New ASUS A4000 DTR released

Just noticed this over at the ASUS site, looks like an update for the A2 series, which seems to be getting a bit of flack at the moment for fan problems. Will be interesting to see how this model goes
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http://www.asus.com/news/2004/20041012.htm



:: ASUS A4000 aInc. (ASUS) today introduced the A4000 Notebook Series, a desktop replacement solution that incorporated the latest microprocessors from both Intel and AMD to maximize productivity whether it’s in the office or on the road. Supporting powerful graphics core from ATI and advanced multi-task processing, the A4000 Series delivers fierce visual performance and robust computing that rivals those of desktop PCs.

The series also adopted a unique case that is modeled after desktop chassis. This design allows users to quickly access the interior of the notebook for system maintenance. Simply remove the bottom cover to reach the entire motherboard and each component.

For video and audio enjoyment, the A4000 Series comes with a 16:9 widescreen display and four-way speakers. The viewing angle of the human eye is larger horizontally than vertically, which means the A4000 series, with its 16:9 wide screen LCD, is a video-viewing device most natural and comfortable to the human eye. With both DVD and HDTV format supporting 16:9 video images, the A4000 allows users to watch movies the way they are meant to be watched.

The four-way speakers provide excellent audio quality for movie sound effects, hip hop beats and classical music. The Audio DJ feature further enables users to listen to their favorite songs without entering the operating system. Don’t waste time waiting for the notebook to boot.

ASUS notebooks pay close attention to the smallest details. The A4000 Series included a 16:9 touchpad to match the widescreen display. Users no longer have to move their fingers across the touchpad repeatedly to shift the cursor from one corner of the screen to another.

To increase battery efficiency, ASUS developed an exclusive energy-saving technology, ASUS Power4 Gear+. This innovation improves battery life up to 20-25% by adjusting CPU speed, LCD brightness and Windows power schemes according to system loading. It offers eight operation modes that are specifically designed for gaming, watching DVD, listening to music, word processing and more, ensuring no battery power is wasted.

A4000G/L Series
A4000D/K Series

- Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 532/538 supporting Hyper-Threading Technology: 3.06/3.20GHz, 533MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache);
-Intel® Celeron® D Processor 335: 2.80GHz, 533MHz FSB, 256K L2 Cache)
- AMD Mobile Athlon™ 64 Processor, 3000+/ 3200+ /3400+/3700+;

-AMD Mobile Sempron™ Processor 3000+/3100+/3300+

- Microsoft® Windows® XP Home/ Professional
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Home/ Professional

- 15.1” XGA/SXGA+ & 15.4” 16:10 WXGA/WSXGA+
- 15.1” XGA/SXGA+ & 15.4” 16:10 WXGA/WSXGA+

2 x SODIMM sockets for expansion up to 1 GB, DDR 333 DRAM Support (SODIMM)
2 x SODIMM sockets for expansion up to 1 GB, DDR 333 DRAM Support (SODIMM)

- ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ 9700(A4000G only)
- ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ 9200 (A4000D)
- ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ 9700 (A4000K)
10/100 Ethernet Connection
10/100/1000 Ethernet Connection

4-way Superior Sound Speakers (15.4” only)
4-way Superior Sound Speakers (15.4” only)

16:9 touchpad
16:9 touchpad

Audio DJ, 4-in-1 card-reader, 4 x USB
Audio DJ, 4-in-1 card-reader, 4 x USB

Power4 Gear+ Battery-saving technology
Power4 Gear+ Battery-saving technology

35.6 x 28.6 x 4.2 cm, 3.5 kg
35.6 x 28.6 x 4.2 cm, 3.5 kg


For more information for the A4000 series and other ASUS notebooks, please visit the company homepage at www.asus.com.



ASUS M6Ne 15.4" WSXGA 1.7 PM ATI9700 80Gb HDD 512Mb RAM

 

ASUS notebooks have a potential problem with the fan used for active cooling, which sometimes remains on all the time, causing users to be really pissed off with the noise:

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7207

 

As I have said before, about a dozen or two users have posted varying problems relating to fans/heat on a few asus notebook models. Most commonly the A2D. Many, dare I say most users don't have any problems at all. Remember that ASUS sells tens of 1000's of notebooks world wide, as well as suppling other manf's like sony and IBM. Forums atract a very very very very small section of these buyers. Most forum visitors are people who have had weird problems, or want advice on what to buy. I think it is unfair and unconstructive to commit all ASUS notebooks to the bad pile when many including myself are very happy with there lappies. I would also like to point out that some users complain that there fan is not on enough others complain its on all the time and therefore to noisy, thus all problems such as these need to take into account personal preference. I'm not saying that there isn't a problem with fans or heat with some ASUS notebooks, just that it is important to report facts as much as possible to aviod personal feelings blurring the situation. On a side note I have to ask that if fan noise was such a concern for you, then why did you purchased a notebook with a DTR CPU that normally (ie desktop computer) requires a large copper heatsink and high speed fan to keep it cool??? I think it is important that users who come this forum for advice get as much HELP and ANSWERS as possible. Constant NON-SPECIFIC flaming is no help to anyone.
I do appreciate your feedback and help, I just ask that you stick to the facts of a situation for eg. there is no evidence yet that this new notebook from ASUS has any problems at all, shouldn't it be given the benifit of the doubt, innocent until proven guilt as they say???
To finish I will quote you:
"the problem might concern only certain notebooks, but this is not sure, really. I would bet there are some serious BIOS issues and we have insufficient feedback for the moment". Thats right the jury is still out, therefore no conclusions should be drawn, either positive or negagive on this issue untill more is found out, I only ask that you remain impartial until more answers are give, only think this is fair.
Just my two cents worth
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ASUS M6Ne 15.4" WSXGA 1.7 PM ATI9700 80Gb HDD 512Mb RAM

 

I agree. You can't judge all ASUS notebooks based on a problem that's associated with one series of notebooks... or even one batch maybe. Most other ASUS notebook buyers have been quite satisfied.
Overall, I've been quite satisfied with my M6Ne, with the exception of my 2 dead pixels. However, the place I bought it from said it can be replaced... but I need my notebook right now. So when it does get replaced... I think that this M6Ne would be perfect [ ]

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

 

After doing a little research I've discovered that Asus has yet again renamed a notebook for the North America market. The A4000's are being sold Z81 line here. There's not much to go off so far on the Asus North America site except for the Z81L, but if you go to the support downloads you'll find drivers and bios updates for the entire Z81L/G D/K line.

I also found a good review of these on a Russian Mobile review site, it was originally in Russian but thanks to Babelfish us english speaking types can make some sort of sense out of it. Below is the link... I apologize for it's poor formatting, I tried all the options available on these forums but none would display it any better.

http://world.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobile-review.com%2Fnb%2Freview%2Fasus-a4k.shtml&lp=ru_en

Cheers,


SketchBond
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Asus Z9, Dothan 1.6, 512MB RAM, Samsung 40GB Spinrite HD (on order)

On the otherhand I have more fingers