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    Help! Looking for ASUS laptop,

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by hotboy, Feb 28, 2007.

  1. hotboy

    hotboy Notebook Consultant

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    Hi guys!
    I am looking for an Asus laptop to carry to college.
    Could you guys give me some advice which model to buy.
    It should be either 13.3" or 14.1" and be very durable with a webcam.
    My budget is around $1500.

    Any advice will be highly appreciated.
    Do you guys think I will be dissatisfied with the build quality of ASUS after using Thinkpad?
     
    hotboy, Feb 28, 2007
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  2. AuroraS

    AuroraS Notebook Virtuoso

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    If I were you, I'd seriously consider the A8 series or W7J. I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with the W7J, but the A8 probably isn't as solid as the T60. Out of curiosity... why not carry your T60 to school? Too heavy?
     
    AuroraS, Feb 28, 2007
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  3. jlr18

    jlr18 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, Hotboy, we meet again... :)
    I'm playing on a W3J at the moment, and while it doesn't have the uniform dimensions, tight clamshell chassis, or spillproof keyboard of the T60 (its sleek metal reminds me of a well-built Sony), the build quality is impressive. The keys are a bit shallower and "looser", but there is no flex in either the keyboard, palm rests, or the LCD (in fact, the cover requires two hands to open). More importantly, the screen - even at WXGA - is *worlds* better! For a webcam, you might look into the W7J - it's lighter than the W3J (which weighs 5.4lb without optical, despite specs to the contrary), although it has the 7400 instead of x1600... If you can wait until the mysterious V2 comes out, that might be a contender as well.
     
    jlr18, Feb 28, 2007
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  4. sanpabloguy

    sanpabloguy Notebook Deity

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    The A8JP might fit your needs. Check out the Owner's Lounge. The first post has a link to a review and more info.

    Only downside (so far for me) is battery life (got around that with a Power Pack from Battery Geeks). Webcam works OK. Integrates just fine with both Skype and Yahoo Messenger.
     
    sanpabloguy, Feb 28, 2007
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  5. maomanmaman

    maomanmaman Notebook Consultant

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    i think you should just get lenovo to check up on your T60 WS. unless you really don't like the matte lcd on the thinkpad, stick w/ thinkpad. coming from lenovo to asus will feel like an upgrade in performance (better gfx card), but a downgrade in build quality, especially when some of the ASUS notebooks have keyboards that rattle a lot...

    I know that the ASUS W3J is pretty solid, if that's what you're looking for...
     
    maomanmaman, Feb 28, 2007
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  6. PROPortable

    PROPortable Company Representative

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    I'd go with a W7 for your needs.
     
    PROPortable, Feb 28, 2007
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  7. gcrajan

    gcrajan Notebook Enthusiast

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    go with either the w3j, a8j, or the w7j all nice but the w3j and w7j are sleeker
     
    gcrajan, Feb 28, 2007
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  8. hotboy

    hotboy Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys! Thank you very much for replies. Now I know what to buy.
    2 jlr18. Nice too see you too. So do you like your ASUS?

    I don't want to carry T60 to school because it takes too much space in my backpack, although it's surprisingly light.
     
    hotboy, Mar 1, 2007
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  9. Mr.Pigeon

    Mr.Pigeon Notebook Evangelist

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    Go for the W7J .. portable and solid build.

    Cheers !
     
    Mr.Pigeon, Mar 1, 2007
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  10. jlr18

    jlr18 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I do like the Asus - it's not as business-user-friendly as Thinkpads ("Here's a utility to do the important stuff you don't think of/know to do, because we know your degree isn't in CS"), and it's about as thick as the T60, but it seems far sturdier than my friend's SZ. However, my work needs have recently changed and I may need to go for a tablet, although I will still need a dedicated GPU. *sigh* Any exciting Asus tablets on the horizon?
     
    jlr18, Mar 6, 2007
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