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Questions for Resellers

post #1 of 36
7/13/05 at 9:29pm
Thread Starter 
Since we're lucky enough to have several Asus resellers that visit these forums, here's the thread to ask them something that only a reseller would know, and a chance for the resellers to provide answers. Please be polite, as these folks are taking time away from their jobs to help us. And this isn't the place for "x company is better than y company". Enough with the rules, let's start with the questions! Will there be more notebooks to come on the M7 (Z71) line?
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post #2 of 36
7/13/05 at 9:36pm
Will the x700 in the z70 refresh be compatible with the z70v's that had the x600?
(Can you swap the cards?)
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post #3 of 36
7/13/05 at 9:44pm
I highly doubt it... and either way, the price you'd pay for the card would make the upgrade pointless--especially since its not a big enough jump to justify a $300 or so purchase.

Also, I think a few people have speculated on the continuation of the Z71 line of notebooks, and have come up with a "no." Considering the Z70V Refresh will sport newer components, longer battery life, a better screen, and a far more attractive case (simply by virtue of it being released later) will basically be the Z71V killer.
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post #4 of 36
7/13/05 at 10:56pm
*hijack on*

I need someone (maybe powernotebook since they have both Sager & Asus) to take me side by side screenshot of the video modules (nvidia go 6600) in both of these machine. Sager 3880 and Asus Z71V. The more pictures the better. With and without the heatsink.

--thx

*hijack off*

Now on to the topic, I will be the first to jump on that bandwagon! I want to get another system, but if they could release it in the same chassis, I wouldn't have to explain it to my wife!!! eheheh
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post #5 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:20am
Thread Starter 
well, my hopes of a recent Z71v refresh are officially dashed: here's the news from Justin of ProPortable, posting on Notebook Review (bolds and italics mine for emphasis):
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProPortable
I won't expect a W1 barebone till the end of September.... if we can even work everything out.... Right now Asus focus for August is going to be on the W2 and on other barebone models..... Apparently they want to shift their focus back to the Z71v for some reason...... They're not updating it or anything, but with all the models that came out after the Z71v came out..... attention has shifted away from it and with seagate getting out their sATA hard drives at the end of this month... they want to push the Z71v.......
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post #6 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:31am
I know its sad, but the Z70V Refresh sounds like it'll push out the Z71V. Basically, the Z71V and the Z70VR are now competitors, since they both offer similar specifications. What can you do?
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post #7 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:35am
Will they accept trade-ins? lol
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post #8 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:35am
Thread Starter 
Oh, well. I suppose I can't expect my computer to be the best on the market for too long. I guess 4-5 months at the top is long enough.
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post #9 of 36
7/16/05 at 3:01am
Quote:
Apparently they want to shift their focus back to the Z71v for some reason...... They're not updating it or anything, but with all the models that came out after the Z71v came out..... attention has shifted away from it and with seagate getting out their sATA hard drives at the end of this month... they want to push the Z71v
Push as in Push it out of the line up or Push as in Push it to increase sale?
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post #10 of 36
7/16/05 at 3:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmumba
I know its sad, but the Z70V Refresh sounds like it'll push out the Z71V. Basically, the Z71V and the Z70VR are now competitors, since they both offer similar specifications. What can you do?
I disagree. Justin from proportable also said that the Z70va will cost nearly $200 more than what the current Z70v costs, and the current Z70v costs a tad more than what the Z71v costs. There will still be alot of people that dont want to spend all the extra money for the Z70va and will settle for the Z71v.
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post #11 of 36
7/16/05 at 4:18am
well i saw that post that claimed that the z70va will be an extra $200. i emailed ISTNC and according to Rick from ISTNC

"Despite what others "claim", there is no $200.00 difference in price. Secondly, if that were the case, we would not turn around and ask to charge you additional monies after we have already quoted a price."

hope that clears things up for those who ordered it already from ISTNC
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post #12 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:30pm
Well they did move the $50 more for the refresh to a $75.
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post #13 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:33pm
What they could end up doing is not drop the price on component when it comes down a bit to cover the cost.
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post #14 of 36
7/16/05 at 2:34pm
They'll probably make the rest of the monies from the components.
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post #15 of 36
7/16/05 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
It's possible that they're selling it with the increase in their price, not the suggested retail price, so they don't make quite as much on each unit, but would sell more units due to the lower price. Of course, it's also possible (and I'm guessing more likely) that Asus overestimated the price difference initially, and it's actually not as big as people stated earlier. From what I recall, component prices are fairly comparable across resellers, so I don't think that's it.
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post #16 of 36
7/16/05 at 9:14pm
Components are the same price regardless of the price of the barebones. That is, the same memory type will be the same cost, the same processor or hard drive will be the same cost. Of course the SATA drives on the Z71V won't be the same as the ATA drives, but with the latest releases of the Seagate 7,200 RPM 80GB and 100GB drives the difference in price between all SATA and ATA drives is only around 5%.

Pricing is never totally firm from the ODM until the model is finally released and shipping, and once the Z70VR is released there may or may not be an adjustment in the Z71V pricing. So we will just have to wait a little while longer to see what the difference in barebones price turns out to be.
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post #17 of 36
7/16/05 at 9:15pm
Too bad we cant actually get some resellers on this thread to answer the question....Although I certainly could see how they might be uncomfortable with explaining the reasoning behind their prices..
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post #18 of 36
7/16/05 at 9:29pm
Well, I think my answer was pretty complete.

The only thing I didn't mention is that resellers can set their pricing anywhere they want to, so I was referring to the ODM pricing. Pricing will also be affected by "what comes with it".

For example, look at each reseller's Return Policy...do they even have one, and does it have a restocking fee? Look at the warranty...is it for 1, 2 or 3 years, what is the shipping method in the event you need to return it for warranty repair, and who pays for it - they owner or the reseller?

When you do see price differences between resellers, make sure you look at the whole package and know exactly what you are buying. Some might give more value than others.
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post #19 of 36
7/16/05 at 9:59pm
I think the Z71 was somewhat of a false step for ASUS.

For one thing, ASUS has in recent years, been a strong partner with ATi -- the connection being much strong than their ties with nVidia. So the introduction of the Z71v as their top tier thin&light was to me difficult to explain.

I believe ASUS are offering the Z70v refresh in order to put themselves on the right path again, in accordance with their partnership with ATi and to unify aesthetic design for a stronger and more cohesive market identity (I mean, come on.. the Z71 does not LOOK like an ASUS)

I don't mean to rain on the parades of Z71 owners, but my feeling is that the Z71 will be phased out rapidly in favor of the Z70 refresh -- having a competing lineup goes against all sensible business thinking.
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post #20 of 36
7/16/05 at 11:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donald
Well, I think my answer was pretty complete.

The only thing I didn't mention is that resellers can set their pricing anywhere they want to, so I was referring to the ODM pricing. Pricing will also be affected by "what comes with it".

For example, look at each reseller's Return Policy...do they even have one, and does it have a restocking fee? Look at the warranty...is it for 1, 2 or 3 years, what is the shipping method in the event you need to return it for warranty repair, and who pays for it - they owner or the reseller?

When you do see price differences between resellers, make sure you look at the whole package and know exactly what you are buying. Some might give more value than others.
My Bad Donald...You and I posted at nearly the same time, thus I had no way of knowing that you, a reseller, had posted.
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