NEW Updates on ETA's and pricing... Z35f / Z62j / Z96j / W3j / W2j

Here here! I second that notion. Be cautious though, as any number of rebuttals are sure to come your way

 

I never like to get into that battle....... When I used to take sales calls I'd get a share of super genius 14-15year olds that are going into college early (you know - Doogie Howser types) and they're smart kids (smarter than their parents) and know Asus, know they need this type of computer and it's going to cost this much...... Now the parents trust the kids judgement on basically everything... and call the kids "computer genius'", but when it comes to the cost of the computer, all of a sudden they're like "you can buy a dell for $600, you're not getting the money to do that... it's a dell or now laptop at all"....

So, there are a lot of kids who can't speak up for themselves - or are afraid to because mommy's paying for it, to tell her they don't want a piece of **** and if they think they're so computer savy - you'd think they'd trust them to know what a great computer is over an OK computer....... Kids in college use mommy's money to buy Alcoholm, weed and junk food on a weekly basis..... In the overall scheme of things, $100 more for a computer that you want and will last you at least a few years can easily be absorbed in the tens of thousands of dollars they are shelling out for school. Then, I used to get this "well they're not paying for school" and you figure, ok, they're parents hate them and they're paying their own way..... hard to do nowadays, but possible....... then they'd tell me they were on a full scholarship! Ok -- you'd think the least the parents could do would be to "loan" them the cost for the computer..... or maybe in other people's cases... the extra $100 ?

I'm not talking of anyone's current situation, but if you find it amusing (super) or in any way similiar to where you stand right now (wonderful)..... but basically, you're not alone and everyone's had ****py jobs in college and everyone's laid the guilt trip on their parents at least a dozen times (and the parents back to the kids), so..... I don't know what else to say. I could stick with just saying that even at a 2 grand, this is a steal of a system and if you can't afford it or don't want to pay that much - that's life I guess.

 

Yeah. I would think that your parents would have the sense to realize that you could be a real a$$ and blow them off. I mean, really, a whole summer without making money when you're used to making $9 an hour? There has to be some sort of compromise between you guys.

 

sure.. like.. we'll pay for your lodging and food for the summer. if not, you can borrow my tent. it's in the garage.

hah. but seriously, i dun think they'll mind if you ask them and tell them why you need the small leverage.

 

Ehhh, maybe his family runs a farm or something?

But still...my parents would be paying me for dang sure.

 

Without getting too offtopic here guys

I fund myself, even with school and even moderating these forums, plus my other extra curricular activities, i have TWO part time jobs, and pay for all my bills, expenses, and the laptops, which I spoiled myself hah

Anyways, Justin, any updates on the US/Canada models? I've heard how, like the M6ne(I think it was this), that some models will be 'Canada-only'?

 

Asus is going to off load a ton of models in Canada this year that they don't think will sell in the US or have proved NOT to sell in the US........ and the US market for ensembles will mainly focus on higher end models......... So with that said, I already made it clear months ago that Canada is going to see many, many more ensembles this year than the US will see..... a lot more mid to lower end models that have proved to sell there....... However, the barebone market up there is said to be smaller than it is here, so that may trigger some barebones not going north of the border. Asus is trying to totally seperate the Canadian market now and the even created an office and service center and stopped using supercom to fix their systems. Pretty soon I wonder if the notebooks headed to Canada are even going to come into the same port......

 

Mmm, that's surprising.

But I see ASUS really pushing ENSEMBLE's, I've seen tons of magazine adds, banners, Mall posters and banners, and they have quite a few ASUS showcases in malls.

 

So any word on when things are going to get cracking on the W3j - production, ordering...etc...etc?

Did they settle on the one button mouse?

 

the W3J has 2 buttons. lets see if I can draw it out for you
________
|:::::::::|
|___|___|

Ok ^ <- right here is an BLUE LED to show there's a small cut in the one piece metal to show 2 buttons.

You get it now?

The W3J is gonna rock.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

Nice picture...but are you going to take that to the bank?

Asus Global says you're wrong, but that's not set in stone either.

 

Looks like its 1 button, but the LED helps seperate where you think the buttons are

Another thing, they changed the keyboards 'Enter'?

 

Nice Pic Also, does anyone know what function the "Gr" has on the "Alt" key??

 

I think that's an European keyboard.

 

That's a UK keyboard.... but that is the new touchpad..... the left and right click buttons are NOT the same as the W3v and anyone with a W3v can clearly see that.

 

You press that key when you are pissed off..."Grrrrrrrr"

 

Seriously though... before I get a ton of emails or posts on here *****ing about the keyboard..... it's not a US keybaord......... US keyboard's have a layout which is a "standard" for the most part..... UK keyboards have a UK standard... why they're different, I have no clue.... other than a couple keys that would be different like the Pound and the Dollar sign... but they're keys are all over the place...

 

A-Lit and eslayter--the "Gr" is for the German Alt function. The HP's we have at work come with European keyboards by default, since GE Healthcare had German engineers design the software we use. Therefore, Gr Alt is different from the Alt key. Can't stand it, personally. Good to know the keyboard will come with the US version.

 

Aah, thanks for the insight Kansa.

 

Looks like its 1 button, but the LED helps seperate where you think the buttons are

Another thing, they changed the keyboards 'Enter'?[/QUOTE]

Is there a physical, tactile feel to the trackpad buttons, or is it like using the single/double click option on the trackpad?

 

The keyboard is not confirmed, that's the European version, I'm pretty sure the NA version has the same keyboard as the W3v/Z63a. As for the trackpad, no clue, unless someone knows...!

 

****...such a bummer to hear that w2j wont come with a slot loading drive.
man i was so syked about getting my w2 during spring break but...mid april...
i hope it wont get any more expensive than $2599.......*sigh..

 

Price Change?

Or Error?

Look -> http://www.proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=107

Price: $1,799.00

 

It will come with the Slot Load (Asus confirmed the lightscribe drives are NOT ready yet so they'll keep the slot load for now)...

... Also, introductory price anyway of $2,499....

 

Question regarding the W3J:
Will the memory be 1x1024MB or 2x512MB? Cause if I'm going to upgrade to 2GB sometime in the future, the 1x1024 would be more useful, although I suppose it would be best to get matching sticks.
Anywho, thanks.
Jay

 

Justin still has it listed like this, and I think this is the final specs...

W3J-H009P: ETA week of 4/16 - 14" WXGA (1280 x 768)
•256mb ATI x1600 - 1.83ghz/1 x 1024mb DDR2 667/100gb 5400rpm / XP Pro - $1,799

As you can see, it's 1X1024MB DDR2 667...that's the north american spec though...If you're in a different market...then it might differ.

 

I didn't pay attention to your sig...Since you're living in the same province as I am, then you'll definitely be getting the 1X1024MB DDR2 667 spec W3J.

I'm still on the fence about pre-ordering one...I think I want to wait for at least 1 or 2 user reviews/opinions first...but It's so tempting to pre-order...anyhow, If I do pre-order, Canadasys is one of two retailers on my list.

Are you in the Toronto area...maybe I'll come and see yours in person If I don't pre-order

 

The W3j in N.A. will be the same, or at least should be. It's true ASUS wants Canada to be another unique market, seperate from the US market, but all signs point to same specs. For future laptops, maybe not.

 

Kitchener-Waterloo, actually. I'm sure you'd be able to go into the store and have a look at a display model around the same time I'm getting mine, though.

Who's your other favourite retailer? I talked to the guys at Canada Computers here in Waterloo and they don't have anything extremely useful to say about it other than it is coming and they will probably carry it. No pre-order, that's for sure. I am a first-time customer, but given Danny's rep in this forum and elsewhere, I trust he'll treat me right. And I'm more than happy to place my trust in Asus.

Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't even think to check ProP, as they're outside of my market, but that would have made sense.

Jay

 

I've had my sights set on the w3j, but I'm also wondering if Asus plan on bringing the w6f to NA.

 

Hey,

The specs I listed above from Justin are listed on this forum in the sticky, not just on Proportable's website.

anyways, If I knew the exact amount I'd be paying, including any duty and taxes plus the exchange rate and shipping...and I had all those figures 100% confirmed...and the price comes to within $150 of what I'd be paying to buy it locally, then I'd definitely give Justin the business...but without a firm final cost guaranteed beforehand, I'm not really comfortable placing an order. Aside from that, there would be nothing to stop me since It's an ensemble model...and the warranty is good anywhere.

In the past I would have said Canada Computers for sure, but I haven't been too happy with their service lately...they usually have the best prices, but that doesn't mean everything to me anymore. The other retailer I was referring to was infonec.ca, you should check them out...but I'm also more inclined to give Danny my business over at Canadasys. I've never dealt with him either, but I've heard and seen nothing but positive things. If his price is competitive with Infonec, then I think I'm going to give him my business as well.

Good luck with your purchase. Make sure you post as much as possible about your W3J when you get it. Run it through its paces for us all, and take some great pictures too!!!

 

Coma, I'd say it would make a lot more sense for you to buy at Canadasys. You live in Toronto, so you'll have the store within easy reach if anything ever goes wrong. Customer service is so much better and easier fact-to-face. I haven't bought anything at Canadasys (yet!), but I've been to their stores a few times, and the staff has always been very friendly and helpful. First time I went there I spoke to a guy who was buying a Z63. He had been there for hours making the technician in the back go nuts setting up new Z63s for him so that he could get one with absolutely no dead pixels! No complaints from the staff though! Try doing that online...!

Avoid Canada Computers. I used to shop there, but these days they're all about volume and have no interest in customer service. At least that applies to the store in the Pacific Mall. I don't know about the others.

Check out notebookforums.ca. Canadasys has set up a pretty good pre-order deal for the W3J.