What would you get??

Alright here is the situation. I was pretty much settled on the T60 with all the trimmings when someone screwed with my head and mentioned ASUS. I knew next to nothing about this brand but thanks to this forum have learned that I should maybe think twice about by IBM purchase.

So heres the skinny got 2000-2100US to burn. I need a laptop that is business oriented. I am NOT a gamer. I want to have the best of everything I can possibly get at that price in a 14" notebook.

Here are a few wants:

core 2 duo 2.16 or 2.33
2mb ram
7200 RPM 100gb HDD
better than average GPU as will be doing AutoCAD drawings in 3-d.
I don't want to get an OK screen I want an excellent screen with wide viewing angles.

I will be using this machine for work. I am thinking widescreen would be great so I can have many screens up at the same time. Higher resolution OK.

What else? Build quality everybody says not much beats the T60, prove them wrong for me with an ASUS model?

I would also like as long a battery life as possible.

Here is the kicker I live and work in China. Will not be back to NA for a long time. Will buy this online and send it to friends house who will bring it with him to China. So I need somekinda warrently to cover this. IBM has the 3 year international warranty, pretty good.

I also need to be careful with the quality out of the box as it will be extremely difficult to return obviuosly.

One thing I learned about ASUS is their following is cult like. You guys are passionate about your ASUS so I am very much tempted.

Look forward to your replies.

Joe

 

LOL, I'll be happy settling down with the IBM T60p. Great mobile workstation.

 

The Sony FE =)

...Or check out www.alienware.com

for some good GPUs

 

It doesn't make sense to check otu two computers just because of their GPUs when he says he wants to know about Asus computers. Your best bet is to look at the current models and try to decide what you think is going to be updtaed wtih teh Core 2 Duo proceossor. If you ddint' want the Core 2 Duo, I would have reccomeded the V6j. Its professional, has a good vdieo card for AutoCAD, thin, decent battery life, good build quaility better than any other notebook I have ever felt), and it has a good screen for doing work with lots of windows. I just don't know if it is going to be updated.

 

You're looking at a Built On (Z63J) or a customized Ensemble (A8Js, W3J C2D) to get those specs in a 14". That would make the international warrenty difficult.

If you stick with the fixed specs on say a W3J or A8Js, you get a two year global warrenty with the new models.

 

A couple of options:
The W7J (1280x800) with 9 cell battery, W3J (1280x768) with extra battery in the modular bay.... A8Js (1440x900) (prob the shortest battery life of the bunch).... for thin and lights... neither of these come with 7200 RPM though...

For 15" and above, as Caleb has said V6J ... don't think you want the Built On Models (z96J etc) since you'll be in China and these only have dealer warranty instead of global warranty like the Ensemble units ...

 

I just bought an Asus W3J with the specs listed below in my signature. I havent met anything yet that it hasnt been capable of running. And the criteria that you requested is practically a description of my laptop.

This thing is excellent...and it's wow factor in the office is a bonus. It is such a sexy, yet incredibly professional looking machine. You can't go wrong.

However, I'm not too sure about the availability of all those parts in the states, as Darrick states that there arent any 7200rpm W3J's around... (although i find it hard to believe that Australia has something that the US doesnt)...

 

Just to add, the W3J is a very sturdy laptop. There is zero keyboard flex and the aluminium lid protects the screen perfectly.

People may comment on the battery life, however, on High performance i can get 2 hours. And if you are just doing word processing and the like for a while, the quick access buttons on the side allow you to quickly change it to battery saving mode etc.

I have an asus 2 year international warranty too. Not 3 years i know, but i so far it appears as though it will last so well that i will never need to rely on it.

 

P.P.S.

Sorry just to add again...The only problem with the W3J is that you are getting incredible quality for an incredible pricetag. You want to spend $2100 max...but mine cost $3600 AUD which is about $2700...*ouch*

However, the X1600 is standard and the release of the core 2 duo may have dropped the price of the core duo in the states.

Hope this hasnt confused you more although Im sure it has.

 

I stand firm on a V6j update, with core 2 duo, 15" IPS screen, x1700 GPU, and fingerprint reader Oh yeah and I need S-video and DVI out.

 

klezmer41: you'r talking about the V1J then? it should have all that, although not sure about the IPS screen... otherwise, the only other models with DVI would be the A8J series.

 

The V1j has the ghetto hinge, not my style. I'd rather have a T60. I would also be fine with a W1j but somebody decided that the US isn't going to be fortunate enough. Lame.

 

I've never been one for sacrificing performance for looks or weight, though I don't buy them if they're practically desktops. I'd say go for the S96J or Z96J and max it out. With the new bios update fixing the grainy X1600 issue, they're Beeeeeautiful.

Also, they certainly look like no nonsense computers. I like that, myself. It's a beast in disguise.

As to not being a gamer.. .my attitude would be, if you're going to spend that kind of money for a laptop, it had better do everything but wash your dishes for you!

Krista

 

Krista: The problem for the OP with getting a Built On Model is that he'll be in China, hence no support if he has any problems since the warranty will be from a US dealer, while the Ensembles will have global warranty.

 

Thanks a lot everybody. I really appreciate all the advice and will be taking a closer look at all the different models mentioned.

I am sure I will have some more questions in the end and feel confident they will all be answered precisely and quickly by yourselves.

Thanks again

Joe