays room temp, so really there's no heat to speak of. surfing the net, msn, outlook, wireless on, bluetooth on, with the screen brightness down 2 from the lowest setting, you'll get juice enough for almost 5 hrs.

my only one gripe would be the little rubber pads that keep the lcd frame from touching the palmrest could have been a little thicker, as I find that the top cover does make contact with the palmrest... but that's trivial.

 

Does anyone know if there is a site selling the w3v and offering 12 months no payment financing?

I really want this computer, and I need a new laptop asap, but I can't afford it right now. I know paypal is offering 12 months no payments but I was only approved for $1500 and they said I prbably wouldn't be able to cover the rest of the balance with another form of payment unless the seller set something up which I doubt anyone would go through the trouble of doing.

If there isn't a site with a 12 months no payment plan, can anyone recommend something comparable but more affordable than the w3v.

 

z63a is the same as w3v but without the brushed aluminum lid and X600 GPU

 

Also no bluetooth

 

Thanks for your suggestion, but I want the Graphics and bluetooth

 

I just bought mine yesterday, and I have to say I absolutely love it.

Sure, the right palm rest is hotter than the left, but that's because the left side is completely cool.

It's not like the laptop is burning my hand as some other posts seem to suggest.