Asus W2V: DTR Notebook

The AC Adaptor being used is a 19v model from Delta Electronics which is the expected size and weight. With the W2V power connector being on the left-side of the system, ASUS opted to use an angled connector on the power cable. This aids in preventing the cable from being inadvertently pulled from the system. The adaptor itself does get pretty warm to the touch when used for a considerable amount of time, though nowhere near as hot as some other DTR AC units.

Display -  The ASUS W2V incorporates a 10:9 17" Widescreen LCD with a native resolution of 1680x1050. The WSXGA screen features ASUS' CrystalShine glare treatment and brightness enhancement. In theory, this LCD should offer even the most discriminate user the level of performance they require.

In practice, the W2V display proved exceptional under nearly every application. For standard productivity applications, the widescreen LCD offered a wealth of real estate. Being able to view multiple documents side by side in full view was certainly appreciated. When watching DVD's, the screen had no trouble with ghosting and offered exceptional detail and contrast. Viewing angles were good, though we have seen some slightly better results from a select few systems. Perhaps most importantly, the W2V had no trouble at all with even the most intensive gaming. Here, frames appeared smooth with very little to no ghosting or artifacts whatsoever. In terms of build quality, ASUS has gone the extra mile by offering a zero dead-pixel policy within 30 days of purchase. Should you encounter a hideous frozen pixel, it certainly is comforting to know that ASUS will be there to replace it without issue.

With regards to noise, the W2V was a pleasant surprise. Regardless of what applications were being used and the load on the system, the ASUS notebook remained surprisingly quiet. Like the system fans, the keyboard and hard drive produced little noise and were not a distraction. The only component which was a slight annoyance in terms of noise would be the slot-load optical drive. Here, the drive would make a mildly obnoxious mechanical noise when a disc was being loaded or being accessed heavily. Regardless, the simplicity and coolness factor of the slot-loading drive far outweighed the minor gripes we had with noise.

In terms of heat, the ASUS notebook faired generally well. Although the system did eventually start passing some serious heat through the exhaust vents on the side of the chassis during heavy use (as expected), the palm rests surprisingly never became overly warm like most DTR notebooks. The bottom of the system did get fairly warm, though our male readers can rest assured knowing it was not uncomfortably warm when being used on the lap.