U3Sg Release date?

***** United States*****
Ive found it for sale in Europe but not in the US.

Anyone know if this will be out soon. I'm really torn between a u6Sg and a F8Sn right now. I like the more powerful GPU in the F8 and the larger screen. but its almost as heavy as a Dell M1530. I love the styling and weight of the U6Sg but the screen is just a little too small for me. The U3Sg would be perfect for me. but, i need to buy in like the next 2 weeks. Justin (XoticPC) any word on this?

 

I'm in the same situation for the same reasons you've stated already.

There has been some talk here in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3227339

I doubt it will be available in the US within the next month or even the next couple months. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

I've been following the U3sg issue closely the past few months (as I was, and still am, seriously considering this model) and corresponding with one of the resellers here (not Justin) about it, so here's the latest as I understand it.

There is *no* import date for the -sg model for the US set at this time, and it apparently does not appear on the Asus schedule anywhere either. Asus NA was clearing out the W7s models with rebates and hasn't imported the W7sg refresh, although that could be on the horizon... One has to wonder what they are planning to do with the 13" line, with the popularity of the U6 beneath and all the 14" options above that are also selling well - it's possible that they don't see enough of a market to justify ordering the import. I have heard from what I consider reliable sources that all of the 13" models (W7 and U3) show very slow sales pace, and from a marketing executive's standpoint that is troubling as one considers whether to bring in any replacements.

Here's where my theory starts into the mix; given the proximity to the Montevina platform switch, and the fact that the U3sg is already 4 months old globally, Asus NA is choosing not to import this "new" model into the US at the same time it will already be obsolete because of the Montevina platform arrival, and as such they have decided to wait until Asus corporate releases the updated version in the later 3rd qtr (given the timing of the -sg update, it wouldn't be on the schedule to get the refresh until at least the middle group as there are older models that would likely be refreshed first - this is how Asus always does things).

I do not believe that we will see a new North America U3 until after the new platform refresh is released. The alternative is that Asus NA doesn't see a market for the 13" product line in North America anymore to justify an order (and chance getting stuck with product that won't move), given the popularity and speed that the other models are selling, and that they've decided to drop the 13" line all together. Maybe I'll have to move on to a XPS1330 or upcoming Summer refresh Macbook with Bootcamp.

 

Or go to Hong Kong and buy a 13.3" -sg model. Like I did Well, not just for that, but anyway.

 

Yeah, too bad I was in China last Fall instead of this year..... lol