Will Asus support a "modified" Z96J?

Basically, it's a Z96J with WXGA instead of WSXGA+, an extra USB port and an E-SATA port. It has bluetooth. And "Z96J" is written on the inverse side of the laptop, in 3 places: model (2x) and product code, like in this photo (but with Z96J instead of S96J).

It's sold by a random shop (in Portugal), and it's under the name "Lightspeed Z96J". "Lightspeed" isn't even a brand; the shop just had to use some other name instead of Asus, and "Lightspeed" was the name they came up with.

The guys at the shop say that the laptop's assistance & warranty is provided by the shop itself.

Take a look at the site, if you wish.

Question:

Will Asus offer assistance and support for this laptop as well? I would prefer Asus's assistance rather than randoms'.

Thanks.

EDIT: it's actually a Z96Jp

 

Not in the states unless the model was imported from the states. It sounds like you have an s96j not a z96j in which case the warranty is from intel not asus

 

We know the S96J and Z96J have interchangeable LCD's. The eSata port is probably referring to the ExpressCard slot, which they may have modified. The integrated Bluetooth points to the fact that they just moved the LCD from a S96J to a Z96J. So no, Asus will not support this model.

 

Actually, they put an e-sata port and an usb port in the empty place on the right side of the laptop, between the network and serial ports ( see this picture).

 

Hey my S96J doesn't have that little box outline between the ethernet and the video out, what is that anyway? By the way this picture is labeled a S96J and I see it is linked to the official S96J page on Eddie's site. So yeah, I guess they 1) cut a hole through the chassis (AAAaaahhhh!!!), 2) threw in an eSata adaptor, and 3) connected the rig. Same for the USB...they probably had a little space left over and got bored or something...

 

lol, ok. I think I shouldn't buy it.

I also found some rebranded (just rebranded, not modified) S96J's. In that case, does Asus support them?

 

Intel might, Asus no.

 

The plastic space in the picture is where the prototype dock would have hooked up for the S/Z96J before it was dropped from production.

The Z96J does exist. The Z96JS is made and sold by ASUS and has a high res screen and bluetooth. The S96J is made by ASUS and sold by Intel (part of VBI really). The Z96J is serviced by ASUS - I know because they put a Z96J screen on my Z96JS when I took it into the shop and told me I had to tell them the S, since I didn't they got confused between it and the other model.

It's cool that they will include the extra USB port, many sites like MileStone have been listing it as having 5 ports, I thought it was a typo, but maybe it was on this model instead of the other. Since the prototype docking port got scrapped, why not use that space for this?

So ya, this may be a normal Z96J, one of those that was discussed about 2-3 months ago. And if they need service of parts, they may do some of it in store but if its the LCD with a problem for instance, I think it'd go back to ASUS.

More Info:

Look at the image. I thought it was odd, and you can compare it with the other images on the same page and see it is so. The DVD Drive is too far forward. It's a redesigned model if that's the actual picture of it:



This is not the same as other Z96Js, in addition the headphone ports are different, the connection to the LCD panel, the speakers, the camera, along wth so many other subtle changes. Just comparing it to a similar angle stock pic from the same page shows it - this is quite a different laptop...



Cat

 

Asus isn't going to support the Z96 in it's stock form.... even if it was from the states. It's the responsibility of the the dealer you bought it from.... not Asus.

 

Those pictures are fake. I have seen that laptop in person, and it's exactly like the Z96J, according to some pictures on the internet (and different from those in that site).

Does that mean that Asus doesn't support their models, even in their stock forms (without rebranding)?

 

If you've seen the laptop and you're determined that it is the same as the Z96j, except that it isn't (extra ports etc...) then what was your question again? The second image is real, as are all the others on that site. The only one that is different is the top one. I have a Z96JS. If you want us to tell u more get a picture of what's different on it yourself...but if it isn't under the ASUS name it probably won't get support, but if the dealers says they will support it and need parts or something they'll probably have to send it on or get them from ASUS (see below).

The actual Z96J is supported by ASUS. If the laptop can't be fixed in store (ie it isn't a problem with the HDD, CPU, RAM, Wifi Card, DVD Drive, or something else added to the laptop) then it's sent on to ASUS for their tech support and they do support it (at least in the Canadian location, I was there with my Z96JS 10 times.

Cat

P.S. It's ok if I don't get a response, I think I'm done with this forum now, at least when it comes to posting. Nothing new to help with, no reason to and nothing new to learn.