W3J w/Geforce Go 7700?

I've heard asus is supposed to be updating the W3J soon with a better video card and more merom processors. Does anyone have any idea when this is supposed to be happening?

 

It won't be nVidia.

Its already been updated, and I think if there's a video card update, it might be the ATI Radeon X1700.

 

Ah. So for now noone really knows if the X1700 will be shipping with the W3J?

 

I think the W3J will be set for now, since they were just upgraded with Merom. If you need a laptop now, my advice is go for the A8Js.

 

Thing is I've read the W3J's build quality is absolutely excellent. I haven't heard too much about the A8Js, but what I *have* read indicates that its good quality, but not excellent.

I'm also considering buying a HP nc8430. Do you think they (A8Js and nc8430) compare in terms of quality? Would you say either one of them is better in quality?

 

I don't believe there are any plans for a GPU upgrade for the W3J at all.

 

I don't know which is better quality, but both the A8Js and the NC8430 are wonderful laptops. It depends if you want 15.4 inch or 14 inch. But I wouldn't doubt the A8Js build quality.

From what I've heard, while the A8Js doesn't match the W3J quality, it surely is better than most mainstream laptops.

 

I think the chassis of the 8430 is nicer than the a8js. not by a whole lot. It is thinner as well.

those are two good values but i think the a8js is a better value.

the w3j will get a gpu upgrade dont doubt it for a second. it will have the x1700 as well. I learned this from lurking on this forum lol.
No idea when but it will no doubt.

 

So mean mean the W3J will get another refresh before Santa Rosa or do you mean the Santa Rosa refresh itself?

 

oh dont ask me id give you third hand speculation from pro portable.

Yes it will, at least two.

The part is compatible with the gpu in the w2jp. As soon as that exists, the x1700 for the w2jp ( and this is not guaranteed mind you just announced) it exists for the w3j. The w3j ends its life in may doesnt it?
It will be updated like 3 times before then, that would be when it becomes santa rosa. Might have a x1750 by then or something.

after may, then it would be the w3x or something with a x2600

the w3j line would miss the santa rosa switch until its a new model, or at least thats how asus works.

 

Well ATI has said that the MR X1700 is pin compatible with the MR X1600. It's probably just a matter of how much MR X1600 stock is left and the availability and cost of the MR X1700.

Last time I talked to Justin though, I got the impression that no refresh was imminant since any change would increase cost and ASUS doesn't want to increase the W3J's price point any more. So unless the MR X1700 is near free compared to the MR X1600, we won't be seeing changes until things are a little older and prices drop.

Not that I'm not hoping for miracles here. Hopefully in the next month.

 

ok, well the part is unique to asus, the x1700 notebook gpu thats in the w2jb.

only that part, the w2jb part is compatible with the w3j. its not a x1600 and x1700 type of thing the gpu is unique to the notebook.

its not compatible with the x1700 thats in the asian market a8j. its the same gpu possibly but not the same board wont fit.

Anyhow, once it exists for the w2jp, it exists for the w3j, meaning its been manufactured. those two gpus are compatible. No its not imminent because they just released the merom update.

The next update will be decided by market factors. I had heard it described as q4 so that leads you to believe it couldnt be until jan.

the x1700 should wholesale exactly the same, but whats going to happen with the next refresh is the price is going to go up because the market factors are going to tell asus thats what the customer wants.

Thats what I read him saying I dont want to sound like an asus dealer I just lurk here a lot.

 

By pin compatible I meant that the MR X1700 can just be dropped in place of a MR X1600 on a circuit board so no cartridge or circuit board redesign is necessary.

I wonder when the new W2J are going to be available since that may give an indication of how good MR X1700 availability is.

 

oh yes thats all the x1700 is is a new gpu made to go on the same board.

I mean if theres a x1750 or some such it will be the same thing

could be made for any machine, s96j, acer 8204 whatever.

Whats different about the w3j and those is that its gpu has already been manufactured once you see the new w2jp.
It exists its been made at that point. So it will be used lol. And probably sooner than later.