Will there be an update for W3J

Does anyone know about an update for this laptop. I wish ASUS would combine the W3J and A8JS into one laptop, so that it would be a W3J with 1440X900 resolution with go 7700, but with W3J build quality and modular bay. Is there an alternative laptop with 14.1 screen with high resolution? Does another laptop exist like this that I am unaware of? Thanks.

 

Im with you man, that would be sweet, but that is highly doubtful since it would bring the price to atleast 2500. I would be happy with just a gpu upgrade.

 

Well if you just happen to check a couple threads down, you notice information on the V2. Although it's not a fundamental leap forward for the 14" form factor size wise...... it is revolutionary, and for that reason it will be the replacement for the W3 within the year. Asus sees their current demo as younger people who want high performance, but can't afford top end prices and a growing demo of those looking for and able to afford top end, but want a balance of performance. For that reason, I think the V2, although it'll have a x1450 instead of say an x1700, it's not going to be THE 14" gaming system the W3 was when it was originally released and when it was upgraded to the x1600 this past year. The V2, from what I know about the V1 (and the V6 and W3 for that matter), will be the quality replacement for the W3.... It's just a matter of what I'll call 9-10 months before US customers will have them in hand. I always WANT to be wrong when I call those distant ETA's, but I dont' see this coming in any sooner. To get the value out of the W3 design, it need to get into that third model year release and this spring will mark that third year........ and I can see that sticking around for at least 3-4 months and maybe eventually overlapping with the V2 - especially if Asus puts an x1700 or presumably better when the Santa Rosa chipset comes out.

 

ok Im trying to undestand your speculation justin please clarify.

The v2 is a replacement for the w3j, but you think there will also be a new w3j with santa rosa chipset in the spring?

 

Yes, I think there will be an overlap, without a doubt (worldwide)... The US isn't likely to accept this overlap, so the W3 will likely get the nod in the spring, and the V2 in the fall..... with the W3 going off into the sunset by this time next year.

The US office could surprise me (and make a bad move at the same time), and give the nod to the V2 in the spring. The only problem there is that the production costs for the W3 chassis require long production rates and it's also been THE... and I mean T H E most popular Asus model worldwide over the last 2 years.... so if anything, it deserves a LONGER life than some of the rest. Since it's design is sooooo very different than any other model Asus has, including this new V2 and even the rest of the W series.... I think there's a chance Asus might try to make the W3 more of a powerhouse system like th e A8js..... if they did that and added u-DVI, the A8 and W3 could seperate themselves further (by being more alike - if you can understand that)... because the W3 would then be even more expensive....

The design of the W3 and the potential for a massive video card are the only two things that will keep the W3 alive... it's just a matter of how long. The biggest problem I see is that for the "gamers" the A8 has taken over because it's cheaper and most people see power and price and don't know or don't care about quality - especially if they have to pay for it.... so the W3 is going more towards the business customers and the 25+ crowd that can afford the design and quality of the chassis..... So, that makes me question if it'd honestly be a good idea to put even more power in the W3, when the current buyers probably aren't going to ever need the current 256b x1600????

That is the question.