I've been a lurker on this forum for quite a while now. This forum has given me a lot and think that it is just right to contribute something back.
I decided on the M6ne because I wanted a high-resolution SXGA+ screen for coding as well as CAD. The amount of desktop space is just ridiculous (in a good way). I don't understand all these people preferring lower resoultions simply for the widescreen "functionality." I also wanted something that wouldn't break the bank (no IBM), but also offered a professional design (flat black) and promising durability (all of my ASUS products have had excellent reliability). The ability to play the occasional UT2k4 match was also a deciding factor.
I purchased the following parts:
from Alpha PC Store:
M6ne barebone
Intel 2200bg wireless
DVD/CDRW
Modular battery
from Newegg:
1.7 ghz Dothan
512 mb pc2700 Kingston
60 gb 7200 rpm
total price ~$1800
Assembly was fairly quick. It took under two hours to complete. It would have been quicker if I had the guts to just use additional force to pry off the keyboard frame.
A current issue that I have is that the laptop seems to run hot over the CPU area and the fan seems to be running fairly constantly. Even right now as I write it is running, although at a very slow rate. I'll have to check my placement of the heatsink over the CPU. Power4 gear is set to Game and ASUS probe says that the CPU temp is ~50 C. Is this abnormal?
Several users have complained about the screen having poor viewing angles. I have a 3-year-old 17" Samsung flat-panel monitor for my desktop, which I thought had average viewing angles at the time, and this screen does pale in comparison. The screen does the job, however, and I can live with it.
The fit and finish of the notebook is excellent. There are some issues with the construction quality, especially around the palm rest area, where applying some compression forces causes the surface to yield. The keyboard is excellent. I've heard some complaints about flex, but I experience none.
Performance/battery life is consistent with other reviews.
I decided on the M6ne because I wanted a high-resolution SXGA+ screen for coding as well as CAD. The amount of desktop space is just ridiculous (in a good way). I don't understand all these people preferring lower resoultions simply for the widescreen "functionality." I also wanted something that wouldn't break the bank (no IBM), but also offered a professional design (flat black) and promising durability (all of my ASUS products have had excellent reliability). The ability to play the occasional UT2k4 match was also a deciding factor.
I purchased the following parts:
from Alpha PC Store:
M6ne barebone
Intel 2200bg wireless
DVD/CDRW
Modular battery
from Newegg:
1.7 ghz Dothan
512 mb pc2700 Kingston
60 gb 7200 rpm
total price ~$1800
Assembly was fairly quick. It took under two hours to complete. It would have been quicker if I had the guts to just use additional force to pry off the keyboard frame.
A current issue that I have is that the laptop seems to run hot over the CPU area and the fan seems to be running fairly constantly. Even right now as I write it is running, although at a very slow rate. I'll have to check my placement of the heatsink over the CPU. Power4 gear is set to Game and ASUS probe says that the CPU temp is ~50 C. Is this abnormal?
Several users have complained about the screen having poor viewing angles. I have a 3-year-old 17" Samsung flat-panel monitor for my desktop, which I thought had average viewing angles at the time, and this screen does pale in comparison. The screen does the job, however, and I can live with it.
The fit and finish of the notebook is excellent. There are some issues with the construction quality, especially around the palm rest area, where applying some compression forces causes the surface to yield. The keyboard is excellent. I've heard some complaints about flex, but I experience none.
Performance/battery life is consistent with other reviews.
