My Asus S5N arrived today from ProPortable (one day early)! No dead pixels (thanks)! Here are my initial impressions, my config, and my view on ProPortable:
Config:
1.5PM Dothan
768mb RAM
60gb/5400rpm HDD
64mb Intel Integrated Graphics (Dx9.0)
12.1" Screen
2.8lbs
0.8"
768 is currently the max RAM on this as it uses micro-dimms that max out at 512mb. When they come out with 1gb sticks one will be able to have 1.25gb as there is 256mb that I believe is immovable. I went with the 60/5400 because the 7200 seemed to knock off a significant amount of the battery life.
ProPortable
I cannot say enough good stuff about ProPortable and, in particular, Justin. They've met/exceeded all of my expectations. Some places may tell you that they check for dead pixels or do a burn-in before it leaves their store, but ProPortable really does. Laptop arrived in perfect working order and with the couple of accessories I ordered. They're also very good about getting to you about any problems that will delay your order (there was a problem with the screen on mine when they were testing it, but they resolved it quickly and actually got it to me the same day as originally promised - I was expecting it tomorrow after the problem).
Initial Impressions
1) The S5N is great looking. I had seen one in person for a few minutes before I ordered, but it really is stunning. Carbon-fiber case that is white and stainless steel colored. Gives any notebook a run for it's money in looks.
2) Weight/size. At 12.1, .8" thick and 2.8lbs, it is definetly an ultraportable. This is one of the main reasons I got it. I already toted it around in a bag to show it to my neighbor and boy did it feel like there was nothing in that bag.
3) Construction. One word: Solid. The laptop itself is typical Asus quality. Much better construction than the 3 Dell laptops I've used and better than my CL56. ( The external Cd/DVD drive is plastic, but it weighs only a few ounces and is not meant to be toted around all day - so I guess this is not a problem.)
4) Keyboard. Still getting used to the layout a little (a little different than my CL56 and the Dells I was using), but not a problem. The "important" keys on this laptop, i.e. A-Z, Shift, Enter, Space, Ctrl, Alt, are all full or close to full size (A-Z are full size). The number keys and backspace key are normal width, but "shorter." All of the less used keys are narrower, but normal height. The "F" keys are all scaled down."
The keyboard is very nice, clear keys, very little-to-no flex. The backspace key, being on the same row as the #'s is also shorter and I missed it a couple of times when I first started typing, but I seem to have gotten used to it already. Overall, no gripes with the keyboard.
6) I've already swapped out the 40/4200 for the 60/5400 HDD. ASUS provides their own XP disc (not windows branded) and system recovery disks. These made setting everything up extremely easy/painless.
7) Accesories: Game with a sleeve, brief style bag, wireless mouse (works fine - but a little small for my hands), ac adapter (tiny tiny thing), 3-cell battery all of the required CDs, some funky stickers for the touchpad, installation guys (based on the Quick Start guide I think this is marketed towards women in most parts of the world - they have 4 steps - 1. How to plug in the battery pack, 2. Plugging in the AC adapter, 3. Opening and closing the LCD, 4. Powering on/off the laptop - yeah, really tough stuff).
8) Performance - normally this thing comes with the 1.5/256RAM/40-4200HDD. With my config it zips. Installed XP very quickly, wireless works great, everything I've thrown at it in this tiny amount of time it has eaten up.
That's about all for now. If you have any questions, shoot em at me. Going to install AOE II now.
Config:
1.5PM Dothan
768mb RAM
60gb/5400rpm HDD
64mb Intel Integrated Graphics (Dx9.0)
12.1" Screen
2.8lbs
0.8"
768 is currently the max RAM on this as it uses micro-dimms that max out at 512mb. When they come out with 1gb sticks one will be able to have 1.25gb as there is 256mb that I believe is immovable. I went with the 60/5400 because the 7200 seemed to knock off a significant amount of the battery life.
ProPortable
I cannot say enough good stuff about ProPortable and, in particular, Justin. They've met/exceeded all of my expectations. Some places may tell you that they check for dead pixels or do a burn-in before it leaves their store, but ProPortable really does. Laptop arrived in perfect working order and with the couple of accessories I ordered. They're also very good about getting to you about any problems that will delay your order (there was a problem with the screen on mine when they were testing it, but they resolved it quickly and actually got it to me the same day as originally promised - I was expecting it tomorrow after the problem).
Initial Impressions
1) The S5N is great looking. I had seen one in person for a few minutes before I ordered, but it really is stunning. Carbon-fiber case that is white and stainless steel colored. Gives any notebook a run for it's money in looks.
2) Weight/size. At 12.1, .8" thick and 2.8lbs, it is definetly an ultraportable. This is one of the main reasons I got it. I already toted it around in a bag to show it to my neighbor and boy did it feel like there was nothing in that bag.
3) Construction. One word: Solid. The laptop itself is typical Asus quality. Much better construction than the 3 Dell laptops I've used and better than my CL56. ( The external Cd/DVD drive is plastic, but it weighs only a few ounces and is not meant to be toted around all day - so I guess this is not a problem.)
4) Keyboard. Still getting used to the layout a little (a little different than my CL56 and the Dells I was using), but not a problem. The "important" keys on this laptop, i.e. A-Z, Shift, Enter, Space, Ctrl, Alt, are all full or close to full size (A-Z are full size). The number keys and backspace key are normal width, but "shorter." All of the less used keys are narrower, but normal height. The "F" keys are all scaled down."
The keyboard is very nice, clear keys, very little-to-no flex. The backspace key, being on the same row as the #'s is also shorter and I missed it a couple of times when I first started typing, but I seem to have gotten used to it already. Overall, no gripes with the keyboard.
6) I've already swapped out the 40/4200 for the 60/5400 HDD. ASUS provides their own XP disc (not windows branded) and system recovery disks. These made setting everything up extremely easy/painless.
7) Accesories: Game with a sleeve, brief style bag, wireless mouse (works fine - but a little small for my hands), ac adapter (tiny tiny thing), 3-cell battery all of the required CDs, some funky stickers for the touchpad, installation guys (based on the Quick Start guide I think this is marketed towards women in most parts of the world - they have 4 steps - 1. How to plug in the battery pack, 2. Plugging in the AC adapter, 3. Opening and closing the LCD, 4. Powering on/off the laptop - yeah, really tough stuff).
8) Performance - normally this thing comes with the 1.5/256RAM/40-4200HDD. With my config it zips. Installed XP very quickly, wireless works great, everything I've thrown at it in this tiny amount of time it has eaten up.
That's about all for now. If you have any questions, shoot em at me. Going to install AOE II now.
once you dip below 3lbs.
) I am sure you will like it over here...
