V1J is a Go

Kal, I really don't have a clue on that.

 

Why would they switch from ATI to Nvidia? Is there a reason apart from 7700 being more powerful? Sounds far fetched but what do I know.

I'll get my V1J (with Yonah) in about a week, if anyone wants specific pictures/data, let me know.

-edi

 

Yes please. Specifics on the heat mostly. The palm rest and the heat shooting out from the fan. If you could describe it when doing basic things (internet + word processing) and when playing games that would be great.

 

Ruoste, this is optional but you may want to do a review on the v1J since no one here has one, and you may learn something new about it while writing the review.

In any case, the batterylife would be something people would like to know, with lots of pictures.

 

Sure, I'll give it a shot as soon as I have the time.

If the dang thing ever presents itself, as the date has been pushed back again, now til the 26th. Gaah.

 

V1Js with Core 2 Duo have started showing up in Australia, albeit in a somewhat strange way. For about a week, about 10 sites listed the V1J-AK027P with C2D/2.33/120/2G/15W/XPP. All of a sudden, every site on the Internet that had that particular model has removed it and replaced it with the V1J-AP024P which is C2D/1.83/80/1G/15W/XPP.

I asked one of the retailers, who responded that:

I really wanted the AK027P as it was only ~$400 AUD more than the AP024P and represented fantastic value. Can anyone shed any light on what a 'retail' model is or if Asus will be offering the high-spec model again?

 

I've googled V1Jp and a bunch of UK stores pop up as results, listing:
V1Jp-AJ003P Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz), Windows XP Pro, 2048MB(1024x2) DDRII 667 RAM, 160GB HDD(5400rpm) SATA, DVDRW DL, ATI X1700 256MB(512MB HM), 15.4"TFT (WSXGA+, Colour Shine), Camera (1.3MP) Gbit LAN

Which looks quite nice, the price is a bit higher than I'd hoped for, around 1400UKP or 2650 USD, hoping the US price will not be as high, don't think I'll be able to afford that.

Also a question, what do we know on the V1J/V1JP build quality? is it on par with the w3j ?

 

I can take a stab at it, ASUS may be releasing a lower specced V1J for now, but maybe later they will release a high specced priced one for a increase in price.

you remember the W3J and the new W3J that comes with a 2.0 and 1x1gb stick of ram.

The V1J could be on the same path. However no one is truly sure at this moment.

 

But wasn't the higher specced W3J labled a refresh and priced the same?

 

yup, the W3J model number did change and the price was the same or 100$ more for some resellers.

But in anycase, you mentioned there is a higher specced V1J thans what mugen stated , so you have choices, for Europeans.

 

Acutally I've quoted specs for a V1JP, which after thinking about it, I assume IS the model name for a higher specced V1J...
And if I remember what Justin had told me correctly, the 'p' version is the one that will be released in the US, if the V1J is to be released there.

 

No, it's not. I saw a V1j and I must say W3 has better built quality, don't know how to describe it but it's just better. To be honest I thought V1 will be a killer in this matter.

 

v1j is 15.4" while w3j is 14'' though so that is big diff.

was looking for 15.4" but prob settling for 15'" v6j cus you can't get the v1j in america yet and its way more expensive then v6j even if you can order it online from a european merchant.

found a great merchant that can customize and upgrade a v6j with a core 2 do processor , more ram and larger hdd!

was so excited cus its not evne that much more then as is v6j from sites with best price. and now it was more similiar specs to the dell or hp my wife configured so she couldnt' say it wasn't as good... but it is moe expensive and in some ways still doesn't have as much as the cheaper dell or hp she configured so its hard for me to justify to her.

alas, my wife wants to spend less and get more including extras and software i dont care about by getting an HP or a Dell

my pick for the asus v6j even now competing with the processor, ram and hd still can't compete with the price of the dell and hp and all the extras. sucks.

told her to get he own and i get my own but its better for now we get one and split it.

if i can somehow find a way to get her everything she'd get on a dell or hp and maybe i pay the extra diff in price then maybe i can do it. but then even i start to wonder if its not just worth giving in.

 

Pardon but I'm not reading you. Would you mind trying to explain in your own terms, what you felt was wrong with V1J?

Due to your comments regarding V1J, I've actually also become uncertain of the term 'build quality'. What does that cover?

 

You know I was starting to say in your thread that something is screwy because the one you list as the v1j is not even the same color.

And then, the notebook you listed as having a great build quality compared to the a8js is labeled f3jp

Ok the v1j is black but your picture is silver. Well... I mean build quality on the v1j should be better in that its made of more expensive materials, carbon fiber as opposed to aluminum lcd lid.

Are you sure you have the right machines in your pictures? I tried to point it out then as well.

and the a8js and f3jp should look almost the same, the only difference is one has more black plastic than silver.

I dont see anything that looks like a v1j in your pictures actually.

 

I'm not sure what you are talking about. There is nothing wrong with mastha212's pictures. How can you say there is nothing like a V1J in his pictures. It's the large labtop with the big rectangular camera on top of the screen. It's very hard to miss. Besides he included pictures of the specification stickers so there isn't any confusion.

And the A8J series and the F3J series do not look almost the same. They clearly have different status lights and different touchpads and buttons. For instance, the F3J's touchpad is sunken in while the A8J is not. Also, the F3J has a much large black strip on the top of the lid extending almost all the way to the edges on either side while the A8J's has has more silver before the edge. Also the F3J's media keys on top of the keyboard are silver and set lower while the A8J's are black and blend into the black strip below the LCD. I can't see how someone would confuse the two, besides the obvious size difference.

 

Finally got the V1J (with Yonah). Not bad, really. The overall quality is superb, the screen and keyboard both deserve some superlatives, the fingerprint scanner works like a charm, etc. More or less what you'd expect reading the specs and comments of others.

As you'll probably want to hear the gripes:
- the graininess problem is here, too. Looks like static noise, and is clearly visible on light colors with max screen brightness.
- touchpad is fine but the buttons are a bit numb, only work when pressed in the middle and need quite a bit of pressing power.
- palm rest gets warm on the right side of the touchpad (on top of the HDD i presume), just slightly uncomfortably so. Even when idle, probably worse if the notebook has something to really chew on (haven't gotten there yet). Plus there's the warm air flow to your mousehand on the right side. A question of getting used to, in my opinion.
- the material looks and feels 'cool' as it should, but at the same time seems like it'll show wear and tear pretty quick.

More later, with pics a plenty.

 

where did you get your v1j? how much?
do any uk/euro merchant ship to the US?

will it be upgradeable to merom like the v1j? if not im just getting a base v6j cus i found a good price for one, and then will just upgrade it later.

 

Along the lines of what Quatre asked, what are some good places to import V1J from for a person in the US?

Thanks

 

The Dollar's current rate makes worth to import. Say the cheapest V1J with Yonah costs 1550 Euro (T2300, 512MB 667, 80gb 5400) excl shipping costs, then you'll have to multiply it with 1.27. 1960 USD for such a machine is pretty expensive from a US pespective.

 

As Empulse said, that's the cost in central Europe (= Germany, Holland, ...). Being in Finland where the costs are even higher, this cost 1960 euros with additional 1gb memory, which had to be bought separately.

If that sounds high, try the Merom version (which is weeks away): 2250 euros. With processor, memory and dvd drive upgraded (no HD-DVD, just Lightscribe). That's a big pile of munny.

Edit: Most annoying thing at the moment: the colors. They're totally screwed up on all of the Splendid modes. I don't want to go messing about them, but there probably is no easy solution...

 

I have ordered this notebook, but it isn't be final.

I'm wonder about cooling. Is the warming big problem? Is it uncomfortable so much that makes working worse?

Is there more versions of the notebook (like revisions?) I know, it is new product and more improve have to be done.

Thanks a lot.

 

So what's the latest word on a North American release?

Is the V1J coming anytime this year?

 

Yes €2250 would be a bit high for me. laptops4u.nl doesn't seem to be too bad. Can anyone here recommend any stores that can export to the US? Or did I just come up with an excuse to visit Amsterdam?

TIA

 

After a couple of days of regular office use I'll say that the 'right side palm rest warming' is not a problem, doesn't bother at all since your hand gets used to it quickly. Still looking for a spot in the schedule to start doing some real testing

 

Rouste, would you mind posting some pictures? How is battery life? (one of the big q's on this thread).

I am waiting for Merom, but this seems to be the laptop for me if the first reviews dont have something that throws me off. Thanks for sharing with us!

Juan Miguel Venturello

 

so bottom line, is, that if you dont have a laptop and want to get one soon, dont wait for the v1j to come to NA cus it may never or is going to be awhile, by then i will be ready for second laptop

so v6j for now it is. then later when i get v1j i will really be able to compare them as far as thinnes, light portableness and build material and quality

 

There is no bottom line.
If you can and want to wait, wait.
If you can't, then don't wait.

 

I'm borrowing a camera today. As for the tests, ASAP.

 

Thanks ruoste! Curious, why didnt you wait for Merom, price difference not worth it for you, wanted/needed it quick?

 

You got it, those were pretty equal reasons. In my case there was no point in waiting, since I wouldn't see the difference anyhow. Even this 'old' thing granted me the office bragging rights, which, of course, should be anyone's goal in life.

 

so i have found some UK merchants that sell the V1jp which is the merom core 2 do version.

now its just a matter of finding one that ships to the US and for how much.

The international shipping will probably be expensive not to mention the conversion rate so i just ordered a v6j domestically in the meantime.

but those looking to import the v1jp with merom, it seems plausible now so lets see if we can get a list of overseas merchants that do ship to the US and that strt comparing prices.

 

Why don't we all just calm down for now and wait and see if it comes to NA after all. From what I have gathered from these forums, wait till end of this month. No need to throw out all that money for nothing.

 

If you want to wait that's fine but those of us that can't would like to have this information. Besides, wouldn't you want more reviews?

 

If you have the money, go for it.

 

Couldnt wait either, starting higher education at a new location and laptop was essential. Bought the higher spec V1j (T2500) from www.asuslaptop.co.uk and I'm absolutly loving it.
The notebookreview forums and reviews helped me alot in my decision. I checked out many models Dell Xps, Sony Sz, Alienware Sentia and Rock.
In the end it's was the perfect balance of weight/performance/battery that tipped the scales for me. Helped also that the V1j is bundled with features and Asus build quality is superb. The only thing I can find wrong with is that it is running too many background task by default, some cleaning is required. Besides that it´s perfect.

 

Johanne, please contribute to the forum by writing a review. Would be great and appreciated by many!

 

The V1JP-AJ004P (T5600 1GB) seems to be out and about in Europe. No one has the V1JP-AJ003P (T7200 2GB) in stock yet but they're listed at several places.

 

Loopty,

It is available... (the T7200)

http://en.toppreise.ch/index.php?search=asus+v1j+t7200&sRes=OK

 

Please don't tell me that price is in Euro?

 

Oh, Swiss Francs, still a bit too much.

 

I'll probably just order one from laptops4u, then Ill have a T7200, 80GB 7200RPM and 1GB for 1750 Euros. Adding memory myself is pretty cheap as well as an external harddisk in case...

 

3173 CHF (Swiss money) = 2000€ aprox.

That's a good good machine, I was searching for long to replace my Acer extensa 4102, that will be this V1JP as soon as I can get the money.

I would just know about how much noisy is it. My Acer is completly quiet on normal work (I just hear the HD) > CPU @ 800, GC @ 110, no noise, I hope this one will be the same.


Edit : Empulse : Can you give the link on laptops4u for this configuration please ?
Ho ok, I've seen the V1J is configurable with T7200, but no X1700 :/ I'll wait for this graphic card.

 

Hello,

This is my first post !
I'm live in France and I order an Asus V1J from Laptops4u.nl. Normally, I received my notebook tomorrow.

This is the V1J-AJ004P with a Core 2 duo T7200, 1GB RAM and an HDD of 100Go 5400rpm.

I'll try to take pictures and make some comments asap.

bye.

 

sounds good man. do you live in the united states? why did you get the v1j with yonah? I'm sure it is upgradeable on your own but you could have gotten it with merom now so mine as well.

unless you only felt comfortable getting from a overseas website in english so you stuck with a UK merchant. that is what I prefer but here's the deal on which countries have what.

to clarify what someone said about yonah t5600 version being out in europe and t7200 version not, basically only certain countries so far have the merom version.

the website someone listed ending in .ch in response to the person saying only yonah version out in europe is because .ch is Switzerland which is one of the countries with the c2d version.

There is a list of countries carrying the c2d vesion in another thread and I will try to list them all for ppl searching for merchat with it but besides switzerland I think spain and a couple others including Poland.

Here is an email I got from a polish merchant max-kom (not sure of website and I'm typing this from pda phone so can't find everything easily but it might be max-kom.pl)

"Yes, we can ship this laptop to the United States. Laptop cost 2440 USD
(7550 PLN),
and shipping cost 209 USD (650 PLN). It's about 2649 USD (8203 PLN).
And we don't have an english version of our website."

the Polish currency (whatever pln stands for) might be one of the few at least of the countries that have the merom c2d version whose currency has a favorable conversion rate to the usd.

that's my min problem with buying from a uk merchant. you get killed on the conversion rate from british pund having to multiply $1.27 (least last I checked) to the price in pounds.

the polish price of $2440 still seems high though and then the $209 shipping kills it though I know any overseas shipping is going to be up there.

now I was too anxious and too skeptical of dealing with the risk and cost of ordering from overseas so I got a v6j for a good price and prob would be fine with waiting till v1j comes out in the US (hopefully with merom by then) but might still be interested in a c2d v1j and for the sake of everyone else who is what we should do is this:

get an exact list of which countries do currently have the merom version (though looks like others including the uk might be soon). Then figure out which countries currency rate has a favorable conversion rate to the USD. If we can find one where the dollar is actually worth more then you can lower the cost and offset some of the unavoidable expensive oversea shipping.

then its just a matter of finding merchant with best price in country whose currency has a favorable conversion rate to the usd. the price might be the same at most though and even might be set to be adjusted according to the countries currency meaning if their currency isn't worth as much they might adjust it accordingl meaning say its super expensive in poland I don't know. maybe its set to taiwanese currency and converted accordinly from there.

point is we should research and share info on what overseas merchants have the merom v1j and ship to the US.

then maybe we can even organize a mini group buy where we are all buying from same overseas merchant and see if they can offer us lower cost because maybe even on shipping.

having an english website is defintiely helpful but that is prob mostly just the UK and they don't have the c2d version yet.

of the few countries that do have it, as I said I imagine poland would have one of the better conversion rate to usd. and I found a polish merchant who has it and can ship to the US. they don't have an english version of website to order from but as you saw the guy could converse in the email in english quite well so I'm sure they can figure something out if they want the sale(s).

so I listed one merchant who has the c2d v1j, can ship to the US,and probably favorable conversion rate (at least more then the uk). so lets go from there and see what we can come up with as far as best options for overseas merchants to purchase c2d asus v1j from.

 

laptops4u.nl

I looked at their site the other day. that's netherlands and I think might be one of the countries with the merom version unless they are just customizing it which is more expensive then one that comes stock with it.

one version only comes with 80gb hd? I want 100 or more. 1gb of ram is fine especially if it is a 1gb stick leaving the other slot available as I'd rather purchase another 1gb stick on my own at a better price and keep initial cost of the laptop down as 1gb is plenty to start with.

now the one came out to 2000 euro. which config was that. I think it was the euro that was worth $1.27 (the pound could be even more) so that's $2540 and about $100 more then the polish merchant. but depends what exact specs and shipping cost. laptops4u.nl doesn't have an english version of website though either do they. that's almost worth paying a little extra for.

 

hm, I seem to be able to configure a v1j at laptops4u.nl for 1680 euros which if the conversion rate is $1.27 per euro then its $2133.60

does netherlands use euro? the symbol looked like the euro one at least. are my calculations correct? if so, that seems like a somewhat reasonable and fair price. of course then shipping will be a ton.

I dunno. I already ordered my t2500 v6j for $1750 shipped which is a great price and should therefore probably jut wait for v1j domestically but just curious what I could get the v1j. can always cancel order or return as even importing v1j will be cheaper then buying/keeping v6j and getting v1j when its released in the US combined which could still be never.

can someone verify that laptops4u.nl price and conversion into usd and what shipping cost is if they even do ship to the US.

 

Yeah, they use Euros. For reference, XE.com is a handy tool for currency conversations. You calculated right. Now, I won't say anything about whether they ship to US or not. At least from what I understood, the warranty extensions wouldn't be valid outside the Netherlands. It sounds strange, maybe it's some kind of a "seller extension" rather than manufacturer extension?

I've been looking at V1J too, and the C2D models ought to be out in Finland next week... I had already decided that I'll get a HP nc8430, but their C2D versions keep getting pushed back, and I happened to find this Asus. I'm now swinging back and forth about which one to get. Here are the Finnish retailers who already list that model. It's pretty neatly specced machine with T7200, X1600, 2GB, 120GB and a lightscribe DVDR drive. I will be running the comp also on battery, and the HP apparently owns this ASUS in that department. Has anyone got any info about the V1J module bay battery packs? How expensive are they, and how much will they extend the battery life?

The HP has its own cons too, though... Apparently a DVDR drive drops the warranty to just one year, whereas a DVD/CDRW-combo drive models have a three year warranty. Why can't anyone make a perfect laptop where you don't have to compromise anything!?

 

How much is that V1J model going for in Finland dtw?

 

In Finland, lowest prices known
-with Merom, 2195 euros
-with Yonah, 1810 euros