Having had a chance to fiddle around for a few days with my new baby, I thought I'd give something back to the forums so helpful in assisting my buying decision. Most reviews I've read have focused on modified V6va's, so here's one based on the stock model.
Specs:
CPU: Pentium M 750 ( 1.86Ghz )
RAM: 1GB (2x512) DDR2-533, Hynix
Video: X700 (128 MB) PCI-E
Hard Drive: Fujitsu 100G 4200rpm
Optical Drive: 4X DVDRW
XP Pro
I ordered from GenTech, both for this and a prior purchase for my father and have had nothing but the best, most attentive service from them. Their prices for non-ensemble units are also some of the best around. Check them out.
http://www.1toppc.com/Merchant2/
On to it:
The V6va is a terrific machine. I ordered a Z63A for my father and fell in love with the ASUS build quality, battery life and elegant design. The V6va ups the ante significantly with its much lauded screen, looks and well thought-out components. As an artist, the screen was the main selling point for me. Had the Z70va carried something comparable to this, I would have opted for that and saved a good chunk of change. For my needs though, the true blacks and saturated color this one can achieve are too good to pass up. Mind you, this screen isn't without fault- but it is very, very close.
The first thing you'll notice upon getting this mother out of the box is its build quality- rock solid, no flex anywhere, completely compact. There's nothing wasted, nothing superfluous. Opening the screen up, I was surprised at just how thin they were able to make it, especially considering its reputation for image quality.
ASUS has recently lowered the warranty from 2 years to 1, though the labels on my unit still proclaim the 2 year global warranty. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd honor what the sticker says? We'll see.
The keyboard is plenty fine. I don't consider myself a keyboard connoisseur, but it is comfortable and responsive. Function buttons at the top are well placed. They are more minimal than the Z63A's, which include CD controls, etc., on the left and right edges. I prefer this streamlined approach, mostly for not having to worry about pressing a button when I pick up or shift the notebook.
ASUS loads a bit of software onto the basic XP Pro package, some of which is fine (ASUS PC Probe, software DVD player, ASUS updater, etc.) and some of which must be executed with extreme prejudice (Norton). One thoughtful consideration is an NTFS conversion shortcut right on the desktop for those (like me) who can't understand the value of FAT32. The HD comes partitioned in something like a 60 and 40 gig set, which I don't mind. Back in the days of yore, that was considered healthy practice for good HD health- maybe it still holds true.
And so, the 4200 RPM HD... It does seem out of place on the system's spec sheet. In practice, I see it as an acceptable trade off for battery life (Though once the warranty expires, it would be tempting to swap it out for a 5400 RPM Seagate, which will supposedly drain the same). For now, it's working well.
So, yes, I can't wait any longer: About the screen! It's a glorious thing. The clarity, color, contrast, etc., are great. It easily outshines my Hyundai Q17 LCD (another item from the days of yore, but the one to beat in its time). It's as close as I'd expect anyone to come in producing a CRT-worthy image in a laptop.
Observe, and tremble:
View angles are also excellent- up-down, side-side, impressive. But blurry photo- much apologize:
I mentioned it was not bullet-proof: Eschewing the glossy/matte debate, the only shortcoming of this screen is response time. It's not bad, but those oft-mentioned days of yore (Hyundai Q17) still beat it. I also don't have a lot of laptop-specific comparative reference, but I can say, it does ghost. If I had to break it down, it would go thus:
Color/Contrast: 5 Super Stars
Movies: 4 Stars - movies are very watchable, but there is a sense of transition.
Gaming: 3 1/2 Stars - ghosting pretty apparent.
Still, I played and enjoyed a few sessions of Half Life 2 at great FPS in full resolution, no problem. One thing this screen does VERY well is interpolation. Lower resolutions remained ultra-crisp. A happy thing for those who know that old games beat new games down, bar none. Long live System Shock!
-
Battery life: Using the default brightness settings for ASUS's Power4Gear office/e-mail mode, I managed about 4 hours. I was more than happy. Cranking brightness up to max eats about 45 minutes to an hour of that time. I have not tried gaming or movies on battery yet, aside from Ultima VII (UP WITH OLD GAMES!!!).
I find the touchpad to be fine, but don't use it much. The buttons do feel more satisfying than those on the Z63A. But bluetooth mouse, all the way. I've had no problems with the bluetooth regarding my Logitech V270.
The speakers, as others have mentioned, are great for a laptop. There's very little bass, but I'm not expecting miracles. Suffice to say, they get surprisingly loud (in fact, I tend to operate them on their lowest setting).
-
The only other point I can think of is the heat/noise issue many are throwing around.
For the heat: If you operate this machine on your lap while running at peak number crunching and are not wearing Eskimo-heavy pants, it's going to be a bit much. But that's expected in today's world, right? As for the metal around the keyboard getting warm, it does, but not much. It's not uncomfortable, it's not something that caused the sweat action, itchy wrist, yadda-yadda you may have heard of, at least for my unit and my hide. My first experience with a laptop was a Fujitsu Pentium 120 with plastic exterior, which got hotter around the wrist area than this fellow.
For noise: I notice very little- its DVD drive is also much less furious than the Z63A's (and more solidly constructed).
-
That about wraps it up. In case you can't tell, I couldn't be happier with this machine- I highly recommend it, primarily for people who want accurate color and contrast in their visuals. But there's so much more! The build is great, the design is great, the battery life; everything I was expecting plus a monkey.
I was initially thinking of loading up another Z63A to the gills for a good bit less than this one runs- very tempting. The screen pulled me in though, and I can say I have absolutely no regrets in my decision.
Happy trails!
Specs:
CPU: Pentium M 750 ( 1.86Ghz )
RAM: 1GB (2x512) DDR2-533, Hynix
Video: X700 (128 MB) PCI-E
Hard Drive: Fujitsu 100G 4200rpm
Optical Drive: 4X DVDRW
XP Pro
I ordered from GenTech, both for this and a prior purchase for my father and have had nothing but the best, most attentive service from them. Their prices for non-ensemble units are also some of the best around. Check them out.
http://www.1toppc.com/Merchant2/
On to it:
The V6va is a terrific machine. I ordered a Z63A for my father and fell in love with the ASUS build quality, battery life and elegant design. The V6va ups the ante significantly with its much lauded screen, looks and well thought-out components. As an artist, the screen was the main selling point for me. Had the Z70va carried something comparable to this, I would have opted for that and saved a good chunk of change. For my needs though, the true blacks and saturated color this one can achieve are too good to pass up. Mind you, this screen isn't without fault- but it is very, very close.
The first thing you'll notice upon getting this mother out of the box is its build quality- rock solid, no flex anywhere, completely compact. There's nothing wasted, nothing superfluous. Opening the screen up, I was surprised at just how thin they were able to make it, especially considering its reputation for image quality.
ASUS has recently lowered the warranty from 2 years to 1, though the labels on my unit still proclaim the 2 year global warranty. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd honor what the sticker says? We'll see.
The keyboard is plenty fine. I don't consider myself a keyboard connoisseur, but it is comfortable and responsive. Function buttons at the top are well placed. They are more minimal than the Z63A's, which include CD controls, etc., on the left and right edges. I prefer this streamlined approach, mostly for not having to worry about pressing a button when I pick up or shift the notebook.
ASUS loads a bit of software onto the basic XP Pro package, some of which is fine (ASUS PC Probe, software DVD player, ASUS updater, etc.) and some of which must be executed with extreme prejudice (Norton). One thoughtful consideration is an NTFS conversion shortcut right on the desktop for those (like me) who can't understand the value of FAT32. The HD comes partitioned in something like a 60 and 40 gig set, which I don't mind. Back in the days of yore, that was considered healthy practice for good HD health- maybe it still holds true.
And so, the 4200 RPM HD... It does seem out of place on the system's spec sheet. In practice, I see it as an acceptable trade off for battery life (Though once the warranty expires, it would be tempting to swap it out for a 5400 RPM Seagate, which will supposedly drain the same). For now, it's working well.
So, yes, I can't wait any longer: About the screen! It's a glorious thing. The clarity, color, contrast, etc., are great. It easily outshines my Hyundai Q17 LCD (another item from the days of yore, but the one to beat in its time). It's as close as I'd expect anyone to come in producing a CRT-worthy image in a laptop.
Observe, and tremble:
View angles are also excellent- up-down, side-side, impressive. But blurry photo- much apologize:
I mentioned it was not bullet-proof: Eschewing the glossy/matte debate, the only shortcoming of this screen is response time. It's not bad, but those oft-mentioned days of yore (Hyundai Q17) still beat it. I also don't have a lot of laptop-specific comparative reference, but I can say, it does ghost. If I had to break it down, it would go thus:
Color/Contrast: 5 Super Stars
Movies: 4 Stars - movies are very watchable, but there is a sense of transition.
Gaming: 3 1/2 Stars - ghosting pretty apparent.
Still, I played and enjoyed a few sessions of Half Life 2 at great FPS in full resolution, no problem. One thing this screen does VERY well is interpolation. Lower resolutions remained ultra-crisp. A happy thing for those who know that old games beat new games down, bar none. Long live System Shock!
-
Battery life: Using the default brightness settings for ASUS's Power4Gear office/e-mail mode, I managed about 4 hours. I was more than happy. Cranking brightness up to max eats about 45 minutes to an hour of that time. I have not tried gaming or movies on battery yet, aside from Ultima VII (UP WITH OLD GAMES!!!).
I find the touchpad to be fine, but don't use it much. The buttons do feel more satisfying than those on the Z63A. But bluetooth mouse, all the way. I've had no problems with the bluetooth regarding my Logitech V270.
The speakers, as others have mentioned, are great for a laptop. There's very little bass, but I'm not expecting miracles. Suffice to say, they get surprisingly loud (in fact, I tend to operate them on their lowest setting).
-
The only other point I can think of is the heat/noise issue many are throwing around.
For the heat: If you operate this machine on your lap while running at peak number crunching and are not wearing Eskimo-heavy pants, it's going to be a bit much. But that's expected in today's world, right? As for the metal around the keyboard getting warm, it does, but not much. It's not uncomfortable, it's not something that caused the sweat action, itchy wrist, yadda-yadda you may have heard of, at least for my unit and my hide. My first experience with a laptop was a Fujitsu Pentium 120 with plastic exterior, which got hotter around the wrist area than this fellow.
For noise: I notice very little- its DVD drive is also much less furious than the Z63A's (and more solidly constructed).
-
That about wraps it up. In case you can't tell, I couldn't be happier with this machine- I highly recommend it, primarily for people who want accurate color and contrast in their visuals. But there's so much more! The build is great, the design is great, the battery life; everything I was expecting plus a monkey.
I was initially thinking of loading up another Z63A to the gills for a good bit less than this one runs- very tempting. The screen pulled me in though, and I can say I have absolutely no regrets in my decision.
Happy trails!
Rest in Peace
