Which Asus (if any) suits my needs?

I've been doing my fair share of research, and only recently have stumbled across the large portion of happy Asus owners. So let me ask you what Asus model you feel would fit my needs?

I'm just looking for: (prioritized)
-1 a good quality screen of at least 14". It can be WXGA, SXGA+, and I would prefer the glossy finish, but not required as long as screen is still nice.
-2 Style... Pretty self explanatory, I want it relativly sleek and to look good. I love the white Asus.
-3 Keyboard, I want it to have good feel, little flex (this will be my first notebook so I'm coming from all desktop keyboards)
-4 Durability, I don't plan on dropping the thing, but I want it to feel solid
-5 Weight, under 6-6.5 lbs would be best
-6 Battery life, not too crucial, would like 3+ hours

I do not game, or if I did it would be something simple enough for an integrated graphics card (such as the older age of empires). I do not do any CPU intensive tasks such as photoshop or CAD. I use the Web, Office apps, maybe Mathematica or simple Business program, Winamp, and AIM. I store digital photos, but don't really edit them.

Which out of the Asus lineup would be best suited for me? I'd like to stick around $1500 and don't have any urgency in buying right now. Or would I be better off outside the Asus? I just like what I've read from Asus owners and would prefer to stick within them.

Thanks in advance

 

You want too much that you can't have...

The W3 is going to be probably 2100... It's WAY under the weight you feel is acceptable.. it's about 4.5/5.0 pounds.... You don't need the dedicated graphics.....

An M6bne probably be the closest thing to what you're looking for.... but it does have dedicated graphics (which you don't need), It is towards the 6.25pound mark.. and it's a little larger than you're looking for, but you can configure it for more around your needs.

If you don't want to do that, you could look at say... a Z91n... it's really meant for stuff more like what you're doing and you can keep it cheap.

But really.. there isn't anything that perfectly fits what you want... most people's complaints have been they want something small, with dedicated graphics, and a great look..... thats where the W3 came in..

All of Asus' notebooks have a good keyboard... thats the first thing most customers and reviewers mention... little flex, but a good throw to the keys.

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

 

Ok, I may be able to go a bit more on the budget... But as for dedicated graphics, are they detrimental to overall system performance if I don't require it (battery life, heat, overall computer reliability)?

I am slightly interested in the M6BNe, but I heard they are coming out with a new one? Would it happen to be offered in something other than black?

Thanks

 

The ASUS A6Ne sounds like it'd fit your needs... a great centrino system.

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

 

The replacement to the M6bne will be the Z70v series. It will use the silver chassis that has been offered overseas (a little too much silver on a big laptop in my opinion and I might be one of the only people who saw one of those chassis')

Dedicated graphics aren't just going to help in gaming, but a lot of graphics work. It's also not going to be grabbing ram from the system, but if your system ram is high, it may never be a problem.

- dedicated graphics do use more power.
- the systems usually weigh more
- they cost more - about $200 more in general

The M6 replacement is going to probably be shifted to be a slightly more expensive system and may be even more capable than the current model. The current model seems to want to sit below the Z71v that is coming out, but I know this series is meant to stay a little above the Z71v model..... so that would mean maybe packing in better graphics and screen, while raising the price a bit.

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

 

The V6V also looks like it would fit your needs. It has an enhanced screen, good battery life, and fits the weight requirement.
However, you are gonna pay more for the graphics.

Providing the Building Blocks for the Digital World Since 1980

www.stipc.com

 

Already been over the V6 and it's more than what this person needs.

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