asus v6 models, different county - different spec?

Hi,

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks as (greatly thanks to Justin) seems to be the best place for discussion about asus laptops.
I am on the market (UK) for a new laptop and I think the V6 will cut it for me, if the specs were right.

The model has been announced everywhere, but each country seems to have different specs available.

For example:

-US, there is only the 1.86Ghz Model (60GB HD and 512MB Ram) as sold by proportable with no upgrades available (besides the extra RAM and you have to keep the original memory for the asus guarantee).

-UK, there is only a model similar to the one in the US but with a 1.74GHz processor. No-one offers upgrades.

-Germany, three models available 1.74/60/512, 2/80/512 and 2.13/80/1024 and they offer upgrades to hard drive RAM keyboards keeping the 2 years guarantee. (check this shop http://www.notebook-shop.de/main.php?section=shop&group=242&lang=en)

In the UK although I have only seen available the 1.73 there's a guy talking about this beast:

"the fully upgraded V6000V is a beauty to behold. With a 2.13ghz centrino sonama chip (2mb lvl 2 cache + 533mhz bus btw), 2GB DDR2 corsair ram, 80GB 7200 HDD, 15" SXGA screen (1400, 1050) and a upgraded X600 128mb" [} ]http://www.whatlaptop.co.uk/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=165554


I would like to know if this is some sort of Asus policy or is the distributors that don't request higher spec models in their countries. I am not sure if I can believe the guy from the forum but the german shops definetely have the 2 and 2.13 available and definetely offer upgrades up to 100GB disks and more memory.

[?]Can anyone shed some light on the mistery???

Emilio.

 

Emilio,

This is an easy answer. The US doesn't have the market for multiple spec's on the same unit... Because even then, it's not going to be perfect for everyone. It's THE main reason they only have a few high end "asus" models and the rest are built to order "built on asus" systems. Because the US wants too much customization and Asus can't afford to offer that on their complete systems here.

I have a couple more thoughts....

1. Worldwide, and this is worse outside the US.... for Asus to warranty the system, NOTHING can be changed. Not even a memory upgrade without them doing it. The US atleast will let you put more memory in without them making a big scene. Like you said, the reason we offer the ram the way we do is because for your warranty to stay good, here and abroad, you need to always have that original spec. So, with the V6... it comes with 2 x 256..... if you upgrade to 2 x 512... you'll chuck those other sticks..... some dealers are "buying them back" in a way, but offering the upgrade cheaper and then just using that ram in another system. The good thing is, you get your notebook cheaper (which unfortunately is the only way people look at it), but on the bad said, if you don't get that ram, if you have a problem, the only place that will warranty it is the place you got it... My problem with that is, you pay a lot for asus' global warranty..... whether you say you'll ever use it or not.... thats fine, but you're still paying for it, so if you did ever need it, it's there for you. Otherwise, it's like throwing money away.

I don't like the configuration the V6 came in, which is one reason we made sure the W3 was ordered with 1 stick... That way, and upgrade to 1gb is cheap and easy and there is no ram that you're losing....... but when it goes back to Asus, that extra ram you got does have to come out. The US office is ok with leaving that "extra" stick in there, but globally, they'll hang you out to dry and tell you that you voided the warranty as soon as you opened the ram cover...

Now, when it comes to hard drives, the same thing stands. We'll seperately and install them, but ship the system with your original drive that was part of the package........ we suggest using it as an external storage drive, or a wireless drive (in asus' wireless hdd box). But when if comes down to a problem and Asus doing warranty work, that original drive better be in the sysem.

When it comes to CPUs, it's the same thing...... the only thing there is, the CPU has a warranty sticker on it and it's not something that you could just freely swap before you send it back.

In the US, Asus has crept around this issue for the last year. No matter what, they are collecting the warranty costs when we pay them for our product..... so, can you see why they aren't making a stink over it? If it's modified and you can't return it to the original condition, Asus will tell you to send it back to where you bought it. Now, thats great, where you bought it has to warranty it. Anyone who tells you you don't lose Asus' warranty if you do what I said above, shouldn't be trusted at all... thats the bottom line.. However, anyone who doesn't come right out and tell you that you're voiding your Asus warranty is just a level above that, even if they offer their own warranty. We do totally customize every system as well, but we won't do most of it through the site because we don't want to take that warranty away from a customer who a year from now is going to have to use it and is going to. Not only because that is horrible business practice, but that customer is going to be super pissed and you never know where they'll be and what business deal you ruined because their notebook can't get fixed. So, we'll tell people over the phone the whole thing above.... but through the site, we'll only do as much as we think people will grasp.... I'll tell you, the RAM on the V6 is tricky to explain (and it scares some people off), but we're in business to start lifelong relationships and treat people the way we would want to be treated. In the long run, that is what pays off.

To close..... I've gone back and forth with Asus and said listen.... you have to be more straight forward about the warranty on your "complete" systems and what happens when we modify them..... break it down.. cpu, hard drive, ram, etc..... I said there are a few other dealers that are totally competent, but we shouldn't have to tell a story to every customer out there and depending on how honest they are, no one will ever tell the same story as someone else and someone else might not even admit to it because either they don't even know what they are voiding, or they are just trying to pull the wool over your eyes.... So, eventually, on Asus' "where to buy" page..... not only will you see a "built on asus" builder link, an "Asus" dealer link, but you will also see a link to those who Asus trusts to work on their systems and a detailed list of what we will be voiding (and will have to warranty through our respective businesses) and what Asus will fix no matter what.... Like if the screen dies, it's no fault to the hard drive or ram..... so, whats the big deal? So I think they will either word it like that, or come and totally certify a few of us to the point where they can say "any system you buy from this place, in any configuration" will have a warranty that Asus will honor at any of our global offices.... That'll be the day...... but then Asus is setting the stage and the word will be final and we can all refer people right there to see what it says.

Till then, I'll have to come back to this thread and copy and paste. [ ]

I hope I didn't bore you Emilio.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Whaaa!! Thank you very much. You do take questions seriously!
In short resellers can change anything they want but when they do they consumer has to get the laptop repaired from them as asus will not accept it, therefore losing the asus warranty. So most probably that what the Germans are doing.

Does the asus laptop serial number links to a database where the initial build configuration isstored, so that asus warranty service in different countries can confirm that what you give them has no upgrades?

Anyway you answer most of my doubs on your first reply, thanks again.

Emilio.

 

Yeah, no problem.

Here, the serial number identifies you only if you register it - but the serial number itself identifies whats in that unit and what country it's from.


Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

I can understand some of the reasoning behind the warranty, especially from a global perspective. Too many things could go wrong when dealing with upgraded hardware, which puts Asus at risk. So, it isn't all that unreasonable.

It is good to know that Asus USA is a bit more flexible. I suppose I'll just have to hold my breath and hope that I don't encounter any problems when traveling around the world.

 

This policy is utterly ridiculous and Asus needs to evolve their policy further. If I buy a system that's supports 2048MB of memory and a compatible hard drive, then I should be able to take full advantage of the system's capabilities so long as there isn't any adverse effect on the system that violates the terms of the warranty.

If Asus wants users to strictly adhere to the terms of their "Global" warranty then they should make the effort to provide a recommended hardware list. Is it reasonable to expect that my system can only be warranted anywhere in the world as long as I keep the packaged components. That's ridiculous. If I travel to a different part of the world with an upgraded system, my reseller isn't going to beable to help me on the other side of the world.

Simply stating "Dear customer, you changed your memory and/or hard drive, therefore we can't do anything with your system" is completely unacceptable. The user shouldn't be handcuffed by such a policy when they offer a product that clearly has the capability to exceed what they package the system with.

Now, if I send my system in for service and it's deemed that my upgrades are a direct result of the system failure, then Asus should send my system back explaining this, that my warranty is void and that they won't touch the system

Sure, the W3 has the advantage over the V6 in that it will ship with 1 512MB memory stick. But, what happens when someone wants to upgrade to 2GB? Or, what if someone wants a 7200 RPM hard drive?

There are definitely some holes in Asus' policy. Is this how other manufacturers operate with their warranties?

 

The US office doesn't care if you have extra ram in the system, but globally..... Asus' US office will admit they are stricter.


There is a reason they have these seperated from the custom notebooks..... basically what they would say is, you want to do that... do it on this other notebook.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Good points mclassic.

Other companies tend to be more vague about whether their warranties will cover modded systems. I've had a number of friends who upgraded various features only to find it voided their warranties. Basically I've heard that the minute you open that machine up, you've voided the warranty. Now I think they're getting better about allowing users to upgrade memory and such - making it easily accessible, etc - and while I think ASUS's policy is a bit strict, I think it's not unreasonable. The whole thing with the V6 is definitely a screw up though, I agree completely there.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Lets put it this way........ voiding your warranty and only covering your warranty when the original configuration is installed are two different things, right?

The CPU is the only thing that has a "warranty" sticker on it. IF thats gone, they won't touch the system...... but you can put a new hard drive and ram in.... but if you want them to fix it, you put your original configuration in........

So, lets put it this way... we can all give you the option to buy extra parts now and you can have them put in now....... or you can order a custom system.. If you pick up a notebook off the floor at best buy, you usually can't pick up more ram and another hard drive there....... but when you open up one of those, just to look.. you most likely voided the warranty, period.....


So, I don't know..... take it how you will.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Justin, here's a question...

How does Asus determine what model of laptops it offers in a certain country? I'm in Canada and I'm dying to get a W3 but unfortunately, Asus dealers here only offer V6 and the W5...

 

You'll get the W3 eventually...... Canada's notebooks are all ordered through the California Asus...... so you'll basically get everything we will here... it just takes a few more weeks.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

primetime, what dealers are looking at in Canada? I'm in Ontario, but I'm ordering through Justin because the Canadian ASUS dealers I have found look rather iffy. Just curious if you discovered a dealer I missed.

_{I am one escroww}

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Sencha

 

hiya

just found this site - http://www.laptopsetc.co.uk/manufacturer.asp?dept_id=&pageNumber=4&name=Asus - that seems to sell the 3 versions in the uk, dont know how realiable the shop is or anythink, just thought u might be interested.

adios

 

Pacific notebooks... on the east coast... haha

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Ah!!! Great! The 2Ghz version I was looking for. They do not seem tohave stock yet, but I will be ordering soon [ ][ ][ ][ ]

Gracias!

 

I also looked at Pacific Notebooks and found their website a bit strange. Made me wonder if my future computer would have "fallen off a truck" from somewhere or something. Reminds me of some of the funny shops on Yonge street where you go in and tell them what you're looking for and they take your number and say they'll "call a friend" and get back to you soon. Then they call you and you go see what they have and it's all in weird boxes and stuff. Just got a bad vibe from the Pacific Notebooks site, so I decided to just deal with the duty and get my computer from Justin.

I assumed they were in Vancouver too because of their name. Now I really don't trust them knowing they don't even know which ocean they are in closer proximity to. [ ]

_{I am one escroww}

 

Anyone in Ontario...more specifically Toronto, should check out:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/cc/ (All prices are in $CAN$ funds)

They carry ASUS notebooks and usually have the lowest prices around on everything they stock. They don't have any of the newest models in stock yet, but I'm sure they'll eventually have them all. I've bought several things from them over the past two years and haven't ever had any problems...I live very close to several of their locations, so I'm comfortable with them, I can't really say anything to those ordering from a distance though. If you're anywhere near Ontario they're worth taking a look at.

If you're from Canada and comfortable ordering from the states, I think the majority of people in here would say no one's more worthy of your business than Justin over at PROPortable!
www.proportable.com

[8D]

 

I'm almost positive I want the W3 or V6, so who knows how long it will be before canadacomputers has those. It is good to see a site other than tigerdirect.ca (ugh) where I can buy parts though. Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm going to have to pay taxes on the thing if I buy it up here anyway, so might as well pay duty. And I'm paying for it with USD, so buying from the U.S. isn't too much of a stretch for me. I was dead set against it when I started this process, but I've come to the conclusion that ASUS is the only way to go, so I probably have to get it from the US.

_{I am one escroww}

 

Those of you looking for optional configurations in an Asus Branded laptop may want to look at buying from one of the larger system builders in the US. System builders typically have more leeway in what they can do and there are several that will custom configure any laptop including the ASUS Branded units. While you do no get the ASUS 2year Global Warranty you will get a warranty that is equal to and backed by the ASUS reseller warranty. Asus has never refused to cover the warranty on a product that is theirs. That would not be in their best interest.

Whether it is the computer industry, the RV industry, the ATV industry, electronics industry, etc., etc., etc., they all have different procedures required in satisfying their warranty. Howerver, one thing that is common to all is they except responsibility for their product and it is not in their best interest to avoid their responsibility.

 

Thanks for the info NOBS. I know you don't want to endorse the competition too much, but I don't even really know what you mean by larger systems builders. I probably wouldn't buy from them anyway, but I'd just be curious to see an example of such a company if anyone knows of one.

_{I am one escroww}

 

It's odd that he's referring to his company in the third person then, isn't is? [ ]

_{I am one escroww}

 

Well if you look hard enough, NOBS' over here is Bill from Startech... so I'm sure he means his company.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Yeah in one Post he comes right out with a full blown sig as CEO and President of Star Tech, Inc...and then It's gone just as fast...

Once you reveal yourself once, might as well be consistant. [8D]

 

Yeah, right... pick one. Once you're out of the closet, there's no going back in.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Give him a break I guess... he's only been posting here since yesterday.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Thats the thing. For a year we've been saying, you can add ram or we can add it but it can't go back to asus that way. That are just laying out a blanket statement which may be over doing it for some...... but for others, the only clear way to make it apparent is to make one simple statement....

1. dealers can't do anything
2. the end-user MAY void your warranty if you install extra ram. You can take that as... you could short out the board by installing it..... or Asus can't know you did it (remove it if you need work done) ....... whatever...

this is a statement that is just... do this, or else. Instead of .. do this and this will happen, do that and they will have to take care of you, do this and something else.... thats confusing and it's basically what we had before.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by mclassic