ASUS U36JC-A1 Review

Hey guys! I hope you can help me make my final decision with regards to buying a laptop, and the U36JC is one of my considerations. I made a post here which I hope you could visit What notebook should I buy? Choosing between asus u33jc, u36jc, acer 4820, u41jf

TIA!

(I'm making this post in the different owner's threads; I hope that's ok...)

 

If you've had some experience in disassembling laptops or building desktops, then it shouldn't be too hard. It's basically unscrewing screws and a little elbow grease.

You'll need to disassemble the top case assembly. It's more tedious than other laptops, but not so difficult as described above.

I'm using 8GB of ram in my U36JC-A1. Usable ram is 7.79GB

 

I built desktops but laptops feel different/fragile. I want to change the keyboard on my ul30vt, but I'm still having doubts which way to go; normal or backlit (last one because of the mod needed).

Anyway, I asked the question about the U36JC for my sister... No need anymore. She decided to go with the macbook air 13,3" 128gb.

 

What's the best battery life any of you had with U36? David's review reported around 5 hours on standard use. I wonder if it can be stretched up to 6 or 7?

 

Hi David, great review, went ahead and bought this and it arrive today, playing around with it now.

Question for you: im coming from a Vaio Z series which had a really sweet 1600x900 resolution.

I tried setting this in my screen res options on the U36J, but the highest it can go is 1366x768.. is there a driver or something im missing to fully take advantage of a higher resolution screen like on the Vaio?
Thanks!

 

afaik..that is the highest resolution you can go for the u36..I am not aware that one can increase the resolution above the highest resolution a display can offer thru video drivers or any other means.

 

The highest and native resolution on the U36JC is 1366x768. It's not physically possible to increase the resolution on the screen unless you replace the screen panel with a higher resolution one. On the same note, if you require higher resolution with your U36JC and do not want to replace the screen, your only other option is to connect your U36JC to an external monitor or HDTV that supports your desired resolution.

 

Anyone care to comment some more on the "heat" issues?

A lot of people have been talking about this, and i have been burned by hot laptops before and want to stay clear of this.

It seems like browsing regular flash sites will even make the laptop run hot?

 

Browsing flash sites isn't that CPU intensive and although the U36JC would get warmer, it's not anywhere unbearable. For example, watching a 1080 video on youtube with power4gear set on entertainment mode, the CPU reaches the mid 60s.

There really isn't an issue as long as you don't let your CPU run at full clock speed on high performance mode for an extended time period.

 

Doesnt that seem awfull much?
Read about the 3820 and 4820 from acer and they seem to be around ~50ish degrees.
That's almost ~15C diffrence, and the acer has a better gpu also

 

I was wondering if anyone else who has this notebook is having the same issue as me. My screen seems to randomly adjust in brightness/dimness - not the auto dimming which happens when you're idle. For example when doing work you will notice that the screen slowly dims or slowly gets brighter. Is this a setting I need to disable or possibly a fault with the screen?

Cheers.

 

@horseturtle it may be a brightness sensor automatically adjusting your brightness. I'm not entirely sure if that model has one..

 

Guys

It's possible compare the asus VX6 with this new U36JC?


Because I like both, but I dont know wich one pick up. I know the new 36jc is more machine, but the vx6 is more portable maybe.

What do you think?

 

From a technical standpoint, the VX6 is not worth it IMO. With netbook specifications, you are paying double for the Lamborghini brand and to make a fashion statement compared to other netbooks.

 

Just got the U36JC with the 4 cell battery.
I switched the harddrive to a Intel X25 120gb one and installed a fresh copy of Windows 7 so the computer is free from Asus programs.

The batterytime is about 2 hours at max - is this normal for the 4 cell battery or do i need som special drivers from Asus to maximize the batterytime?

 

Try install Power4Gear and choose power savings mode.

 

Congratulations to your great review! I find also the whole discussion very interesting.

I have been planing to buy a new laptop and hope you can provide me with an additional information concerning the Asus U36JC.
According to my knowledge, only Windows 7 can take an advantage of the hybrid graphics technology. This innovative technology seems (still?) rather a disadvantage for other operating.

As a Linux professional and first of all as Linux user, I am really disappointed that I cannot enjoy this new technology, particularly having read in an official Nvidia-forum a statement that they do not plan to support Optimus in their Linux device drivers. Also the open source Linux driver developers seem not to be able to implement this new feature in a short time.
In consequence if you work under Linux on a Nvidia/Intel hybrid graphics computer, you have to accept the bitter disadvantage that the video output can only be processed by the Intel integrated GPU. i.e. the much less powerful GPU, most notably in case of processing of 3D graphics and HD-video.
As I read in an internet discussion (see also in https://lists.launchpad.net/hybrid-graphics-linux/msg00372.html, some models of Asus's latest notebook models (reportedly U30, U33, U43, U53) provide a BIOS-switch, a kind of "compatible video" that allows disabling hybrid graphics in BIOS and so makes using both GPUs possible for the software running under operating systems other than Windows 7.

So, after my long introduction, the deciding question is if Asus U36JC's BIOS provides such switch?

 

got my u36jc some days ago now. and today I was going to transfers some photos from a memory card. but it wont fit? do i need an adapter? cant find one in the box

 

What kind of memory card is it?
Why not just connect the camera directly to the computer through a USB cord?

 

I can do that, but I just wanted to try the memory card reader.
Its memory stick pro duo.

 

Can really nobody answer the question, if Asus U36JC's BIOS provides a switch for setting video output in a compatible mode (not hybrid graphics)?

 

Thanks for the great review!

I'm trying to figure out what laptop to buy and for a while I've been drawn to Toshiba's R705. It has great reviews and has been praised for it's quality. I was wondering how well does U36JC compare to R705 in workmanship, keyboard, trackpad and screen? I understand U36JC is way ahead in performance, so no need to compare that. I would be carrying my laptop around a lot and this would be an investment for a couple of years. Would be awesome if someone could help me out with this!

 

Well - I will do my best. While I didn't use the R705-p35 (I assume from best buy) that much, it best pretty solid but so does the U36. For me, the mouse buttons are both extremely annoying - with the clicks being really loud. They also require a little bit of force. I am not a big fan of multitouch trackpads in general - but they both have a similar feel and responsiveness to me - but I can't say I did extensive testing.

Screen - they are both similarly poor - i.e. bad vertical viewing angles but it isn't much of an issue when working unless you might be trying to use it at 140 deg or something. (This is for both)

The build quality of both felt quite good - and the keyboards while different, I personally wouldn't say one is going to blow the other out of the water. Some will prefer the toshiba, others the asus. Personally, I like the asus better although I do miss (don't press deep enough) the "m" key sometimes but I am new to chiclet keyboards.

Honestly, the only real issues that separate them for me was performance - and potential battery life. They are within 0.5 lbs (toshiba is lighter) but has an i3 and no graphics card. If you can find a r705-p41 for 700 like the p35, I would probably go for that - but I felt the i3 wasn't enough to have it run well for 3-4 years.

The bonus year warranty with asus (provided you are in canada/US) and the 1 yr accidental damage is a plus. Although you could easily add a squaretrade warranty (don't buy toshiba's it is overpriced) with accidental damage for 3 yrs for 129.99 (with the 30$ off coupon).

If you don't care about the performance difference, as much as I like the asus - I would go with the toshiba. It is 300$ cheaper and a solid machine.

 

I just checked the BIOS and I don't see an option where you can set the video output to compatible mode.

I believe you'll need an pro duo to MS adapter.

 

Thanks a lot!
Its a pity because I liked the design of U36. It seems I should rather take a look at pre-Windows7 models like U30 or U33.

 

Since it is such a fancy small notebook with extraordinary processing power and CUDA support, I want to make it fast as possible. So my idea was to replace the harddisk by an Intel SSD 510. I would suspect that a 2.5'' model is inside the laptop, however I do not want to destroy anything by opening it.

Anyone an idea exactly how to replace the harddisk?
I removed the four rubber pads, removed the hatch (is this the right english term? for changing the RAM, removed all screws I can reach from the backside ...
Any idea if something is missing? Any pictures disassembling the notebook?

 

I used this guide when i installed my Intel SSD drive:
http://translate.google.se/translate?hl=sv&langpair=zh-CN|sv&u=http://bbs.benber.com/thread-46012-1-1.html

 

Exactly what I was looking for - excellent!
Thank you very much!

 

Hello does anyone know what the difference is between U36JC-A1 and U36JC-NYC?
I know it's silver, but why is it ~$100 cheaper?

 

It actually looks like a better machine.... it has 6gb of ram....

 

Hi,

I received my u36jc about week ago and i like it alot. Display could be better thou...

I don't know is this a right thread to ask this but i'll try. I have problem with special keyboard functions (Fn+F??). When i got u36jc all of those worked but now about half of those wont work. Fn+1,5-8 works, but other combinations won't work like for example volume keys. I also can't see those "animations" when I increase/decrease display brightness.

Has anyone had some problem? How could i fix that?

 

Question on Video Switching. Standard U36J just had Office2010 added and software updates.

Does anyone know the exact configuration of the video cards?
From what I can tell the VGA port can only be accessed by the Intel chip, and the HDMI via the NVidia.

Does this mean the Nvidia Optimus switching is only handled the internal display?

Reason I ask is we can only get 1024x768 out of the VGA port (we believe via the intel chipset) and cannot force the port across to the nvidia chip.

Every resolution you like on the HDMI. We tried setting default application preferences to High (as in the nvidia chip) - no difference.

Little off-topic (but related): I have far too many years living in PowerPoint and this is a first for me ... running on the VGA output (extended desktop) - Go into Slideshow mode and VGA goes blank - then advance and the Slideshow is one slide out of sync with PresenterView on the internal screen.

Really like the laptop, light and relatively powerful. Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Kyle

 

@Steaming try to reinstall the ATK package or atk drivers (from here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download u36jc). The popup with the 3d display is called atkosd2, the 2d one is called atkosd and you'll only see that one if you disable/remove atkosd2.

@kraves sorry I don't mean to ignore you but I can't answer your question (no experience with optimus here). Someone else will have to help.

 

Thanks. I reinstalled "ATKACPI driver and hotkey-related utilities" package and function keys works again. I tried to find drivers earlier but I don't know how I didn't see those.

 

With VGA graphics, I'm able to output 1080 resolution on my external monitor without any issues but only if you're using integrated graphics. If you want to do 1080 with dedicated graphics, I'd suggest you use HDMI.

Many of the newer Asus laptops no longer have individual ATK utilities and now groups them together in a package. Glad that you have everything working again

 

Hi,

Been using the notebook for a while. Anyone having problem with the keyboard. Sometime the keyboard dun seem to detect what I type. As I am typing along, when I type the word " sometime", the "t" was not detected. It just happen randomly.

All other key has this problem. It just happen randomly. Ar.....

Also, my Fn key for wif dun seem to be working. Just realised it. Reinstall the ATK package but still the same..... My F2 key is definitely working. I can rename file by clicking on it.
==> Solve this. I delete the keyboard filter driver and reinstall a new one over it. Key undetected randomly still happening

 

Hi there,

You guys have said that the battery last 5hours, but on asus website it's written that the battery could last 10hours... is it possible ?

Let's say low luminosity, wireless activated and word/excel/google utilisation ?

 

What's the difference between:

ASUS U36JC-B2B
ASUS U36JC-B1
ASUS U36JC-A1

?

 

A1 - i5-460 - windows 7 home premium 64 bit
B1 - i5-480 - windows 7 home premium 64 bit
B2B - i5-480 - windows 7 professional 64 bit

U36JC-NYC - 100$ cheaper and includes 6 GB of ram......

 

I'm interested in getting this laptop for work. I'm traveling a lot so I need an ultra portable laptop that can handle Solidworks/Autocad smoothly. Will this laptop do that? Is the 310m good enough to handle the 3D drawing task? I've searched through net but I don't seem to get an answer anywhere else.

Thanks in advance.

 

The 310M isn't tailored for autocad, but can still run it without issues if the files aren't very complex. Quadro GPUs are usually more optimized for cad related tasks and are only found in business-class laptops such as Lenovo and Dell Latitude/Precision lines.

 

I heard the U36JC will be getting a Sandy Bridge update sometime this month or next month. Will there be any particular big differences from the models available now and the SB update? I'm not sure if I want to wait for it or not.

 

Probably not any noticeable difference in performance, but it may improve battery life a bit.

 

the integrated graphics with SB are roughly equal to the dedicated gpu on the U36jc. on the U36sd, the gpu will get a bump up (not too much)

 

Hi!

Yesterday I bought an ASUS U36JC and I really love it! I also have a Vertex 2 SSD which I'd like to use with this notebook. So I removed all screws, even those under the rubbers, but I just can't open the case. I've tried it from the back, the front or from the sides, but no luck at all. I guess the problem is, that I'm just to worried to destroy my new notebook.

Does anyone know, if there is a tutorial with pictures, or a video, where I can clearly see how to open the case without destroying anything?

Thank you very, very much!

 

Thanks for the reply, I decided to just order it now. With a SSD of course.

 

Sounds good
SSD will make a huge difference and I'm sure you won't regret the upgrade.

 

U36SD announcement:

ASUS works Sandy Bridge magic on thin-and-light U31E, U31SD, and U36SD -- Engadget

 

Thinking of buying this laptop. Don't think I'll need Sandy Bridge.

It's selling for $1009 CAD... wondering if there're any competitors with similar built and specs as this laptop but with a lower cost?

 

toshiba r705-p35 is similarish....no graphics card and i3 but other than that is the same....and sometimes you can pick it up as low as 699 in the US.

Although you can get the U36JC-NYC for 899 if you look for it.

It is probably worth heading to the US to pick it up - to avoid the taxes...