Replacement for Discontinued W3J

Hi,

I'm in the market for a high-quality, high-performance laptop, 14" widescreen with WXGA+ (1400x900) resolution. Graphics should be dedicated X1400+ level performance. And above all I want this to be as portable as possible.

The ASUS W3J seemed like being nearly perfect (apart from the lower resolution screen, which is something I don't really want to compromise on), but it seems to have been discontinued.

Is there going to be a replacement in that form factor/quality range? If not, is there anything else I should be looking at. The A8JP ones would be great were they not plastic and bulkier than I'd like.

Thanks,

Wigster

 

There's two replacements, the A8Js and the V2. You said you don't really like the plastic casing of the A8J, but the A8J would fit your need for high performance. The V2 is the nicer laptop, sleek design and great build quality, but it isn't as powerful as the W3J and the A8Js. Take your pick!

 

well it looks like the v2 is your best bet.

 

Here are some links to pictures and information regarding the V2. Guesstimates as to when it will be released, roughly April. (my guess)

http://www.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=5218

http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/news/2006/12/20/New-Asus-V2-Notebook-Builds-In-HSDPA/p1

 

If I have a W3J (which I don't), I will pick a V2 as a replacement

 

a8js is the direct overpowered underachieving replacement for the w3j. When santarosa chipset arrives in a few months you will find a wider variety of notebooks in the same class as the dicontinued 14" w3j.

 

more v2j pics
sources: http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=233&t=280524&last=2349383

 

In Germany you can already buy the v2 for 1720€ (should be around 2000$).

Specs:

• Core 2 Duo T5600 2x 1.83GHz
• 1024MB
• 120GB
• DVD+/-RW DL
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1450 256MB max.512MB shared memory
• USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11abg/Bluetooth
• UMTS
• 6in1 Card Reader (SD/miniSD/MMC/MS/MS Pro/xD)
• FingerPrint Reader
• Webcam (1.3 Megapixel)
• 14.1" WXGA+ TFT (1440x900)
• Windows Vista Business
• 6 cell battery
• 2.30kg
• 24 Pick-up and Return Service

 

The Asus V2 is really an attractive package--especially when you take the available dock into consideration. I'm personally a little disappointed in the GPU selection though--since something more like the x1600 would have made this an easy choice for a lot of us I think.

 

yeah, a x1600 would have been great but I think the NB is just to thin to support a GPU with more power consumption than a x1450 or similar. Besides a x1600 would majorly decrease battery runtime.

 

I can accept X1450 as it generate less heat & prolong batt life. But T5600 (no way), better wait for V2Jf/g/h with T7200

 

those are nice pics

 

3.5??? No way is it worthy of a W3J Replacement!!!

 

My plan was to wait on this notebook but the weak GPU is the reason why I decided on buying an A8JP just a lot of notebook for the money.

I do realise that the V2 caters to the business class but if we are going to compare it to the w3j well the GPU is just real weak, and at $2200 I find the GPU a serious short comming on the v2.

A x1700 at the very least would have had a ton more people seriously looking at this notebook including me.


Great feature great build quality with with 3G broadband but again weak GPU.

 

What I like about the V2: Webcam, u-dvi, finger print reader. Shame about the weak GPU. I get 4.5, lowest is hdd & 4.9 for gaming & aero performance.

 

if it had a better gpu, i would have prolly waited. But then again I dont need/want the webcam, u-dvi, or finger print reader.

 

It was never meant to be a replacement, the V2 and A8. What they did was disect the W3 into the cheaper but more powerful A8 and the weaker but better built and loaded with featured V2.

The W3 was too general, college gamers found it too expensive, while business personnels found it too powerful(resulting in lower battery life and heat generation).

 

How does the V2 fall under the business class category? I would think a business class notebook needs the highest battery life possible and not a high end graphics card.

The Sony SZ has a switch between stamina and performance mode. This switching feature better suits a business class notebook.

 

The x1450 isn't a high end graphics card. It's a middle of the road one, similar to the x2300 in the A8Jr. As for battery life, that's important too, but there are plenty of business users who want/need dedicated graphics. What ultimately makes it a "business class" notebook, (imho), is the excellent build quality and components.

 

coriolis
W3J is one of the best build laptops and from what I heard V1J and V2 are of slightly worse build quality (but with more features, i.e. fingerprint reader).

 

Anyone has a clear spec on the materials of the V2?

I know (I believe at least) W3 is plastic underneath / carbon fiber inside / brushed aluminum top.

Unless the V2 beats that somehow (e.g. by removing the plastic and replacing it w/ carbon fiber) I don't believe it's better than the W3, unless one needs the fancy features like uDVI/webcam/fingerprint.

It's a bit bulkier than W3, also; that would be a minus for me. Also, the hotswappable bay is a big plus for the W3.