Just got the black S5np package from Asus....

Guys,

Once again we're the first the North America with another model.... We welcome back the black S5 which was had until August of last year as a configurable model... Now, by surprise, we have is as a complete Asus model with the new NP keyboard... which is slightly larger. Same specs as the S5n, but charcoal and the new larger keyboard.

http://www.proportable.com/images/s5np.jpg

Email me

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
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I do sleep... but most business for me is done between 1-9pm .. sometimes til about midnight.--- all those west coast customers, advertisers, etc that I deal with.

You're welcome... I try to help.. but like other things, this can get addictive... I'm going to need to go on a 10 step program to stop myself from posting here so much.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

thats a mistake.. no such thing at w3v... if there was, it would have dedicated video.. I 'll fix that.

Listen, I've got some news. The black S5 will not have a rebate on it. The rebates now for the S5 are for the older white one with the smaller keyboard. Asus said this is a limited edition model they brought in and is limited to a dozen or so units that we recieved. The white model will not be coming in anymore until the sonoma model is released in a month.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

Good question.

Initially from December of 03 to August of 04, we have the black S5n... a barebone we configured alongside the M5n.

Till August, the white S5 was the S5ne - 1.0ghz ULV cpu.

-A review we go in May's issue of Laptop Magazine proved that the ULV unit didn't get any better battery life than a 1.5ghz...

-Also, Asus thought the black S5 didn't sell well (which it didn't) because most people at the time who wanted the black unit, seemed to also want the internal drive. Those who wanted the smalle "petite" model if you will - wanted the white.... tons of women.

-So when the S5ne stock ran out in July, Asus ordered the white S5n with the configurable motherboard from the black models. At that time they didn't want competition with basical an identical model that could be configured.. so they stopped bringing in the black S5 and we had them till they dried up in mid-August.

-The spec on the S5's are all 2.8 pounds with the battery. The only physical difference is maybe an ounce because the S5n has a socket cpu instead of being soldered right to the board.

-The white S5's dried up --- because of the rebates and the sonoma models won't be ready for probably 5 weeks... However there were black S5's that they could order from Taiwan. After our black S5 stock dried up in August.. I'd say to the very day... it became the most popular unit out there and we couldn't get any more in. Also, the new M5np keyboard was seen as a huge improvement to those who have tried both. So, for a limited time, you've got a Black S5, with a new keyboard.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Hey... two things.

1. Asus said they don't want the black S5 back up on our site... period, and Taiwan wants the units back, they weren't supposed to be sent here at all (but they are US spec'd). they just said to say we're sold out of the white S5 and thats it. They also turned around most of our shipment that FedEx was still transporting.... but they said if we already sold them than it was fine. So, I've only got 6 and apparently that means it'll be very limited....

2. The S5a/M5a probably won't have any of that stuff the W5 has. The M5a will be a barebone unit, so bluetooth and rf and a colorshine screen.... My guess is the S5 won't either..... otherwise the price would creep up closer to the W5....... So, my best guess is, same identical units, but sonoma platform.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Justin,

To the best of your knowledge, what are the improvements of S5a/M5a over the current S5n/M5np?

Bluetooth, Built-in IR for wireless mouse and TV-out added in as those found in the current W5a?

Or just the changes of chipsets 855GM -> 915GM, Dothan FSB 400MHz -> Dothan FSB 533MHz, and DDR 333MHz -> DDR2 400/533MHz RAM?
Thanks alot

 

Justin,

So to clarify, the S5 and M5 Sonoma refreshes will be whitebox if I understand correctly? What is the pricing of the S5np, can you post it here?

Thanks!

 

A nice looking machine.. but I think I'd rather have the M5Np. THe touchpad looks a lot better

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

I like everything of the new keyboard on *5np except for the smaller size of the right [Shift] key and the [up-arrow] key placed on its right side - this can cause a lot of mistyping and deletion of text.

 

Same price.. what is it.. 1599

Keyboard.. the update to the keyboard were for a few reasons and fixed what 99% of people said could be better.
1 longer space bar
2 full size number keys
3 full size backspace
4 full size enter

- now i know what you mean about the right side shift.... but I think it was needed in order to make everything else bigger... most people said the old S5/M5 keyboard was damn good for a 12" system... but they would have liked some things.. Asus refreshed it and I think they just made it much more usable for bigger hands.. Personally... i could have lived with a smaller space bar because i usually hit it in the center anyway so i don't need that length... but Asus listen to critics and customers.... which is more than most people can say.

- I like the M5's keyboard.... and it's one reason I imported the white chassis'... but at the same time, I'm thinking I might just take mine and swap the m5np palmrest and larger white keybarrd over to an old S5n..... because for me.... now the W3 is going to be my real travel notebook.... the S5 is just for taking notes at meetings... honestly... don't think I'm bragging about all of my systems..... it's just one of the perks of paying the bills and needing demos on hand. [ ]

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

yeah,... we don't know yet.. i think it most likely will just be a complete carry over with just a sonoma chipset.... but you can hold out.. so wait and lets see what develops.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

I want an M5 with bluetooth! That would be sweet... I don't mind the matte screens... text work is great on them.

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Just to clearify, If the new Sonoma based M5a will be a barebone system, will the S5a be a barebone...or will there be any S5? barebone models available again anytime soon? If so, would It be offered in white, or is white strictly for the ASUS direct non-barebone S5's?

So the exterior appearance of the new Sonoma based M5/S5 systems will be identical in everyway to the current N series systems?

Also, do you have any definitive pricing on the Sonoma based M5a's and S5a's? Or even a very accurate "guess"???

Thanks once again in advance!!!

 

Is there any ways to get that with a non-glossy screen?

 

right now there is no intention of making the s5 a barebone model again in the US...... the M5 certainly will stay that way. I think they are going to be a complete carry over, so the screen shouldn't change. However, if it does, we can change them back to the current screen for you very easily if you'd like......... although, again, I don't think they are changing the screen.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]