Upgrading an Asus W1N?

[MIDIman]

Three questions.

Primarily, how hard is it to upgrade the CPU and/or RAM of an Asus W1N? IMHO, this is sleekest looking notebook next to the Apples. In fact, its dimensions are very similar! I currently have a Dell 8600, and as far as I can tell, this Asus has all the same stuff, but in a much smaller, and likely lighter package.

Also - with the new Sonoma chips coming out soon, what will the highest clocked Dothan be? I can't find Intel's latest roadmap. The chips are pretty costly now, but I like the idea of getting a low clocked laptop now, and upgrading it later.

Finally - will Sonoma cpus be compatible with the 855-based chipsets we have now? With it touting "PCI Express" and "DDR2" it doesn't sound like it...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hikari]

The fastest Dothan is 2.13GHz, currently. I've seen a few sites that said 2.26, but it doesn't show up on Intel's page.

Here are a few links on Intel's site:
CPU Page:
http://www.intel.com/products/...ors/pentiumm/index.htm

Chipset (http://www.intel.com/design/ch...ts/mobile/915_fam.htm):
The Mobile Intel® 915GM/PM/GMS and 910GML Express chipset family is a graphics memory controller hub (GMCH) designed for use with the Intel® Pentium® M Processor with 2 MB L2 Cache and Intel® Celeron® M processor 90 nm.

Sonoma is (
http://www.intel.com/ca/pressroom/2004/0218c.htm)
" Intel plans to introduce a higher-performing Intel Pentium M processor (code-named "Dothan"), and in the second half of 2004 Intel plans to update all the elements of Intel Centrino mobile technology with the "Sonoma" platform introduction. Sonoma includes a new Intel Pentium M processor with a faster, 533 MHz front-side bus; a new Wi-Fi component that supports the 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standards; and, a new chipset code-named "Alviso." "

Dothan is the CPU, Alviso is the chipset, and Sonoma is the name for the whole package. (just posted that last bit since there seems to be a lot of confusion in general)

 

[MIDIman]

Dothan is the CPU, Alviso is the chipset, and Sonoma is the name for the whole package. (just posted that last bit since there seems to be a lot of confusion in general)

Indeed - thanks.

So will "Sonoma's" 533mhz Dothan CPU be compatible with the current chipsets? And if not, what's the roadmap for the 400mhz "Centrino" Dothans? Will it just end completely?

 

[Shadowmage]

No. All 400mhz Dothans are discontinued and replaced with 533mhz ones. The entire chipset has changed.

You should overclock the Dothan. With a decent multiplier, 2.3ghz can be easily reached.

 

[MIDIman]

But it sounds like the Dothan product line is ending then. i.e. anyone looking for a laptop that might last a bit longer should probably wait for Sonoma to arrive, yes?

Thanks for the comments / feedback.

 

[Shadowmage]

522mhz doesn't really matter. Adds no performance whatsoever. Mainly for marketing's sake.

However, the 16x PCI-E really is a boost over AGP 4x. If you want a laptop w/nice gfx, then get the Sonoma. Else, get the old ones. It's just as good but cheaper.