For people who are curious, here's a SR4 version of Asher (the
original's at http://inky.org/rpg/chars/asher.txt)

Overall, this build is pretty close to the other one, I think. The
main difference is probably in the attributes -- this build has pretty
good attributes, whereas before Asher had really outstanding
attributes. On the other hand, attributes make a bigger difference in
SR4, so it's not too surprising that they're more expensive here. It
seems like it's a sucker bet to buy the 6th attribute point, since it
costs more than twice as much (25) as any earlier level (10), but I
guess if you really want it.

The skill groups are a nice touch -- it feels like I spent about the
same (relative) amount of character points in SR4 as I did in SR3 but
got a more-rounded set of skills. On the other hand, since skill
groups cost 10 per level just like attributes, you have to ask
yourself with each level if you'd be better off raising the attribute
instead. Specializations are done better in this version too, as they
give a straight die bonus and cost a few BP. I couldn't find a price
for specialized knowledge/language skills, which was kind of weird. I
also couldn't find out if, at character creation, you could buy a
skill group for a few levels and then raise one of the skills a few
more levels. You can certainly do this after character creation, but
I'm not clear if you can do it during.

The adept powers are nicer overall, but the raised importance of
attributes means that the attribute increase power is more
expensive, which is painful -- I couldn't afford to take the
permanent attribute boost power like I did in SR3, so I ended up  
taking the temporary-boost power instead (which lasts for a bit and
then wears off, causing stun damage).

It's nice that the gear/wealth system is more directly equated to
build points, that you can get money with much finer granularity, and
that the price of most non-combat gear seems to be lowered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Starting BP: 400)

Attributes:

(physical/mental, 10 BP per level, 25 for last point, max 200 BP)
     Body 2 (10 BP)
  Agility 5 (40 BP)
 Reaction 4 (20 BP) (+1 bonus from improved reflexes)
 Strength 3 (20 BP)
 Charisma 5 (40 BP)
Intuition 5 (40 BP)
    Logic 2 (10 BP)
Willpower 3 (20 BP)

(special attributes)
     Edge 3 (10 BP)
    Magic 5 (40 BP) (requires Adept/Shaman/Mage quality)

(derived attributes)
Initiative (Rea+Int) 8
  Essence 6

Skills:
(active skills)
(4 BP per level, max 1 level-6 skill or 2 level-5 skills, all others
level-4 or less)
(skill groups 10 BP per level [max level 4 initially], specializations
2 BP each, 
max one per skill)

Athletics Group 3 (30 BP) [Strength/Agility]
Unarmed Combat 4 (16 BP) [Agility]
Pistols 4 (16 BP) - Specialization: Semi-automatics (2 BP) [Agility]
Stealth Group 3 (30 BP) [Intuition/Agility]
Influence Group 3 (30 BP) [Charisma] (usually +1 from Kinesics)
Dodge 2 (8 BP) [Reaction]
Pilot Ground Craft 1 (4 BP) - Specialization: Bike (2 BP) [Reaction]
Perception 2 (8 BP] [Intuition]

(knowledge skills - (logic + intuition) * 3 free levels, more for 2 BP
per level, max purchasable = same as free levels)
Professional: Covert Ops 4 [Logic]
Professional: Business 2 - Specialization: Megacorps (cost 1? not
sure) [Logic]
Interest: Seattle Upper-class Nightlife 4 [Intuition]
Interest: Meditation 3 [Intuition]
Academic: Magic Theory 2 [Logic]

(language skills - bought out of knowledge pool)
English (native)
Japanese 3 [Intuition]
Sperethiel 2 [Intuition]

Qualities:
Adept (5 BP)
SINner (-5 BP) [Ares Corp]

Adept Powers (5 points to spend)
Improved Reflexes 1 (2.00p)
Low-light Vision, Vision Magnification, Thermographic Vision, Flare
Compensation (1.00p)
Hearing Amplification, Dampener (0.50p)
Kinesics 1 (0.50p)
Attribute (Body) Boost 2 (0.5p)
Attribute (Strength) Boost 2 (0.5p)

Gear:
(purchased with nY, at 5k nY per BP, max 250k nY)
4 BP spent

Unarmed damage [(Str/2)S damage]
Upperclass Lifestyle, 1 month [10k nY]
Ares Predator IV [5P damage, -1 AP, 350 nY]
Quick-Draw Holster [100 nY]
Silencer [200 nY]
Extra Ammo * 2 [40 nY]
Flash-Pak [200 nY]
Smoke Grenade * 3 [90 nY]
Armor Vest [6/4 ballistic/impact, 600 nY]
Flashlight [25 nY]
Meta Link brand Commlink [Response 1, Signal 2, 100 nY]
Dodge Scoot [Handling +1, Accel 10/15, Speed 60, 3k nY]
Basic Docwagon, 1 year [5k nY]