Your Top 5 Requests for Future Asus Models

What would you all like to see? Here are mine:

1) Port Bar/Dock support across the entire Ensemble line. The V1J has it, and the R2H has some kind of optional port bar, so they are definitly thinking about it. Even a partnership with another company that already has docking solutions would do the job. Stylish laptops for stylish professionals need stylish docks

2) Truly Upgradeable MXM GPUs. There are a few adventurers out there experimenting with switching MXM modules between different chassis and proving that the concept can be put into practice. This is more of an industry request then one towards Asus, but I could see it being used as a big selling point.

3) eSATA port for External Storage. Full-speed external drives. Enough said.

4) Matte Screens. Just not a fan of glossy.

5) Asus Accidental Damage Protection Option on Ensembles. I have recommended Asus to several individuals who have then commented that they *always* get some form of ADP on a new laptop, which means no Asus for them.

 

1) More high end models, at a larger volume, and RELEASE THEM IN NORTH AMERICA.

2) Equivalent to Dell's CompleteCare (Except with Asus quality, of course!)

That's all I can think of right now . Yes, Asus is THAT great.

 

Agreed, although that Belkin ExpressCard docking station is a good alternative.

I just don't see this happening, as I think even nVidia has given up on this idea... power consumption and thermal loads are just too variable for end user changeovers in most cases.

I'm not too sure on this one, as 90% of consumers seem more than happy with Firewire/USB enclosures... and for those who need the extra bandwidth, eSATA ExpressCards are now reaching the market.

Amen to that, I'm not the biggest fan of glossy screens although I can live with them.

I'd add to the list:

6) Control and Function keys in the right place. I see so many complaints about this minor issue, a real bugbear to those who use keyboard shortcuts often. I usually reverse the Control and Capslock keys to alleviate this.

 

Well, the R2h has a version of the Port Bar 3 (like used on the M3/M6), just with a smaller port --- which is nice, because as about half the width, they just cleared up enough room to include it on some notebooks - maybe..... Docking stations cost a lot to design and produce.. so it's best if they can go across a bunch of models - but at the same time they'll look better if they're designed for only one... and it that's the case, there isn't enough of individual models being sold to pay for that development.. Now, the V1 dock clearly says on it: Docking Station for V1/V2 series... and the V2 isn't even on the docket yet.

I personally think MXM is going to die out..... Asus' goal is for smaller and smaller systems and it gets more and more impossible to design around the same sized unit as it limits the design of everything from the overall unit down to the gpu's thermal envelope...... Asus seems to turn out better systems around ati cards that they tweak into the shape they need than they do nvidia ones.

eSATA... that's be handy..... to be honest I haven't seen or heard of any implimentation on any laptops yet (I could be wrong), but that is certainly an interesting idea.... although getting bigger, faster, and more efficient internal drives is honestly just as, if not more.

Get used to GLAREtype - and that's what they're called... Glossy has such a bad connotation... although I'm willing to bet you haven't spent a considerable amount of time in front of one of Asus' glaretypes... in your own home environment... They're not to like or dislike..... LCD's ultimate goal is to replace the best CRT's...... with Asus' V6va and it's IPS screen - they ecliped the best Sony Trinitron Professional Graphics CRT that I had... and the slightly cheaper non IPS screens that they're using on the models today are about 90% of what that IPS screen was....... so it's basically everything about the CRT that was good....... but instead of 180 degree viewing angles, you're "limited" to like 165 --- oh no...

You're not going to get accidental damage out of Asus - they don't sell enough units to absorb the cost....

I really should add what I think I'd like to see... but what I want to see I know won't be available for a good long time.

 

I'd also want:

1) Webcams on all models, preferably the better 1.3MP ones.

2) Hard drive drop protection. I don't think ASUS includes this yet on anything other than the F2 series.

3) Expanded Audio DJ and a DVD DJ feature for all models along with a remote control which can fit in the express card slot.

 

I'd actually prefer the webcams taken out unless they're high quality, because if your laptop has a crappy integrated webcam, it kinda makes you "don't wanna go out to be a separate webcam", but the quality is horrible!

 

1. dtr card in 14 inch or 15 inch ( g1p possibly)
2. oh definitely audio dj. I dont even know the story about why its included the buttons but its too retarded to make it work? Thats embarrasing, they have not figured out the audio dj technology when compal has it on all of their models even base bottom things like the dell e1405. Im buying this machine that has the buttons and Im going to look at them for years and just think "retarded"

3.Bring the technology to market as fast as the competition. Like this whole ensemble concept is screwed up if somehow they cant switch to merom when its just a cpu change. Switch to an ensemble for retail stores and all systems build your own online like dell toshiba sony fujitsu whoever. The real players.

 

No more I/O ports on the right side of the lappy please! Put em in the back, where they should be!

 

I have to admit, the two things I would change or add to my V6j are a docking station (that was one of the nicest things about my old laptop) and fix the touchpad. Other than that, the V6j is amazing.

 

1) MXM could work, but only if the graphics were in a module that you could take out -like a removable bay. It would have to have its own cooling system with an intake and exhaust that is separate from the laptop's own cooling. The overall design would be too big so it would probably be limited to 17" wide screen chassis. But it's never going to happen because manufacturers would rather see you buy a new laptop than to invest the R&D money to produce new graphics moduals...

2) A small external screen that can flip out, like the LCD of a digital camera. It could be used for hardware monitoring and in games you could use it to display a map showing your location and the location of bad guys. Kinda like the new dual LCD laptops that are coming out, only I'd like for the second LCD to be visible with the main LCD open. Maybe this is something that could plug into the Express Slot since the graphics load on a low resolution display wouldn't be too much for a 1x PCI bus connection...

3) Faster, lower voltage GPUs. IMHO it's going to be a year before we see DX10 GPUs in any laptop that weighs less than 4 kilos

4) Since my nickname is "Dalantech" here's my networking request: A laptop that can auto detect multiple ways to connect to the Internet and then either choose the best connection based on available bandwidth / signal strength or be able to multiplex multiple wireless paths into a single pipe for more bandwidth. Another option is to have two 802.11b/g/n/ whatever wireless NICs and be able to dual home them for twice the bandwidth.

5) Someone desperately needs to invent a little speaker with decent sound...

 

1) Optional higher dpi screens
2) DVI/micro-DVI on all mid to higher end systems
3) Better availability of higher end systems
4) Bluetooth included on all mid to higher end systems

I don't know if anyone remembers but towards the end of last year the Asus USA website had the worst survey I've ever seen on it. It was so bad I gave up half way through. There were questions like "how much are you willing to pay..." which of course everyone's gonna low ball.

 

dalantech,

the machine you purchased uses an asus mxm module.

it is asus only, what they did was use an mxm board and mirror it.

http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=3284&catid=461

here is an example of an asus mxm gpu for sale. If they ever made a better gpu for the a8j, you could pull yours out and put it in.

the a8jm users can put in a 7700 if they can find one for sale.

just figured youd want to know that.

 

1. Up to 4GB in all notebooks.
2. More solid color designs like the W7J
3. The Ctrl key...come on
4. Full size keyboards with 10-keys, etc
5. HD-DVD drives

 

1) Redesigned and standardized keyboards. Dell and HP have by far the best notebook keyboard layout because:
- Ctrl/Fn key is properly positioned
- PageUp/PageDown key in upper right corners
- No column of miscellaneous keys on the right of keyboard, causing accendental presses when typing backspace or enter
- Sunken arrow keys that don't eat up into right shift
- Every other key in their standard positions

2) Docks
3) Slot load optical drives!
4) LED illuminated screens (like VAIO SZ Premium)

 

5 requests for a 12"/13" W7Jish ultraportable:

1. No 512mb soldered ram on motherboard.

2. Hinge design similar to W3J.

3. Thinner and Lighter.

4. Better screen.

5. Ctrl key on the far left instead of the Fn key and no line of keys on the far right.

 

The more I read this the more I realize that Asus is probably working on all these problems. Most of them are just that people want newer technology that is better, lighter, thinner, faster...its on the way. The keyboard, hopefully Asus figures it out.

 

If it's the same size and if it doesn't generate more heat and if it doesn't require more power -there are way too many "ifs". All Asus, or any other manufacturer, has to do is simply change the position of a single mounting hole and you won't be able to swap one MXM card for another one...

All an MXM module really does is make the video card easier to replace if it breaks, and cheaper for a company because they can use the same card across multiple laptop models -period. IMHO anyone who promotes a laptop that has MXM as having upgradeable video is blowing smoke up your backside...

 

Are u being serious or sarcastic? I'm no marketing guru, but I think calling a monitor GLAREtype might be a bad idea as you're pointing out the product's worst flaw in the name of the product...

 

I'm halfway serious - but that's what the panel is actually called.... and glossy is often thought of in super cheap notebooks you find at best buy... the low end glaretypes.

... however Asus makes one thing very clear and that is that their "colorshine" screens are glaretype displays with an antireflective coating and super high brightness..... the backlight is what causes reflection on the panels... just like if you turned a crt monitor way down... but if you can have a backlight that can match or exceed your ambient light, it'll be the best screen you've ever looked at.... that's why Asus' panels use a very high backlight. Also, the antireflective coating is to minimize that reflection on lower backlight levels or high ambient light levels..... They do as good a job as can be done.

 

My top request - an eSATA port.

 

Exhaust port anywhere but the right side... just not friendly for mouse users.

 

W3J with alluminum (sp?) palm-rest, complete black design, integrated webcam, and DX10 graphics. That'll be all.

 

@Justin: I was doing more research into desktop LCDs and they made several points that are applicable to notebooks
-there's a certain graininess inherent in LCDs when you watch movies (I've noticed it but didn't realize until comparing afterwards that it is not present in CRTs or, say my DLP projection TV)
-re really bright glossy screens: As Justin said, with a really really bright screen like the one on my A8Jm, you indeed can't see reflections and it looks absolutely stunning. But when I'm using them away from an outlet I have to turn the power down, and that's the time when I'm in a bright room (or outside) anyways. At those times it can get rather difficult to read. Also, even plugged in, if you watch a movie with dark scenes in a bright room you will be at least a little annoyed at the reflections. Given a choice though I'd still take the glossy screen on my A8Jm as opposed to a matte one.

 

1- Modular Bays across the board (imagine if the W7 or S6 had one).
2- Docking Port/Stations across the board but especially for 14" and smaller models with DVI-I, USB, LAN and 5.1 Audio connections and with an additional battery charger (to charge extra batteries without plugging in the notebook).
3- Higher DPI Screens, SXGA as a minimum. Higher Brightness options (maybe LED backlight).
4- DVI-I (with HDCP) output on higher-end models.
5- Quality Speakers. I know it can be done, why can't asus do it too?
...continuing
6- More metal/CF construction with darker color schemes (like the pictures).
7- Slot Loading CD drives on the right
8- Ports on the left and back
9- small integrated battery (30 seconds) so you can change the main battery without downtime.
10- 3G or EDGE internet access
11- correct the Fn and CTRL keys, and maybe make the keyboard backlight (like the Powerbooks) as an option.

If asus did it I'd pay $3,000-$5,000, it'd be incredible.

 

1. W3J with WXGA+ (1440x900 resolution)

2. CTRL at the far left NOT Fn!

3. W3J with better speakers(=More base and volume)

4. Wifi 802.11n

5. Palmrest that doesn't discolor over time on every Asus laptop!

 

My asus notebook should have a starbucks connected to it.

 

finger print reader for fun

 

Justin, I do admit that I've never used an Asus glaretype screen at all. I'm sure they have their advantages, but the ones I have seen on other laptops (mostly consumer grade) just don't do it for me.

 

Well, Jumper, you need to try an Asus glaretype, compared to every other one I have used, the V6j's is really nice.

 

My ideal would be a notebook with mobile performance graphics (continuing tradition of ATI 9700, x700, x1600, etc. or Nvidia 6600, 7600, etc.) + modular bay + integrated TV tuner + ALS (I love that feature!) + high quality speakers / audio out + wireless + spill-proof keyboard with 15.4" or smaller hi-res screen and solid metal and/or carbon fiber construction that gets 4 hours battery life standard when not doing anything graphic- or CPU-intensive and weighs 6 pounds or less. It's probably just a dream, but there it is anyway...

basically, combine aspects of the V1J, W2Jp, Z71V, and W3J, mix them all up, and add a few years for technology to make it possible.

 

1) Modular, customizable design across the board.
ie: the ability to add things like BT and TV tuner and such to ANY of the laptops and not be restricted to one type of design.

2) Different types of modular, multi-function docks. ie: not useless USB crap.
ie: Dells have freakin' docks which let you use PCI cards!

3) eSATA. I know, you can get a PCMCIA card, but it would be nice to not have to waste the slot on it.

4) Better speakers. The current models are way too weak. Toshiba uses Harmon Kardon on theirs. Why not take the extra step?

5) Hot-swappable bays on all models... and stop using crap TSSTCorp burners.

 

All this is doable, the list is long but it is not a dream. With the modular bay, you could easily add a second battery which would boost battery life to 4+ hours. If not, slap a 12-cell battery in and it's good for 3 hours minimum. Some of the other items (e.g. spill proof keyboard) can be custom installed. The whole carbon fiber frame thing is already being done, don't know why anyone would want it besides an excuse to spend $200 more for the same laptop.

 

1, A switch to switch from integrated GPU to dedicated GPU, usefull for eeking out more battery life, Sony have done it! you just have to reboot to change the setting, just means you need the motherboard with integrated GPU as well as a dedicated GPU, if they made that availabe on my W3J, I would upgrade tomorrow, even though my W3J is only a few months old.

2. The option to choose a lapotp with the fastest CPU available (and retain Global warantee) no brainer in the UK it is hard to find a reputable reseller to upgrade your system and provide warantee at all, it bugs me that on their UK web site state avail with the whole range of processors, but in reality they only ship with mid level processors, to hit the price point.

3. Multibay's on all laptops, they are great!

4. Dedicated Volume controls. I can't even reach Fn+F10-F12 with one hand, very anoying.

5. LED battery status indicator on all battery (means you can check charge status without having to boot up) quite standard on other laptops, I am surprised Asus do not have it. (Mac Book Pro ones look the best).

6. Programable buttons (for launching programs etc)

Thats all..... not much really!

 

1. Improved Speakers

2. Later customer support hours

3. Fn/control key switch

4. Better dvd software (running out of things to say)

5. Keep on with the small notebooks with lots of power

6. A velcro strap for the power cord (easier storage)

7. An external volume control

 

This is an interesting thread

1) Multibay for all models

2) CTRL and FN button switch, Please make this normal! LOL

3) Lower Prices!

4) Produce new laptops faster and release them sooner, it's been 6+ months and i've still not seen a V1 series notebook in North America. :| LOL

5) For some portable models offer what Sony does, Dual GPUs, one intergrated for those times you need the most batterylife, and a Dedicated GPU for those times of needing power.

However some of these ideas would contradict to my 3rd request of lower prices wouldnt it? ohwell

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

Yes, some of these are great ideas that would further give an edge to other brands.

ASUS is already known for having good build quality, many here requested a modular bay for hot swapping between Optical Drive, Battery and Hard Drive, and this in it self would give ASUS 2 more benefits compared to other brands.

@ NZwaverider: I understand you want programmable buttons, I do have a solution if you like it. It's called Macros, yes a program that runs in the background and if you press a certain key or multiple amount of keys it will open a program you want.

Here's an example, I use a very very old program called Macro Maker, this program is very basic and old however it works, i'm sure there are better programs.

To make Macros is very easy, takes 1 min per macro, here's some of my Macros:
CTRL + ALT + 1 = MS Word
CTRL + ALT + 3 = MS Excel
CTRL + ALT + R = MS Paint
CTRL + ALT + S = Soldier of Fortune 2 (testing games and they are working)
CTRL + ALT + W = Winamp

So that's how I get around that little issue of hotkeys, in fact i prefer using macros because my hand is kept on the keyboard than moving up to touch a button.

Good Luck

 

sorry, I didn't clarify my statement. By 4 hours "standard" battery life, I mean battery life with just the stock battery. I'd want 7 hours with both standard and modular bay battery. Oh, and the stock battery can't stick out from the back, either. That's one of those aesthetic things that bugs me.

 

The W3J with:

No right side heat vent
Powerful graphics
Integrated tv tuner
Bluetooth
Nice speakers
Thinkpad-quality keyboards (but...to think about it...you'd have to get a Thinkpad to have Thinkpad keyboards )
Lightweight
Top of the line dual-core processor
*If integrated webcam, top quality please
Good battery life

Now that's a laptop that will get people DROOLING after.

 

Honestly, I don't get why people go all weak in the knees over Thinkpad keyboards. I have used them a few times and they weren't all that spectacular. I like my Asus keyboard a lot more

 

yes! Finally someone else that feels this way! I prefer my notebook keyboard to the Thinkpad keyboards I've used as well. I also prefer it over some desktop keyboards I've used. Why, you may ask? There's a much greater upper surface area of the keys and significantly less space between the top surfaces of congruent keys, which makes it easy for me to type without missing or hunting down keys, and the keys are easier to press, resulting in less wrist pressure.

 

how about a **** pc type II card slot in the asus v6j so i can put in a super g wireless card to use with super g router

 

Every Thinkpad keyboard I have used has been like typing in oatmeal, more like a cheap-to-medium-expensive desktop keyboard then anything (maybe that's why people like them). They have a longer stroke then most laptop keyboards, and the feedback is 'smooth'.

The Z33's keyboard has a very defined response to it, so very little pressure is required for you to 'know' you pressed the key. They are short stroke, high feedback. Also the larger surface area of the top of the key really helps a lot.

I would rather have the well designed laptop keyboard over the laptop-keyboard-trying-to-be-a-desktop-keyboard that Thinkpads have any day..

That said, to stay on topic I would add another thing I'd like to see from Asus:
11) Continued Convertible-to-Tablet development - more models after the R1F (I hope it's selling well). I was sitting with my Z33 closed on the desk the other day wishing I could flip the monitor around and write on it instead of using paper... I go through so much scrap paper for engineering HW that could all be digital instead...

 

depends on the models as different models tend to appeal to different users (thus perhaps different port preferences, etc).

I'm a fan of the 13.3" and 14" form factor.
I already like the w7j's existing lay out. but some things I think that would make it even better is perhaps switching the vent location. People are eventually going to game and you're going to need an external mouse for that and most people are right handed. I already like its volume control button over the types that require FN + XYZ button. perhaps a brushed aluminum lid or palm rest (ala W3 or sony SZ) would be nice too! but I think only the vent,and an inclusion of a switch to go between the 7400 and GMA 950 would be things I definitely want to see.

 

Very simply because different people like different things. You will not find anyone that agrees that one key board is the best ever but there are many that love the Thinkpad. I don't thing I have ever seen any talk about the Asus Keyboard simply because it is basic and not unique.

 

I can only advise patience on your part, Quatre.

I know it's frustrating having this shiny expansion slot and very few cards to plug into it, but the wide scale rollout of ExpressCard only started earlier this year and it's taking a while for card manufacturers to come on board. They will do so, of course, since ExpressCard's advantages (lower costs, higher speed and lower power consumption) makes adoption of this standard a no-brainer.

I've seen several notebooks (mainly business models) that have bridged the gap, so to speak, by supplying a PC Card slot and an ExpressCard slot in the same chassis. Unfortunately, this is impossible to do with the V6J's form factor.

 

I'm surprised that people are so interested in accidental damage protection from Asus.

I bougth an Asus W3V and got the equivalent of Accidental Damage Protection from State Farm for I think about $50 a year. It covers the entire cost of the system and is separate from your Homeowner's insurance so a claim upon it will not cause your homeowner's to increase (at least that's what I was told).

In FL you can't get accidental damage from Dell or any of the manufacturers anyways...

 

I am, it's one of the hardest things I felt I was leaving with that four letter D word of a company.

I never even thought of that, thanks for pointing that out, will be looking into that next week!

 

ah thanks for clearing this up and clarifying for me. i somehow really didn't know anyting about it and was wondering why the v6j and other asus models comes with only an express card slot. it thought maybe express card slot was older.

those advantages sound good but none of the routers i know of now offer an express card option. and it seems like usually you have to get an adapter card by same brand and made for that speed router.

i mean i figure there might be an express card adapter out there somehwere for super g that will work with netgear super g router but i haven't come across anything.

meantime i have this free type II pc card adapter that wont fit in the v6j and a super g router that i can only make use of half the speed of with the integrated a/b/g wireless.

going to either exchange the super g router for regular g netgear one becaue i like netgear routers and sell the type II card adapter or keep super g router and try to exchange the adapter card for a usb adapter, but just not crazy about having usb adapter stick out evne a little and use up one 4 preciosu usb slots.

if i can plug it in and out and switch between using it with super g speed when i need and unplug it and use the integrated g then that will be fine but if the super g usb adapter messes up the integrated card then i wont want to do that.

meantime, anyone know of what super g express card will work with super g netgear router? or what router brand offers express card adapter. if one does offer express card adapter i would maybe go higher then super g to like 240mbps over 108 of super g as in the netgear rangemax 240 which seems good speed same as wired ethernet and range. but only offers compatible type II card adapter and then this big thing that plugs into usb not even smalle thumb drive usb for the 240.

draft n is supposedly somewhat of a beta or something so not sure about that.

so yeah any super g express card adapter tht will work with netgear super g router or other brand router that offers an express card option

 

Unless you absolutely NEED the extra bandwidth, I honestly would stick with 802.11g for the moment, until 802.11n is ratified. As you pointed out, the interim solutions are somehat ad-hoc, so there are no guarantees that a router from vendor A will talk with a card from vendor B.

 

well some vendor selling the atheros super g card said it would work with netgear super g card but they just had an ebayshop and were like in germany so i passed but then i found this
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=GN-WI01GT&c=fr&show=p

which seems to be a great price for that and is what i think you recommended but then someone else with an Asus v6j laptop told me that will not fit anywhere in the V6j so thats out the window.

seems my only choice is to try to the netgear super g usb adapter or just exchange the super g for a regular netgear G router while i still can.

keep hearing that i wont get any benefit from super g, i thought there was increased range and that it would make my inet connection faster but it seems its only for wireless file transfer which i was worried will be slow at 54mbps on regular G but i've heard there are problems with super G and 2.4ghz interference which a lot of cordless phones use even if its neighbors and ours might evne be that.

i have had the connection disconnect out of the blue acouple times i think and then reconnect which i heard is a symptom of super g unstability so yeah.

oh well.

its just like i said it seems like there is all these other higher speed, bigger range routers and that G is basically the second slowest so figured super G was a good semi middle ground without being much more then G but just sounds less and less worth it.

the only way i'd keep it is if it works good with the netgear super g usb adapter at 108mpbs but then also works with the integrated intel pro wireless a/b/g at 54 mbps when i dont feel like having the usb thing plugged in. if the usb dongle messes up the integrated a/b/g so that i can't get the 54mbps connection when not wanting to use the usb without repairing or reinstalling the intel pro wireless then that wont be worth it as we'll have to have one of the 4 usb slots used up all the time and have the thing sticking out all the time and will be a pain to have to repair the integrated each time and possibl reinstall the usb one each time.

so is it even worth trying or should i just exchange and stick with G and then have to sell the pcmcia super g card adapter which doesnt' fit in my laptop.