In which we send PC Magazine's product reviews coordinator (part-time intrepid reporter and full-time packaging enthusiast), PJ Jacobowitz, deep into the our labs, in order to rifle through all of the cool stuff that we get in the mail. Check out what he found, this week, after the jump.
Sony VAIO AR: Sony's AR series is the first-ever laptop to be configured with an external digital cable tuner. I used to get really excited about these tuners, that is, until we actually tested them. What a headache. We've installed multiple computers with Digital Cable Tuners on Time Warner Cable in NYC and FiOS in New Jersey, experiencing spotty results in all settings. It's not Sony's fault, they're just trying to hook consumers up with a great option. Hopefully, these ATI Tuners will start working correctly soon. Maybe it starts with this one--we'll keep you posted. Back to the AR, with or without the tuner, this laptop is luxury. Videophiles will probably jump all over this laptop. Everyone in the biz knows that Sony's got some of the best screens around. The Blu-Ray/HDMI/WUXGA/Digital Cable Tuner line-up will make this thing boss in laptop multimedia circuit.
Belkin Wireless USB: In December of 2006, Belkin unleashed the first and only Cable-Free USB hub. It stunk, but was a nice try. This time out, they've changed their wireless USB chip manufacture from Wisair to Alereon. When we met with Alereon back in June, they gave us the low down on the chip. Though the theoretical speed is 480mbps (like USB 2.0), realistic speeds are somewhere between 30-60mbps. I'm thinking Wireless USB will get really practically once the chips are embedded in the computer and device. But apparently, that might not be too far away...
ASUS R1E: This isn't even up on Asus' website yet. I'm not showing it to you just because it's a lightweight, well-designed Santa Rosa tablet. The R1E is here because their unboxing experience makes you fell like a millionaire. It's like something from an upscale department store, or a designer like Prada. The product was sent over without its final box, but like all Asus products, they kept it snazzy. The box that stores the laptop was black and has leather-like design and feel. It is has two small magnets to keep it sealed, but opens easily when pulled open from right to left. Inside is the laptop, wrapped in a paper that has the Asus sticker logo/seal. It also comes with a carrying case that has a leather trim and herringbone-esq design. As Ron Burgundy would say, "Stay classy Asus."
Oh yeah, and in case it's the actual notebook that interests you, here are some specs:
•Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz
•WXGA 13.3 inch
•ABGN wifi
•Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
•160 GB hard drive
•2 GB RAM
Post by PJ Jacobowitz
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August 3, 2007 8:29 PM
I hope to God the R1E is nothing like its predecessor the R1F. Faulty batteries, parts falling off, build quality which made it look like it was put together by a 5 year old and tech customer service (UK) who couldnt care less about returning your laptop from repair after 6 weeks smashed to bits. Oh silly me, just saw the pictures, its exactly the same design as the last one. God help anyone who buys this disgrace of a tablet.
August 4, 2007 2:57 PM
The R1F was actually a pretty good machine, probably the best tablet PC of its time in terms of feature combinations. Build quality was excellent - for instance, the one that I had actually had the keyboard smashed HARD by someone's fist. After replacing the hard drive, which had been running at the time, the unit still worked perfectly and continues to do so to this day. The case was cracked, but yet it still worked great!
I highly recommend this stylish, yet resilient unit to anyone looking for a tablet PC with a good combination of portability and features.
August 4, 2007 10:06 PM
Hey Deskstar sorry to burst the bubble but you might just find a large amount of people over at www.tabletpcreview.com who would strongly disagree which your assessment of the R1f tablet. Yours may have survived a fist but many other cant even unplug this thing from A/C unless we want to degrade its faulty battery (some people on their 6th in 8 months), or use the fingerprint readers which fall off, or use the pen that scratches in the silo, ticking hard drives, static on headphones. The list goes on. Oh and they are not isolated cases they are examples of very poor manufacturing and design backed up with appalling CS from Asus. And since the design hasn't changed anyone who buys this can expect more of the same. BTW, no offence, but do you work for Asus or any company which may have a relationship in any way with them?
August 11, 2007 2:29 PM
So here is what I think is going on with R1F reviews.
I've been looking everywhere to see what people think of the Asus R1F tablet PC because I want to buy one. It seems that many are really happy with it, including user reviewers on CNET. The only negative comments, which are all exactly the same, as if written by the same people (faulty batteries, fingerprint reader falling off), are ALL directed to some page on tabletpcreview.com. It makes me think as if some guy, or a few ppl, who maybe for real had these problems with R1F put what they thought on tabletpcreview.com, and from then on everybody refers to that page like its some hard evidence of ASUS being horrible. It's just one freaking page in the whole web that's saying negative things about the model. Should I believe people like you Jurisprudence who have no first hand experience with it?
August 12, 2007 4:10 AM
Eh Collegy, let me get 1 thing very straight since it seems you are completely incapable of actually reading the reports of what is going on. You have just stated "Should I believe people like you Jurisprudence who have no first hand experience with it?". 1st hand experience with what, the R1E. Of course I have no experience with the R1E its not released, I own an R1F, which has a faulty battery, fingerprint reader falling off, ticking hard drive, static, pen scratch, broken bag, overheating and have had it returned smashed up after trying for 3 months to get it repaired. And the design of the R1E is clearly a chipset upgrade of the R1F s the design comments apply to both. So dont bloody insult me by telling me I dont know what im talking about. I sold laptops/tablets for years, have been into tech for 20 years, am a CS/tech agent and a law student. I know the business, I know faulty product, I know how badly Asus fail to tackle a problem when it occurs. The R1E is clearly using the same chasis, same cooling system (santa rosa outputs approx 20% more heat than napa actually) and same material parts bin as the R1F. And myself and others are saying these things to make sure that others dont suffer the same fate as ourselves or at the very least enter into ownership with their eyes wide open as to the issues with the design. Myself and others have spent our money, its too late for us, and quite honestly I have better things to be doing with my life than hating some faceless corporation such as Asus.
Oh and wow, Cnet eh!, everyone is happy, thats fantastic. I honestly trust Cnet with my life, being that it doesnt run shopping ads for the products it reviews and doesn't pay for the site using that form of advertising. Oh look it does. And the majority or the reviews are from people who have had their R1 less than a week. Thats not the period you should see major problems within, if it is you get a replacment unit by law. Wake up and realise why people are saying what they are saying. It doesnt help us, we know Asus doesn't listen, we had hoped you would. Obviously I was wrong. I dont know you, you losing money means nothing to me, I dont give a damn who you are or what you purchase. I keep my tag as "Jurisprudence" everywhere I go to ensure there is no mistaking who I am. I am not a spammer. And if you see reviews stating similar issues then perhaps that might be a sign of a trend but I guess you prefer to think there is some form of crazy conspiracy theory against Asus. There is not. I have purchased sereral products from Asus in the past and sometimes the designer gets it wrong. I guess all the Z71v owners who experienced problems with their laptops were imagining it as well. Until Asus pulled a recall for the faulty battery component. Tabletpcreview happens to be a site for, guess what, tablet pc's which the R1 series happens to be. If you dont like the advise then dont take it. Grow up.
August 12, 2007 4:42 PM
Maybe you should chill out a bit MATE. At least don't attempt to impose your own experience with the ASUS customer service on other people. UK ASUS is infamous for being unhelpful. I wouldn't be surprised if that was due to uptight and easily angered people like you... PS. just because a site like CNET has advertisements, it does not in anyway discredit its user reviews. Looks like somebody else needs to grow up after all.
August 12, 2007 6:15 PM
Ok im gonna set a few matters straight cause this is just turning into a complete farse.
This is not a questionarre but I just want your opinion.
Collegy you said that Asus UK is infamous for its poor CS. Can I ask you honestly why a customer from the UK or Ireland should be treated as a second class customer when compared to someone from the US, Canada, Asia etc? We all paid for our product and we are all the same. I doubt the UK/Irish people are any more stressed than other people in the world so why should unprofessionalism be allowed based on race or nationality. This is a multi-national company and they should ensure a uniform level of training and professionalism for all nationalities.
Why should the good work of the other Asus CS divisions be let down by the aforementioned UK division. BTW if you look at my posts in tabletpcreview you will notice my compliments and requests for praise for the Canadian and US divisions who have acted professionally towards their customers.
I work as a CS/tech agent. When I call Asus UK I am in a sense not acting as a normal customer. The reason I say that is because maybe 20mins earlier i would have been in their position and I know what its like to be screamed at by customers, so I dont. No insulting names, no nothing. What I dont expect is for a professional company to lie to me, laugh at me and then fob me off and ignore me. I wouldnt do it to a customer, why should they.
Its also not possible for anybody to impose an opinion on a forum, the rules forbid it the the 1st place and secondly your opinion is as valid as anyone else hence you have posted it. Thats what makes a forum better than anywhere else to speak your mind. Oh and sorry if you dont like it but I will continue to express my opinion as it is my constitutional right to do so.
As for being easily angered I received a laptop in early April, have been laughed at, lied to, delayed, treated like crap and then received my R1F back smashed up, parts robbed by the repair company and now being ignored. The only way I can get things sorted is likely through a solicitor. That should not be the way to deal with things such as this. Would you call me being uptight if I told you I have owned a laptop for just over 4 months and it has worked as intended for just over 1 week and then they smashed it on me. Be honest, how would you feel in my shoes?
Oh and im gonna ask this nicely, please dont call me MATE, you dont know me and although it was obviously meant sarcastically if you dont mind can we leave that out of the discussion.
Got a problem with any of this, get it off your chest, im all ears.
October 23, 2007 10:17 PM
I greatly enjoyed my Asus R1F series tablet PC. Had some minor battery degredation, but it was one of the few tablets that had enough power for my needs (using it for more than 6 hours a day, wacom digitizer, etc.). Had it for 9 months, but gotta have more power!
I sold it in anticipation for the R1E-B1, and I'd have to say it's not coming fast enough!