Why choose W3V over the Z70V?

Hi Everyone,

I posted before about choosing between the w3v and fujistu 7020 and I'm going with the Asus. But now I'm debating b/w the w3v and built-on z70v... which I originally intended to buy but turned away from because I initially thought it was a bit heavy since I'll be moving around a lot.

Just wondering though... why w3v over the z70v? The z70v is cheaper for the same (or greater) performance. I love the w3v and I can get a great deal for it, but I keep reading about it having heat issues or dead pixels, but nothing like that about the z70v. The only thing I can think of that justifies getting the w3v is because it's not built-on... Even with the weight... they seem almost the same... the w3v being just a tad lighter...

Extra Note btw - Thanks to everyone who replied back about the asus/fujistu post!

 

It's smaller, and its a part of the ENSEMBLE lineup from ASUS which they take alot of care of.

The dead pixel issue was just probrably a coincidence of very bad luck.

The w3v comes with a 2 year ASUS warranty, as the z70v is as you know, dealer warranty. Basically, the size difference and other small but at times important factors(Like bluetooth, Crystal View screen, etc.)

 

I think the fact that the w3v is smaller and has a glossy screen makes the difference for most people. Those were definitely the things that made me choose a w3v since I had been looking for a 14'' glossy widescreen with dedicated graphics for a while and when I stumbled upon Asus I knew what I was going to get.

Also, Im not sure about the z70, but the w3v has an aluminum lid which is VERY sturdy and has a carbon fiber chasis which is also very strong, making for a very sturdy build that can withstand a lot of punishment.

 

pixels fine on my W3v. Happy with it so far. Gloabal warranty too. You should have bought last month thought. The $200 rebate and 3rd year of warranty was icing but you had to buy by end of July.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I'm in Canada, so the rebate wouldn't apply... unless I buy it online and have it shipped. But I'm getting a really good deal on it anyway

 

i'd say size is a big factor too. as a college student i'd seriously consider the w3v even tho is like 400 more than the z70v just because its size makes it much easier to fit on a college desk and to carry around. but i'll probably end up getting a z70v cuz i'm a money pinching whore...and lets face it the z70v is a great deal and it shouldnt be too heavy to take to 3 classes a day.

 

I had been struggling with the same decision, but I just read a few too many people who had gotten "burned" by the heat on the w3v. Plus.... those extra inches on the z70v are good to have.

 

When I was in college, money was the biggest factor. Nowadays, after I've been spoiled with a 15.4" screen, I just can't go any smaller-- From getting to put 2 internet windows open side-by-side for more productivity, to the full effects in gaming (Z70v has 4 speakers too), to the high resolution for graphics and movies, I just can't give it up. I thought I could, but I couldn't.

 

As madmike says, the desktop space can be an issue. I ran a SXGA+ screen on my prior laptop and simply can't lose desktop space, esp. as a software developer. VS.NET is a busy app, with 1680 pixels of width I can actually manage 2 windows side by side like I do at work my my UXGA display.

As I was working on a CS degree in college, I probably would still go for maximum (within reason) screen real estate. But back then everything was VGA so this was a non-issue. I made it through with a Powerbook Duo 280C, Apple's ultralight at the time (just under 5 lbs.) and a docking station/15 inch monitor at my desk.

 

Hate to sound like a wimpy little girl but I went back to check out the z70v and thought it was a bit too heavy to carry around campus 6 hours a day. Chances are, along with textbooks, casebooks and what not, the laptop wouldn't make much of a difference, but I decided to go with the w3v.

I want to upgrade to 1 gb from 512 mb so I told the guy at the store to order one with the upgrade... but now I read on www.notebookforums.com that doing that might eliminate the global warranty. Crap. Is that true?

 

probably, u'll probably end up having to deal with the warrany through whichever reseller u used. where'd u order from?

the z70v at around 6.5 lbs is borderline thin and light i think. i dont think weight should be much of an issue, but size could be. some people have described the z70v as being bigger and bulkier than they expected after looking at the size specs. so u may just wanna measure out a rough size of the z70v to make sure its not too big or bulky.

 

Upgrading regarding to the w3v or z70v?

It won't really void the warranty if its the z70v because, well, why would it? It's sold as a barebone system without any RAM in the first place.

However, if it was the w3v you are referring to, I doubt it either, I mean ASUS put ONE stick of RAM in the w3v(underneath the keyboard?), and left another empty slot, co-incidence?

And yea, the z70v is unexpectedly heavy but it'll grow on you

Flex those muscles!

 

I believe that upgrading the ram voids your warranty with Asus, however I've been told that if you take out the ram when/if you send the w3v in for repairs then no one will know or care. Also, certain websites that allow you to upgrade the w3v offer their own warranty, but they also charge you for it (usually around $80 which is included in the base price).

 

It's funny how threads like this include the terms "I believe" and "I've been told"....... yet know one and I mean NO ONE seems to actually know the terms of Asus' warranty.

1. The exact wording of the ensemble warranty is: "changing the system in any way *may* void the warranty" - take that as you will.

2. The concern over the warranty is that the system will not be upgraded by Asus and therefore they can't be responsible for anything that was damaged or that doesn't work now that you've made an upgrade. If you can read and understand, that means the reason they don't want you to do anything is because you've going to be responsible if you upgrade something and then it doesn't work. That falls under the whole physical damage not being covered by any one sort of thing..... they just word it in a way that makes the people who are scared to make any upgrade, don't...... and then they can keep a majority of people who don't know what they're doing out of the system.

3. The reason a store warranty is offered over Asus' when you customize a W3 is because those stores are instantly voiding Asus' warranty. I don't really care, but there is a huge market to customize those and I can't fault anyone for that. However, I can tell you that we don't do it and that's because we respect the quality warranty that Asus has and respect the integrity of the machine. If Asus will void the warranty if anyone but themselves touches it, it means that Asus doesn't trust anyone make these changes. If they don't... and they don't (they only trust their few techs), then take that as a good reason they are voiding the warranty. Keep in mind, as part of the cost to us, we pay Asus for their Warranty. So, when places are doing this, Asus is still getting paid the cost for their warranty, but they are voiding it and the store then has to cover the warranty and has no monetary funds to back that up if work needs to be done. You can look at that two ways - it's out of the goodness of their own heart or will the facilities be there when I do need repairs.

I hope my insight into the matter gives people a little more to think about.