Panasonic W2

[khyrox]

Hi all. Has anyone played around with a Panasonic W2? If so, can I hear some opinions? I just placed an order for one - I was torn between the Sony TR1A and the W2 but decided to go for the W2 because it's a little lighter than the TR1A at 2.8lbs and the nice magnesium-alloy casing. Spec-wise, they're similar except no camera and a 1024x768 res for the W2... Can't wait to get it! I'll post some impressions when it comes in. =)

[Cloud]

Can you post a link and a picture please?


BTW, your avatar is freaking cool. Optimus owns.

[neuroking]

I have one in my possession right now and a review will be posted within two weeks.

First impressions? Very sweet machine. VERY light, nice design. The screen is not as nice as the Sony TR1A, but still good. Love the way you load CDs/DVDs. Adequate speed, excellent battery life.

I think you'll be happy with it. It feels a little more rough around the edges than the Sony, but very good overall. Sony just has that way of integrating decent software that looks flashy, and including design of the buttons with the rest of the case. The W2 has the ports exposed and just kind of cut in. Sony uses frosted plastic to diffuse the backlighting.

Just my initial impressions. I have a big meeting next week, so I haven't had much time to play.

Brandon

[Cloud]

Could you please post a link and a picture to the Toshiba?

Thanks

[khyrox]

Thanks for the initial impressions neuroking!

My W2 should be shipping out on Monday and I should have it in my hands by Wednesday.

Here's a link to pics of the W2
http://www.dynamism.com/w2/gallery.shtml

And yes, Optimus does rule!

[Cloud]

Originally posted by khyrox
Thanks for the initial impressions neuroking!

My W2 should be shipping out on Monday and I should have it in my hands by Wednesday.

Here's a link to pics of the W2
http://www.dynamism.com/w2/gallery.shtml

And yes, Optimus does rule!

I really like how the DVD drive opens. What made you decide to go with this over the Sony TR1A? $2699 seems pretty steep, is this the best price out there?

[Ioman]

http://www.icube.us/panasonic_w2/product_overview.htm They have it for $2499 and are a very reputable company to work with. Dynasism is pretty spendy if you ask me.

[khyrox]

Cloud, Ioman - Sorry, the link I posted was just for the pics. Actually, I placed my order with Laptops Inc.:

http://www.laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GC&Product_Code=CF-W2AWAZZKM&Category_Code=TBW2

$2199 with free shipping =) Called them up today and they said it'll ship out on Monday.

I picked the W2 cuz it's a tad lighter at 2.8 pounds, got a bigger screen (i don't mind the 1024 res), and i like the magnesium alloy casing. It doesn't have firewire or the camera like the Sony but I can live without those. Everything else is pretty much identical - 900Mhz Centrino, same integrated video, etc.

[neuroking]

Originally posted by Ioman
http://www.icube.us/panasonic_w2/product_overview.htm They have it for $2499 and are a very reputable company to work with. Dynasism is pretty spendy if you ask me.

Dynamism WILL bargain. I bought my U1 from them when they were listing it as $2199 for $1774. youjust have to find a couple other sources and tell them to make it worth your while. Oh, and don't let them give you the "well, then you get their service plan style" crap. They'll usually add back <$100 if you want to keep their service plan.

Brandon

[khyrox]

I got my W2 this week and I've been a really happy camper so far. This thing is light! My other laptop is the VPR 200A5 and I'm already spoiled by the weight of the W2 (2.8 lbs) - I can't stand to lug around my VPR anymore. =P I haven't thrown too much at it yet but so far the 900Mhz Centrino performs pretty decently - Office / internet-stuff / DVD, DivX playback is not a problem, and I've been able to play a few games quite acceptably too - Return to Castle Wolfentein and Warcraft 3 (both in 800x600x16) are quite playable as long as your not looking for max detail. So it looks like the integrated Intel 3D is adequate for a few games. The screen (at 12") is limited to 1024x768 res but I have no problems with that - I can do my work just fine. The screen is ok - don't expect super bright, super sharp display - this ain't no xbrite. It looks fine to me, so I have no real complaints. The flip open CDRW/DVDROM drive is really cool. People wonder where the drive is when I tell them there is one and they all ooh and ahh when I pop the drive open (it's located under the touchpad / left palm rest). PCMCIA/SD, modem, ethernet jack, 2 USB 2.0 ports, VGA-out - no complaints there. The keyboard is small (as is expected for a laptop this size) but I have slender fingers so typing normally hasn't been a problem for me. Battery life seems really good - it looks like I'm getting around 5 hours (?) doing regular stuff - office, internet, mp3's, divx's, etc. The built-in wireless works much better than my VPR in terms of reception. I'm picking up wireless networks across the street with my W2! My VPR could barely pick up my own wireless network. =P The laptop seems to be well put together but it's kinda cheap / plain looking compared to the Sony TR1. The casing is mostly magnesium alloy except for the top (aka behind the screen) which is just plastic - maybe it absorbs shock better that way? I dunno. Anyways those are my initial impressions!

[Highway]

I want to buy W2 also. Khyrox, may I know any problem up to now?

[khyrox]

I've just concluded my first week with the W2. So far, so good. It's light enough that I've been bringing it with me to work everyday. Don't have any complaints thus far.

[khyrox]

Yay, the W2 review is up! Yay and they like it! Yay!

I thought the comment about it only being out in Japan was a little confusing. I thought it's already out here? I bought my W2 early September and it was definitely not the Japanese version - the keyboard isn't a Japanese keyboard. And the registration card is addressed to the Panasonic North American offices in New Jersey...

Anyhoo, I love my W2!

[dang]

Put up a user review of it. :)