Z63a - here I come!

Well, it's been a good year with my M6Ne... I've had no real complaints about it, and to this day I still find it just as beautiful as it was one year ago.
However, the chance has come for me to get a new notebook computer. I definitely wanted to go for a lighter notebook (since I plan on carrying it to school almost everyday), but I will use it as my main computer, so a 14" seemed ideal. At first, I was sort of set on getting the IBM/Lenovo T42 - however, not wanting to deal with an online purchase AND because I want to give the new Sonoma platform a try, I opted for the Asus Z63a instead.

Here are the specs:
Asus Z63a
14.1" WXGA ColorShine screen
Intel Pentium M 740 (1.73 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 2M Cache)
1x1024MB DDR2 RAM
60GB HDD 8Mb Cache 5400RPM
DVD +/- burner
Intel Pro Wireless 2200BG

I haven't purchased it yet... but I probably will some time tomorrow afternoon. Anyone think I should go for the CDRW/DVD combo drive instead?
Anyway, I'm excited...

 

Even if you don't burn movies, DVD burners are nice for backups as they can hold much more data.

 

COngrats

Boo, W3v...W3v!!!

I think the DVD burner is worth it in the long run

 

I guess I'll stick with the DVD burner then... besides, I only save $60 with the combo drive.

Haha, coriolis, if I could afford the W3V...I would SO get it. However, I realize I don't even need the dedicated graphics... all I do is schoolwork, surfing, and light (and I mean really light) gaming. So in the end, nothing seemed more suitable than the Z63a...

 

Welcome to the club - you'll love it!!!

 

Aurora:
I will be curious about the heat issue that I've heard about with this chassis, though without the discrete graphics like the W3V, maybe it's less of a problem with the Z63a. Also, like you I'm not much of a gamer but use my computer mostly for word-processing, web-surfing, email, and similar business functions. An excellent keyboard is a must for a person who writes extensively.

Also, I'm still debating the glare type screen (W3V, Z63a, Sony XBrite, etc.) vs. matte finish (T43 14 in SXGA+ or 15 inch Flex View or Asus Z70Va--but I'm kind of freaked by the "red ghosting" I've been hearing so much about). Once you get your Z63a, I will be curious about your opinion of this issue, since you've got an M6Ne with the matte screen, right?

Also, given that the Z63a loses the fancy brushed aluminum top from the W3V, I will be curious about your opinion of the aesthetics. Finally, having read another recent Notebook Review or Laptop Logic article about the upcoming Windows Vista or Longhorn (whatever they're going to call it) requiring discrete graphics, I'm thinking that I want discrete graphics even if, at present, I don't do much gaming. Anyway, go for it! :decision:

 

Don't worry miguelius... I'll answer all of your questions and give a good comparison between the Z63a and M6Ne if you want.
I'm quite partial to matte screens actually... and honestly, I'm not a huge fan of widescreen...LOL...(you might think, "then why the heck are you buying a glare type wide screen?!) .. but I'm always up for something new, and if at first I don't like it, I'm sure I will always adjust. I'm quite the mellow person, after all...

 

Hey AuroraS

Where in Vancouver are you planning to buy it?

 

Anitec has expensive prices... NCIX is just...meh to me.

I was planning on puchasing from Vastech Computers, on Main Street near King Ed.

 

Vastech seems to pricey when compared to Canadasys Why does Canadasys have to be in Ontario??? Vancouver's a part of Canada too. Hehehe..

Any other places you trust that offer preconfigured z63a models?

 

not in Vancouver... although, I hear good things about Richmond stores.

ProPortable is great and so is CanadaSys...too bad I don't live in Ontario or the states

 

If you don't need the wide screen of Z63A, Z61A( 14" non-wide screen ) will be a good option, much slimmer and lighter than Z63A. The current Z61A in the market uses DDR333 memory, but in couple of weeks, newer version will come out, uses DDR2 memory.

Photo | Specs

 

We ship to BC, Alberta and Quebec almost everyday

 

z61a looks too much like a waffle maker to me

Also, isn't there something about taxes, rather, less of them, when buying from other provinces?

 

The actual Z61A looks much better/nicer than on the picture.

 

Surely you jest!

 

The Z61a is nice... but I agree that it does look quite odd compared to Asus's other beauties. I did want an M3Np a while ago... but opted for the M6Ne instead.
Now, I think I'll stick with the Z63a... I find it very appealing.

 

Would you care to test out how World of Warcraft play on that for me, PLZ PLZ PLZ. I really need to know that

 

cool AuroraS. I don't quite understand why you'd opt for a downgrade, but each to their own. I have certainly noticed the weight gain going from my m3np to my z70va, but that's mostly only in terms of holding it with with one hand and walking. If you don't walk and read/listen to music/play dvd's from your computer like I do, you really wouldn't notice the different going back and forth to and fro class. I certainly don't feel a difference.

 

Wow Aurora! Congratulations! Hope it goes well. Well since you said you take the laptop everywhere, why not try the W2v? Im just kidding but i hope the new lappy goes well.

 

The weight isn't my main concern... it's more the form factor; my backpack isn't all that big... so I thought going a little smaller would do great. Besides, I don't play games anymore... no time for that! The only games I play nowadays are emulator games...

World of Warcraft? I dont' have that game...

 

Heheh.. I guess I'll be looking around UBC for someone with a z63a. I'm pretty sure you'll stick out like a sore thumb amidst all the Dells, Toshibas, Sonys, etc

 

I've seen one Z63a on campus before... that's what made me want one

Anyway, I just pulled the trigger and ordered it... should be in my hands by sunday.

 

watcha gonna do with your ol M6? You can still keep it as ur main computer while ur Z63 becomes your travel buddy

 

Don't neglect the m6 too much

 

Oh yeah...forgot to mention that the "opportunity" that I spoke of in the original post involved my brother buying my M6Ne from me
So really, he's paying for half of my Z63a... so that he can take the M6Ne from me.

So the M6 won't be neglected...it'll just have a new master

 

Is the 1 Gig of ram one stick or two?

 

1x1024 MB DDII ram... I believe it's 533; if not, I'll ask them to put in 533

 

Ah cool. Leaves room for upgrade. However, I was looking at the Vastech site and I find it too expensive (don't you still have to pay 14% tax????)

Btw, do they have a Dead Pixel/Bright Dot Policy at Vastech?

 

Hmm... it's still better than the other dealers in Vancouver. Have you seen Anitec? NCIX doesn't have great prices either... not on this particular model at least.

I don't think they have any sort of special bright dot/dead pixel warranty... other than the standard Asus LCD warranty. I'm still crossing my fingers for no stuck/dead pixels!

 

LOL True. Anitec and NCIX have high prices compared to other dealers. Hope you enjoy your z63a.

 

Thanks... I hope so too.

:asus: :asus: :asus:

 

Well, I just got my Z63a - lovin' it!

Quick question for you all out there... what exactly is the "Wireless Console Utility"? Is it for bluetooth? Because I'm pretty sure I don't need it... and I don't have Bluetooth...

 

i guess you don't need to install for it. If your Asus laptop built in a bt(bluetooth), the original driver CD will show you a bt driver is available ready to install, if not, not any option for BT driver. I experience about the z70va with bt during the driver installation.

 

If i send you my WOW with a new CD key, will you try it out? Or can you download one and i supply you with my trail CD-key ^_^ Pwease.

 

Say no!

You'll get addicted and say bye bye to your life

WoW should run fine, there was a thread abut the 915GME grapphics chipset in the gaming forums I believe, the poster made a list of games that works

 

How fine is fine? They even say GF2 runs on it but it's very laggy. XD Don't think u can take down any rabbit with that kinda performance.
Is there a dealer that would lend me one to test it out ^_^. If it work i'll buy it. Me pay shipping, of course.

 

I think the 30min~ install and the 6 hour patch download is turning them off

 

coriolis: you have internal bluetooth on your Z70Va...I assume that you installed the "Wireless Console Utility" for the purpose of using bluetooth?

 

I don't have it yet LOL!

Those seperate modules haven't reached my dealer yet..

I'm in no real rush though

 

Oh I see
Well, I'll just assume "Wireless Console Utility" is for Bluetooth... and since I don't have it, I wont' install it.

A shame though... the bluetooth light and bluetooth quicklaunch button won't ever be used

 

Well, ever since I switched to my Atheros card, the only LED's that work is the ON and Charging LEDs heh..

BT and WiFi LEDs don't turn on

 

That sucks
I loved those sexy blue LEDs on the ol' M6...