Questions on Z96Js?

When I mentioned CBB, I was referring to the CBB element within the VBI program. As you know, one of the main ingredients of the VBI program is CBB (Common Building Blocks), which offers interchangeability among the VBI notebooks.

No bias, just having some faith in Intel coming through

 

The issues you have are valid and you state some great points. Hopefully, Intel will work with your suppliers to help you better support your end users and address your concerns. Have your suppliers tried addressing your concerns yet? Have they been able to do anything on their end?

 

1. So, what is your faith in Intel based on?

2. Our suppliers have been trying to get these issues resolved since first hearing of the VBI program. But of course as you already know, Intel has changed the program almost weekly...sometimes even daily...since it was first introduced.

3. Were our suppliers able to do anything on their end, the issues I am discussing here would be moot.

They are not moot, and if you look at them and think about it, as long as Intel stays with the shell exchange program as opposed to providing component level parts so that the customer gets their original laptop back (and in a timely fashion), there is no way to solve them.

Or, am I just being negative?

I am curious. With your (unbiased) faith in Intel, how would you resolve these issues if you had the power to change the VBI program in such a way that would solve each of the issues mentioned?

 

Personally, I feel that the whitebox segment has been doing well up to this point. Resellers have been able to provide excellent support to their end users with the help of their suppliers and/or third party service providers.

With the launch of VBI, the most significant benefit I have seen with VBI has been the aggressive pricing, helping resellers like yourself to be even more competitive. If I had the power to change the VBI program, I would offer spare parts on a component level, like what has been done with whitebox notebooks. With cooperation from Intel, ODMs and your suppliers, you would be able to better service your end users.

Another issue that I haved seen is the lack of knowledge of the VBI program by Intel IPD reps. They are misinforming resellers and causing unnecessary problems and confusion. There was an instance when one IPD rep could not understand the shortage of VBI ODD drives because he thought all the barebones came with the ODD drives integrated. That would pretty much eliminate one of the CBB components, wouldn't it

 

Well noobified, I must say that with your use of certain Intel corporate terms, your polished corporate dodge of direct questions, and your totally Intel VBI fanboy approach, I would have to say you are an Intel employee attached to the VBI program at the management level, hiding behind a nifty avatar.

This makes me sad because I thought you were my friend with an understanding ear

 

Hahahaha you are an astute observer.

 

On the contrary, Donald. I am not an Intel employee. Because of that, I am not able to address your issues and concerns since I am not in a position to do so. I understand the problems you face with the VBI program. However, one can only be optimistic since there is much promise in what VBI has to offer, or at least claims to offer.

Only time will tell if Intel will deliver what it promises. Until then, I can only deliver information to this forum as accurately as I can. I too am an end user looking to purchase a new notebook and have reservations in doing so because I am aware of the lack of support currently out there for resellers.

 

Hmmm, let's see how these statements reconcile:

and

So, it appears that you have changed your mind about your first statement and are now having reservations about even buying a VBI notebook yourself...where a few hours earlier you were assuring everyone that if THEY bought a VBI notebook they would not regret it.
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I leave the issue of bias due to your work within the laptop industry to the other members and readers to decide:

It is clear that it would only be fair to the members and readers here for you to identify with what company your are affiliated or by what company you are employed within the industry so that they could determine for themselves what bias you might have...but it is your credibility...so if you want to continue to hide behind your avatar that is up to you. End of debate
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Now, Noobified, there are a lot of non-VBI laptops out there where you wouldn't have to worry a bit about support since it would not be coming from Intel. And there are VBI laptops out there that are being built by resellers and OEMs with the ability and willingness to stock extra shells to cannibalize for warranty repair so they don't have to do the VBI exchange program, and can therefore return the customer's original laptop to them after doing a component level repair either during or after the warranty.

Just make sure your reseller or OEM has a long term record of great customer support with build to order laptops and you will have nothing to worry about, VBI or not. Just check your reseller's reputation at www.ResellerRatings.com and if they have been around for 5 or more years, and their rating is above 9.5 or so you should be fine.

 

Like I said before, I do have faith that the folks at Intel will get their act together and address the issues that concern resellers and end users alike. When that will happen, I have no idea. Though I am shopping around, I do not have an immediate need for a notebook, hence why I am still having reservations. If I was to buy one now, I would still go for a VBI notebook for their excellent value as well as knowing that resellers like Powernotebooks (Lifetime Customer Satisfaction Rating 9.99) would step up to bat for me and make sure that I am a happy customer. Is that a fair assumption?

As for the customer, who is a Compal distributor, also happens to be an ASUS, Quanta and Clevo distributor. I didn't see the need to mention that since I was just referring to a Compal notebook at the time of posting. There is no bias on my end. I have hands on experiences with all of the notebooks of which I discuss. If I happen to like one more than another, it is because of the features/benefits, not because I am biased toward one brand.

I post on these forums to provide information for those who seek it. I am sure that there are a number of forum members who have found my posts to be informative and beneficial. That is my only purpose in posting here. I am not here to promote the VBI program or any program for that matter.

Yes, I am affiliated in the channel, but can I not post here and share my knowledge as a notebook enthusiast? With that being said, can we please stay on topic and continue discussing notebooks rather than my channel affiliations?

 

Donald I recently ordered 2 Z96Js from you guys, any update on when your expecting your next shipment?

 

We began shipping on Thursday and will continue until all of our pre-orders are shipped. We expect to be complete by Wednesday of next week.

For details on your individual order, please contact your Sales Advisor directly.

 

Professionalism! I demand professionalism.

 

Availablility on Z96J notebooks is pretty good now. There should be no backorders. And, there is a BIOS available that supports Merom

 

I've had my Z96 for over a week now. =)

Where is the BIOS update? I know there is one on intel's site for the S96, but I have not seen anything yet for the Z96. I'm sure it will be widely avaible by the time people start getting merom's to put in this thing.