Ordering Asus S96J soon, woo!

So after a few months of planning to get the Dell E1705, I've changed my mind and decided to opt for the Asus S96J instead. Gonna be ordering it this Tuesday after our highschool Academic Awards banquet (slated to recieve some scholarships, seeing how much I get, and planning to put it towards the laptop). But this laptop is the perfect mix of power, portability, and value, at least in my opinion. The only painful difference between this and the E1705 is the Graphics card, (I actually prefer the smaller 15.4" over the 17", need to be carrying it around at college) but I'm willing to sacrifice it, since I've heard that FEAR runs well enough with the X1600.

Anywho, here are the specs of this thing, if anyone has suggestions on things I should upgrade if I get more money on Tuesday night than I'm expecting.

-=*Asus S96J*=-

CPU: Intel Core Duo T2400 - 1.83 GHz
GPU: ATi Mobility x1600 256MB
HD: Seagate Momentus 80GB 7200rpm S-ATA
RAM: Corsair 2GB DDR-2 667 SODIMM (2X1024)
OS: Windows Professional
Screen: 15.4" WXGA 1280 x 800 Color Shine
Disc Drive: 8 x DVD-RW Dual Layer Super Multi
Warranty: 1st Year GenTech, 2nd Year Intel Limited Warranty
Internal Wireless Card: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945 Tri-mode 802.11a/b/g
Camera: Built-in Camera

Shipping: 0.00
Tax: 0.00
Total: $1477 USD

Just a matter of waiting, hope to get to ordering it by mid week, and sit around waiting for the UPS truck.

 

Where are you ordering it from? I'd recommend checking out powernotebooks.com. You can get the same configeration you have listed, but it with a 3 year warranty for only $12 bucks more!

 

When I tried building it there, it came out to be $1598 after shipping. Although I'm debating adding another $50 bucks and ordering from powernotebooks now because it offers Arctic silver.

One thing I want to know, if I order from powernotebooks, will I get the parts and have to assemble it myself/ install the OS? Kind of wary of it, unless someone can tell me that it's relatively easy (the most in depth thing I've done for a computer was installing more RAM, lol, which is not hard at all).

New total is $ 1648.00 with Arctic Silver, added 3 year warrantee, and from Powernotebooks vs Gentechpc

 

I was able to get a slightly better configuration than you for nearly the same price at powernotebooks

 

Hm...dunno what I'm doing wrong. At powernotebooks I have:

15.4" WXGA screen Colorshine
Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83 GHz 667mhz FSB
Arctic Silver
2 GB Corsair RAM 667 mhz
80 GB 7200 RPM HD
Combo Dual Layer Supermulti DVDR Drive
Built-in Intel Pro/wireless 802.11 a/b/g
6 cell primary battery
Windows Professional
3 Year warantee

1618 regular, 40.45 cash discount, 1577.55 after discount. Not paying in cash though, so its $1618 for me + $30 shipping, so $1648 total.

 

He may have forgotten to account for the cost of Windows since you're buying the operating system. I, as well, end up with a price circa $100 cheaper from GenTech, which I assume is due to the superior warranty and refund options offered by default from powernotebooks.

 

I got this deal from rjtech about 3 weeks ago.. price is after $110 coupon through price match/beating request:

I already had Windows, so I didn't need a copy of it.

# INTEL-VBI S96J 15.4" WXGA INTEL CENTRINO MOBILE BARE NOTEBOOK
# CORE DUO T2500 2.0GHZ
# INTEL 3945AGM WIRELESS LAN
# KINGSTON 2GB DDR2 667
# SAMSUNG 80GB SATA 5400RPM
# DVD-RW DRIVE
# NO SOFTWARE
# ASSEMBLE/TEST BUNDLE
# NO ACCESSORIES
# NO ADDITIONAL MICE
# WITH NOTEBOOK CASE
# 2 YEAR WARRANTY
# FREE GROUND SHIPPING

Total: $1515

 

All of the laptops we sell are custom built, burned in for 48-72 hours, and completely tested before they ship. Buying the Operating System is optional.

And don't forget to notice on the PNB homepage:

CALL US for Special Promotions on PowerPro and Crown Models

 

Ah, didn't even see that lol. Thanks for pointing it out, I'll be sure to check in before I make my order. Can't wait.

 

D'oh! You are spot on.

Luckily my school has a relationship with Microsoft so i can get Windows and cd keys for free.

 

Yeah, I got a free copy of Windows (and Visual Studio, Project, OneNote, Office, etc), all through the Microsoft academic alliance thingy. Useful.

 

if you are tight on budget you should just get the barebones and build it yourself..

 

The price that powernotebooks offers for upgrades is amazing! It's really cheap compared to most places that charge $300 for 2GB's of RAM. Also, if you build it yoruself you will have no dealer warranty. I'd buy through a dealer.

 

yeah I noticed this myself, for the money I can save by ordering parts from newegg, its not worth the hassle of having to do the stuff myself. I'm not worried about the cost, as it is right where I want it anyhow. Thanks for all the help you guys have given me.