Asus W5A - the not-an-iBook iBook?

We're still a little surprised that Apple lets its contract manufacturers rip off its designs so blatantly, but it looks like Asus has done it again. The W5A, which is getting rave reviews for its style and functions, is — like the S5NE before it — a sleek, white-clad laptop. Sure, as many of you have pointed out, Apple doesn't own the color white, and certainly has no monopoly on its use in laptops. But given that Asus makes iBooks for Apple, doesn't it seem a little odd that the company's best-received models owe a certain amount of their design to their American partner? Of course, the W5A has a host of features that aren't even available on the iBook, like an integrated camera, 1.86-2.13 GHz Sonoma, DVD burner, memory card reader and Bluetooth, and it is available in a very non-Apple black finish.

[Frangible @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It may be white, but it looks nothing like an iBook to me, other than vaguely "they're both notebooks". That's ok though, I know everyone are Apple fanbois and think the clouds in the sky rip off Apple. :P

[jc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It looks a little like my iBook, expecially the power button location.

It is missing the one thing that could make it compete with my iBook... the ability to run OSX.

Overall it looks decent for a wintel notebook.

[Jerry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

"Just like the [insert Apple product] only with more crap attached!"

That hasn't worked so well for all of the ipod competitors. Seems like Apple's strong suit in design is knowing when to say when.

[Frangible @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Re: #3: I don't think featureset has much to do with the iPod sales; I think iTunes, the Apple brand, and the aesthetic appeal are why people buy iPods.

The Creative Zen variants have been long recognized by audiophiles as having the best sound quality, and the newer iterations like the Zen Micro are smaller, less expensive, have more features, and that higher sound quality. Hell, the iPod Photo doesn't even have a customizable EQ, and why someone would look at photos on it is quite frankly beyond me.

But, Creative's player are also quite ugly, aren't trendy or cool with some groups, and don't work with iTunes. Which is why iPods still sell well.

[nabohi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

There are other notebooks, which come in the iBook style.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1204

But I wouldn't put that Acer notebook in this group. It has sharper edges compared to the iBook. And the way how the display is attached is completely different, that makes it looking different..

[Joshua Ochs @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Just to be pedantic, the iBook can be ordered with a DVD burner and Bluetooth (although not in the 12" model).

Meanwhile, I actually don't think that looks much like an iBook. The screen is different, the coloring is different, and there's that goofy camera up top. Unlike an iPod, there aren't that many ways to differentiate a laptop - the only distincitve ones I can think of are the Powerbooks for their streamlining, and the Thinkpads for their sheer constancy.

[clonenode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

A couple of corrections:
the iPod photo can connect to your TV and play an Apple styled slide show with music.

The high end iBook comes with Apple's SuperDrive for DVD burning.

[Andrew L. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Nah. The Pandora (Mini PC) was a ripoff. This is just white. Different angles, different LCD hinge, different material looks. The KB and side vent does look rather familiar, as does the power button, but everything else seems different.

[victor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Actually, ASUS has blatantly ripped off Sony's TR notebook which came in white, had an integrated camera and microphone, built-in DVD burner (later models), widescreen high contrast LCD (which everyone else copied thereafter), Bluetooth, and 802.11A/B (and later G) all in a 3.1 lb. package.

[Tom Boucher @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Maybe these recent intel built rip offs of Apple stuff is their attempt to show Apple they could be their manufacturer instead of someone else?

[El Ron Hubbard @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Actually, Apple does own the color white. I'm not sure why you guys didn't the memo. I'll forward you another one.

[devslacker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

While we're at it, i'd like to point out another one of their laptops.

http://usa.asus.com/products/notebook/w1series/w1000n/w1000n_overview.htm#

Powerbook 17inch anyone?

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Eh.. seems all the knock offs have more "features". Honestly, when the iBoolIntel comes out, I will be looking into that for sure. Might be nice.

[of_the_apes @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

tom

Apple doesn't build anything anymore, it's all contracted out. Almost every system they offer is shipped direct from Taiwan, which is why it is almost impossible to get next day delivery from Apple unless you know exactly who to threaten to get them to cough one up from an Apple store using some accounting magic.

ASUS builds laptops for Apple already, RTFA...they're not trying to prove anything to Apple. As for the Pandora, it's already been stated that Intel ordered it, probably to test the Mac Mini form factor w/chips that COULD go into the replacement once the switch to Intel occurs, but that doesn't mean AOpen will be the manufacture Apple picks(especially when they're quite happy with the assembly contractors they already use) Intel WON'T be building systems for Apple - they'll just be supplying chips for someone else to place on a motherboard, that most likely someone else will end up placing in a case and badging it with an Apple logo.

And as for companies trying to impress Apple with a rip-off, the ability to mimic the Apple look without using Apple specs(which is a trivial exercise given specs directly from Apple) hardly proves anything about their reliability as a supplier and the quality of the systems...I seriously doubt anyone is trying to "grab" Apple's attention by that route. Apple never allows their contractors to do any "real" design work, that all comes straight from the studio in Cupertino. After all, you're buying an Apple, not an Asus, so it's got to be an Apple design. More than likely, they're simply looking to profit on a very successful design that isn't really available to anyone running Windows.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Sure, as many of you have pointed out, Apple doesn�t own the color white, and certainly has no monopoly on its use in laptops.

------

Wow.. all the.. whiteness of an iBook.. but with Windows XP..

Talk about missing the point...


LMFAO!!!

Scanning for Virii in style!

[Peter T. Puk @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Listen to Victor... yuo guys at Engadget are slipping. Clearly a Sony TR ripoff.

[Peter T. Puk @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Listen to Victor. Clearly a Sony TR ripoff. Let's get on the ball here fellas.

[Justin Nolan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Looks more like a Sony Vaio TR to me.

[benhc911 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

so a white laptop makes it a powerbook? talk about racial profiling.

[cogent @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

i have the Asus N5200 which appears to be an earlier model of this, without the camera or widescreen, its also white and doesnt look anything like an ibook

[LoudLight17 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Actually Apple owns the color blue...remember the cool translucent blue that the iMac came in...it seems that here in Japan Sotec cloned the entire package (all in one computer/monitor)except they were a Windows based machine...Apple sued them stating that the copying of the blue box would confuse the public and hurt their sales...they WON!

[starwxrwx @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

looks nothing like an ibook

its clunky and chunky and is not smooth and appleicious - look at the side! ewww it looks like a star destroyer all chunks and holes

really - when will people realise that the design of all apple products goes further than the colour?? I spose its not until you own one and then have to deal with crap like above that you appreciate the difference!

[Lane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

So where can I buy one of these? None of the Asus vendors listed on their webpage have it.

[Jen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I'd just say they had an excess of white coloring they needed to use.

[KazzGee @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I really can't see the big problem here... Ripped off or not, ASUS can't compete with hardcore mac fans, such as many of yourselves.

I don't like the Mac OSX interface and how it limits me compared to Windows interface, so I'm just happy that the PC companies finally managed to built something for me to be proud of having standing in the livingroom.

[Martn @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Hi guys...

Does anyone actually have this W5... and can they give some reviews... instead of talking about silly colours...

[walter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I bought the W5A this summer, and I'm really, really satisfied. It's small, light, silent, perfect :D

If I should mention something negative it would be that the screen is really blank and reflects light, but otherwise it is crispy clear with good colors. Another minor thing is that it does not have IR or paralell port (but who needs that these days).

I also really liked the bundled wirless logitech mouse and that I got two batteries and carrying bag with it :D

[Ibrahim @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I am thinking of buying one, but people, can you put reviews?

walter, what do you mean with the screen reflects color? you mean if you are outside and then sun is coming on the screen it is impossible to see it or what?