A8Js or W3J

As most of you guys know, i started a thread a while back that was a poll between the W3j and the A8Jm. In that round i decided on the W3j, but now the A8Jm has came out and caught my eye once again. Since the A8Js has the T7200 Core 2 Duo rather than the T5600 on the W3j which MilestonePC has confirmed, it makes it much more appealing. Also it has the Geforce 7700go which, i heard, is not THAT much better than 7600go/x1600 but it's still an improvement. I had a hard time deciding between the W3j and the A8Jm, but now since the A8Js will be better than the W3j in several important aspects, it tips the scale towards the A8Js now. Which do you guys is better? Now if only the refreshed W3j had T7200 and x1700 =(

 

I think it's best to wait for some firm configurations and prices. The timeframe of the A8J may also turn out to be much latter than the availability of Merom W3Js since the A8J is a new model. That too might affect your decision. I'm also considering those 2 models so I'm waiting to so as well.

I've said it before, but I'm hoping it was just a typo and someone swapped the A8J and W3J's processor. That would make much more sense. Maybe ASUS would be so nice as to slightly increase the stock clock of the X1600 which would achieve the net effect of having a X1700. They could spend some time tweaking the BIOS and drivers and hopefully get the power difference back.

 

To be honest, I think (and have always thought that) the A8 has a much more practical machine than the W3. Sure, the W3 is flashy and very stylish, but you get more out of the A8 - especially since they're competitively priced.

Since you seem to be leaning more towards the A8, and I personally think it's a better machine, you should be go for it!

 

I do not believe the a8js will reach the market LATER than the w3j merom.


The reason is that asus has sent out review copies.

AND, it is already for sale in taiwan. The w3j ith merom is not.

So I do not agree with your theory.

My theory is that not only with the a8js have superior technology, it will reach the market sooner. Actually belay that. the a8js has already reached the market and the w3j has not.

Marketing forces may make asus skip the us market with the a8js and try to sell the merom w3j first. thats possible thats the correct way to describe that.

In this case, lets hope that it works just like the a8jm. They released the w3j to the us market and the a8jm to the canadian market at the same time. milestone pc gets the canadian market and sells it to us.


I tihnk the a8js makes the w3j look like yesterdays dinner refried for 300$ more what do you think? Are we going to debate this? I dont think they will actually try to sell them to the us at the same time.

 

oh im sorry

It definitely could be a typo, the cpus available for each.

Oh they could change that for the us market. milestone pcs data and the taiwan model arent telling us hats for sale here.


It would make much more sense for the a8js to actually use the lower speed one. this is based on previous model. It used the 1.83 ghz cpu.

I want to go back to your question on that, that wouldnt suprise me.

The w3j has the gpu soldered into the motherboard. So its way more involved to upgrade the gpu.

THAT might even be hy its coming to the market later.

 

i believe that MilestonePC has comfirmed that on the list he got for W3j, it says T5600 rather than T7200 which the A8Js got and confirmed on chinese/english reviews. I agree, i would NOT pay $300 more for a weaker machine just for looks and build. During the W3j vs A8Jm debate, it was different because both machines are so closely speced, but this time, it appears that A8Js is the superior machine if W3j doesn't get it in gear =P

 

Oh I hear you v exile.

What Im trying to say is that youre right it doesnt make sense. That particular detail, meaning whatever info milestone pc had is not set in stone.

That particular difference in figures, I bet it gets reversed when the machines are for sale.

It might not but like you me and everyone would say about that : it doesnt make sense.

wholesale price of the 7200 is much higher than the 1.83 core duo in the a8jm. Am I right?

The cpu thats going to be in the one here is the one thats going to cost the same as the 1.83 did when the a8jm was new.


edit sorrry my WWWWWWW key doesnt work on this laptop. I cant go back and edit it all. Youll have to bear with me. Can you tell how much I need a new laptop lol? Im following this thing like its my first child

 

check out this review

http://laptopmag.com/Review/Asus-A8Js.htm

 

As far as performance goes, the 7700 Go is only going to be about 10% faster than the 7600. It's basically just an overclocked 7600... perhaps it has more overclocking potential though? The core duo 2 though will be a nice addition. Now what I'd like to see is the W3j with merom and the X1700 or X1650...

 

I tried to get someones opinion on whether anyone thinks that they could put the x1700 in the w3j.

Now Im of the opinion they couldnt because the gpu is soldered onto the motherboard.

Not that they couldnt I just mean that ho much do you change something before it might as well be something else lol


Does anyone follow the asus models so closely that they would recall any asus laptop getting a new gpu at around the 6 month mark? soldered into the motherboard mind you?


I mean for instance it happens. you can see such as the 5672 x1400 upgrades to x1600 soldered on motherboard. Same model only a few months later. Thats an Acer.

It could have the x1700 I just doubt it.

the new w7j could have the x1450 as well.

I just dont think so. Does anyone have a different opinion?

 

My two cents about your W3J T5600 topic:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1574890&postcount=332

.

 

ok


Im obviously wrong on a couple things


theres set dates on the wj merom.

No x1700

Im not certain if those are the exact same w7j dates.
So middle of september is very soon indeed.

I dont understand. Are the prebuyers choosing the 5600 or 7200?

a8js, my admittedly ignorant guess based entirely on this message board system is middle of october.

 

I was talking about Intel CPU for sale, T5600: mid Sept, T7200 : mid Oct, not about notebooks.

 

new link from DailyTech

http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4167

man, all that stated for the A8Js, the $1500 price is hard to beat unless W3j gets a MAJOR overhaul rather than just a processor upgrade =(

 

I commented on that Go 7700 in the DailyTech announcement here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1577907&postcount=24

Even though the Go 7700 has 12 pipelines it looks like they downclocked it versus the Go 7600 to control power.

http://translate.google.com/transla...earch?q=%22mobility+radeon+x1450%22&hl=en&lr=

That would explain why the gains in 3DMark05 and 3DMark06, only 100 points in the later, don't correspond to the performance increase a 50% increase in pipelines should bring.

The Go 7700 may be flashy and it'll definitely be faster than the MR X1600 and the Go 7600, but not that much. The W3J probably isn't that disadvantaged although it's definitely needing some value added features (HDD, RAM, etc.)

 

but my point is quite simply, why pay more for less? i was willing to pay more to get the better quality build/material in the W3j vs. A8Jm debacle because they were similarly speced, but now, I'm in such a dilema because I want that quality from W3j but i wouldn't pay more to get a slower machine

 

MY question is:
Is it worthwhile to wait for the new A8Jm to come out with core 2 duo? Will it be that much faster?

Right now im thinking of gettin 2.13 ghz core duo w/7600 512 MB Nvidia and 100gb 7200 HD.

Im also considering the del d620. Which already has the C2D.

Any advice?

 

to my best of knowledge, Asus is about 100 times better than ANY dell you can buy, the build quality and material used is just not there. Thats how Asus justify their steep price, with excellent worksmanship. Isn't that why everyone throws that 1.8k at that W3j?

 

well how can any of advise you on factors we have no idea on?

If you assume its out by oct 15th Id say its worth it to wait.

When you consider the cost of upgrading it someday, and the gpu upgrade... for little or no money. 1 month.

If those were the facts I think its worth waiting. Unfortunately I cant guarantee it will be here if you wait a month.

 

v.ex.ile:
I'm in the same boat as you. I had my decision set to the W3J, then I found out Asus would never be shipping the W3J to Australia. Sucks.


There seems to be a confusion over what type of body the A8Js will have. I have read reports of the original Silver deck body and a new exclusive black deck body.

I dont like the silver deck look of the A8Jm.. it looks very tacky being that it is plastic. [below]



[black below]



What colour body does the A8Js come in?
The black looks alot better imo.


EDIT:
On closer inspection, the black body seems to either have a smaller keyboard, or is a wider body. Which leads me to suspect it is not the image of the A8Js. (???)

 

Of course, it's the image of A7 or something, as many people have told...

 

The one in the 'reiew' is a A7, not sure why it was pictured there.

 

drunkencactus,

Well there are at least three Australian online companies with ABNs that stock the W3J, the only problem is that considering they aren't shipped here I am not sure whether they import them or they are just using a metabox version by ITC and calling them W3J. Unless I am completely mistaken, I'll give them an email sooner or later to find out though.

 

Found this review of the A8JS - seems fairly comprehensive although does focus pretty heavily on the gaming features.

http://nb.intozgc.com/098/98310.html (will need to translate from Chinese with Babel Fish or similar)

More I read about the A8JS, the more I want one - W3J's no longer an option

 

I believe these would be imports, I have spoken with Asus Australia and their official record is that they are not releasing the W3J here.
Importing would cause extra problems with warranty authentication (although i think its global so that might not matter), but the time taken to ship the item to the international manufacturer, fixing and shipping back.. this delay would be far too long than i'd be willing to risk.

But if you can give them a call and find out some more details, that would be much appreciated!

Thanks,



So that photo is the A7?
**** thats stupid, it looks very nice and slick, I was hoping for a black model, the gray deck look of the A8J series doesnt go well with me, but I guess i can learn to get along with it lol

 

Now I need the A8Js. If it had better battery life, the W3J and A8Jm/a will be history. 2.5hrs, i dont know.....

 

Here's the translation of each page of the A8js Review

Page 1:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...98/98310.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 2:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_2.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 3:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_3.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 4:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_4.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 5:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_5.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 6:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_6.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 7:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_7.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 8:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_8.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 9:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../98310_9.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 10:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...98310_10.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 11:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...98310_11.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Page 12:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...98310_12.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

I just quickly read through it, and this laptop performs amazingly!

 

I have noticed in nearly every review, that they don't post a pic of the A8Js, they instead post the A7(i think), its funny how one group makes a mistake and other websites lazily copy the image, a shame too, it would be nice if the A8Js looked like that too, I might contemplate getting it. But I think I'm gonna hold out till April of next year(probably may-june actually) and get the Santa Rosa W3J, hopefully by then it will have a DVI port(Justin if you're out there please let me know the likelyhood of such a thing!). I also wish the W3J would come with Nvidia but we shall see.


*to Milestone- I didn't click on the numerous links you posted before I posted this, nice work to see what the A8Js will really look like, and it's always a laugh to read translated chinese.

 

http://www.google.com/translate?u=h...98/98310.html&langpair=zh-CN|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

On that page if you take a look at the picture of the GPU RAM you notice that those are DDR2 modules rated for 400MHz operation. That would certainly explain why the Go 7700 performance isn't improved over a decent Go 7600. My understanding is that good Go 7600s use GDDR3 RAM at clocks up to 450MHz. The A8Js is probably running it's 400MHz modules at 380MHz or below which means it's definitely terribly bandwidth starved. Using DDR2 instead of GDDR3 also means more heat and less power consumption.

I guess this is the way ASUS is differentiating the A8J and the W3J. The A8J's specs look great on paper and it's price is better, but they are making back the difference underneath the covers by using lower grade components. I really want to see a real direct comparison between the W3J's X1600 and the A8J's Go 7700. Comparisons between the X1700 and Go 7700 have only been done using the A8J and A8Jp and seeing that the A8J's Go 7700 is not very impressive, I'm betting the A8Jp's X1700 is also clocked lower than the W3J's X1600. It's quite possible that the W3J isn't being overshadowed by the A8J as much as we originally thought.

 

When is the A8Js due to hit the market? Is it coming to the US?

 

coming to NA around mid-october to november..

 

That soon then. I was considering getting a compal hel-80, but the keyboard flex and underclocking of the GPU complicates matters. The fact that this unit is a 14" but has a larger resolution than other 14" screens is a major selling point.

Does anyone know anything about putting filters/films over glossy screens to reduce glare and give a more "matte" appearance? That's the only thing keeping me from diving right in to the Asus models - no matte screens.

 

Whoaaa ... this thing is 1440*900 ?? yippeee! I'd reluctantly decided to go 15.4" so I could get wsxga+, but if I can get WXGA+ in a 14.1" that's purrrfect ! the only other notebook this size with highres was the dell d620, iirc .. and that has mediocre gfx...

 

Yup, I'm pretty much screwed. I was all set to get the A8Jm, but now I'm gonna play the waiting game and order the A8Js as soon as someone has them for sale...

 

I think that's what I'm going to do as well too. Oh well, I was hoping to get one sooner, although I would've waited for core 2 duo shipments to come out, which wouldn't have been until october sometime, so not too much longer for the a8js.

Anyone know what speed the HD is and whether it can be configured w/ a 7200 rpm drive? That will be important for me. Since this comes w/ 2gb of memory, would that be installed by the reseller using brand name ram, or would it be something random?

 

I think its only a 5400rps HDD, which suprized me as i was expecting a faster one.

 

So, I've been pondering and researching getting a new lappie to replace my four-plus year old desktop for some weeks now, and pretty much narrowed it down to the A8Js or W3J, or possibly but probably not the Compal HGL-30. (I want a 14" portable laptop that I can still game on and that should have several years of longevity.) Was still going to wait for a bit, but I think the decision has been forced upon me: Yesterday am on booting up, or trying to boot up ye old desktop, I got an error message reading "operating system cannot be located". I am taking it for service Monday, but odds are I am hosed (or at least need a new hard drive) - and either way might as well pull the trigger now on the new computer.

So that's the tale of woe; here is the question: which of the two Asus options do I get? I want a Core 2 Duo, and understand that is available in the A8J series and soon to come in the W3; I want bluetooth but looks like although not standard in the A8J I can get it installed . . . The A8Js apparently has higher resolution, which I assume is better. The A8Js also, I take it, has a better video card.

Basically, what are the differences, and which is better - which should I buy and why? Thanks!

 

W3J
+Better Battery life
+Better Build
+2nd optical bay
+Bluetooth(I believe)


A8Js
+better video card
+good build, not as good as w3j's but still good compared to other brands.
+Costs $200(or 300?) less
+You can just get one of those USB-bluetooth thingers.

 

And A8Js has better screen-resolution, but you knew that.
As far as "which is better" ... I don't think W3J's slightly sturdier build and 2nd optical bay are worth an extra $200 bucks when the A8Js has better specs.

 

Yes, from the benchmarks the A8Js does have a better gpu. I've got the W3J w/ Core 2 Duo T7400 from geared2play and I love it. I love the option for the optical bay battery (which I believe you cannot get in the A8J).

Screen resolution is great IMO, but I've not compared it to anything else ... but I like mine. I play alot of CounterStrike Source and if I was to compare it to a desktop ... it matches if not beats the performance of a X800 GTO.

Things I've read ...

Choose the W3J if you want:

Better build quality
standard 8 cell battery
Option for optical bay 6 cell battery

Choose A8J if you want:

To pay a little less
Better gpu
standard 6 cell battery

Either way you'll be happy with your choice

 

Not to burst your bubble, but if you do a search, there are tons of threads on these two, probably even on the merom versions. But, like mentioned above those are the trade off and pros of each. It all depends on your budget.

If you like the W3J but want a higher CPU, Btotech has it, but you are paying premium for it (the cost of the chip). For the same CPU it would roughly be around ~$2000 US. Not to same the stock isn't bad, its just fine it depends on you, as the user.

 

These two "siblings" have been the subject of debates since....forever .

It really depends: the A8Js is slightly more powerful, and cheaper. The W3J looks nicer, better build quality, but its power has downgraded slightly (due to Asus' choice of processor).

 

is the battery life on the merom updated w3j any better than the original w3j's?

 

I can get nearly 4 hours of battery life with my W3j IF...I put the screen at 13% and run on battery save mode without the wireless on. SO...if you are writing your novel or just reading documents you can get 3.5-4 hours. If you want to browse the net and do email and regular stuff then you are looking at around 3 hours battery life. If you want to turn the brightness up and use the CD and such you are probly looking at around 2 hours.

The W3J is very scalable however which is good. I have a T7400 and 2 gigs of ram in mine...love it.

 

BTW I read the recent A8js review sounds like a good machine. According to the 3dmark scores you will do a little better with the A8js but I doubt it would be noticable at all.

The guy gets 2660 in 3dmark06 and I get 2212 in the same test...thats stock with no OC.

I doubt anyone will be able to say "wow that extra 300 in 3dmark makes all the difference".

So all things being equal id say they are both great machines...if you are on a budget the a8js is probably your best bet...also if you are a Nvidia person...by all means the a8js.

I think the W3j has the upper hand in build quality, built in blue tooth, and possibly battery life but thats about it.

 

Im not accusing you of anything chiavari, you are just saying the same thing that forums like these are made for.

To use data and then make a point.

But I want to point this out to you and anyone. 3dmark 06 needs more cpu speed to get a higher score. So while you are trying to say its only 10-12% higher in 3dmark o6 than your x1600 ( which is something definitely but not what I wanted to see personally)

Really its more than that because you have a unique w3j, you have one with a higher cpu than the a8js. So you skew the comparison with unique data and unfortunately we dont have the complete data.

But based just on you, the 7700 is 15% faster or more than the x1600 and I wanted to clarify that and explain why.... this is not a huge difference so Im not contradicting you Im just explaining its more than you said.

 

But don't forget that Charivari's 3DMark05 stock score is around 4400... while an owner of A8Js somewhere stated that his/her A8Js' 3DMark05 stock score is around 4200.

 

thanks for battery info charivari...seems to be the same as the pre merom w3j's

nice clarification stamar...what are the 3dmark06 numbers for the standard t5500 w3j's?

 

I admit the 7700 is the better card, all numbers aside how that translates into better game performance is still up in the air.

Tests!! Someone post tests!

 

um those numbers are reversed. the w3j is 4200 and the a8js is 4400

oh i see, you are comparing his cpu score.

My data shows the record w3j is in the 4200s and overclocked is in the 4800s of 3dmark o5. that is with the SAME cpu as the a8js, in an lg s1 with the t7200

What we are lacking completely is the record overclock of the a8js with 7700.

if somehow the t7400 raises the 05 score 200 points stock thats possible, strange but possible. But it doesnt matter because were trying to find the same cpu. Chiaveris scores are not worth considering to compare the gpu because he is the only person with th t7400 and the x1600.

Do you follow me yet sorry If I made this post confusing I dont have time to edit.

one last thing chiaveri, is that I disagree. The maximum difference in scores we see MAXIMUM o6 scores, 05 scores, that is still going to be greater than the real life difference.

So, if we decided that 06 said it was 15% faster, well in reality its not going to be. oblivian fps of 50 with x1600 same res is going to be 57 in the 7700 MAX. reality is never what a score is because like I said theyre testing too many non gaming stats with 3dmark.