S96J satisfaction POLL

iam planning on buying a S96j notebook .and wanted to see how other owners think about it

 

I'm very happy with my S96J. I've had a few small issues here and there, but nothing that couldn't be resolved by myself. (BSODs due to incorrect driver installation, battery issues resolved by calibrating in the BIOS). The only thing I can really complain about is the placement of the FN/left CTRL keys (Which is just a matter of getting used to), and the touchpad buttons that have a very cheap feel over them, and they make loud clicking noises.

 

Perfect res for me, outstanding video performance, being able to customize it exactly as you want without voiding any warranty, even maxed out it's comparatively affordable, Asus quality (on the inside), two year warranty on the chassis included, guaranteed upgradability (and an easy one at that) to Merom, no glitchy extras like finger print readers and citrus juicers and drill presses, heck even the looks have kinda grown on me.

 

Yep, very satisfied with S96J. Only complaint is speaker volume in DVD playback. Screen res is perfect for my ancient eyes - anything higher-res would be an issue (and I've got a 20" desktop for when I need screen real estate).

 

I selected 'quite happy'. There is always something i want that i can't have, in this case, a modular drive.

The S96J is a very good laptop, fits my needs and my budget exactly.

 

I was also very happy. i have the same specs as sephiroth except i have a hitachi 80gb. perfect beast for budget!

 

Time to add my share, I am impressed with this notebook and its components.The screen is amazing, and is really sharp. The overall look of the notebook is pretty average but really powerful (kinda like having a Toyota Corolla with a supercharger inside)


The only problem is that making sure everything is up to date and having all the latest stuff installed.

 

Im very happy and satisfied by mine, minus a few BSOD's caused by Omega Drivers. Fixed now, very good laptop.

 

I'm very satisfied with the S96j!

It is the best notebook I have ever used or owned.

 

Pre and post dying it's awesome

 

For the price i am quite happy. Would have been very happy but it has a few minor soft issues at the time. That and the complete disaster this vbi program turned out to be,

 

what do you mean with that complete disaster?

 

I also would like you to expand on this a bit. Why do you think it is a disaster?

 

At this point accessory parts like spare batteries, AC Adapters, keyboards etc. are almost impossible to get, but that should smooth out over time.

However there are 5 points that are problematic with the VBI Warranty program at this time. I am not sure there is any way to work them out as you can see if you think about what it would take to eliminate them...only time will tell.

These issues are all caused by the way Intel administers the warranty program.

If the user has a failure with any part of the shell including ports, Express or PCMCIA slots, motherboard or LCD issues like a failed back light or inverter board the dealer has to strip the laptop all the way down to the bare shell (the processor, memory, hard drive, wireless card, Bluetooth, battery, keyboard, ODD drive have to be removed) and then ship the shell back at their cost to Intel for a shell EXCHANGE, not a component level repair. This means the user never gets their original shell back. In about 2-3 weeks the dealer will get the exchange shell and will then have to rebuild the entire system once again. This could cause the following issues for both the dealer and the user.

1. The time and cost of the tech support with the customer and then Intel to get the RMA, the tear down, shipping, rebuilding, and replacement of the Custom LCD Panel (it won't be returned since the shell will be "exchanged" and not repaired).
2. It will take at least two weeks for the exchange including shipping times, and more likely will be 3 weeks.
3. The exchanged shell could have up to 5 defective pixels and there is nothing the dealer or customer can do about it because the warranty only allows for replacement if there are more than 5. So if you have a perfect screen when you take it in for warranty, there is no guarantee that you will get one back the same way.
4. The exchanged shell could have a scratched LCD screen or case and there is nothing the dealer or customer can do about it.
5. Since the dealer cannot get component parts of the shell like the inverter board, back lights, motherboards or motherboard component parts (it is a shell exchange program and there is no where to get the individual parts except from cannibalizing new shells) there is no way for the dealer to make component level repairs after the Intel warranty is over.

Also, see this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1425928&postcount=207

Is that what you had in mind Eddie, or do you have other issues as well?

 

when i buy my laptop i can get an extra no dead pixel garantie but this will only last for 8 day after purchase. do you think i can come back to this garantee after a repair,when i get a faulty screen.

 

The lack of intel technical expertise is really what bothers me. The rest dont really apply to us. We would not be shipping a customers notebook to intel and wait for replacement. We replace all part of the notebook here with. The fact that they will not cross ship screens and motherboards is a big issue. We will most likely either pull vbi notebooks of the website or steer people to the more expensive asus counterparts.

 

If you have a dealer that is giving you the 8 day no dead pixel guarantee, it is not coming from Intel, and it will not extend beyond those 8 days...period. So no, it will not apply if you get a screen back from warranty repair that has up to 5 defective pixels.

 

2 people not happy at all? I wonder why these people have not commented? I really find this hard to believe. Could these people that actually have a S96j and are not happy at all make some comments?

 

FlipTwisteR, who are you talking about "2 people not happy at all?"

If you are talking about Eddie and I, please understand that we are dealers, not users, but with years of experience in this business. We can look at a warranty program and see things that will very likely happen in the future long before "users" discover the sad truth.

If you are talking about 2 other people, please clarify...and clarify why you say they have not commented.

 

he is meaning elgordo and nick-m who voted in the poll "not happy at all " and didnt say anything about it in this thread.

so a scream to ELGORDO and NICK-M why are you not happy?!?!?

 

I did not know you could look at who responded to poll. Very cool, I wish that could be done in all forums!

I do not see any posts about problems with their S96j in their post histories. In fact they do not discuss their S96js at all in their posts... It looks like Elgordo has ordered a W7J and Nick M looks like he is still undecided. Well ELGORDO and NICK-M?

 

i am very happy with reading threads about other people owning a S96J.
you people are so lucky with a laptop
with these VBI programs and such which relay the responsiblity to resellers, i feel it is more important to find a reliable resellers. i guess it is one of the marketing strategy? nevertheless, with the price and the "unique looks", it took me only half a day to decide to get the asus laptop.

ahdont