Asus reveals full specs for C90 customizable laptop

Those of us who cringe at paying bloated prices for the privilege of having our computers built by the Dells and HPs of the world have long been looking forward to ASUS' upcoming C90 barebones laptop: its so-called D-door design finally gives mobile users some of the same ability for customization that desktop modders have had for years. Well the fast-growing Taiwanese manufacturer has just revealed the full specs for this anticipated device, which we now know to support Core 2 Extreme processors up to the 2.93GHz X6800, up to 3GB of 800MHz DDR2 RAM, your choice of MXM-compatible graphics solutions, and whatever optical drives and storage space you happen to need. Still no word on a release unfortunately, although if we can believe an eBay seller already putting it up for preorder, we should be seeing the 15.4-inch, WSXGA+ C90 hit stores within the next few days for under a grand.

[Via PCLaunches]

[Ypocaramel @ Jun 18th 2007 3:04PM]

Another component of this laptop, one that definitely can't be changed, is the screen. The resolution is fine, but how bright is it? Asus has a mixed history here - the G2 is great, but the A8jS is terrible.

The desktop processor choice are nice, but 3GB max RAM is disappointing and kind of self defeating.

[Danny @ Jun 18th 2007 3:35PM]

True...Sort of. After all, 4 GB is useless unless you are running a 64 bit OS which most people won't be doing. (Although I suppose it might be more likely among those buying this.) Maybe it helped them pinch a few last pennies...

[Ypocaramel @ Jun 18th 2007 4:47PM]

Since the C90S is upgradeable, it will probably see longer term use, and therefore is more likely to run into the time that 64-bit OS/software gains popularity, and also more likely that the user will want 4GB (or more) of RAM on this machine.

On a less upgradeable laptop, this would be less of an issue - the laptop would likely be replaced before 64-bit applications became widespread. Even then, the Macbook Pro supports 4GB (because of OSX, I'd guess).

Of course, this situation may change with new RAM sticks of larger capacities - these are so Asus's official specs.

[fistpittingnork @ Jun 18th 2007 3:09PM]

Asus consistantly receives above average reviews for their laptops, great prices, and now with more customizable options, this should take off.

[onemorehour @ Jun 18th 2007 3:11PM]

I would like to humbly request that Engadget stop using the WSXGA, WSXGA+, WUXGA, etc. notation, and simply list the resolution of the screen in pixels, such as: 1680x1050. With the great variety of available resolutions, these acronyms are increasingly annoying and useless. How are people supposed to remember the pixel size equivalents for "Wide Ultra XGA" or "Wide Super XGA Plus"? In any case, the usage on Engadget seems to be inconsistent--some articles list numbers, and some acronyms.

[noisia @ Jun 18th 2007 3:27PM]

good idea. i know lots of people dont care about that, but i think just using numbers would be perfect. thx

[ynohtna @ Jun 18th 2007 3:50PM]

It's not that hard and I prefer the acronyms. Usually it's what's used on retail sites anyways.

[Antares @ Jun 18th 2007 3:54PM]

I guess I'd advocate foremost for consistency. However, the acronyms themselves are mot particularly consistent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_resolutions

[anonymous @ Jun 18th 2007 3:56PM]

Well, then all the manufacturers need to get on the boat and stop using acronyms since using the numbers is just about as short as those infinite gobbles... Pretty soon there will be WFXUGHS+REDIPSFS

[Ken @ Jun 18th 2007 4:26PM]

From thier site,
"up to GeForce 8600M GT 256MB/512MB".

-sigh-

"Li-Ion 6 cells: 4800mAh, 53W (removable): 4.5 hours run-down life"

-Yawn-

"SATA HDD" (assuming just one)

-zZZzZz-

"Up to WSXGA+(1680x1050) Color Shine 15.4'' LCD" (no mention of LED backlight)

-snore-

If it's going to be upgradable, why set the bar so low on its highest options? The best this offers are minimum specs on comparable laptops. Sounds like suck to me.

[Ypocaramel @ Jun 18th 2007 4:50PM]

It is a 15" laptop. That's really all they can fit inside. A 17" would have more space for HDD's and stuff. Plus, a 8600M is pretty much the top I can find on 15"ers anyways. Even with its current specs, I have a hard time believing that it will get 4.5 hours of battery life.

[Ken @ Jun 18th 2007 5:21PM]

"It is a 15" laptop. That's really all they can fit inside. A 17" would have more space for HDD's and stuff."

At 17" they not only fit better cards, but also additional graphics cards. So I'm not sold that the 2 extra inches give you THAT much more room. I'm pretty sure they can fit an extra hard drive.

Honestly I'd prefer a 7950 in a 15.4" rather than a 8600. There's no reason I would want a DX10 card. It seems that most people, like myself, are waiting until the very end to upgrade to Vista (if at all). As for DX9, my 2 year old Go6800 Ultra still beats it!! That's piss poor imho.

[pilsen @ Jun 18th 2007 4:31PM]

I love Asus. Quality and value....everything Dell cannot be.

[_man1c_ @ Jun 18th 2007 5:15PM]

id love for a pc/case company like say Lian-Li build a DIY laptop casing/shell. do something a step further then Asus is doing at the current time.

[H @ Jun 18th 2007 6:07PM]

Hmm, MXM graphics? Does it come standard with an MXM module, or will users have to buy one themselves? Honestly, I don't recall ever coming across an MXM module in any retail setting, B&M or online.

[dude @ Jun 18th 2007 6:22PM]

Well this sucker has been on Cyberpower for a while now. Only with an 8400 but still the same thing

[kuzu-b @ Jun 18th 2007 6:38PM]

This is clearly an iPhone rip-off.

[Patrick Moore @ Jun 18th 2007 7:35PM]

LMAO

[marc @ Jun 18th 2007 7:44PM]

I've had an asus Z7100 for about two years, it cost me several hundred less then the equivalent from dell or other more popularly known brands, and yet it has more kick ass quality of construction then most other machines i've seen. I'm glad to see they're continuing on thier track of creating whitebox machines and selling stuff consumers want, not just machines filled with crappy components and bloatware. Plus a 1680x1050 screen at 15" is fantastique for having good cad/3dstudio resolution and being able to carry the non-tank machine.

also, i second stopping using the damn WXG#!$ initials.

[che @ Jun 18th 2007 8:21PM]

why does it look like hp imprint finish?

[Wat @ Jun 18th 2007 11:00PM]

HP did not invent the "imprint" finish. There are a lot of companies out there can do this glossy finish and some even before HP (Sony, for example).

[Silky @ Jun 19th 2007 6:04AM]

Got to give it up to Asus. I got my G1 a few months ago and really dig it. As with any manufacturer, once you get rid of most of the pre-installed bloatware, it really performs. And as has been said before, the price for what you get is fantastic!

[Tremchez @ Jun 19th 2007 7:09AM]

"privilege of having our computers built by the Dells and HPs"
I don't know how about you but after having ASUS laptop, I will beg Dell or HP to sell me another one. It's not about performance, is it? Because ASUS doesn't make the guts. ASUS makes the casing, ASUS provides repair service etc. The casing is worse than on ACER computers (bendy, cheap plastic, uncomfortable keyboards...) and when you want to send the laptop for repairs it takes 5 weeks (personal experience). With Dell or HP (or Sony, IBM and Apple) you get quality casing and great service (e.g. Dell's next day). So what's so good about it to make such a hassle about it, huh?

[Jared @ Jun 19th 2007 3:24PM]

You can already purchase the laptops at gentech PC :-/