Need help deciding on Asus notebook

I have been interested in Asus notebooks for some time now, but have not been able to decide on a model. I thought I’d pose my dilemma to the forums here for any help you guys can offer.
I had originally set my sights on the W2V, intrigued by both its beauty as well as performance. However, after much consideration, I decided that it was far too big for me.
I am planning on using this laptop next year as I am going to college. I will probably be taking it to and from classes, and around Boston.
I am a somewhat enthusiastic gamer, playing titles up to the requirements of Doom 3 and Half-Life 2, so performance is a factor for me. Portability, as I stated before, is important, as well as the design. I will mostly be using this for downloading music/movies, gaming, graphic design, Photoshop, internet, etc.
At this point, I have been looking strongly at the W3V, and the V6V
The V6V seemed to be a better fit because of the X700 video card, but I am turned off by the lower-quality, non-widescreen display. Also, I don’t find the design quite as inspiring, and it is larger.
The W3V would be more portable and has the widescreen gloss display, but simply lacks the graphics performance of the V6V.

Any advice that could be given regarding either of these notebooks or comparing the two would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Also:

I will probably upgrade either system to either the 2.13 or 2.26 GHz processor,
1 GB RAM
and 100 GB HD (7200 rpm for w3V, not sure about V6V)
My $$ limit is about $2500-$2800, so either notebook generally falls into that range.

 

According to some users on here, the V6Va has the best screen they have ever seen in a notebook. It is a glossy screen, though it is not wide aspect. Check out my thread "V6Va vs Z70Va"...

Z70Va might be for you, as it has a wide screen along with the x700. It is also a very portable machine from what I know. The screen is also supposed to be 'AMAZING' and users on this board rave about it.

I also really loved the W3V, but the truth is the x600 wont cut it. So if it is between that and the V6Va, then go with the V6Va...

 

Thanks for the help. I'll look into the Z70Va. would you suggest it over the V6Va?
Also, how important do you feel that the widescreen is in the big scheme of things?

 

It's all a matter of preference. The thing is I have never used a widescreen display at the amazing resolution of the Z70Va, but the ones I have used at lower resolutions I have not liked.

In my case, I don't watch a lot of DVD movies so I wouldn't really take advantage of the 16:9. Instead I tend to watch anime TV shows which are all at the standard 4:3.

I dont play FPS games, rather I play RTS games. RTS games, according to a widescreen owner I know, are distorted on a widescreen. However he told me that FPS are great on them; maybe someone else can confirm this for you.

For general use, a widescreen at the resolution of the Z70Va (1680 x 1050) should be pretty awsome, though the resolution of the V6Va (1400 x 1050) is very good too, plus the V6Va has a glossy screen.

I am a very indecisive person so I can't help you much with my opinions, as I myself don't even know what I prefer... I ordered the Z70Va, and canceled my order because they didnt have the 100 gb 7200 RPM HD in stock. Then I went ahead and ordered a customized V6Va from a different reseller, and I am havning lingering thoughts of canceling this order and redeciding or even waiting a few months for new technology to be released...

 

even waiting a few months for new technology to be released

or you can wait for about a year for merom, but then again why not wait for the next technology after the merom in 2007? lol
seriously, i don't think you will regret or lose any sleep by choosing the V6va. I think it is very powerful and more than enough for everyday needs.