W3N - only vapor-ware?

After reading a lot of specs I think that the Asus W3479NLP would be the most suitable notebook for my current needs. But while a number of dealers here in germany list the W3N notebooks as "available immediately" or "within a few days", I've not found a single one yet that actually gave a positive answer to the only revealing question "so may I come to your office right now and exchange some cash for the notebook?".

As I'm near a fixed deadline of when I need a new notebook, I now ask myself wether the W3N's are more than just vapor-ware... or did anybody get hold of one, yet?

 

The W3n should be available in Asia right now and I believe Germany is getting this model as well. They are built and ready to go.

As far as any in the US answering the question.. We're going to get atleast the W3v, which would be the 3rd model in the W3 line to come out.... so as far as we're concerned here, the W3 is still an figment of our imagination.

J

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

 

Hmmm... maybe I should consider buying the unit in Asia, then... I'll be in Thailand in March anyway... or is there any known shortcoming of the "Asian model" in comparison to others?

 

the W3n is an 855 chipset. I don't know if I'd call it a shortcoming, but it's a great new system with nice specs... If you're looking for a sonoma model, you've got to wait.

J

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

 

Im also deciding whether to wait for W3N or get a M2C. Im in Singapore but no news of W3N yet.

 

Well, I've had an M2 for 3 years now... I know its' gone from p3, to p4m, to centrino, to whatever it is now. The design certainly doesn't get old.. but the computer still has the same ports and features it did 3 years ago... It's nice, but with every system, Asus learns a little something about about how to better design it.. keep that in mind.

J

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

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>As far as any in the US answering the question.. We're going to get atleast the W3v, which would be the 3rd model in the W3 line to come out.... so as far as we're concerned here, the W3 is still an figment of our imagination.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

What does this mean for us US people? I am waiting for the W3N to come out. Am I wasting my time? I have decided this is the notebook for me, but should I start to look elsewhere?

 

Well, you're never going to see a W3N.....

Let me give you an idea of what I mean:

W3N: 855 chipset and 64mb ati 9700
W3A: 915 chipset and up to 128mb shared graphics
W3V: 915 chipset and 64mb ati x600

The V model is most likely what we're getting. Asus made a point to say they wouldn't bring over any more 855 chipset notebook after November of last year. They won't bring it over because the new chipset was announced and although some people who pick them up, in a month or so the new models would be ready and Asus would be stuck with the older models. It's not 100% determined if the W3A or W3V or another incarnation of the W3 will be coming to the US. I do know that it is certainly coming and this time next month we'll have them in hand. What is still uncertain at this point is what the final US spec will be. This is what is going to control the price. I do know that they want this model to have dedicated video, so I'm guessing the W3V model is what they will decide on.

Once the spec, price and eta are set, we'll announce out official pre-order for the model. There are already about 20-25 of you on our list. First shipment of something like to us is usually a max of 50 units right as launch time. But, an educated guess says you've got a month to wait..... lets give it a month and a half before it would be in your hands.

J

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

 

Gotcha. Personally, I'm not gamer so shared graphics would be fine with me as long as the other specs are the same.

Is there anything else that is up in the air besides the video card? Screen resolution? Glossy? Spindle speed? I can wait a month. Gonna go look at the Sony FS tomorrow (errr since it's 3 am here, I guess it would be today), but I'll definately wait it out because of your post.

Thanks!

Vit

 

I don't know if bluetooth will be included or not, but we're pushing for it..

I think the color of the unit is set to be the black anondized brushed aluminum.... but as far as spec, cpu, hard drive, ram are really what has to be decided.

They are only bringing in one model. My guess and hope is for the dedicated video, but they don't have the market to bring in two.

J

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

 

Gotcha.

Asus would be stupid for not having integrated Bluetooth. I would buy an adapter if I had to, but a lot of people (that use Bluetooth much more than me) would be turned off and wouldn't buy the laptop without it being integrated.

So then these won't be customizable at all?

 

Right, but you've also got to understand the cost and the number of people who don't need it and would rather not pay for it.

But I think bluetooth is just going to be standard anyway.

J

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

 

Just FYI:

I got notice my W3479NLP notebook has just arrived and will be delivered today. So maybe it's not vapour-ware, after all...

 

Pictures and specs please! [8D]

 

Then, do a review of it when you get it.
I'm interested in the brand of the codec, sound quality and display quality =)

 

Looking forward to a review