Review of Z70va versus the Z71v

Okay, I know I said I'd do this a long time ago, but I think better late than never. This review will be quite different from most since 1) I will be comparing my experiences with the z71v and z70va (which will be particularly useful for buyers caught in a decision between the two) and 2) I will be presenting the review in more or less point format.

So without further delay, I present the differences of my new z70va compared to my now sold z71v. These points are not in any particular order.

---Better---​

• Keyboard - Much more solid yet great spring action while remaining fairly quiet

• Feel - More solid and stiff, probably due to the carbon fiber

• Battery - 4.8aH vs. 4.4aH; this is actually a lie, since my z71v battery was 60Wh = 3.6aH and my z70va WAS 69wH = 4.1aH but now is 65aH = 3.9aH). I don't know if I have an isolate problem; I've had this laptop for only a couple weeks and it's reporting 4% battery wear (I owned my m3np for a year of heavy usage and it only has 1% wear)

• GPU - Runs MUCH cooler (10-15 deg C cooler!) when in battery saving mode (ATI's PowerPlay on the x700 is much better than the nVidia's PowerMizer on the 6600go)
  • Noticeable improvement in videos (mostly in AVI and WMV's) especially on highly compressed videos. There also is no tearing on WMV's (which I noticed the z71v did have).
  • Finally, with over 2620 points in 3DMark2005 at stock speeds and over 3100 at 420/730 in an overclock, it's hard to argue with these VERY respectable results vs. the z71v's 1805 stock and 2578 overclock (at 335/780) with same hardware. The latter result with the z71v would not be sustainable unless a new cooler was designed and implemented (something that is being done at www.z71forums.com )

• Accessory - Comes with travelers drawer (although it needs a bit of fiddling and makeshift modding to stop from rattling since it doesn't fit tight)

---Worse---​

• Heavier - I know in spec that the z70va appears lighter, but I dunno. I really wish I formally weighed them before I sold my z71v. The z70va feels a bit heavier (at least the same weight with its travelers drawer as the z71v WITH an optical drive)! (The z71v without an optical drive is DEFINITLY lighter)

• Sound - Both implement the same high quality Intel audio, but the the z70va has a much weaker amplifier. The z71v has EXTREMLY LOUD AUDIO OUTPUT WITHOUT DISTORTION). When I play DVD's on my z70va on a bus, I cannot hear the dialogue (and have to use subtitles) even at maximum volume - and I have very low impedance Sennheisers! With the z71v, I hardly cranked it over 1/3 volume and over 2/3 volume would be painful!

• Button/Port Placements - AudioDJ, speaker out, keyboard menu and extra function keys (and why extra windows key?) are poorly placed compared to the z71v. Although I don't have a problem with the extra windows buttons consolidated around the arrow keys, my friend (with perhaps less coordination) keeps having problems with hitting them which takes you out of the game.

• Speakers - Not nearly as good as the z71v even though there's 4 of them. The z71v has about the same speaker volume (although much louder headphone output as previously mentioned) but it has bass to it... The z70va speakers sound much more laptop like.

• Hump - In the light of the aforementioned, I hate the addition of the 2 extra speakers even more because they result in a hump on the back of the screen.

• ALS - Although not that big of a deal, ALS is a bit of a perk.

• Slower Graphics Memory - I may have had a more overclockable z71v, but I could hit 780mhz with memory (even though it was Hynix DDR600), but these Samsung DDR700 don't go much past 730mhz without stability issues. This won't be an issue unless you're an overclocker since the stock frequency of the z70va (600MHz) is faster than the stock z71v (500MHz). Both are underclocked from manufacturers spec (by 100MHz DDR).

• Creak - This winter break I intend to pull this z70va completely apart and hopefully fix this problem, but the right palm rest creaks. It can be induced on the left side, but it requires excessive force. The right palm rest creak is irritating when the room is silent and I keep going from paper-work to typing (resting my wrist on the palm rest)

---Mixed---​

• Screen - Ah yes, this notorious debate over screens... well, my first z70va which mysteriously died (read my remarks) had a horrible screen. Although there was no red ghosting, there were visible lines and the colors were washed out, although whites were better than my z71v.
  • They gave me a new one which still has lines (keep in mind that I have 20/8 or better vision, so you'd have to get about 10-15cm from the screen to see them, and yes you all have them) although they are MUCH LESS NOTICABLE.
  • With this new screen, I can safely say it is better than my z71v. However, it's definitely not something to strongly base your decision on (when making a decision on the z71v or z70va) or run out and sell your z71v for.
  • If you looked solely at the forums, I'd say these screens (z70va) are over-rated and the z71v are overly scrutinized for their "sparkly" effect which really isn't that bad - ask any z71v owner.
  • The screen refresh on the z70va seems to be a little less (i.e. slower) although the specs for the LG (z71v) and Samsung (z70va) screens both report 25ms
  • I am effected to a minor extent by the "red ghosting" problem on the bottom left region of my screen (tapering away as it goes up). With any luck, when the dust settles and Asus has come up with a just solution for us z70va owners, I will have my screen replaced.
  • This is neither good nor bad, but just an observation (and could also be a result of the video cards). The z71v had more saturated colors (especially red) while the z70va seems more pascal-like in its colors.
  • To reiterate, in spite of these flaws with the Samsung screen, I do prefer it over the z71v.

• Heat - The z70va chassis definitely conducts heat better (especially on the underside and under the hard drive) so it feels a little hotter. There is a slight amount of left palm heat, although not annoying by any means, just simply a notable difference compared to z71v

• Touchpad - Awesome touchpad look. The same wide pad as the z71v, except black, but with brushed aluminum buttons giving an awesome look. However, they're harder to press (a little irritating to get used to), it's harder to differentiate the right and left mouse button, and they make a loud click.

• Installation - Easier to install hard drive, CPU, and ONE stick of ram than z71v. MUCH HARDER to install second ram chip and Mini-PCI card than z71v.

• Color - This chassis has a black keyboard and outline, but the chassis is overall dark/gunmetal grey, not black! So the colors of the z70va and z71v wasn't THAT much different in case this is part of your decision between purchasing either.

--- Remarks ---​

• Wifi Reception - I'm happy to say that the z70va exhibits the same excellent wifi reception (due to antennas going up the sides of the screen). With my Atheros card (which I got in exchange for my Intel) I really get amazing range, although the software package could use a lot more work.

• My dead z70va - One Friday morning (2 days after getting it) my machine refused to start (the fans would kick in, but scroll and caps lock lights just flashed continuously). There is a remote possibility I discovered a vulnerability of the Asus laptops via software which would cause them to never start up again after shutdown. I have subsequently deleted the executable I made (which I used to discover all kinds of cool hidden things about the machine like LED activity and dimming the screen and such), although I still have the source code)

Overall, I am very happy with my z70va and if given the choice between the two (z70va and z71v), I'd still chose the z70va mainly because of the GPU and a bit for the aesthetics which still isn't perfect, but looks more sleek than the z71v in my opinion, although my brother preferred the look of the z71v). I wish there was such thing as the perfect laptop, but alas I don't think such a machine exists. I do love Asus though and believe they're ahead of most in terms of performance, quality, and aesthetics, and durability (and the fact that they come as barebones is a HUGE reason I don't look elsewhere, since I custom build all my machines).

Hopefully this review had some information you didn't know about the two laptops, and will aid you in making your decision. At the very least, if you feel the decision between the z70va and z71v is very cut-throat, then you probably have a good understanding of both machines. You just need to evaluate your needs, budget, and aesthetic preference and then go for it - you'll be happy with either machine.

 

Hey, glad you like it

Overall, you summed it up, the Mini PCI and RAM is indeed a tad harder, removing the rubber keyboard surroundings was quite a challenge

The speakers don't have any(Or rather I did not notice any) feedback even when at max for mines.

It gets warm at the bottom, only near the HD and near the top(where the CPU/GPU are) as well.

No creak here, looks like it exists on some, does not on others.

ALS, ALS, ALS. I wish they had this for all ASUS laptops, would be a great perk!

 

**** dude, I JUST posted this! You read it already?! haha, amazing. Anyway, my speakers don't distort or anything. They just sound like regular laptop speakers. The z71v had some bass to them and their mid range was much better. The external speakers aren't a big deal for me, it's just I hate the extra 2 speakers on the z70va because of the "hump" especially since their addition didn't result in better sound quality. The volume at max on both the z71v and z70va doesn't distort either. They're both awesome quality, it's just the z71v gets about 3 times louder, which is quite a significant point worth mentioning. The m3np has the same volume limitation issue as the z70va. To alleviate this problem, I got a a headphone amp at http://electric-avenues.com/ I can let ya know how it sounds when I get it.

Also, what rubber around the keyboard are you talking about? Do you mean the tabs on the top? Basically I needed to push those three down, then carefully (without bending the keyboard) lift it up, then take out the screw, pop the sides, another screw (in a very awkward position to the screen) then slide out the cover, ALL TO ACCESS THE MINI-PCI. Those readers that haven't done it, DON'T EVEN TRY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT I JUST SAID, haha.

 

Nice comprehensive comparison, flaxx! Go :asus:

 

Good comparison review, flaxx... very objective.

I wonder how your machines would compare to my Z63a in terms of build quality..

 

Sweet review!

 

hey flaxx, very nice side by side there and some great information. The antennas in the screen really is a god send for better reception, I love it when a laptop gives you that. In regards to the creaky palm rest, I've seen people use styrofoam to do away with flex, it's a little bit of a duct tape style solution but one that I've actually known manufacturers have "secretly" used themselves (Acer being a specific instance). And in regards to the dead but flashing LEDs, if you could get all the lights flashing it'd be a great paperweight with that software installed.

nice job!

 

The z70va heavier then the z71v? How did you come to that cpnclusion? Out of a couple hundred screens we have gone through many of which had ghosting i still have yet to see the lines you described. I would conclude it is a superb screen on both of them actually although the sheen on the z71v can be a deterent for a few not all. Didnt look that closely at the speakers although upon writing my review i found the sound on the va to be better however the 2 main speakers on the z71v are a bit bigger. As for the creek. Hey its plastic/carbon. There is a flaw in any notebook but trying to fix this is trivial. Personally i wouldnt even notice or think twice of it but thats me. Other then that you hit it on the nail.

 

Yeah, I know the weight issue sounds funny. I really wish I had weighed them. But my z70va honestly felt heavier than my z71v. I could walk around with my z71v holding it with my left hand (gripping it from the side) and typing with the right. I can still do that with the z70va, but my wrist gets sore sooner. When I picked this (z70va) laptop up, it was the first thing I noticed. Again, this is objective since I don't have any solid numbers, but that's how it felt (I had both of them side by side and i was feeling the difference). I could be wrong on this though which is why I chose to word it with "felt" heavier than "is" heavier.

As for the lines, I wish you were a local store. I'd prove it to you. I have a friend with a z70v and I pointed it out on his screen and he said he had never noticed it before and was actually kinda annoyed that I pointed it out, cuz he could now notice it, but only within 10-15 cm. One of my intents in writing this review was presenting information that most reviews didn't present and that no one has mentioned. Unless the three screens I've seen where "special" (even though one had red ghost, the other didn't, the other was made earlier in the summer before the z70va) which I highly doubt, I'm inclined to believe all the screens have it. It is very noticeable with a grey gradient. The lines will be horizontal and not vertical. Task bar may be noticeable if you have grey (but make sure you have a 32bit color scheme, otherwise the gradient lines you'll see will be because you don't have enough colors to interpolate with). As I said, this is just a simple observation. I can see it from 40cm away, but I have great vision. Nevertheless, it doesn't bother me because I still think this screen is great. I doubt I would even have noticed it if it wasn't for that first bad screen that had the lines really bad. Anyway, enough said about this.

As for the speakers, it almost sounded like the z71v speakers were in some kind of enclosure or at the very least, were not free floating, because they had great mid-range (the best I've heard on a laptop) and some bass (which is virtually non-existent on the z70va and most laptops for that matter). I challenge you Eddie to compare the two if you get the chance. Make sure you get a song that has mid-range and bass. For example, if you listen to classical music, that would not be a good test since the higher range of the z70va is just as good (and could possibly be better). Although I listen to all kinds of music (including classical and jazz) most of my collection is comprised of R&B type music and hands down the z71v beats the z70va. It's not a big deal though, I hardly use the laptop speakers. What does bother me is the volume issue on the headphones because I use that a lot. As I said, I am getting a headphone amp, but it's a pain this kind of power isn't built into the machine.

Anyway, enough said. :asus:

 

I recall someone saying that the Z70va's weight distrobution is concentrated, thus the feeling of a heavier laptop.

No comment from me though

 

I think that very well may be the reason why it feels heavier.
The weight distribution of the Z70/M6 series is really quite poor... in actual reality, the weight of the system isn't much, but with the way the weight is distributed, it feels heavier when lifted with one hand. The Z71v is a little more balanced...
Also, that's why the W2V feels as light as it does, even though it's really 7 pounds; weight distribution on that machine is very even...

 

Ok i am not about to get a scale for the z70va but i can assure you it is not heavier. As for the sound to one his own. You may be right but i dont have an audiophile hearing. I would not be able to judge something like that. I reason in relative terms and i think though i can be wrong most people will rather have the z70va sound. It may have to do with the fact that there are 4 speakers. Its funny how having the perception that something should be better can cloud your judgement and hey my jusgement can be clouded. It takes more then a flexing keyboard or a flexing palm rest for me to take away something from the quality of a notebook. I ve been looking for these lines you describing. If i stick my head right into the screen i can see lines....Everywhere. Those are normal and present on every lcd. I think a camera snapshot focusing on what you see can shed some light on what you see. Until then i ll dismiss it as just picking it appart which people love to do on the forums..

 

Good comparison flaxx...I was actually looking for a notebook with Nvidia graphics, but the Z70Va looked great so I went for it...

I've had Ati and Nvidia cards in desktops before and one thing I noticed was Nvidia is great for games and such and for compatibility with linux, but Ati cards are better for videos and overall use.

Even still I'm an Nvidia fan for life

Cheers,
Mike

 

yeah, they both have their advantages. i think if ATI would step up the pace and focus more on drivers, they'd make their product WAAYYY BETTER. I'm inclined to believe that ATI has superior hardware design but their drivers are HORRIBLE! nVidia, on the other hand (well, they also have excellent hardware, but i don't think as good as ati) spends a much larger effort on drivers. So each subsequent driver squeezed the maximum performance from the hardware with maximum compatibility. i spent quite a bit of time choosing the perfect drivers and modifying them for my system and as a result I saw a massive jump in performance (2400 3dmark05 to 3000 3dmark05). While my nVidia card from the z71v was such a breeze to install the drivers, and they always worked.

BTW, I just posted a mini-review of the amp I got for this unit. Simply put, it's amazing! I'll likely have this thing for decades to come.

 

Nice. I hear turtle beach sound cards for ocmcia have the same effect. This is actually commong to most laptops not just asus. DVD playback volume is low. I just adjust the realtec equalizer to max it aleviates the problem but still not as loud as it can be

 

i forgot to add that the z70va has a new AC adapter and unlike the z70v and z71v it is quite a bit larger (probably around 0.5-1cm wider and 1-2cm longer -- i don't have them side by side or have a ruler, so this is an estimate) and a bit heavier, but it's higher amperage (4.74amps). So it adds to overall weight, but I would assume it charges the battery faster under heavy load. it also does squeel like my z71v did when under extremly light load i.e. suspend, shutdown; although my m3np had the exact same adapter and didn't squeel, so it may be an isolated case