Why should I buy an Asus?

I have narrowed my laptop choices down to:

Asus Z63A
Toshiba M50
HP dv1000
Gateway M250

Let me start off by saying that I do not need a 'desktop replacement' as I have a very nice desktop for demanding work. I just need a mobile notebook to do Outlook, Firefox, Quickbooks, Photoshop, Dreamweaver...in that order of importance and use. Basically any lowend computer with integraded graphics will do. I do require a 14.1" widescreen and fairly thin...id like to stay as close to 1" as possible. All 4 of these machines seem to fit my needs. I'd also really like to have an SD reader if possible...I think all 4 have this.

I was thinking of going to barebones route with the Asus and just build it to my likings, which can be done pretty cheap, around $1100 or so. All 4 machines are virtually the same price, give or take $100 and some options. The HP is probably the best all around machine as far as options as price are concerned. I hear more positive things about Asus and Toshiba from the geek crowd and computer gurus...im suspecting because they cater more to the non "consumer" crowd and more to the hardcore computer guys.

Anyways, what would you say is better about Asus, overall, compared to these other choices?

thanks for your time

 

Well, I configured the HP on their site with the same specs as the Asus I bought (see sig below). It came out to be $150 cheaper (after all the rebates) than what I paid (I paid a touch over $1400). So yes, it was cheaper, about a 10% diff.

The Asus also comes with a bag and wireless/optical mouse. Honestly, I think that is at least a $75 value (being conservative).

Then, you come to build quality. The Asus has a carbon fiber body - compared to plastic. Also, I don’t think anybody will really question the Asus build quality. Check out resellerrating.com, see what people have to say about companies like Dell and HP. Then check out what they have to say about ISTNC or ProPortable (2 major Asus dealers). It is night and day.

I’m not saying you would go wrong with the others, but with Asus you could get something so very, very right.

 

Thanks, good info. I didnt realize the case was made of carbon fiber on this model...do you have a link?

If it makea a difference, i priced them all OTD (out the door). Also, where im getting it from, agear, they dont give the same nice things as you got..mouse, etc.

NM= New mexico (out of state, family) Ca=Cali

Gateway - $1028 NM / $1051 CA
HP - $1063 NM / $1200 CA
Asus - $1263 NM / $1382 Cali (have to purchase cash, or add $100 for CC)
Toshiba - $1312 NM / $1350 CA

These all have 256mb ram, except the Gateway with 512. I find it cheaper to get 512 from newegg and add it to the existing 256.

 

After checking, I dont think the Z63A offers a Carbon case. The W3V does, however.

That would have been a nice feature though.

 

Wow, I was sure it was carbon fiber. It is the same as the W3V, just a different color (same chassis as the W3A). However, I have never seen it in writing (from Asus) one way or the other. Now you have me curious...

Justin (or anybody) - can you confirm this? (The CF issue)

Also, every place selling the Z63A should be including the mouse and bag. Asus sends these to the dealers with the notebooks for free. You should ask Agear to make sure. ISTNC, ProPortable, and Geared2Play all do.

 

I bought a W3v from PROportable and I recieved a mouse and bag. I'm not sure about the Z63a? Is that just a different model of the W3v it looks exactly the same.

 

The Z63A is the barebone of the W3A (integrated instead of dedicated GPU). They are identical (case), minus the color and the Al lid (the W3A/Z63A does not have it). I am 90% sure both are a carbon fiber / plastic alloy.

 

This is from another thread regarding Asus Construction. Special thanks to Justin of ProPortable...

 

No, because I know the W5A and Z70A are CF / plastic.

 

Wow this is like my dream thread.... so many questions and only need one post to answer them.

I think all of these have been answered over and over again and honestly, no one should have to talk anyone *into* buying an Asus. The forum is here as a point of research and frankly the - "convince me to buy Asus" threads are really over done. If you've made it this far you should have a fairly good idea why you should get them.

 

That's correct. It's the Z71, that's plastic. The Z70 would fall in the Carbon Fiber category on the first line.

 

I guess I was just hoping for some enlightment, rather than convincing. I do not know much about them. One thing that is looking better is the 2 year parts/labor that, while all the others only offer 1 year. I think the screen MAY be a tad brighter, and I hear the battery life is exceptional.

 

Do you know much about computers? If so, if you look a little deeper you're see why. Pictures, specs and configurations are enough to tell you what Asus has over anyone else....... pictures will show their designs and although it's a matter of opinion, a dell certainly isn't going to win a beauty contest against any Asus. If terms of specs and configurations, those can be quantified and compared. The last thing that is hard to do without seeing them is knowing the qualty. Usually, that's the thing that stands out the most in every review from national magazine, to the web, to the little personal reviews done in the forum. If you know and understand the specs, then you'll have to realize at what level the quality is. Looking at it that way should help.

 

Well, Justin's quote said all "A" series were plastic. That would mean the W5A and Z70A were plastic, which they are not.

Justin - come on - indulge me. Is the Z63A plastic, or a CF mix? I did a search and can't find it anywhere!

 

Greg... smarty pants.... learn the difference between a series and a model buddy.

The first letter is the series, the last letter depicts a few different things and those have changed over the years, but for this year you basically have the following:

1. "A" - integrated graphics / sonoma chipset
2. "V" - dedicated graphics / sonoma chipset

The "A" series is that of the international A2 / A3 / A4 / A6 ... which are basically the Z80k / A6u / A6ne / Z91 ... etc.. The real lone exception to that is the Z71 series which is the M7 series internationally...

Hope that helps....... but for you to even think that the Z70a was plastic and the Z70v (which has the same chassis, weight, dimensions.....) was carbon fiber.. you're not exactly thinking about this.

 

See, I didn't know that. No need to get uppety. BTW - I said "I know the W5A and Z70A are CF / plastic." I never thought for a second that the Z70A was plastic.

So, baileymoto, in conclusion, the Z63A is carbon fiber / plastic "matrix".

 

Greg, I was just indulging you and at the same time give enough information so we can cut down on it being asked again.... don't worry about it.

Now, on the issue of Carbon Fiber... and no Greg this isn't just for you. Carbon Fiber is a fabric and as all composites need by nature.... something else to combine with. Carbon Fiber isn't all that different than Fiberglass (except for it's tensile strength). However Carbon Fiber can also be used for purely aesthetic purposes, or often a mix of both. When done for for visual impact, there are two things you must do to get the physical strength and yet a great finished, exposed carbon fiber look. You must use a clear epoxy resin (which is a plastic) and in the end it must be clear coated.

In the building of Asus' systems, that *look* isn't what they are going for. They're going for the strengh to weight ratio which makes their systems thinner, lighter and stronger than any metal, or simple plastic could hope to be. When the finished product is designed to be one of a few different colors, it must be painted. Since the final step is painting, the epoxy does not need to be clear. Also, since this is a laptop we're talking about here and not the lives of people we're putting into our hands..... a grey ABS plastic is used.

Technically Carbon Fiber as we know it in any form is all considered CFP, or Carbon Fiber encased Plastic. It's a Carbon Fiber Composite just like any other and when it comes down to it, there three way a layman can prove it.

1. testing strength to weight ratio... these chassis are all super thin and yet when the entire system is together you'd never know it.

2. bend test.... not many people will actually have the extra parts to do this with but a M6 lid is thinner than a A2 lid and the M6 lid has a much great ability to flex without breaking.

3. cost..... oh my... 3x the cost for replacement parts.

... You can cut and cut all day long into these lids and they're not going to tell you anything unless you know Carbon Fiber. The thicknesses of these sheets are measured in a fraction of a fraction of an inch. The real world benefit that people would be looking into is the weight and thinness of the system w/ all that is has in it... against what else is out there. That's really all that matters. Thinner and Ligher.

 

Why should you buy an asus??? The question should be why should you buy a dell, gateway or hp with a manufacturer like asus around and dealers like Justin....My self.....and a few notable others.....I am not only a dealer i am also a client....thats why!!

 

That's a good point...... even though I couldn't release names..... I've personally dealt with employees of.. lets say mainstream computer companies who wanted the quality of Asus.... however even more who were "ex" employees for simliar reasons... I've seen many, many order which ship directley to a certain place in Redmond. Even have a few customers who used to or may even still do advertising for a fruit company with a powered book.

You could say that means nothing, but when you spend your days testing equiptment and/or have the oppurtunity to get things for free...... and you choose to use something else... it's a big statement. That very well may only be to us, but I guess at least we know what kind of impact (as small as it may be in the overall scheme of things) ... Asus has made.

 

That kinda reminds me of something I wanted to ask, which models do you guys use(referring to Eddie and Justin)?

I know Justin uses a w3v(or was it a w5a, I don't recall..). Which do you use as your main laptop? I can see you own 3-4, one for every 'circumstance'(Lucky... ).