ASUS launches Core Duo-powered W7J ultraportable

Even though everyone and his/her mom are releasing Core Duo-powered ultraportables these days, there are very few that you can actually play decent games on because of the integrated graphics. Not so with the just-released 13.3-inch, 4.2-pound W7J from ASUS, a model we first spotted back in March -- and incorrectly called the W7V -- which features a nVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card sporting 256MB of RAM along with that T2600 processor running at 2.16GHz. Other nice touches which you don't always see on a lightweight notebook are a built-in dual-layer DVD burner, 1GB of RAM standard, 100GB HDD running at 5,400 RPM, and all three flavors of 802.11 plus Bluetooth 2.0. Oh yeah, and these models will start at less than $2.000 ($1,935, to be exact) -- um, where do we sign up?

[Jason @ May 12th 2006 4:03PM]

Wow. That laptop has everything I have wanted in a laptop. Small size, but the ability to actually play a game or two. Plus it looks great!

How is the build quality on ASUS laptops? Anyone have experience with them?

[Rare1 @ May 12th 2006 4:10PM]

Asus make great laptops. They do OEM builds for other manufactures as well.

I think the new macbooks will be built by asus.

[E @ May 12th 2006 4:11PM]

Asus makes the Mac laptops don't they?

I would imagine they are well built.

[E @ May 12th 2006 4:12PM]

Yeah it's a nice looking computer, I think it's time to dump my Sager, with the power supply and extra battery it's over 10 pounds.

4.2 pounds make my back happy.

[master_of_fm @ May 12th 2006 4:24PM]

i used to build the asus "whitebook" notebooks and I really like them a lot. i was going to buy a M5N from where I worked at the time for my wife, but she wanted it now!!! and wasnt going to wait. I cant say for the past 8 months since I changed jobs, but previously they were no problems i can think of. since Asus is going to be building the new MacBooks I wonder if they will be based of the same platform as the W7J

[Kyle K. @ May 12th 2006 4:32PM]

when will these be available?!

[Kyle K. @ May 12th 2006 4:34PM]

in the US...sorry

[adam @ May 12th 2006 4:39PM]

where can i buy one of these laptops? they are perfect! the power of a macbook pro (which is the laptop i really want) and the portability of the future intel ibook. maybe apple will have asus oem these, that would be perfect as i really want to switch to mac. if not, i'll still take the asus version with windows on it. actually, i'll take it as is, engadget, please tell me where to get one!

[Matt Chanoff @ May 12th 2006 4:40PM]

It does look nice. I'm looking for something a bit different, though, a dual core ultraportable tablet, like a version of the Lenovo X41 or Fujitsu 1510. Anybody familiar with something like that?

Oh, and Asus is one of two ODMs (Original Design Manufacturers) that make ibooks. This is from the laptop report from Digitimes.com, a consultant that covers electronic outsourcing in Taiwan:

"Asustek produces notebooks for Sony, Apple Computer and Samsung Electronics from plants in China, while producing own-brand and clone-market models in Taiwan. The company is expected to gradually shift its complete notebook production to China when its new plant in Pudong, Shanghai is completed sometimes next year.

Asustek has contracted part of its production of notebook chassis to Foxconn Electronics (the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry), although the two companies continue to be competitors in other IT segments such as motherboards, barebone systems and game consoles, market sources said."

http://digitimes.com/Backgrounders/Systems/NB.asp?datePublish=2003/09/22&pages=N1&seq=417&ID=N1030922, but it's excerpted from a member-only report, so I don't know if the link will work.

[autocorrelation @ May 12th 2006 4:42PM]

I would expect to see these in North America soon - they usually are pretty good about getting things released in N.A. as soon as they can.

Also, another voice chiming in that yeah - Asus build quality is top notch, in almost everything they make (notebooks and motherboards particularly)

[josh @ May 12th 2006 4:50PM]

"It does look nice. I'm looking for something a bit different, though, a dual core ultraportable tablet, like a version of the Lenovo X41 or Fujitsu 1510. Anybody familiar with something like that?"

The Toshiba M400 isn't far off. Its 12.1", can be upgraded to have a decent screen (and by decent I mean better than the 15" Macbook pro screens), and in the 4-4.5lb range.

As for where to buy Asus laptops, Newegg used to sell them. I'm not sure if they still do.

[Craig @ May 12th 2006 4:51PM]

So 4.2 lbs is light enough to be considered an "ultra-portable"? What does that make the 2.8 lb Panasonic W4...an "�ber-portable"?

[Ben Drawbaugh @ May 12th 2006 5:11PM]

Hmmm, looks like a MacBook to me, or atleast the non Apple version.

I would be surprised if these specs very much from the MacBook except the MacBook may have lower specs to differeciate it from the Pro.

[Anonymouse @ May 12th 2006 5:29PM]

Is this for an ASUS, or Acer? Engadget says ASUS, but the link goes to Acer...

[Jason @ May 12th 2006 5:29PM]

Just thought it might be worth mentioning that the sub-2000 price as it is listed in the linked article is configured with a T2400 (1.83 ghz) core duo. sorry to be that guy.

[Will @ May 12th 2006 6:07PM]

Well, Asus has certainly done an excellent job of essentially making their copy of Sony's already existing SZ series. The $1,999 SZ120 also has a 1.83ghz core duo processor, 1GB of ram, a 100GB HD, 256mb of graphics memory (nVidia 7400), a 13.3" widescreen xbrite screen, a webcam, plus a security chip and biometric fingerprint scanner (which the Asus machines lack), 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 and runs XP Pro, weighing in at 4 lbs and just over an inch thick, with up to 7 hours of battery life.

[Pedro @ May 12th 2006 6:14PM]

gjbvj jjhbjh bj hbjhbj hbj

[Matt Chanoff @ May 12th 2006 6:24PM]

Thanks Josh, I was just reading about the Toshiba. It is a little on the heavy side for an ultraportable tablet (comparing the 3.5 lb Lenovo or 2.8 lb Fujitsu. Otherwise looks good though.

And Will, I bet that Asus makes the Sony models.

[mike f @ May 12th 2006 6:41PM]

I got my Asus lappy from istnc.com a year ago. I had no problems with them, and I read about a bunch of really positive service experiences.

[E @ May 12th 2006 6:41PM]

13. Hmmm, looks like a MacBook to me, or atleast the non Apple version.

How can these look like something that isn't even out yet?

[AC @ May 12th 2006 7:47PM]

ASUS makes incredible products... I have the ASUS W2V, it performs great, it's built like a rock and everywhere I go I get comments on how cool it looks. Great Company!!!

[Clay @ May 12th 2006 9:47PM]

The Sony Vaio SZ120P/B is essentially the same notebook, but you can find it for 1700 USD instead.

Unless there are other differences?

[atrain @ May 13th 2006 3:00AM]

Is this for an ASUS, or Acer? Engadget says ASUS, but the link goes to Acer...

same same

[bryan @ May 13th 2006 11:38AM]

yeah Will, but asus is known for their good customer service, unlike sony. at the same price and same specs, most people who know about notebooks would pick asus over sony any day.

[m @ May 13th 2006 12:54PM]

I assume it can play Doom?

[cheap @ May 13th 2006 1:22PM]

if this is the same as the sony SZ, i'll take this one for 2 reasons.
1)no sony bloatware
2)cheaper price

[Vman @ May 13th 2006 9:57PM]

The MacBook at these specs would make me think that the MacBook would take alot of sales away from the MacBook Pro. The MacBook as to be cheaper than the bottom MBP, so I asume that it will be missing some of the cool stats. I think it's going to be like a 13.3" MacBook Pro without the Dual link DVI and top out at 2ghz and come stock with no more than 512 ram. I HOPE it comes with the graphics card like this and not have the rumored integrated graphics. This is Apple's big chance at taking a big chunk of PC user's business. I hope they don't mess it up.

[bermuDa @ May 14th 2006 3:45AM]

so, am I the only one who is wondering what the projected battery life is on these things, or have I missed something?

[x @ May 14th 2006 4:41AM]

where's the bathroom?

[Lupe @ May 15th 2006 1:26PM]

Dead Link :(

[nuggetbro @ May 16th 2006 2:17AM]

For that price, I would love to see this thing in Australia.

[Zachary @ Jul 6th 2006 1:12PM]

Does anyone know if Asus makes a dock that works with the W7J? I called Asus but -- surprise surprise -- the sales people aren't familiar with their models and they said that they hadn't gotten around to updating their website, which doesnt' yet mention the W7J. They pointed me to the estore.asus.com/shop which looks like it was designed by a three-year-old. And it doesn't have the dock either.

Any insights?