What does the ASUS W5A have over the Dell 700m?

Almost 100% identical specs except the Dell is $200. Closer to $500-600 cheaper during the 700 off 1499 deal. So what puts the ASUS a step above? Trying to decide on my next notebook.

Peace!
Sygyzy

 

Sonoma
Faster memory
Camera
3 yr warranty
Bluetooth
Wireless RF
Free mouse, carrying case, & sleeve

Looks a lot nicer IMO!

I think the warranty is the factor that cost the most. So your pick.

 

Dell 700m is a POS [ ]

 

What dt34 said plus build quality. It's a much higher quality system...and looks are subjective, but in my opinion the W5a kills the 700M hands down.

I just configured a 700M on the US Dell site to match the W5a as close as possible...and It came to $1607 after all discounts...and that doesn't include shipping or three year's warranty. PROPortable has the W5 for $1649. That's only a $42 difference! If you can get the Dell 700M with comparable specs for $500-600 cheaper and you like or can live with It's looks, then I'd go for it...but If It's within $200 or even $300 of the W5a then based on Build quality and the 3 year warranty alone (2 years global, 3rd year North American) I'd go with the ASUS. That's just my opinion...The ASUS is worlds better, but I don't know If it could justify a $500-600 difference for a system with comparable specs, a $200 one for sure though!

Then again, If you could get the dell for that much less...and then configure the hell out of it and still bring it under or very close to the W5a then I don't know what I'd do??? Quality wise, the ASUS is light years ahead, It all comes down to preference, needs and wants...what are a 3 year warranty, much higher build quality, all the little extras and subjectively sleeker, more unique good looks worth to you?

Also keep in mind you asked this question in the ASUS area of this forum [8D]

Yeah Justin, It does...but that's a good point...for a second there I thought It didn't and that would have been huge!

 

I think the real deciding factor is you're still considering Dell when looking at Asus...... to be frank, anyone thinks a Dell is going to satisfy them may not fully appreciate what an Asus gives you above the specs, features, price, dimensions and so forth. Their is a quality that pictures and specs can't explain.

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

 

The two commments above almost wrap it up...... the is a reason you can get that dell so cheap........

Also, the W5 has the colorshine screen... very very nice.

Does the 700m have an internal drive?

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

 

My parents just bought a Dell 6000 at 34% off. Anyway, to make a VERY long story short, I needed Dell to send the XP Home CD (which they no longer send with the system).

After over 2 hours cumulative time on the phone (only 15 minutes of which was speaking with a live person, who by the way, was in INDIA), I got them to send me the XP Home CD.

If that sounds fun, and you want a giant plastic piece of crap, buy the Dell.[ ]

 

Generally DELL are bought by people who do not know anything about laptops or would prefer cheapness over quality.

I know of friends who bought DELL because they asked few people who told them to buy DELL

Some buy DELL because it is the largest PC seller [ ][ ]

 

.. yeah, that is a factor... although I think a dell system runs into way more problems than an Asus does..... I can say it's quality of components.... but I'm sure there is a level of issues just with people who buy a dell and their general inexperiences with computers to start with......

Sonoma really doesn't stand for anything. It was the code name for the new 915 chipset. Eventually everyone will stop talking about it, then they'll be a new chipset and it'll be referred to as that new code name. The 915 chipset is an upgrade.... basically it opened up the bandwidth for the cpu to 533mhz (up from 400); the RAM, to DDR2 533mhz (up from ddr1 333mhz); and the addition of PCI express graphics.... There are more things like high definition sound and others, but that's the jist of it.

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

 

Asus W5a 12.1" Widescreen Lightweight Sonoma Notebook, what does SONOMA stands for? (maybe a stupid question, but i really don't know)[ ]

 

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

 

Some simply buy Dell because of the really cool kid that says: "Dude, you're getting a Dell!"

Our IT guy at work swears by (not at, like me) Dell, I have no idea why. However, I stare at 2 20" Dell flatscreens at work and can't complain...

 

The global warranty is 2 years...... and as a promotion thing, Asus is giving that extra 3rd year north american warranty on these systems between may 1st and july 31. Since this isn't a change in the standard warranty.... but rather just a bonus limited time thing.... our spec page won't change.

You can see the promo blurb on the main page on our Asus ensemble page: http://www.proportable.com/asusensemble.html

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

 

Thanks for everyone's responses that are actually loaded with real data like dt34's. Appealing to my vanity by saying if I am looking at Dell's, I probably can't appreciate an ASUS is not going to get you anywhere. That's as popmpous as saying if I don't drive a BMW, I don't know what a good car is; when there are a handful of cars that offer better value for the dollar. Just an example. I don't want to get into a car debate. I have plenty of high end things that I am sure you wouldn't "understand." I like to consider all my options, gather the facts, and make an informed decision. I never would have thought that notebooks would be a showoff item. I should have known though. After all, people spend exhorbiant amounts of money on things like watches and headphones, right?

And the reason I asked on a ASUS forum is because I tend to think ASUS owners know more about Dells than the reverse. Meaning, most Dell owners are more mainstream and would not be to knowledgeable about the pros and cons of the ASUS.

If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free. I am looking to make a purchase in the near future and this is helping me narrow it down.

Edit: The warranty is 2 years, not 3, according to PROPortable's page. Big difference.

Peace!
Sygyzy

 

<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
Does the 700m have an internal drive?
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Dell has the option to the DVD burner, which I think is the one thing that I didn't like about the W5a.

But the W5a is also lighter, but only slightly I think. PROPortable's site just says it's "less than 4 lbs," and I believe the Dell is 4.2 lbs. After reading about how the W3v actually weighs more, I think the Dell and the W5a might weigh the same [|)]

Isn't the Dell the same as the AOpen 1551-AW1/AG1?

But overall, the W5a looks A LOT better []

Jean

 

Exactly.....


Actually, the W5 is less than 4 pounds..... The W3's weight isn't screwed up...... rather it would be about 4.6 pounds with the standard battery and the travelers drawer..... however in the US with our standard battery being the double capacity battery, we're looking at 5 pounds...... and 5.5 with the optical bay in place.

Like I said... the W3 is the only notebook I've ever had from Asus who's specs were a little funky like that.

Also, Dell is the pioneer of weighing a system without a battery or optical drive...... They're the ones who made people who thought they had a 5 pounds machine think 5 pounds is heavy... when really their notebook was more like 7 pounds with the battery and optical drive.... With out getting dirty, it sort of goes along with stereotype that woman have a false sense of length... because certain people tell them certain distances are longer than they are. Since everyone and their brother owns a dell, people think they weight less than they really do and then think something like 5 pounds is too heavy... when really.. it was 7 pounds and yes 7 pounds is heavy... but 5 pounds is going to be much lighter in reality.

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

 

Sygyzy, if only you had the chance to jump on that big dell sell a few weeks ago, it might have been a good value. Personally, I know a few ppl who picked up the 700m last year, some have had problem with it, some haven't. As for the Asus, I have the S5N, it hasn't given me any problems what so ever, I don't know anyone else around who has one or any other Asus laptop even. So I can't comment more on Asus other than my own. I guess thats what these forums are for, to get a feel for whats out there and their opinions.

Heck, my sister bought the 700m during that $750 off sale, if I didn't already have a laptop, I might have bought one......but probably sell on ebay.

I'm still debating whether to get the W5 or W3, its gonna burn a hole in my cc! [ ]

Actually, if you wait a little longer, sometime this month Averatec is suppose to introduce their new 13.3" & 10" laptops (centrino based), in multiple colors for the choosing. [ ]

 

hey dt34 , since u don't know what to choose between w3 and w5. my friend has a w3 and i just order a w5, i will get it next week or so. well, i will tell u my opinion on both of them to u when i have it. but, the reason i choose w5 is because it is small, and i don't really need all the funtion on w3. i believe w5 will fit me well,although i think i will need another 40Gb hard drive.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by 3W5

 

Well, the weight of our standard battery to that aboard is really minimal to the battery life you'll get. Is 1/2 a pound worth say an hour and a half life instead of 3 hours?


You know... Asus' packages are different around the world, and trust me, you pay for what you're getting, so two batteries would have come out of your pocket. The US office saw the response to the batteries on the S5 and decided to go bigger on the W3 and on the W5 as well........ it's all about the market. But since the both of the W3's batteries are based on the same hinge design, they are both the same physical size...... since they are taking up the same room, Asus didn't think twice. It's not like the S5's batteries that are say.. flush with the 3 cell, but stick out an inch and a half on the 9 cell.



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

 

actually, I would've been all over the w5a if it didn't have the built in camera. That just make the bezel much more thicker and the overall size of the laptop bigger.

Everyone wants a 12" widescreen glossy display with a optical drive. Why do you guys think the Fujitsu P7010 is still so popular?


I wonder if Asus is going to can the camera in another similar model.

 

justin, this is how i figure the weight

S5N = 2.8lbs + 9 cell battery = 3.8lbs

W5 = ~4lbs (due to the fact it has the 6 cell rather than the 3 cell)

W3 = 4.6lbs (w/ traveler's drawer, reports of 5.5lbs with optical drive)

I use the 3 cell and 9 cell interchangebly, but 5.5lbs is a step up

actually i never really used a webcam before until recently, its great talkin to friends and relative from overseas. so, for my purposes, its a good feature. [ ]

 

I think the camera could be an asset instead of a liability to so many if it was integrated differently. I mean If they made it blend in nicely with the LCD boarder and wasn't as visible...or If they could place it somewhere without having to make the LCD surround so chunky/bulky...I'd actually consider it a nice plus.

So instead of canning it in future models/versions if you're listening ASUS...just integrate it much better...without it having such a strong impact on the overall design. Or offer a barebone model without it in addition. Because It's potentially a cool thing to be able to have on such a small laptop that's meant for taking places etc... [8D]

 

sygyzy

do you ever go around asking """"what does the BMW have over the Hyundai""""" in a BMW forum ????

you come out like a dork, on this thread [ ][ ][ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by PROPortable
Sonoma really doesn't stand for anything. It was the code name for the new 915 chipset.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>
No. That was Alviso. Sonoma is/was the codename for the additions that made the complete 2.gen. Centrino platform: Containing a Dothan with 533MHz FSB, the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG, and the I915M chipset using DDR2 and S-ATA.

As far as the 700m goes it really an old model that Wistron has been selling for ages in other markets through AOpen as the 1551 (both are former parts of Acer). It's a fine notebook, really, just totally average. Both the (Samsung based) Latittude X-series and the Asus alternatives are much nicer ultraportables/subnotebooks (~1.8KG or less), IMSHO (I prefer the Asus W5), but the 700m has the cheap price going for it. The W3 really is in a class of it's own.

 

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

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by bugmenot
[brSonoma is/was the codename for the additions that made the complete 2.gen. Centrino platform: Containing a Dothan with 533MHz FSB, the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG, and the I915M chipset using DDR2 and S-ATA.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

So, what you are saying is that the Sonoma platform actually can't be called Sonoma without S-ATA?

I don't want to get nit picky about it but if that is the case I guess it is comparable to P-M systems that can't carry the Centrino label if they e.g. happen to have a different WIFI card than Intel's.

 

Yes, and no. People can refer-, and are referring, to Sonoma as whatever they like. Intel isn't going to be correcting anybody as Sonoma is not an official name and they're only pushing the Centrino brand/trademark. The codename did, however, originally refer to the 'whole' of new features available at launch. Who knows what meaning the name will finaly take on if it settles into 'mainstream' lingo. At the current rate of it beeing used for all kinds of things - notebooks, processors, chipsets... - I expect it will be something like:

Sonoma n. 1 General expletive; 1: referring to positive atributes of new notebook computer hardware; 2: [...] See: Wicked. 2 Org. Codename of computing platform introduced by Intel.

 

Thats right....... alivso is the codename for the chipset.... Sonoma is codename for the next centrino.

We were actually waiting for them to change the name from centrino to sonoma too... because it took a year at least for people to GET what centrino was and you still have people thinking it's "celeron"..... so a full on name change to sonoma certainly wasnt' called for, but it's got to be referred to to quickly show people the difference between this and that.

I apoligize.

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

 

I thought the new Pentium-M was called Sonoma processor

The new chipset was called the Alvisio

And the whole shebang was the Centrino-2.

[ ][ ][ ]

Cheers

Asus Z71V
-----------

1.86 Pentium -M Sonoma
2 GB DDR2 PC-4200 RAM
NVidia 6600go 128 meg
60gb/7200 rpm Hitachi HDD
Dual-Layer DVD +RW
BOOQ Vyper 15" Sleeve

 

No, actually technically the cpu is still a dothan..... rather the 533mhz dothan, not the 400mhz dothan, which was the successor to the 400mhx banias.

Either way, as long as we're all on the same page, we can call it whatever.

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

 

Lets call it Betty, yeah, I like Betty...who's with me? [8D]

 

[ ]

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