Sonoma based M5Np

Hey,

I am not a huge fan of the new reflective widescreen systems Asus is launching these days. I need no-nonsense laptops for business use.

I have heard the M5 series is not being discontinued though e.g. the W5 is here. This goes to show Asus (fortunately!) cares about business users.

When will the Sonoma version of the M5Np be out? Will it be available in white? Will it have the same matte 4:3 12" screen we're used to?

Thanks!

 

Yeah, the M5 is just being refreshed... the W5 is nice, but it's much smaller and it's in no way a "replacement" for the M5.

It's going to be atleast a month if not longer.

They are still supposed to be black, but since the sonoma's will have the same exact M5np case, the white M5np chassis' that we ca offer on the current model (if they are still around), will be offered on the sonoma model. There are only 4-5 complete chassis' left at this point and we got them as a very special gift from Asus. Since we build up all of our systems, it's really a matter of putting the sonoma motherboard into the current M5np chassis. Infact, if by chance the M5a ends up with a colorshine screen, since the white unit would be totally custom, we can use one of the current M5np screens if you wanted..... how's that for being able to get what you're looking for?

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Sounds like we should talk when the new M5 arrives...

I like what I hear. A unit like that would be what I am looking for.

Only thing I am concerned about then is the "Built on Asus" vs. "Genuine Asus" difference.

The only M5 out there is the barebone unit right? Will the Sonoma system sport features like bluetooth, carbon fibre chassis and such?

Justin, can you tell a difference between the build quality of the current M5 and the W5?

 

Cert - well you didn't ask these questions in the email......

Well, number one.... the barebone and the complete system are both made with the same parts.. The problem with the complete systems is that Asus sets them up for only one configuration and ships them from taiwan that way. The built to order models are the same things but without cpu, hard drive, ram, os...... so you can make it how you want it, and it's expressly built for you after you order..... its' not sitting around for months on end..

The M5a will be a barebone in the US... asus is keeping their "Asus" complete models seperate....... but the M5 will always be a barebone model here.

Barebone models most likely won't have the colorshine screen.... probably no bluetooth...... for the most part I think the M5a will be a straight carry over that just has a new chipset.

mostly all of the systems are carbonfiber now...... the M5 always was and always will be. Build quality of the M5 and W5 are the same..... same time of material.. similiar size... but it's like judging two different things... the S5 and M5... although one has an internal drive.. they are both basically identical. and thus easy to say the build is identical. The W5 is not ad wide and longer than the M5.... so that actually probably makes it even more ridged.... but the M5 is a darn solid system.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Nope, I didn't ask these questions in the e-mail as these questions could be of interest to the rest of the forum. I asked questions related to my specific situation in the e-mail. Just to clarify. [ ]

So you're saying the M5 is only available as a barebone in the US. I remember you have mentioned in other threads that the build quality/materials are different on BoA vs Asus. Do you know if the M5 offered elsewhere in the world is different from the US model in other ways than that the customer can't choose the HD, ram etc.?

I know the M5 doesn't have BT (at least the US version) but I just want to make sure we're not choosing a system that is available elsewhere in a better quality (although with fixed specs).

Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated!

 

Oh ok....... right... for this year........ models like the W3/W1/W2 will have barebone models made out of different materials and made to fit a most basic customer need.... the the aluminum and extras like the color shine screen and bluetooth....

The M5 will and has been kept as a barebone, but the quality of them it's not an issue... as with the other barebones, the quality won't be an issue.. it's the use of materials and those extra things...

The M5's are identical all over the world, period... technially, if you want to look at it that way, the white M5 chassis' we have are right off of the line that go towards the German M5's.... the only difference is that the lid says Asus instead of nothing.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]