W3J Upgrade?

I've been waiting / searching for a new laptop, and like many people on here my choices have been narrowed down to the W3J and the A8Js.

I've noticed a lot of threads detailing problems with the W3J. I've also noticed that the A8Js is relatively better spec wise.

Given this, is ASUS going to upgrade the W3J anytime soon? (GPU wise at least?) I've heard rumors that an upgrade for the W3J is just around the corner. Any confirmation on this?

Thanks!

 

There are no hardware problems. There have been a few software issues which have been ironed out,
There will not be any w3j refresh this year or early next year atleast.

 

Doesn't look like the W3J is going to get another upgrade anytime soon as Eddie has just stated. The W3J already got an "upgrade" not too long ago when it was given the Intel Core 2 Duo. Besides, fitting a higher spec GPU into the W3 chassis would probably cause some heat issues...

 

I just got my W3j last night which I bought from btotech.com. Couldn't be happier, the machine is beautiful, and the screen is bright and crisp. People are right when they say that the vertical viewing angle is horrible, but it is really a fantastic screen.

My only gripe is that there is a hidden partition on the W3j that has all the recovery stuff on it and I didn't know this until I tried reformating and was given a choice to boot up between 2 Windows XPs...

But that's just a small issue. The quality is amazing, theres no going wrong with the W3j.

 

That's what I thought too when I first got mine, now that I've had it for a few months, it's not something I even notice or think about anymore.

 

I'm just loving my W3J .. Hot swappable optical bay just rocks

Cheers.

 

I really wish I had gotten an a8Js. The resolution of the wj3 is simply just too small for design work in photoshop, illustrator, and indesign. It bothers me enough to consider selling it.

 

There are software issues (people installing video drivers other then those released by Asus) and one guy who went around and made about 5 threads about his isolated hardware problem and issues with European support...

I wouldn't call that 'a lot'

 

We shouldn't see another W3 "refresh" until May at the earliest... my guess is late May at best.

 

You know, I wouldn't even have noticed it if I hadn't read about it. To be honest I didn't even know what people meant by horrible viewing angles, and to be quite honest, that might be an exaggeration because I thought that you can't see anything at all. =X

 

There are also threads about overheating, and relative to threads about problems with A8J's I'd classify threads about W3J problems as 'a lot'

 

Ace, no disrespect meant, but I've been following these forums for almost a year now, though three iterations of the W3... There aren't a lot of problems, compared to things like the Z70 red ghosting issue...

 

Hey no disrespect but you have not got a clue. you should know that the w3j is one of asus oldest and least problematic models. It has no inherent issues with hardware, none what so ever.

 

I got mine from btotech also, but I believe they format it to 1 partition. All you have to do is either reformat and delete all partitions and just create 1 single partition.

Or go to System Properties -> Advanced Tab -> uncheck "Time to display list of operating systems"

 

I have absolutely no heat issues with mine. I ran it for hours and have played CounterStrike Source for hours and I don't think the palm rest even get hot, barely warm.

I've bought a couple of used laptops for friends and family. Compaq, HP and a Dell and none of them come close to my W3J.

 

I agree, the W3j has a warm exhaust, but the rest of the system is surprisingly cool. It is wrong to assume without having owned a W3j that it is frought with heat issues. In fact, I'm typing this response on one now after playing some counterstrike and the fan is still whisper quiet. No whine, just a soft fan noise and the whoosh of air moving.

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but could you elaborate on this? I am thinking of changing to a W3J only because the high resolution screen on my current laptop makes it hard to read most text easily and the W3J seems like the best portable compromise.

I do plan to do some light photoshopping however, would having a lower resolution screen on the W3J instead make this more difficult somehow? By the way, the resolution on my current laptop is 1280x800 at 12 inches (I love the laptop but just cant get used to the smallness of everything, first notebook).

Thanks!

 

Well could anyone help with these questions? Thanks

 

My suggestion is that if you're doing any "serious" photoshop work you should be doing it on a real monitor that has good color correction. From what I've read, screen resolution seems really to be a personal preference. I would suggest you browse through the AJ8s owner's forum for some issues regarding that screen.

 

There are several and serious hardware as well as software issues with Asus W3J.

It is also very true that customer support in Europe is far from five stars! (I sent mine to Italy for a whole month but returned without being repaired...why and how it works now it's another story!!!!)

Hence, I would certainly suggest trying another Asus (or another company's) model with similar specs.

>>>Another solution it might be good to consider if you intend to buy it for professional use is to buy two laptops with a little bit lower specs---the first one will be used daily while the other one will be kept as a backup system if/when the first one brokes down.

Anyway, in case you still decide to buy the extremely overpriced and not that good Asus W3J, you should absolutely: 1)pay something extra for an external laptop cooler base. 2) be aware that if Asus W3J begins restarting infinitely, especially when running on battery, then the laptop should be turned off immediately (because this eventually damages the motherboard). Then, if graphic drivers have been upgraded you should return to the old ones. If no other graphic drivers have been installed after Asus W3J purchase, then the laptop should be sent immediately to Αsus for repair.

P.S. I am a true W3J owner and certainly not an Asus reseller like some other... guys! Good night Jumper and good luck!

 

omg not this guy again. Let the flaming begin...

 

Victor: You got a lemon, try to be mature about it. Just because yours ran into problems doesnt mean that all others are problematic too.

Wasnt there something about the V2 being the replacement for the W3? or are they now separate lines to be sold simultaneously? And wouldnt the W3 then conflict with both the A8 and the V2? (If this is considered thread hijacking, I am sorry, I was under the assumption that there would not be another W3 update in the US and that it would be replaced by the V2J)