New ASUS models?

Ok, just wanted to clear all of this up for myself, since I am constantly going back and forth on ASUS models - having a tough time choosing. The new ASUS models are the W5, V6, Z71, W3 and what else? Is that all they've announced for now? Are there others coming soon? The reason I ask is because if I pull the trigger and buy one of these, I don't want something better to come along in a month that will make me sad I bought the one I did. Is there anything else we can expect, especially in terms of the "Built on ASUS" models?

_{I am one escroww}

 

Well, the M6A/M6V models should be coming ... (probably be known as Z70a/Z70v)
The W2 and refreshed W1 may be coming soon..
other than that, the ones you listed should be it.

THe refreshed M5 and M3 may also come, but won't be nearly as spectacular as a W3 or V6

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

 

AuroraS is correct.
In the near future the only totally new model will be the W2. (17in simular to the W1).All other units will be upgraded to Sonoma between now and the end of June. Exact schedule is dependent on production schedules as well as inventory levels.
The M series of the past will be changed to Z series model numbers. The "Built on Asus" models will all have a Z designation going forward.
I've excluded AMD product.

 

Lets make this simple. For this year, this is what we'll have:

Asus "Emsemble"
S5a
W5a
W3v
V6v
W1v
W2v

"Built on Asus"
All of the current models are going to get refreshed by the end of June....... the current models will have different names to keep them different from the Asus models.

Asus Name : "Built on" Name
M3a : Z61a - by june
M5a : Z33a - by end of may
M6a : Z70a - by end of april
M6v : Z70v - by end of june
M7v : Z71v - now available

Then we are going to be getting barebone versions of at least 3 of the 6 "emsemble" models... W1/W2/W3 are the primary canidates.... these will be completely different from the "emsemble" models. The only thing that is known for sure is that W3 "built on" will look like this:

W3 : Z63a - may -- regular type lcd, no bluetooth, integrated graphics, color will be close to pearl which is basically the W5's color more so than the S5's. The entire case will be carbonfiber like the W5/M5/S5.... so it will not have aluminum trim pieces.

Other than that, I know nothing. This does not mean a W1 and W2 barebone will not have dedicated graphics (which I'm sure they will), but they will certainly lose the new color shine screen, bluetooth and aluminum.

I hope this begins to help.

J



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

 

Any idea what sort of specs the Z70a/Z70v might have?

_{I am one escroww}

 

That is correct, the M5a, will have the M5np's keyboard...... it's not going to be called the M5ap or anything like that. The M5np's sonoma replacement will be called the Z33a in the US.

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

 

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

 

Thanks for the clarification, Justin. A big help as usual.

I wish I could wait to see how the new notebooks will be. I just need to get this thing bought before then, unfortunately.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Looks like my next notebook will either be the W3v or Z33a...

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

 

YOU are welcome [ ]

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

 

I'm sorry.. I missed the whole... you're only talking about 12" models thing...... Right now there isn't a call for a unit from Asus under the specs of the S5... At the same time, the S5/M5 were designed together and it may only be right to see a W5, minus the optical drive, in a charcoal, barebone format..... It's not on the books (so don't get excited), but considering the actual size of a 12" widescreen.... if Asus made one (minus the whole extra bezel area for the camera...... that unit would easily be sub 2.5 pounds. The problem with it would be the lack of dvd drive --- when in the states anyway, widescreen is associated with wanting it to watch movies on rather than doing efficient office work. So, that might be just a little TOO small.....

But if you look at the links above to the S200 and S300, a unit between those and the S5/W5.... would be perfect..... if they could do that and bring the S200 and 300 to the states, they would have a system from sub 2 pounds, to 7.25 pounds.... and 10" widescreen to 17" widescreen.... it would only increase the already impressive lineup they have for this year.

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

 

Anyone interested in the Samsung Q30 and/or Dell X1?

It seems Asus and others are waiting to see how well these products will sell in the ultraportable 12.1" widesreen market and only will react later?

Basically, the X1 is contract made by Samsung for Dell with minor changes/improvements for corporate uses - built-in bluetooth and anti-spill keyboard, BUT these increase the thickness from 0.90" to 0.98" and weight from 2.39lb to 2.50lb configured at 3 cell battery. The X1 boasts a 6-hr battery life with the 6-cell battery at the weight of mere 2.8lb.

It is sad that Asus could not follow the S5 series with an ultraportable/under 3lb widescreen, 1-spindle, thin-profile laptop. The W5a is very nice, but could not compete with system at 2.5lb.


The Samsung Q3 is priced at $3300+ at Dynamism.com and Dell X1 is priced at $1599+.

 

Am I correct in assuming the Z70V will be similar in price to the M6? Also, it looks like the Z70A will have integrated graphics and probably a lower screen quality than the Z70V - so how much $$$ do you suspect will separate the A and V models?

Does anybody know if these will have a widescreen option?

 

You're right and wrong.

There are two models.

Z70v - Probably looking at end of June/ Early July
- dedicated graphics.. i think 64mb x600
- most likely we'll only get the 15.4" WSXGA+ model

Z70a - Mid April (yeah, i know.. thats soon)
- integrated graphics
- most likely 15.1" SXGA......

I'm not sure on the screens.. but if Asus brings in two different graphics models.. i doubt they will bring a regular and widescreen of both... I'm guessing the dedicated model will be the widescreen... and this time probably the higher res..... But right now, we've got to see where what screens they are coming with.

The Z70v will probably be priced with the current M6... maybe a little higher... the integrated model should be $200 cheaper atleast.

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

 

Thanks Justin. I’m sure there are a bunch of us wanting to hear all the info you receive on the upcoming “Z” models! (me especially)

Please keep us posted!

 

will do.. i think the integrated graphics model is going to make a nice option for those who wanted the M6 style.. and screen size.. but didn't need the graphics. $200 for dedicated graphics doesn't seem to be a lot when you're looking at spending $2500 - 3000... but when someone is looking to stay between $1500 - 2000... it's a big difference. ....not to mention the changes in battery life, heat, etc.

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

 

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

 

No... and like I said... no one is waiting for the integrated graphics version.... so it might just show up today without us knowing. It's the dedicated model that is going to take some time.... and of course thats the one everyone wants.

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

 

Hey - I'm waiting for it![ ]

Anyway, I'm still up in the air between this and the Z63A.

Justin - if you were buying and using this for MBA school (Office, some DVD's, no gaming), what would you go with?

 

I'd agree.... but we have to see the ratio and res of the Z70a's screen..... you MIGHT be better suited with a 15.1" regular ratio for all the office stuff you want to do. It's truly a personal preference........ so if you want smaller, lighter and a widescreen.. the Z63a would be better........

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

 

I think the Z63a would be better in your case since it's lighter and has wide screen... so movies/multimedia will look better, and you get to work with widescreen real estate; great for juxtapositioning documents.

Since you won't be gaming, either would be fine.. but the Z63a is probably better sutied due to its weight and widescreen feature.

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

 

Aurora and Justin, thanks for the input.

Yeah, the 63 is very tempting, but am not too sure of the potential white color. The W3 is a dang good looking machine!

I can’t wait until the two are on the market. Justin – how do you think the 63 will compare with the 70A with regard to price?

 

Good questions.

First - the Z63a should look like the W5a -- more so than it would the S5n, in color.


The Z63a vs the Z70a.... humm... they should basically be have the same internals, so it's a matter of screen size and ratio that would make them differ...... I would believe that the Z70a might still be a little more expensive.... maybe $100 more... But I think they would be simliar.

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

 

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

 

all of the new models will have the 915 chipset.....

The ONLY emsemble model coming with more than an x600 or integreated.... would be the W2 which will have a 128mb x700.....

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

 

any news on the next gen M3Np ?

 

Not much.... originally they were going to stop making it all together...... now it seems that they are renaming it (putting it in the Z series) and just going to refresh the motherboard to a 915 chipset.... all taking place some time in May.

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

 

hmm, thanks. my g/f loves the v6v, but after I pointed a few things out to her she wants to wait and see what comes out of the M3N or possibly some other models... although I dunno how long she can take it


(oh, and Justin, next time you talk to the Asus people, could you please tell them to put the freakin' CTRL key where it's supposed to be !?! [ ])

 

Maybe I will end up regretting not waiting for the Z63a!

_{I am one escroww}

 

Sencha - when do you have to buy? The Z63A supposedly comes out next month. I was planning to get the Z70A, but dang, I just might get the 63 instead! That really is a sweet machine!

I wish Asus would let us know of hard release dates.[V]

 

I already bought an S5n! But that's ok, it was mostly about money and I think the Z63a would still be out of my price range. It might also be too heavy but I sure am interested in seeing it as a potential buy next year! Do you think you're going to get either the 63 or 70 for sure Greg or are you also looking at other brands?

_{I am one escroww}

 

I think the S5 is just fine... a great looking computer (esp. for women!)
The Z63a sure looks promising though...

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

 

Sencha - The S5 should be very solid - do you like it? I should have noticed that you bought it - you have a pic of it under your name.

Anyway, I'm pretty sold on Asus. I've been looking for a couple of months now and just keep coming back to their models. I personally like the barebones idea. I put in only what I want, know what I'm getting, and don't get ripped off doing it! (IBM charges about $400 to upgrade from 256mb to a gig!!!)

I need to buy before July, so I think I'll stick it out for the Z63A - right size, weight, and probably price.

 

(I HATE IBM just for the record so I can definitely say go for the ASUS instead [ ])

Yes, I love the S5 so far. I wrote a fairly exhaustive review which is stickied at the top of the forum if you want to know more.

It is VERY well built. I'm totally impressed with the design and build. The longer I have it the more I like it. I'm totally impressed with ASUS and will be recommending their notebooks to anyone I know who is looking to buy and will definitely buy another when the time comes. I really can't say enough good things about it. I love it.

_{I am one escroww}

 

I, too, have grown more fond of my M6Ne as time has progressed... it's a great machine.
Love live ASUS notebooks [ ]

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

 

Yeah Sencha, but the question is, do you love it? [8D]

 

No! I hate it and I'm going to chuck it out the window and then try to sell it to manuelku for parts. [ ]

Poor manuelku.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Cyber6 - you're not going to find anything that has a crazy good video card in it that is "portable." Not right now anyway.

_{I am one escroww}

 

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

 

creamy colour? Are you talking about the S5?
Most ASUS notebooks are charcoal/black...

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

 

v - gunmetal
a - champagne, which I suppose could to some people look 'creamy' in some pics

 

Sencha .. please don't say that.. I have to keep my positive thinking... (I think I can.. I think I can.. I think I can find myself a 128Mb X700 in a "portable" Asus system)...

No, really.. I can configure myself a nice T23 thinkpad , with 128Mb FireGL vcard.. and all the bells and whistles.. for about.. hmmmm $7,000 canadian... (YIKES!!!!.. on top of it.. thinkpads can be great machines.. but they are downright "ugly".... or put it in better terms.. very "masculine"..[ ])

AuroraS.. let me see if I can find the "creamy" colour I mean..


... ok.. slap my face and call me sugah.. they have change the pics on me... go here ( http://www.canadasys.com/z71.htm )the first pic used to be the one for the AMD systems. Now I don't know anymore which system this is.

C.

 

Well, the Z71 series is mostly dark grey/silver... hardly a creamy colour.
I still have yet to see a creamy coloured ASUS system [?]

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

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Cyber6
... ok.. slap my face and call me sugah.. they have change the pics on me... go here ( http://www.canadasys.com/z71.htm )the first pic used to be the one for the AMD systems. Now I don't know anymore which system this is.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

uhm, that's the z71a... (that's why it's on the "z71 photos" page [] hehe). and there's no AMD z71 so if there was a different pic before, it was a mistake

 

Hey guys,

It's now Mid April, anyword on the z70a yet?

Maybe justin from portable.com could answer this, is the z70 going to be about 5.6lb? (weight of the M6)

Is it in shipment right now?

And can I pre-order it?


If it doesn't come soon, I might have to settle with a heavier z71.

Thanks

 

Hey -

Well, nothing yet. It might have come in on the shipment today (as it seems the W3's did) ... and frankly, if thats the case... I don't think we'll hear about them till next week since the priority of Asus and us would be to get the W3's out..... But, that was their timeframe (mid-april) and thats an ETA like anything else...... give or take a week... and it's still an esitmate.

But oh yeah... I don't know why you think the M6 is 5.5 pounds..... it's more like 6.25 if anything.... always has been.

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

 

ASUS usually lists the weight to be 5.7 lbs.. but that's probably with traveler's drawer and with minimal configuration

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

 

Sencha, you actually did that with a backpack...you're hardcore!!! No wonder you went with the S5n [8D]

 

Well I just wanted to get a good idea

I'm kind of crazy that way. But the most fun part about buying anything big is the shopping for it part.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Cyber6,

Yeah, IBMs truly are the ugliest notebooks on the planet and are grossly overpriced, but some people love them so to each his own.

By portable, what do you mean? Like what is the max weight you could stand? I used to think 8lbs wouldn't be so bad, but then I read that 8lbs exactly equals a gallon of water. I thought, no biggie right, so I put a gallon of water in my backpack and walked around with it for a while and realised I'd rather slit my wrists.




_{I am one escroww}