W3V and V6V Usability Differences

I know that the differences between these two laptops has been discussed a bit in separate threads, but I was hoping we could combine comments into one thread. That being said trying to decide between these two is proving increasingly tough for me. I can see that the actual specification differences are minor. Different screens/resolutions, 2x DVD burner for the V6V, vs. 8X with the W3V. BTW the fixed configuration differences are meaningless to me. I plan on maxing memory and hard drive on whatever laptop I end up with.

My problem is that as someone who travels almost exclusively for my job, I have to juggle two important things. First is "travel environmentals"; laptop should be lightweight, have good battery performance, and increasingly good wireless technology. But the second is "desktop experience"; working on the laptop should be as close to a desktop experience as one can get. Keyboard should be very, very good, viewing the screen should be comfortable, and being able to see a lot of the document you work on is valuable. (I currently use a 15" Powerbook because the 12" was too small for a useful desktop experience for me.) At the office I would have a separate screen, keyboard and mouse, but I probably create as much stuff on my laptop on the road as I do when at home.

So I know that providing a comparison usability experience for these two laptops is going to be tough because very few people have actually handled the W3V but I'm hoping that others can share their opinions, (as well as data), on the usability differences between these two laptops.

P.S. I was all ready to go the middle ground with the Toshiba S100, because I figured that while a wide 14" screen is better for handling on planes, a normal aspect 14" screen would be better for seeing documents I am working on. However the amount of criticism shared about Toshiba laptops around the net, have me moving more towards an ASUS laptop, due in no small part to excellent partner representation from ASUS via Justin at PROPortable..

 

rjtd, the W3 in the US will be a Sonoma laptop as well, so you're looking at nearly identical hardware in both the V6V and the W3V.

 

In my opinion, I think V6V is better than W3.
W3 is not a lot smaller than V6V, and it is actually a little big (height wise). It is not alot lighter than the V6, and you will get a smaller display. W3 has a small display, but it has at leat 4cm of wasted space on the screen border.
So, if you have no portability issues with a W3 I think you will not be compromised by chosing one V6V.

 

Well, based on your comments and how you intend to use the notebook, I think the V6V is the way to go for you. Your key priority is the ability to have near desktop-like functionality in a thin and light package.

The W3V will probably be a little easier to handle while on a plane because it's doesn't have as much depth while closed or as much height when opened. But if working on documents and desktop-like real estate is what you're looking for, then I think the V6V is the better choice.

As far as weight, the W3V and V6V are within a few ounces of each other, so there won't be great deal of difference there. Also, I believe the 2X DVD spec on the V6V is rewrite speed. I'm pretty sure it writes at 8X.

I hope that helps you a little bit. Good luck.

 

Thanks Guys..

I've been having the same thoughts along the same lines regarding the V6V. One other small notion is that when I'm not working, I use my laptop to watch a lot of movies. While I can balance my laptop on my belly and watch the screen REALLY close, having a bit bigger screen will help when I simply want to watch a movie from a table, (like normal people..)

If anyone watching this thread has actually typed or viewed stuff on the V6V, can comment on their experience with keyboard and screen, that would be useful information too.. TIA

 

My opinion is the W3V is too small for your needs...especially when It comes to screen size. From what you said, the 14" widescreen on the W3V is too small to suit your needs, period!

If you're choosing between those two models only, for you It's clearly the V6V without question.


(Just so It's clear I'm not knocking the W3V, I think It's an AMAZING little machine/package and to be honest I'm probably going to end up with one myself... but only because It meets all MY needs.)

Buying a laptop is the only area of life where I agree It's better to follow your needs than to follow your heart! [8D]

 

schoi040's V6V review and pics...

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13568

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=70100&highlight=V6%2A

V6V pics...

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=71565&page=1&pp=15

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jas

 

look at is this way......

The 14" widescreen is about the same width of a 15.1" regular screen... like the W3 and V6....... The units basically have the same internals and configuration..

Since the screens are the same width, you'll get just about identical sized widescreen movies..... However, the V6 will techically have more screen...... about 2" extra added to the top. If you look at it that way....... the W3 might be too small.. but it might be exactly what people are looking for. You just have to understand how those sizes work..... having the same widescreen movie size on both may be exactly what people want.... and nothing more... so the 14" widescreen is perfect...... But if you want extra height for typing... .. say hello to the V6.



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

 

I could be wrong on this, but the V6V is also SXGA so you're going to get even more screen real estate than you would with the W3. Or no? Justin, am I wrong on this?

_{I am one escroww}

 

um.... let me make up a diagram to explain this....... give me a moment.

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

 

OK..... forget the diagram.... try to get this.

1. 15.1" regular ratio and 14" widescreen are the same width: 11.875"

2. 15.1" regular ratio is 9" tall

3. 14" widescreen is 7.5" tall

4. Basically the same computer, but the screen is 1.5" shorter.

5. V6: 15.1" is (1400 x 1050)= 1,470,000 pixels in 106.875 sq in's of screen.

6. W3: 14" wide is (1280 x 768)= 983,040 pixels in 89.0625 sq in's of screen.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that means...

V6 - 13,754 pixels per sq in.
W3 - 11,037 pixels per sq in.

So... Yes the V6 is "better", but take a look the same analysis of the W1's 15.4" WSXGA+, which basically has no visible pixels to the naked eye, against the M3's 14" XGA, which most people love for normal work, but if you look closely you can visually see the pixels.


7. W1: 15.4" wide is (1680 x 1050)= 1,764,000 pixels in 106.95 sq in's of screen.

8. M3: 14" wide is (1024 x 768)= 786,432 pixels in 93.7 sq in's of screen

W1 - 16,493 pixels per sq in.
M3 - 8,393 pixels per sq in.


The bottom line is, the W1 screen is basically more than you could ask for. The M3 is a "normal" screen that most people probably have and it's good for average use. Do the math, but over 11,000 pixels per square inch is really good for graphics..... more is better.... but at the same time you can't ask for any more on that size screen.

If you have any questions, or I screwed up the math at all... let me know, but I just took the last hour and tried to measure up and figure everything out.. so I hope it's good enough.




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

 

Bueller?....... Bueller?.......Bueller?

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

 

http://pc11.flashecom.com/startech/system_dept.asp?dept_id=SD-024

preorder here too for 1999.00 USD[ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by higgon

 

Sencha... did what I say make sense to you? I took some time to work on that and I didn't really hear from anyone about it.

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

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'> W3 - 11,037 pixels per sq in <hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

W3 = (1280 x 768) / (11.875" x 7.5") = 11,037.6 = 11,038

hehe missed 1 []

 

At least someone checked the math.... thanks.

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

 

Hi jas
I'm pretty new to this notebook thing but I bought the V6V because of a few reasons that may interest you. Firstly I like quality, and from all the notebooks I’ve looked at the Asus models just seem a level above. They’re constructed from great solid materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum and Magnesium alloys, not plastic. The general build quality is great with a good solid feel. [ ]

Second of all I’ve very rarely read anything negative about any of the Asus products, implying that they are reliable, this is very important to me, I don’t want to be chasing around trying to get things fix that should just work. Of course with Asus if something does go wrong you’re covered for two years world wide. I also like the confidence they have in there product like the 30 day zero dead pix deal.[:0]

Thirdly I wanted something different. In Adelaide Australia, it seems that everyone has a Toshiba or a Dell. Mines the first V6V and only the second Asus I’ve seen at Uni and I got to say, it gets noticed.[ ]

I bought a 15.1” screen model because it’s a serious size screen that I can work with. This is now my only computer (Gave my desktop away) so I do all of my work on it. The longer sxga screen makes working with documents and spread sheets much easier. I could handle a 15.4” but no way could I go smaller.[8)]

And lastly, it was recommended to me by a friend in the industry and everyone else who knows also thinks highly of the Asus name.[ ]

Hope yet another opinion helps

BTW my wireless is great and work without missing a beat.[^]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable

 

I went to Best Buy yesterday to get a Motorola SB5100. I stopped by at their laptop section and I saw a 14.1" widescreen with the glare-type screen by Gateway. I needed an example of what the size of a W3V should look like and it was a good example. The screen was larger than I had expected, which is good. I couldn't get out of their stupid Best Buy proprietary demo so I couldn't view the desktop environment. I can see what some people said about the vertical viewing angle though. When I moved the screen around, the viewing angle got worse and worse. That's not quite a problem for me since I don't want others to see what I'm doing anyways...

Also, when I checked other 15" TFT and widescreens there, the 14" widescreen Gateway looked quite smaller and slender [it has almost the same dimensions as the W3V], something you'd feel comfortable carrying around with.

[l]ikwid.[f]uzion