W5 / V6 update

Just so you know, we'll have both of these models during the 2nd week of March.... Pre-orders will start shortly.. The list of customers who alreay inquired about these is pretty big and growing. Anyone who emailed already will get first chance to get their orders in. They'll be in within 3 weeks.

Also, i know even more of you have been waiting on the W3 - it's still 4-5 weeks away.

To summerize:

V6v - 15.1" SXGA+ / 5.2lbs with 4 cell battery

W3v - 14" WXGA / 4.5lbs with 4 cell battery

Both systems will also have an optional 8 cell (double capacity) battery which will allow for longer life. To put that in perspective... the M6 ships with a 6 cell battery and has about 4 hours of life under a nice healthy heavy use.... That should stand up with these models as well. I would say that translates to the following:

Both systems with 4 cell battery: 2.7 hours
Both systems with 8 cell battery: 5.4 hours

This is just an idea of average heavy use. Most people will see higher numbers depending on what they use it for... but keep in mind, these numbers aren't based on light use and a light configuration.... they should hold up pretty well for the config that is coming in.


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

 

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

 

Well, the S5/M5 always had FULLSIZE letter keys.... THe M5Np keyboard increased the width about 1/4" and allowed for fullsize number, backspace, space bar keys.... a great improvement on an already good keyboard for it's size.

The W5 has an even better keyboard than the M5np..... why you might ask? Because the system is wider than the M5.... so it's got more room for the keys. The keyboard is certainly bigger than that on the M5np which makes it easier to type on. It's not the size of the M6 or W1's keyboard........ some of the hardly used keys are 3/4 sized... but I can certainly say it's better.

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

 

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

 

Right, it is shorter because it's a widescreen... even though the camera is at the top, it's quite a bit shorter........ but then agian, the M5 has room to move that way..... so the height of the keys aren't affected.

The W5 keyboard is similiar to the M5np... it has the fullsize number keys.. On the M5, the "home", "page up /down" "end" keys are all shared with the arrow buttons. On the W5, those are seperate buttons to the right of the keyboard..

Other than that, there are a few other changes... the "windows" key on the W5 is fullsize.... on the M5np, there are two of those windows keys but they are both full height but 1/2 width... (who ever uses that key, let alone two of them?)

Other than that the only reason it's more comfortable to type on is because the system itself is wider.... you can get your palms in a more comfortable position.. Thats it really.

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

 

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

 

let me photoshop a W5a keyboard, a m5n keyboard and an m5np keyboard... you'll see what i mean if you glace around for a while

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

 

Hi Justin,
Do you know how much is going to be both of the V6v and W3V?
Thank you.

 

drop me a line. I can't disclose the price yet, but both will be less than the W1.

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

 

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

 

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

 

I'm sorry.. it's been a busy day with today being the last day for the S5/W1 rebates.... plus we're in line for a blizzard overnight tonight.. just trying to get things done. I'll try to grab pictures tonight when I get home and post them... give me a few hours.


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

 

14" WXGA sounds awesome. Do you have anymore specs?

Thanks.[8D]

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"
Thomas Jefferson

 

Darn, I'm sorry... I forgot all about the pictures. We got two feet of snow last night were closed today. I've got all the keyboards at home and can take pictures this evening.

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

 

Snow day for Justin-

In Seattle we have snow days when we have > 3 inches.

You're much heartier than we are! [ ]

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"
Thomas Jefferson

 

Here in Vancouver... we barely get snow. [ ]

Rain rain rain all year...

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Tohiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Justin-

Do you have prices?


"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"
Thomas Jefferson

 

Everyone, just a note:

48 W5a's and 48 V6v's coming to the states in the first shipment. We have more people who initially emailed about about then will be available to all of North America right now. The pre-order will be going up tomorrow. They will be here on the 9-10th and will start shipping on Friday the 11th. I have the specs and prices at hand but would like to send an email to all those on the list first and give them a chance get their order in. Some people couldn't decide and might end up holding out for a W3 and will probably get off the V6 or W5 list. So space will clear up, if you've been dying for either of them, just drop me a line and you'll get the link tomorrow before we put it public.... Looks like most people will be waiting until the end of the month...

Have a good night.

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

 

V6v - $2199

W5a - $1749

Also, the W5a is going to come with the 6 cell battery standard.... That is good and bad at the same time. I gave you weights on the 3 and 9 cell... but don't have one on the 6 yet. The 6 will stick out the back a little. Not as much as the 9 does on the S5/M5.. but not flush like the 3 cell.

This is most likely to seperate it from the S5/M5 which are staying in the line up...

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

 

Wow those are quite decent prices I'd say...
That W5 is starting to take my interest.

But I still like the M5 better...

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Tohiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Does anybody know if Asus will release the V6V with the ATI Mobility X700 or any other graphics better than it's current?

 

No they won't....... not any time soon anyway.. It's my understanding that the nothing else would fit and if it would fit it's use too much battery life. So the x600 is staying until something else changes.

The W5 will have a 1.7 533mhz dothan and 512mb of ddr2..... (256mb on board and 256mb stick)... other than that and the battery it's the same as the S5 setup.

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

 

We're getting the pre-order up on the site now... should be done this evening

I've got some news though...... The V6 is going to come standard with the 8 cell battery. I don't have experience with the 8 cell yet, but this thing is going to have unreal battery life....

W5 coming with the super slim combo drive like the M5.

The V6 coming with a 2x dvd-rw - super slim like the M5..... Thats the fastest dvd burner you can get in that new small form factor.. So it's really good..... but you can't get an 8x dvd dual unless it had the thicker, heavier drive in it.. so it's a trade off, but size is certainly awesome on this V6.

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

 

Everyone,

Here is the link for the V6v: http://www.proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=102

Here is the link for the W5a: http://www.proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=103

Get them while they last.

Also, I didn't forget about taking the pictures of the S5/M5np/W5 keyboards..... I'll get them done as soon as I can... just been very busy.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Not just for the first shipment...... Asus hasn't confirmed either of these will come out as a barebone, yet... However, if they come out as a barebone, they will be made of different materials..... The white W5 might just be charcoal like the barebone M5 in the states...... but the V6 would be carbonfiber like the M5... instead of aluminum.

IF this happens, it'll be mid april or later.

Asus' worldwide site shows all possibilites..... Asus ordered 2x dvd-rw's for the V6 and thats how it's coming. I don't THINK the 8x dual layers are actually available yet in super slim... if they are the price would be pretty out there and bring the V6 up a couple hundred bucks.... But I think that is something that one day will be available.. like this summer or sometime. Anyone who remembers seeing the M6 spec page will know that it showed a 4x dvd dual format burner in December of last year and that drive wasn't available till July..

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

 

Yes, the V6 barebone would probably have a model name in the "z" series..... it'll most likely be carbonfiber like the M6.

The W5 is carbon fiber like the S5/M5.

Asus is doing this to create two seperate brands..... their own highend models....... and then a brand that you can either build yourself or for ourselves to brand. Trust me, asus pushes both and supports us and vice versa.

If they made a barebone model identical to the complete model... why would you buy the complete model? Just to have Asus' name on it and a warranty directly through them? Worldwide Asus will brand every system and sell them in 1-2 configurations.. in the US, only certain people like that, but the majority want to configure their own. They want to stay in the market with their own branded systems, however don't want to let go of the custom market too. If you ask me they are smart to keep the models slightly different. Also, something like bluetooth might not be on the barebone model... the barebone model might also be availabale with a combo drive... things like that. That means that the barebone model can be priced less.... so you'll have the same "design", but different notebooks.

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

 

Also, the "zero bright dot" pixel policy is in effect on the V6 only. This is something that is direct with Asus. Details are sketchy still, but it is a very nice new policy. Another thing to note is that it's for the first 30 days. So if on the 29th day you find one dead pixel, Asus will replace the screen free of charge. This is directly through them.

Also, as an update, I've got some better battery life numbers for you:

With the standard batteries coming with the systems.

W5 w/ 6 cell battery: about 4 hours

V6 w/ 8 cell battery: about 4-5 hours

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

 

Is there any design reason why tha v6 doesn't come with wide screen as the M6 did?

Regarding the LCD used in this model what would you compare it to? Top end fujitsu's or sonys? or more standard fare like toshibas???

And thanks for the pics. Best i've managed to get thus far.

All we need is a first impressions or review out. I'm sold on this - agonizing over the lack of wide screen display though.

 

First, let me tell you that the pictures are our site are each from 23mb tiff files..... and are like 300dpi at like 4,0000 x 3,000 .... so I'm glad what we could fit on the site was better than anyone else could give you.

2nd.... The M6 was designed with regular ratio 15.1" in mind..... The 15.4" model had these "extra" speakers under the screen... in my opinion, it works, but if it weren't for those speakers it would just be an even bigger bezel... If the M6 was designed for widescreen, the notebook would have been shorter. So, the V6 isn't going to get that treatment. The world hasn't totally gone widescreen! There are plenty of people who still prefer regular ratio and it depends on what they do with the notebook. So, with other notebooks coming out all around it.... I think this one will and should be only regular ratio for it's entire lifespane.

As far as what kind of screen it is... Asus co developed these "glaretype" screens with Fujitsu a couple years back. They also developed more expensive screens called the ACE view, which are even better, but $100's more... I lovvvvved those. These are exactly like you'd see on the fujitsu's and the sony's.

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

 

By the way, do W5 and V6 have the same gapless touchpad found in M5 and S5?

 

the W5 and V6 have the type of touchpad that is on the M5, along with the aluminum left and right click buttons.... The S5 is slightly different.

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

 

Justin,

I checked Asus China website, why V6 is listed as 15.4 wide screen there?

 

Is it? Do they have any pictures of it?

It's possible - but what I said was the M6 was originally designed for regular ratio.... because a 15.4" isn't much wider than a regular ratio 15"... it could fit..... but in my option, a widescreen notebook should be shorter. So if they did to the V6 what they did to the M6...... you'd have more speakers or something... just something to fill the space.

One thing I know for sure is the complete Asus model is only going to come in 15.1" SXGA+. if at some point a barebone comes out and they do what they did on the M6... so be it.. but nothing is on the books now.

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

 

Thanks for that perspective Justin.

About the images is it possible to link/send those 23mb tiff images as i want a "detailed" look at the v6. Don't get me wrong the pics you posted are detailed already but i guess i have a fetish for pixels...

Also regarding the M6 comparison is it fair to say that its in the same class as V6?

Keep up the commentary on the asus scene.

 

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

W5 coming with the super slim combo drive like the M5.

The V6 coming with a 2x dvd-rw - super slim like the M5..... Thats the fastest dvd burner you can get in that new small form factor.. So it's really good..... but you can't get an 8x dvd dual unless it had the thicker, heavier drive in it.. so it's a trade off, but size is certainly awesome on this V6.

<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Suppose I really, really would like to have a dvd-rw in the W5... Is it possible to buy a super slim 2x dvd-rw in pearl white for the W5? Will it be possible at some point?

Oh yeah, the U.S. version of the W5 is the pearl white one and not the charcoal one right?

 

Correct, the W5 we'll have is the pearl color.

Yeah, at some point I can't see why you couldn't get the drive. For Asus' purposes, the dvd-rw is too expensive to be able to situate that notebook at the price point they wanted. If Asus won't import them, you could get a super slim drive from the same manufacturer and just use the silver bezel from the combo drive..

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

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

Awesome. For some reason I didn't think of that.

Justin, do you sell a drive like that?

 

Nope - don't really have access to those drives. From what I know, there is only one company making the super slim drives and that's Panasonic.

Just for an idea.. A normal combo drive in say an M6 costs about $100 if you can find a good deal on it. A super slim 9.5mm combo drive costs $200.

Pansonic has the UJ-812 - that is the 2x DVD-RW (I'm pretty sure thats the model they are using in the V6v)....

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

 

Just to keep you guys up, the would be supply of the W5 / V6 is dwindling down.

V6 - about 11 left
W5 - about 17 left

Again, these are actually showing up on Tuesday.... shipping the latest of Friday. After this shipment, it'll be the end of the month before more come to the states.

Have a good evening.

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

 

What's up with the v6v keyboard, it looks like the layout is different with the enter and shift keys smaller? Just wondering, thanks.

 

That's a UK spec keyboard in the promo photos if I'm not mistaken. The V6 will have the same keyboard that the M6 has.

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

 

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

 

What's the W4? Do you mean W3? [?]

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

ok..... you quoted my comment about the keyboards....... you're looking for an shot from under the keyboard?

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

 

Will the V6V have a slot for the new ExpressCard standard?
Or will it be possible in some other way to upgrade the graphics in the future?

 

The express card being the update to the PCMCIA slot, correct? No it does not I don't belive.

Graphics are technically upgradable, but if Asus doesn't make a new generation card for it, you wouldn't be able to do it....... this standard still isn't something you can pick up at a local store. Don't ever buy a laptop based on hopefull future upgrades.

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

 

V6's are in - W5's got lost someplace and won't be in till next week.

Apparently we got word that we'll be the exclusive V6 and W5 dealer in North America atleast until April sometime... For all of you who have already ordered the V6 and W5 - Asus is going to run some sort of contest/giveaway with us. We're not sure exactly how it's going to work yet (should know by the end of the week)... but I heard they would like to give away a plasma screen or something around that value. Don't quote me on this yet - but if it's a giveaway, then everyone who makes a purchase of those models will be entered into a random drawing. If it's a contest... like take a crazy picture with the built-in 1.3mp digital camera on the W5... then it would be judged.

I'll fill you in when I know more, but the V6 is sweeet... The guy in Europe who just got his should do a little review, I have a slight bias!

J

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