Questions on Z96Js?

Questions on Z96Js? I will try to help.

First let's start from pictures.

 

Do you have them in stock? How long until mine ships? How's the screen? Have you noticed any significant differences compared to the S96J (heat, etc.)? How heavy are they with a battery and a hard drive and the optical drive? Can you buy 9-cell batteries for them?

 

It's official. The exterior design of the Z96J is EXACTLY the same as the S96J. I'm very surprised as well as disappointed to find this out. I am still wondering why ASUS would leave the top panel of this unit as the VBI style. There is no logo well, but instead, the big frame-like design.

It is still a very nice unit with the WSXGA+ screen. I still highly recommend it.

 

The only thing that was possible to change was the lid, as the rest of the system was to be the same, minus the TPM on the motherboard and the addition of the higher res screen...... The truth is the other option in terms of lids wasn't going to be anything any more impressive, but at least a difference in color or something would have helped give people more options.

 

Right. Well, they could have made a few cosmetic changes to further differentiate the VBI and ASUS models. Whitebox notebooks are supposed to have the logo wells so that resellers can put their own logos and brand them. The VBI lid is designed that way for the CBB custom panels. The Z96J should have had a "whitebox" style lid.

 

Okay, now that we might be able to start fresh, does anyone have any pictures of a Z96J right beside an S96J? I am curious to see this.

 

threads have been merged.. there's no reason to make multiple threads on the same laptop, especially since they are on the same page!

 

Aww..I was wanting to express my joy for the other one being closed though. lol.

 

They look identical.

 

I think it looks pretty good. Powerful beast, too!

 

no... I mean like screen wise. Same desktop with the same icons, just the two screens side by side.

 

Well, the Z96J does come with a bag though, as with all ASUS white box notebooks

 

Yes, with a bag, but it looks a little bit cheap, not as nice as bags came with older BOA models.

 

It's also too bad that ASUS stopped including bags with their Ensemble units. I've got a Z96J running stress tests overnight at the office. My first impression - The WSXGA+ screen is definitely a plus. I personally wouldn't go with a WXGA on a screen bigger than 14.1".

 

We have the barebones in stock now, but no optical drives, we are taking orders now and will assemble it make them ready to go, once the optical drives in, just slide in and ship out, so you can receive it in the first time.

Very nice, sharper than Z71V screen, brighter than Z70Va screen.

The same, just different screen. Quite, warm on right palm, warmer on touch pad.

I have 7 lbs with power adaptor, without optical drive. No 9-cell battery

 

OK, as of now, the Z96J will not support the Merom Core 2 Duo processor. Hopefully, ASUS will have a BIOS update by the time the next generation CPUs are released in August.

The screen is very nice. I'm currently running the Microsoft WMV HD demos on it.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it a given that Asus will provide a bios update later on for the Merom processor? If not...I might need to rethink my descion to purchase the Z96J. If any reseller can comment on this please.

Second question, If I do purchase the Z96J now, how would changing the processor to Merom later on effect the reseller warrenty?

Thanks in advance

 

Tested a w7j, z62f and s62j with merom and no post. Will be testing a z96j on monday but i think its the same. If you read intel they dont actually say that merom will be compatible with the current dual core chipset. They actually say that supporting chipset will be 965. The cpu does fit though and i belive the current 945 chipset will support it. Would i stake my rep on it? prolly not.

 

Thanks for the reply Eddie if you can update me/the forum on the results of your test it would greatly help me in my descion to buy the Z96J.

Any thoughts on the warrenty situation?

 

so the z or s96j is not meron compatable?

 

Actually....

When I called GenTech today and Ken told me that BOTH the s96j and z96j are going to be Merom compatible. When the BIOS update comes out, then it will be compatible.

 

Yes that is confirmed, the guy I spoke with at Intel is who actually test and upload BIOS/Drivers for all VBI notebooks at Intel website, He also told me 945 Chipset are originally designed to be work on both Yonah and Merom, so as soon as the BIOS is available it'll be ready for Merom.

 

That's great news thanks Ken...one more question I have is which operating system I should get (XP or XP Pro) and why? My main use of the laptop would be gaming and internet browsing. I do have a home network and tend to do alot of file sharing and streaming. I currently have the regular XP with no problems, just was wondering about XP Pro.

 

Of course, the S96J and Z96J models will be Merom compatible. It is just a matter of ASUS releasing a BIOS update, which is what I stated in my original post. The Z96J posted with the Merom, but it won't get past the post screen after a Microcode error. We were able to get into the BIOS, but it looks like the current BIOS cannot detect the L2 cache of the Merom processor. The fact that the notebook posted at all is very promising. If you want Merom now, go with the Compal units (HEL80 and HGL30).

I'm not going to waste anyone's time with speculation. If you guys need testing, I have access to all the hardware. Just let me know. Another thing about Intel reps, many of them they are pretty much clueless. Many of the people here know more about the VBI program than those Intel reps do.

ASUS' support isn't the greatest right now. I really don't know when they will release a Merom-friendly BIOS for the S96J and Z96J. The people working for ASUS don't even know if/when Merom support will be available. Other manufacturers like Compal (HEL80, HGL30) and Quanta (SW1) already have Merom support in their current notebooks.

 

When you say Compal HEL80 already has Merom support how so? By that do u mean the Compal does not require a BIOS update while the Asus does? Or do u mean weak support for the Asus compared to Compal? As I am considering the Z96J this is an important question for me.

 

The Compal HEL80 can already support the Merom processor with its current BIOS. So can the HGL30.

 

From what you describe XP Pro will do you no good. Pro gives you the ability to:

1. Network to a file server
2. Network to more than 6 computers peer to peer
3. Have a security system that will allow multiple users to password protect all of their individual folders and files. If this matters to you there are other ways to do this (Word will allow you to password protect documents, or you can use a biometric fingerprint scanner)

Some people will tell you that Pro is more stable, but for the uses you describe this does not apply either.

 

Thanks...was checking out the Compal forum on the HEL80 and I must say I'm convinced more than ever to go for the Asus the 3dmark numbers of the OC Nvidia 7600 are much lower than stock radeon 1600 numbers. I know alot of you will say the difference is minimal but if I'm going to pay money I would like the most performance for my buck as they say. Only thing i would have liked on the Asus is the fingerprint reader ohh well. I will take my chances with the BIOS update I wonder why proportable haven't updated their site with the Z96J details. Same goes for PowerNotebooks.com.

 

What detail updates are you looking for?

Our PowerPro A 2:24 (ASUS Z96J) has been up for several weeks now. We will begin shipping our pre-orders with DVDR/RW drives on Tuesday, and should have all of our pre-orders shipped by early the following week.

 

well, it is the next generation anti-theft system

ahdont

 

haha whereas the brushed aluminum on the w3j or other types of nice looking lids attract theft like no tomorrow

 

they have "steal me!" all written over it

 

Great to hear that, can't wait for mine to arrive.

 

i have seen a z96j with a different "clean" exterior and another input/output next the the vga. what "version" is that and what is that input/output? i was really hoping that my z96j would have the new exterior..different from the s96j.

 

The ASUS specifications for the Z96J show that it will support the PortBar III. Unfortunately those specifications are wrong. ASUS decided to cheapen the Z96J by removing this support as well as using the VBI LCD cover just like the S96J. Therefore you cannot tell the difference between the Z96J and S96J by looking at them, unless you have them booted up where you can notice the difference in resolution (Z96J = 1680x1050 / S96J = 1280x800)

 

Definitely a disappointment that the Z96J does not support PortBar III. Even the Z62F supports it!

 

I like the 'anti-theft' system, a lot

Actually I might get a panel for mine (S96J)... Just have to work out the design. I don't want to make it look Too awesome, it might take a walk. Heh

Krista

 

so the z96j is not intel verified? Will it be? Whats the disadvatange of not being intel verified?

 

VBI basically means that you get support from Intel. The Z96 gives you support from the dealers and also ASUS themselves.

 

Or a lack there of

there are no advantages only disadvantages
1. Can not use the aluminum built on asus logo
2. Complete lack of support from intel in the first month of release. Dont know how it is now but i will not find out. We will steer away any customer
from vbi
3. No stock of spare parts for over a month now. Very nice intel
4. lack of asus direct support for barebones

 

No. First, the Z96J is not VBI, only the S96J is.

The end user looks ONLY to their dealer for support, not Intel or ASUS. The end user never looks to Intel for support, and would ONLY look to ASUS if they were buying an ASUS Ensemble notebook.

 

Does that mean the Z96J has the asus logo even if the lid is the same as the s96j?

 

In addition to Eddie's comments about the VBI program (of which thankfully the Z96J is NOT a part), take at look at this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1474739&postcount=14

 

The Built on ASUS Z96J is in the BTO (Build to order) line of ASUS laptops, so it will usually have the logo of the OEM or reseller that custom builds for their customer. For example look at the Z96J Picture Gallery here


Now, these models can also come with the "Built on ASUS" logo in the accessories box so that you could replace your OEM or reseller logo with it if you prefer it, or you can get a Customized LCD Panel just like the S96J.

 

Ok im confused right now, so the people who bought S96j are pretty much screwed for now or no? So theres no support from ASUS whatsoever for the S96j...

 

I am also confused...so it is better to not be VBI?

 

Neither ASUS nor Intel ever supported any end user that bought a Built on Asus laptop...ever. Those are supported and warranted by their dealer or OEM that custom built their laptop for them. It has always been that way.

ASUS does not even support the dealer or OEM for the S96J, only Intel does (and this is what is causing the issues that Eddie and I are talking about), and the issues Eddie and I have described ONLY apply to a VBI laptop whether the ODM is ASUS, Compal or Quanta.

So, for the S96J the dealer or OEM (not the end user) looks only to Intel for support, and for the Z96J the dealer or OEM (but not the end user) looks to ASUS for support.

Is it better to go with a VBI model? Well...it is a little bit cheaper...

 

Once Intel catches up, support for VBI notebooks, including the availability of spare parts, will get much better. Right now, the overall demand and rush to get products out has resulted in some hickups. CBB (Common Building Blocks) has yet to be fully implemented. For example, VBI ODD drives are not all interchangeable like they should be.

It's just a matter of time. If you choose to go with VBI now, you definitely will not regret it.

 

I see it now makes sense now(shoot and I live so close to Asus HQ). At least this notebook is really serviceable and lets hope Intel takes care of the components.

 

Your comments about parts availability was covered by my first sentence in this post (except for the CBB part because CBB and VBI are two similar but different programs. There are many CBB laptops that are not VBI, and that do not have the VBI issues) http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1474739&postcount=14

However this is exactly what Eddie at Geared2Play is complaining about.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The real issues, to which you have not responded, are the rest of those posed in my previous post:

How do you propose Intel resolves these issues for the dealer and the end user?

Interesting...where is that bias coming from?