Asus W3J Review (pics, specs)

by Jeffrey S. Tucker

Overview and Introduction:

The Asus W3j represents Asus' latest foray into the crowded waters of the high-performance thin-and -light market. Built as a highly upgraded refresh of the immensely popular Asus W3v, the W3j maintains the sleek mobility of a 14" widescreen and adds the mid-high graphics capabilities of the ATI X1600 video card. The notebook sector has seen a recent influx of such designs, and while this review won't serve as an adequate comparison between these systems, it should illustrate why the Asus W3j stands deservedly among the upper-tier of these products.

Asus W3J being reviewed (view large image)

Asus has recently up-dated the hardware configuration for the W3j (H026P). The reviewed computer represents the stock specifications of the W3j at the time of its release in May 2006 (H017P). These specifications are as follows:

• Intel Core Duo T2400 1.86 GHz Processor
• 14" WXGA (1280 x 768) LCD Panel
• 1 GB (2 x 512 MB) DDR2 667 MHz RAM
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 w/ 256 MB VRAM GPU (512 MB Hypermemory)
• 100 GB 5400 RPM P-ATA Hard Drive
• Built-In Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 A/B/G miniPCI
• 8x Super Multi DVD Burner
• 8 Cell Li-Ion Battery
• 54mm PCI-Express Card Slot
• Built-in Bluetooth
• 3x USB 2.0 Ports
• 4 in 1 memory card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
• S-Video Out
• IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Port
• Windows XP Professional
• 13" (length) x 9.7" (width) x 1.18"-1.28" (height) ~5.0 LBS w/ US standard 8 cell and travelers drawer ~5.4 LBS w/ US standard 8 cell and optical drive

The prime differences between the original H017P and H026P W3J configurations are the inclusion of an Intel Core Duo T2500 2.0 GHz processor, 1 x 1056 MB memory, and a $100 price hike.

Reasons for Buying:

Given the commercially-competitive nature of our society, the decision to jump for a big-ticket item can be a mind-numbingly painful one. While this pain might have been absent in my case, the decision to purchase the W3j was the result of 6 months of research. Being indecisive has its drawbacks, but a lack of patience is not one of them. My principle needs in a computer were portability, graphics-capability, longevity, and quality. Given my itinerant (occasionally consuming) gaming habit, a mid-high range GPU was a strong factor in my choice to buy. Combined with my needs for portability this originally caused me to look at 15.4" widescreen media notebooks. Among these were the MSI-1039, HP dv4000 (when it had the ATI x700), the Sager 5320, and the Asus V6va. All of these were appealing options, but a combination of release delays (in the case of the MSI-1039) and the up-coming inclusion of higher-end GPUs (such as the x1600) caused me to postpone my purchase. Whilst in the throes of the waiting game I heard about the Asus W3j, and decided that a 14" widescreen might actually better serve my needs than its larger counterparts.

This computer is intended to last me through medical school, all the while satisfying my note taking and graphics needs. As such, versatility in function and ease of mobility needed to be combined with a high build quality. I'm of the mind set that a few extra dollars are worth it, if the added attention to detail will prolong the aesthetic and functional life of the product. This was the primary factor which caused me to shift my attention from mass-market distributors such as Dell and HP, towards the designer models like Asus and Sager. While this meant my price range jumped from $1400 to $1800 I believe the end-result is worth it. The Asus W3j will undoubtedly serve me for 4 years in all manners necessary. While this time-frame will see such innovations as the introduction of Windows Vista and the release of 64-bit processors, I believe these issues will be addressed adequate to my needs.

Where and How Purchased:

I purchased the notebook from PROPortable.com. It's owner, Justin, is a frequent participant herein theNotebookReview.com Asusforums, and I consistently find his advice to be exclusive, accurate, and timely.

The purchase price was the same as that of other retailers, namely $1,799. Combined with shipping costs and a $50 discount for NotebookReview.com forum members the final price came to $1821.32. Although I had seen promotional sales for slightly less, I found the shopping experience through PROPortable to be phenomenal. I believe the extra $50 I could have saved is more than made up for in the comfort I feel working with Justin's company.

Build & Design:

This is one area which I can talk about without equivocation. The W3j is a masterpiece. The diligent student will realize that in specifications the Asus W3j is nearly identical to the Asus A8j and S96j. The difference you ask? Build quality.

Design has always been Asus' forte, and this fact is attested to in the construction of the W3. First impressions on opening the box were somewhat akin to Homer Simpson, being a combination of euphoric moaning and drool. The brushed aluminum lid is poetically elegant, and the seamless touchpad is gorgeous. The bamboo-style hinge maintains the curvaceous nature of the design, as do the fonts of the keyboard which are decidedly less angular than is typical. The colorations of the computer itself lend a great deal to the aesthetics of the machine. I particularly enjoy the charcoal black of interior, the chrome trim of the touchpad, and the gun-metal gray of the lid.

The metallic and texturedlid suggests the overall ruggedness of this machine (view large image)

The durability of the computer is also excellent. At no point in the three weeks that I've used it have I felt or heard creaks, rattles, or loosening joints. There is no flex on the screen or within the chassis itself. The magnetic latch of the lid is fantastic, and the hinge itself is so sturdy as to sometimes require two hands for proper positioning. (This in itself might be a negative for some people, but I find it a redeeming quality). The computer is also light weight enough (5.4 lbs.) to allow easy portability.

As to design there are only a few minor complaints. The only aspect of the computer which I find less than perfectly sturdy is the battery. If pressure is applied it exhibits a slight wobble. This is only a minor concern, it does not affect my opinion of the computer being totally sound, and it is completely unnoticeable unless sought after. I also would have been happier should Asus have used Carbon-alloy for the interior palm rest. As it stands the palm-rest is made of a high-grade plastic. This is particularly noticeable around the gray trim of the LCD/keyboard, and the seam of the battery. I also dislike how the heat vent was placed on the right side of the computer. Given the heat the GPU is capable of generating, this can be uncomfortable after prolonged use.

Screen:

Asus W3J screen straight on (view large image)

Asus W3J screen taken from the right side, notice the reflection from the glossy screen (view large image)

The Asus W3j is a 14" widescreen with WXGA resolution (1280 x 768). It has a Color Shine' glossy LCD with Crystal Bright' (extra bright) technology. When the W3 was first released there was no small debate about the rationale of using a WXGA resolution instead of something higher. I'll admit that I was slightly anxious concerning this fact, but I'm happy to report that I've since found a WXGA resolution to be entirely adequate. The viewing angles of the screen are relatively narrow, a fact definitively noticeable on black images such as the Asus start-up screen. In these instances the upper and lower portions of the screen can take on a gray haze. If three or four people where crowded around the screen I would expect those persons on the outside to have difficulty seeing. Nevertheless, I've found the screen performance to be more than sufficient for my personal use. There is no light-leakage (meaning bleeding of the backlight through the seams) that I can perceive, nor are there any dead-pixels. The gloss of the screen might seem extreme from some of the included pictures, but I have not found this to be the case.

Using the Asus W3J with two windows open on the screen(view large image)

On a personal note, I've also confirmed my suspicions that a 14" widescreen is an exceptional substitute for a 15.4" screen. Not once have I been disappointed with the size of the LCD. It shows video well, and it offers reasonable space to display two screens side by side.

Most importantly, a look at how the Simpsons plays on the W3j (view large image)

Speakers:

Except in exceptional cases speakers are usually less than superb on notebooks. The W3j is not such an exception. Of all things concerning this notebook, this is that which I have found to be the most blatantly average. The design of the computer itself causes the speakers to angle down. Whether watching videos or playing games I typically find myself wishing I could push the sound just a little louder and richer. In the confines of my room the sound is adequate, but in public you will find yourself straining a little. On a positive note, the headphone/speaker jack is excellent, and the ability to use such eliminates this difficulty.

Processor and Performance:

The W3j emerges at an interesting time in computer evolution, in that it stands on the verge of the introduction of 64-bit technology. Even absent such however, it still represents an exceptionally powerful processing unit. The Yonah T2400 is a 1.86 GHz Dual Core. This means that the processor is capable of isolating different functions to one of its two cores, thus decreasing interference between programs (or even within the same program) and speeding up the process.

The general impression during use is speed. At no time have I felt that the computer lags beyond reason, and even then only when 4 or 5 process hungry programs are open simultaneously. CPU usage hovers around 15% when watching a DVD which enables comfortable multi-tasking.

Included in the design of the notebook are several hot buttons which enable easy hardware management. Along the left side are media keys which play CDs even when the computer is off. When the computer is turned on, these buttons access Windows Media Player. Along the right side are buttons which enable/disable Power4Gear, Bluetooth, Screen Contrast, Wireless Internet, and the Touchpad. I find all these functions to be extremely useful.

Benchmarks:

The following benchmarks reflect stock speeds and stock drivers. As you can see the Asus W3j more than holds its own in performance.

SuperPi

Below is the Super Pi calculation to 2-million digits of acuracyscore and comparison to other notebooks:

Notebook	Time
Asus W3J (1.83GHz Core Duo)	1m 23s
Dell Inspiron e1705 (2.0GHz Core Duo)	1m 12s
Lenovo Z61m (2.0GHz Core Duo)	1m 16s
IBM ThinkPad T43 (1.86 GHz Pentium M)	1m 45s
IBM ThinkPad Z60m(2.0 GHz Pentium M)	1m 36s
Fujitsu LifeBook N3510 (1.73 GHz Pentium M)	1m 48s
Dell Inspiron 6000D (1.6 GHz Pentium M)	1m 52s
Dell Inspiron 600M (1.6 GHz Pentium M)	2m 10s
HP Pavilion dv4000(1.86 GHz Pentium M)	1m 39s
Asus V6Va(Pentium M 1.86 GHz)	1m 46s
Lenovo ThinkPad T60 (2.0GHz Core Duo)	1m 18s

3DMark 05 Results:

Below is the overall 3DMark05 score and comparison to other notebooks:

Notebook	3DMark 05 Results
Asus W3J (1.83GHz Core Duo, ATI X1600 256MB)	3,9253D Marks
Apple MacBook Pro (2.0GHz Core Duo, ATI X1600 128MB)	2866 3D Marks
Alienware M7700 (AMD Athlon FX-60 Nvidia GeForce Go7800 GTX)	7,0783DMarks
Dell Inspiron e1705 (2.0GHz Intel T2500, ATI X1400)	1,791 3D Marks
Asus V6Va (2.13 GHz Pentium M, ATI Radeon Mobility x700 128 MB)	2,530 3D Marks
Fujitsu n6410(1.66 GHz Core Duo, ATI X1400 128MB)	2,2733DMarks
Dell XPS M1210 (2.16 GHz Core Duo, nVidia Go 7400 256MB)	2,090 3D Marks
Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi(2.0GHz Core Duo, ATI X1600 256MB)	4,157 3DMarks

PCMark 05 Results:

Below is the overall PCMark05 score and comparison to other notebooks:

Notebook	PCMark05 Score
Asus W3J (1.83GHz Core Duo)	3,978PCMarks
Fujitsu N6410(1.66GHz Core Duo)	3,487 PCMarks
Alienware M7700 (AMD Athlon FX-60)	5,597PCMarks
Sony Vaio SZ-110B in Speed Mode (Using Nvidia GeForce Go 7400)	3,637 PCMarks
Dell Inspiron e1405 (1.66 GHz Intel T2300)	2,879PCMarks
Asus V6J (1.86GHz Core Duo T2400)	3,646 PCMarks
Toshiba Satellite M70 (Pentium M1.86GHz)	1,877 PCMarks

HDTune:

Heat & Noise:

Heat is naturally going to be an issue when such a powerful graphics card is packed into such a small unit. Although I won't go so far as to state it is a problem, it is definitely noticeable. As stated before, this fact is aggravated by the situation of the heat vent on the right side. If you are using graphics intensive programs you will feel heat out of this vent. Nevertheless, I do not find the heat level to prohibitory to computer usage, nor do I find that I can't bear to keep it on my lap. Overall, I find the balance between performance and heat capacity to be in accord. I purchased this computer knowing it was a performance machine, and I'm not disappointed in the consequences thereof.

The W3j is exceptionally quiet. On several occasions I've taken it to meetings and did not find it distracting in any regard. I say this with one caveat. Once the optical drive kicks in, it will be noticeable in a quiet room. If the optical drive is not used the noise level is minimal.

Keyboard & Touchpad:

Keyboard and touchpad view of the Asus W3j (view large image)

I enjoy both these aspects of the W3j. The keyboard is very well executed in most respects. The keys are individually mounted and the pressure required to press them is homogeneous across the board. I find the stroke distance to be slightly more than that of typical notebook keyboards, which I also enjoy. The keys themselves are a little noisier than I've come to expect on a notebook, but I don't perceive this to be enough of a phenomenon to be bothered by it. The font on the keys is noticeably different from that of the standard keyboard. Principally, in that the font is more curved. It's a subtle effect taken as a whole, but an entirely pleasing one. In fact I've had several people spontaneously comment that they like the font design. In my opinion, the one drawback of the keyboard is the situation of the Left Control and Function keys. The function key occupies the bottom-left corner of the keyboard as opposed to the control key. This becomes slightly annoying when performing functions such as cutting and pasting. I would have preferred to see these key positions switched, but in the end it serves as only a minor irritation

Closeup of touchpad (view large image)

The touchpad is a pleasant surprise. Experience has blessed me with a healthy bias against touchpads, but I find this one to be more reliable that those I've used in the past. Tracking seems to be consistent and accurate and the button sweet-spot' is large enough to maintain ease of use. The design of the touchpad itself is a pleasure. I find the single button style appealing and the patterned face to be aesthetic.

Input and Output Ports:

A principle disadvantage of the Bamboo' hinge design is the loss of the rear face for ports. Nevertheless, the W3 manages to pack sufficient connectivity on the left and right sides of the computer to satisfy most users. Included are:

• 3x USB 2.0 ports
• Audio Line-out (headphones/speakers)
• Microphone-in
• PCI 54 mm Express Card Slot
• 4 in 1 memory card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
• S-Video Out
• IEEE 1394 (Firewire) Port
• VGA 15-pin Video-Out (external monitor)
• 10/100 Ethernet LAN
• 56k Modem

Left side view of ports on the W3j (view large image)

Right side view of W3j ports (view large image)

I would have liked to have seen at least one more USB port, but thus far having 3 has proven sufficient.

Wireless:

Included in the W3j is the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 A/B/G miniPCI wireless card. I have used the local wireless connection multiple times in my home and office and have yet to find a problem. Connection is quick and reliable, and the card identifies networks rapidly as they become available.

Battery:

Battery life is one area in which the nature of this performance machine is readily noticeable. I have found battery life to range between 2h 45m and 3h 15m. The difference between the ranges is determined by CPU usage, screen brightness, and optical drive activity. 3 hours is a responsible estimate. While this is short I've found it sufficient for my needs. Also, keep in mind that the Asus W3j features a Hot-Swappable' optical bay which can be filled with a hard drive or a 2<SUP>nd</SUP> optional battery. This second battery is a 6 cell Li-Ion as opposed to the main 8 cell, and should extend battery life by as much as 50%.

Operating System and Software:

The W3j shipped with Windows XP Professional. Additional software was minimal and easy to remove. Included was a trial version of Norton AntiVirus, Asus DVD software, and Nero (for burning CDs and DVDs). Norton, I have since replaced, but I find the other software to be useful, although not critical. Also provided was a CD containing all necessary utilities and drivers, and a system restore disk. The drive was initially partitioned FAT 32, but a simple program on the start-up desktop allowed quick conversion to NTFS.

Customer Support:

I have as yet not had occasion to deal with Asus Technical Support. I hope this remains the case for some time. I have heard that the quality of their service is excellent (this too was a factor in purchasing from Asus), but I have no first hand experience and so will remain silent on the subject for the time being.

Conclusion:

Simply stated, I love this computer. Between the superb performance of the T2400 Dual Core processor and the ATI X1600 GPU all my computational needs have be met. Combine this with an absolutely stunning design and portable dimensions and the result is spectacular. Complaints with the system are vastly over-shadowed by the over-all experience. For those with budget concerns I would first look at the Asus A8j or S96j, but if you're willing to spend a little extra for a top-quality product then I wholeheartedly recommend the Asus W3j. I am confident in stating that you will enjoy the experience.

Pros:

• Elegant/sturdy design
• Excellent performance (CPU &amp; GPU)
• Light-weight &amp; portable dimensions

Cons:

• Relatively short battery life
• Average speakers
• Heat vent on right-hand side

 

Fantastic Review. I really appreciate it. I know i'll be buying this notebook, now all I have to do is decide whether to wait for merom or not.

 

Very nice.

+rep

 

Great review! I was expecting a W3j review any day and was wondering why there wasn't one out yet.

I'm still trying to decide... W3j or A8jm. In Taiwan, they run about the same price. I think the A8jm is like $70 cheaper.

 

Finally a W3j review everyone has been lusting over. Nice job.

 

Also another thing I noticed about battery life.. You say it gets between 2:45 and 3:15. When I went to a store here in Taiwan, and turned the screen all the way down, it regestered 4hrs 20 minutes. That was with wi-fi off and the screen all the way down running light apps. Would it be possible to add to the review. Try some games and see how much batter life you get. I think you could drain it in 2hrs or less. And I'm quite sure you should be able to get 4hrs with every setting on low.

 

Very nice review, I've been waiting for one for a while. ^^

 

Very nice review!

Congrats!

 

great review, makes me drool over the w3j like when i just saw it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. This review is about a week late in coming simply from the pure joy I've had in distracting myself with the W3j. It really is a great computer.

I know what you mean. The numbers I reported represent the automatic battery mode of Power4Gear doing typical office work. With absolutely minimum settings I could see close to 4 hours, but I'd be suprised to actually hit it on just the main battery. Playing games I would expect battery life to dip to about 2 hours, or maybe just under. I'll do some tests and see if I can update the review.

 

An excellent review on a much desired notebook... Thank you for doing such a wonderful job on this.

 

Congrats on a GREAT buy , finally a rival to the Benq S73 14" gaming laptop that is even better looking .

Too bad about the sound , thats why I now look for subwoofer in laptops ( only in 17" so far ) , maybe there is a market solution for usb attached mini subwoofer ?

 

Awesome lappy!

Here's another review from UK:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?page=7138&head=0

 

Outstanding review! Very well written indeed.

The Asus W3J is truly a phenomenal notebook. I'd been waiting to read a review for ages.

Thanks.

 

its true you can get 4+ with the backlight off...but unless you're only using the laptop at night with the lights off..this stat is useless...the best i've been able to get is about 3:40 with the brightness at the 2nd or 3rd lowest setting and wifi on and bt off

 

Very nice review and congrat on your new W3j
Now you made me wonder whether i should get this lovely W3j or the A8j
The prices is kind of different: W3j at 1799 at http://www.proportable.com/ and A8j at 1499 at http://www.zipzoomfly.com/. I cant made my decision. Poor me.
Make sure u enjoy the W3j
Have a nice day (with a nice notebook)

 

Fantastic review.

However, I have to disagree with one thing. 3:00 battery life is nothing to complain about. This machine is using a lot of power, and I am pleasantly surprised to see such long life.

 

That has to be one of the best written reviews I've read thus far Jeffrey, wonderful job and thanks for your efforts.

The W3J is a really nice looking machine, Asus seems to have taken over the 14" gaming market by storm with the W3J and the A8JM. The metal lid is very attractive, that shows quality more than anything else in my opinion.

 

Awsome review!, i enjoyed reading it.

Now the batterylife, lol, Yonah + X1600 should = 3 hours, something like that, no matter what notebook, so considering that, i think your batterylife is on average.

Yeah the W3J is one amazing notebook, great looking, and that modular bay battery option is just great!.

Thanks for the review,

MysticGolem

 

I agree. 3 hours is about what I expected when I bought the machine and 3 hours is what I get. I'm not complaining, but more is always nice.

 

Excellent review, Jeff. It touched on everything people have wanted to know about the computer. Where did you find time to do it?

Have you had any problems getting your W3J to go into standby or hibernate? I've found that with the factory settings the hard drive has to be set to "never turn off" for STR and STD to work. That's really been the only drawback thus far.

Over the past 3 weeks, I'm averaging 3:55-4:00 with the screen on 6% and running Acrobat Reader during class with the wifi off in battery saving mode. The notebook charges very quickly, as well, once it is nealy completely discharged.

Thanks again for an excellent review. I am sure it will be helpful to people looking for a new notebook.

--KK

EDIT: I should clarify to say that the 4:00 time mentioned above is with the screen turning off after 2 minutes of no input on occasion. That does make a big difference in the overall battery life, but the computer stays on the whole time and doesn't go into STR or STD mode during that time. If I disable the "screen off" function, I get about 3:20-3:25 with the above settings.

 

I've read about the stand-by problem, but haven't experienced it yet.

 

why is it hard to choose between the two? with the lower price and go force 7800, a8j seems like a better value... unless a8j has substantially poorer battery performance...

sg

 

Excellent review on the W3J that I've been waiting for.

Now if only I could get one a little sooner than mid-July... I'll be going nuts waiting for this thing.

 

Nice Review! Thanks for the information! And congrats on a sweet laptop!

 

Great Review... interesting though - I can't decide whether it's just the pics or if the W3J screen really is that mediocre...

 

I have seen the W3J and believe me it is an attractive lappy. It looks much sharper and slicker in person than it appears in pictures.

 

The screen on the W3j is beautiful.

 

Why no DVI output on this machine? Odd seems that the A8J has one.... Do people use them?

 

Great review, congrats on your new toy

Side note : sguart: The A8Jm has Go 7600, not 7800.

 

I noticed you didn't get an extended warranty. Is that b/c you plan on upgrading yourself or b/c you saw no need for it? Should I get an extended warranty since I don't plan on upgrading my W3j? Thanks

 

Jstucker,
Thanks for taking the time for the review. It was excellent. Of course, your command of the English language made it a pleasure to read. Question for you; do you have any issues with the laptop transferring power from the additional battery that goes in the DVD drive to the Main battery? Mine simply shuts off as if there were no power to it at all instead of a seamless switch.
TeF

 

I couldn't tell you Teflonman as I don't have the secondary battery yet. I hope to purchase one next month.

As to the extended warranty, I'm just not in the habit of purchasing them. That's a risky move by some peoples consideration, but I figure if anything goes wrong after the initial year, then it's probably my fault. And if so, I can just by better replacement parts provided the problem isn't integrated. If you're moving the computer around a lot then I can see some definite advantage to the warranty. If I had had an extra couple hundred dollars with which I wasn't unduly concerned then I would have sprung for it myself.

 

Thanks for the excellent review. I am looking for similar specs as you were looking for. I was looking at Dell/Lenovo T60/HP/Sony VGNSZ240 and others and I stumbled onto the Asus W3J and am pleasantly surprised at it's specifications. I have just finished med school and am looking for a durable laptop to last me through my residency years with the occasional gaming (if I ever get the time ;P). Thanks again for the review...it might have swayed me over to pick up the W3J.

 

Great review. Great notebook.

Actually the W3J was one of my top choices but at the time there were no sign of it ever coming out (in Hong Kong). Being an impatient guy I am, I went and bought the BenQ Joybook S73G instead.

The W3J you have is very attractive indeed and the components listed were much better than what I seen at the time when I first did my research half a year ago. However, I am quite surprised and disappointed to see the W3J coming without a DVI port and a Gigabit Ethernet. I am sure most of you can live without Gigabit ethernet but for a system that is primarily targetted for gamers, no DVI port is very shocking indeed!

Oh, might I also add...3 hours is excellent. The S73G I have can barely make 2 hours while playing Oblivion at full power and full brightness. I just came back from Las Vegas. Imagine sitting on the plane with nothing to do for 14 hours, that 1 hour difference between the W3J and S73G can be heaven...

 

I might get this for college, is the keyboard quiet? I need to be able to use in class w/o annoying anyone. Thanks

 

Quick question, how does the single mouse button work? Does it only serve a single function or can you right click with the right side of the button and left click with the other? I'm assuming the second, but I wanted some confirmation.

I'm starting the search for my next laptop and this looks like quite a contender.

 

You can right-click on the right side, left-click on the left side. There's just not a distinct line between the two sides.

 

Ok, thanks for the quick reply!

 

Hey jstucker,

Great review!

Could you please elaborate on the heat and noise.
- Does heat only become an issue when gaming?
- When does the fan become audible? Gaming, Adobe photoshop, Word?
- Is the keyboard noisy?
- Is it quiet and cool during normal Word or Web browsing?

Thanks!