Please Help Me Decide if I Should Buy an ASUS v6va.

Hello,

I am trying to decide if I should buy an ASUS v6va. I've never seen one in person, just via pictures on the web, mostly in these forums. What I've seen, however, I like. But it would be great to hear from someone with first hand knowledge of one.

I'm looking at 3 laptops right now:

Fujitsu N3530 for the screen and build quality.
Apple Macbook Pro for the OS and the "cool" factor.
ASUS v6va for the elegant style and what I've heard about the screen.

Can anyone help me with the following questions:

1. How is the screen, really? Is it better than most or is it absolutely one of the best on any laptop? From what I've seen the Fujitsu N6410 has the best screen on any laptop and that's my gold standard.

2. How do DVD's play? Are they sharp and smooth?

3. How is the keyboard? I've read mixed comments from it being tiring for anyone who types alot to it being a solid, comfortable keyboard.

4. Does the material it is made out of attract fingerprints or dust, or is it easy to maintain?

5. How is its wireless capability?

6. If I pop 2gb or ram and a hitachi 7200rpm hard drive in it, will it be pretty peppy or a dog compared to the v6j duo core?

I guess my main concern is whether when all is said and done, if I buy this laptop in 6 months will I regret I bought old hardware or will I still be proud to own such a fine machine?

If anyone can help me out with any of my questions, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Mike

 

I have a V6V, and I know a lot about the series, including the V6Va, so I'll give you my opinions for what they're worth.

1. As far as viewing angles go, the IPS screen is unbeatable, on any laptop. All of It's other properties are equal to or exceed the best screens out there. Depending on your use, you may notice the refresh rates aren't as good as they could be, but still very good for a laptop.

2. Depending on the player you use, you shouldn't have any issues with DVD playback. Definitely sharp. If you're very, very picky then maybe you'd notice It's not as smooth as it could be in certain situations...but It's unlikely.

3. A lot of things are subjective, and this is one of them...I think like anything else, once you get used to using the V6Va's keyboard, you won't have any issues with it. In my opinion, the keys could be a bit deeper, but It is a 1" thick laptop afterall, and It's something you get used to quite quickly. Overall, definitely Solid though.

4. I find that the cover, or top tends to absorb prints a bit, but nothing that you can't wipe clean with a little effort...inside, the palmrest isn't a problem at all in my opinion, and It's very easy to wipe down if you do ever have any problems. Overall the keyboard Is very well built and won't fade or age easily, if at all.

5. I don't have much experience using the V6Va's wireless, but I find the card in the V6V pretty good. I would assume that the V6Va is the same, if not better. Coriolis and other's might be able to answer this one better, when I used the V6Va, I never went online with it.

6. If you upgrade the RAM and hard drive to those specs, you'll definitely have a swift machine. Obviously, If you were to do the same to a V6J with It's core duo, then you'd have an even faster machine...but in all honesty, depending on what your actual needs are, If you made those modifications to the V6Va, It would be more than 98% of the population would ever want or need, so I think you'd be set for quite some time. I highly doubt you'd regret it. Again, depending on your needs/uses I don't think you'd even really be able to tell the difference in performance between the V6Va and V6J outside of benchmarking.

I hope that helps a little, at least until some other V6Va owners/users get a chance to post their thoughts and opinions. One thing is for sure, It's definitely a beautiful machine and would be a pleasure to own

 

OK i have had over a dozen laptops and worked on dozens more. THe IPS screen is one of the best ever used on a laptop. only IBMs flex view screen compares. Its also IPS.

DVDS are so rich and sharp i was in awe when i saw it the first time. And it takes alot to impress me because ive seen so many laptops.

I find the keyboard to be as close to IBM quality as you can get without being an IBM. I was impressed by the v6 keyboard high quality.

the machine lid doesnt colect fingerprints the metal palm rest can. But since its metal just wipe down with a damp cloth. Its easier to clean than most laptops because of it.

The wireless isnt bad its not the best ive used. But its around average range. Nothing to complain about though.

The machine with 7200rpm and 2 gigs will be fast. yes the core duo will be faster. but unless you are running two programs together that use cpu not talking web browsing, Then the duo would not be a big difference. If i have to choose v6j or v6va i would still choose the v6va. This machine will be powerful enough for the next 3 years.

 

Unless the V6Va has a different lid than the V6V I have, which I could have overlooked while I was using it, then I have to disagree with you about the fingerprints, It's obviously personal opinion, but I find the lid/cover seems to absorb more prints and is harder to clean than the inside. I'm not saying either is a big deal in anyway, but I do feel the top marks up easier than the inside in my experience so far. The odd time I find anything on the inside palm rest area, It just wipes away with ease...I do still have all the stickers on it though...maybe that makes all the difference???

 

i only had my v6va for one week so i dont know long term about the lid. and im anal about keeping my machine clean. i would assume a damp cloth gets the lid clean as well.

 

Yeah, like I said It's really not a big deal AT ALL...but If I had to choose which I noticed more, or had to work a bit harder at getting off, It would be on the lid, but that's just me.

 

I personally would not consider a notebook without the Core Duo. The ThinkPad will give you the IPS screen if that is what you desire.