A8Js - Owner's Lounge

yea Rofane keep us posted! hope u get ur working asus back soon!

 

Hi!

i figured i'd post this question here since it pertains to the A8js.
I was wondering where could i possibly buy later on an extra battery for my A8js. I did search the forum and did found a user who posted the same question as i did under the Hardware section on Nov 24th I believe ( I could be utterly mistaken) but the only response was 'yes you could' which wasnt exactly helpful.

Thnanks in advance.

 

A lot of resellers (MilestonePC, proportable, gentech, btotech, etc.) should all sell accessories.

Here's just an example:

http://www.milestonepc.com/states/product_info.php?cPath=87_183&products_id=1320

 

Hi!

Thnkx FREN.
I feel like such an incompetent couldnt see it on the website. saw all other batteries except this one silly me.
Problem solved.

thnkx again.

 

Want to reduce you A8Js fan noise?

check it out

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=91637

 

Hi friends,

Just wanted to say that after much debate between several different models, I ordered my A8Js today from MilestonePC.com (Danny Li). I hope to have it in a week or so. Can't wait.

This forum for Asus has been extremely helpful. Much appreciation to the faithful here.

Later,

Joe

 

Everytime I post the estore address I hear I am afraid the dealers will complain and try to stamp it out.

But the estore has batteries for $90. a8jm battery is compatible.


http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=3271&catid=499

 

Hey!

Thnkx Stamar.
If anything, you can PM with the store adress. PB solved. even though it would be nice for everyone to be able to view this info and then make up their minds.

later.

 

what's up everyone i received my a8js about a week now. i was wondering if the dvd burner is lightscribe compatible. thanks

 

I believe it is. I remember seeing it as a feature when I got the a8js. But what exactly is lightscribe? Is it a useful utility or just another marketing gimmick?

 

No not unless its something you can unlock with firmware.

the 850 doesnt hav lightscribe but the 851 does

Someone can pursue this project though it might come up golden.

 

Guys, this machine was an awful buy. The vertical viewing angle is terrible and the screen light leakage exceeds any model that I have owned in the past 5 years. Built quality is obnoxious and its not too silent either. The specs are really good but thats about it.

 

Hi All A8Js Owner ...

Could A8Js play DVD or MP3 without bootup?

thanks

 

nope .....

 

what's 850 or 851? r u talking about the model numbers for the dvd drive.

 

yes ......

 

ok thanks. does anyone of the resellers sell the 851 dvd drive w/lightscribe separetely, or do u know whre i could get one if need to. thanks.

 

demenion,

Hmmmm... this is very disappointing. I will receive my A8Js on the 13th next week. I do a lot of photoshop work and the first thing I would do is to calibrate the screen for color. If it is this bad however I will have to return it. I didn't really think LCDs had gotten worse than 2.5 years ago. I will just have to see for myself. I ordered from MilestonePC also and I hate to think I will have to eat the 15% restock fee.

Anyone else think it is this bad? Dang, I wanted the G7700 so bad but the Z96j probably would have been a better selection if the screen is this bad on the A8Js. I know that the viewing angles are not considered the best, but when looking straight on I don't expect to see any graduation in color or brightness and I expect it to be plenty bright with excellent color gamut. Like I said I really didn't think there was a chance of getting a screen that would be considered worse than my dell from 2 years ago - it actually has a very nice screen, except in bright sunlit rooms.

Wait and see. Other comments appreciated.

Joe

 

Look at this horrific scenario. Do i have to worry with that amount of light leakage. Is it normal?

Please inform me if i should return the device.

I am fairly unhappy.

 

Wow that is really bad. Yes you should return it.

 

exxi and others,

Personally, I don't care about photos taken in the dark and at multiple exposures. I rather see what it looks like in normal lighting and at a constant camera exposure from straight on to the LCD.

I have a high quality camera that I can use to make such exposures. If I get my A8Js and it is so bad that I can't stand it from the first moment, then I will just wrap it all back up and call MilestonePC for return. If it is not as bad as you are making it out to be and I think I can live with this display, then I will take some quality photos with same exposure settings in normal light and blank screen. I will even do some at angles to the display for comparison.

I don't think it is doing any of us any good to look at these photos from cameras with automatic exposure settings because the camera is just pumping up the exposure to try and get something useful to look at. Think of it this way. If you take a photo in a very dark room the auto exposure camera is going to try and make the photo look like normal lighting, this is what auto exposure is all about.

I think the best approach to this type of experiment is to first determine what the correct photo exposure is for a normal XP desktop screen (not black). Then use the same exposure when taking the photos for the black blank screen shots.

I don't want to look at photos where the light leaking through has been exaggerated by the photo. I want the photo to show the same thing my eye sees in a normal lighting environment.

Later, Joe

 

You are right Joe, let me see your pictures once you have your notebook.

 

Quick question, does the a8js have a open mini pci slot ?

 

no.............

 

this is gr88... i m expecting my A8JS to be delivered today (from danny) and i see exxi's pics now... is everyone experiencing the same prob as exxi or as Joe mentioned cud this be bcoz of the camera??

 

you should judge for yourself, once you have it, would you be so kind and upload some pictures of yours?

Thanks

 

It's bad but not a big problem as you only see it when the screen is black/dark. And it probably has to do with that this is a really bright screen compared to others. But what you should really worry about is the viewing angle, it's been said a million times in this thread. If you're just slightly off center vertically it will be really hard to see things, especially if they are dark, everything looks inverted and totally crap crap crap. Maybe I'm picky (I work in postproduction so I sit in front of calibrated screens all day long) but I still think this is far from tolerable. If I could I would return this machine for something else. Maybe a MBP but it's expensive and I'm not too keen on OSX/Bootcamp either.

 

exxi

pictures are so inacurate.
Your pictures show light leakage at such an uneven way and so extreme that i dont think its possible my screen is like yours even with a huge exposure.

you have it leaking from the left side up the whole screen. i can only see it in the middle of mine.
So even though its the camera making it look bad, your screen has more light leakage than mine. If you go back to the first owners who posted their screens mine is just like theirs yours looks different, that is my opinion and I would try my luck with an exchange.

it uses mini pci e, its filled with the wireless card. same as most new notebooks using intel 945. the pci E is the key point.

 

stamar, thanks, i will send it in for repair, its gonna take 3 weeks. I hope they fix it. How can i convince them that its an actual reason to exchange? Any suggestions?

 

Hi!

sorry to ear that exxi, IMHO i'm guessing if they do turn it on themselves they could see what you see.... and if there is no way to repair it then they'll probably replace it.......

I got my A8js this late morning from Post Canada (never have I loved them better ). I would highly recommend Milestonepc to anyone. My screen is just fine, I like, I like it a lot. Things with pics ,as someone else pointed out, they tend not to depict the actual truth and in cases make it worse...

Now I that I have my A8js i can claim my leather sofa in this owner's lounge
I also am getting a sleeve for my A8js, i'm thinking of fabrixcases.com.

Cheers!

 

There are some questions I have about the a8js and I hope you guys can help answer it.

1. Why is the RAM limited to 2gb max? There are laptops older and not as nice where the max is 4gb.

2. Why oh why is the battery a 6-cell especially with such a powerful GPU? If it was a 9 cell or even an 8 cell, the battery life would be so much better.

3. Does the a8js have draft 802.11n capability? I hear the new Macbook Pros do. And if not, will it be possible to upgrade the internal wireless card to support 802.11n later?

4. Does anyone know where to get a transparent skin for the lid? It's easily scratched. And does anyone know where to get a cover of some sort for the touchpad to make it smoother to use?

Thanks a bunch you guys. I love this forum =]

 

the vertical viewing angle on it is just so bad.. it just seems really uneven on my screen.

also, when the notebook is plugged in the screen is brighter.. how can i have it set to the max brightness when not plugged in? (yes i have the screen brightness set to max on the laptop already)

 

yeah, try Notebook hardware control and the plugin that i programmed, it allows you to set brightness. Should do it

 

exxi's thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1699902

Important enough thread for A8Js owners as to be referenced from this one

 

1.system info says my system can accept 4gb. Also p1 advertises it as 4gb max.
All I can say is its still unknown Im not certain it can or cant take 4gb

2. no way to add a larger capacity battery in this design

3.yes

4. i might be into something like that too.

 

Does the DVD on A8Js have lightscribe? Has anyone tried it? Thanks.

 

If the A8Js had a bigger battery, it would have to extend beyond the chassis, and would also add to weight. Sure, you would get better battery life, but methinks more people would opt for superior portability over superior battery life. I know I would.
If you want better battery life, then consider the W3J.

According to the specifications on PROPortable's website, it does not:

http://www.proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=190

 

The a8js battery goes in to a rectangle. The only way for it to be larger would be to make it go down. if it did that it would be out of balance.

I dont think theres ever going to be a larger battery for this model.

 

I think most of us who made the decision to buy this laptop are cool with 3 hours of battery life.

At least i am ;-)

 

Did any of you guys or a8jm owners buy a different case?

I like the case that came with mine Ill still use it.

Contrary to what a lot of people think about it, its too large for me. So Im looking for a leather case with shoulder strap but perhaps only having barely enough room for the computer ac mouse and small amount of dvds.

 

Does anyone know what brand is the stock ram for the A8Js. Also, I was wondering what the difference between OCZ, Corsair, and Crucial are in terms of ram. Crucial seems to be the most expensive, but other than that are they any tests done for performance, and are there any warranty differences? Thanks.

 

The brand is called hynix. I bought ocz 2nd gb.

All are the same. get 5300 or 5400 those two numbers are the same as well.

edit hynix is like 3rd largest manufacturer in the world. one of the brands youre considering is the exact same ram but i dont remember which one.

If you want exact exact same ram get dell brand it is hynix labeled.

 

Well not necessarily but can at least live with it.

There is always the bright side that it is an extremely powerful 6 cell battery that is about the same power as most computers 8 cell battery.

The computer itself is not a battery saving design it has extra bright screen and a 7700 go so the a8js customer pictured shorter periods away from ac.

Battery life has been fine for me im never more than 2 hours away from ac.

 

Actually i want to get a sleve for the notebook, and keep the case. I think it needs a tad more padding than the bag that came with it. but im not sure which sleeve to get and if itll fit in the asus bag.

 

hey can we create a list with link for accessories like batteries and chargerS? im having a hard time finding stuff for this.

 

I am having another problem with my laptop... When I put it in hibernate it wakes up immediately (suspend mode works fine)

i formatted and installed windows xp / drivers manually.

Any ideas?

 

Hey guys, this notebook really looks sweet and i also gonna buy it.

But i have one stupid question for you, if you choose non 16:9 resolution like 1024*768 will it stretch the image or add black bars in both sides?

Thx

Brash.

 

Mine stretches.

 

The behavior can be changed from nVidia control panel. There's 3 options:
1) Stretch to full screen
2) scale centered with black bars on both sides (this is the best option imo)
3) centered picture without any stretching

 

Thanks Laum