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    ASUS U80V-A1 Review

    Discussion in 'ASUS Reviews and Owners' Lounges' started by Sorrix, Jul 24, 2009.

  1. the_realness

    the_realness Notebook Consultant

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    I paid $1125 (CDN). It comes with a T6500 (2.1 Ghz)
     
  2. tcee-

    tcee- Notebook Consultant

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    how long was your wait from order to arrival?
     
  3. PickNPop

    PickNPop Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where did you order it and do they still have it stock?
     
  4. tizzao

    tizzao Notebook Evangelist

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    I wonder if the U80 would support the SL9600 processor. It's half the wattage of the T6500.
     
  5. nodlive

    nodlive Notebook Guru

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    Sigh, this is sad, I was going to but this computer this week. Just called memory express to see why its no longer listed, and the dude that works there said that it has been discontinued. I wonder why that is. Does not seem to make a lot of sense.

    The only reasons I can come up with are ones around either an upgrade in components, or that ASUS was having problems getting the materials to build the notebooks and had to stop offering them. Hopefully we will see a new U80V type computer soon.
     
  6. the_realness

    the_realness Notebook Consultant

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    I ordered last Monday and received it today.
     
  7. the_realness

    the_realness Notebook Consultant

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    Premier Computers Canada. Their site says it was discontinued, so I don't think so.
     
  8. rayray27

    rayray27 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ya seems kinda fishy eh? I'm gonna hold off purchasing one in hopes that it'll be refreshed with some better specs. Hoping for a better GPU and DDR3 ram in the same form factor and I'd be in heaven :D
     
  9. Raeglatem

    Raeglatem Notebook Consultant

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    I think it needs a better display overall.. Also how is the battery life on this unit in power saving modes?

    And is this the same as the u80a offered in best buy?
     
  10. nodlive

    nodlive Notebook Guru

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    It does seem really odd.. Brand new release, seems like the perfect laptop to a lot of people, but it never really got 'really released' if you know what i mean..

    as a canadian, it was really odd to see a computer that my american neighbours couldn't get. That never happens!

    I hope we just find out more info, as I am sure like me, a lot of people are looking for a new computer for september.

    Who knows, maybe ill turn my affections back to the sony z.. though its video card seems somewhat lackluster now.. not to mention pricey.
     
  11. GTRagnarok

    GTRagnarok Notebook Evangelist

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    No, this is not the same as Best Buy's U81A. The U81A lacks several things, such as a dedicated GPU; since it is integrated, the U81A should have a better battery life.
     
  12. Voohoo

    Voohoo Newbie

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    Just ordered my U80V today (now yesterday, 8/10) . Got the N American config (T6500, DDR2, 320gb 7200rpm).

    Bought it from Amazon for $969! Great deal for me. Perfect for college! I was really bummed when I saw that Amazon said it "Ships in 1 to 2 months." but it looks like they restocked it!
     
  13. GTRagnarok

    GTRagnarok Notebook Evangelist

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  14. larsaunit

    larsaunit Notebook Enthusiast

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    As anyone tried any online games on it. My main gaming focus is World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Conan and so on.
     
  15. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    can someone tell me if the cpu is upgradable. please. its nice. i like.
     
  16. danik_iceman

    danik_iceman Notebook Guru

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    Any updates on availability in US?
    Do you pay tax when buying from Amazon?(NY state)
     
  17. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    ok. YES! the cpu is upgradeble. I took it out.
     
  18. aquaphiliac

    aquaphiliac Notebook Enthusiast

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    I didn't pay tax or shipping to massachusetts from amazon. Mine comes the 17th. awesome
     
  19. MarcTonk

    MarcTonk Notebook Geek

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    So depressing I might have to buy the Sony SR now. I can only wait about another month or so at the latest.. :(
     
  20. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh really messyrimjob? That is great news! Did you happen to take any pics of your journey inside of the U80?

    That makes me want to buy the Amazon T6500 knowing that later on down the road I can upgrade the CPU.
     
  21. the_realness

    the_realness Notebook Consultant

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    I've been running Windows 7 64-bit and the battery life says roughly 7.5-8 hours if I run on power saving mode + no backlit keyboard. Not sure how accurate it is yet, having had a chance to use it all.
     
  22. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    No I didnt. but I was thinkin about it, plus my sis has the cam :(
    but ya it is upgradable. also I did apply some MX-2 :cool: to the cpu and let me tell you this laptop has been running for 7 hours straight and it feels like its not even on. (there is NO heat!) not even warm. :cool: :rolleyes: :D :eek: ;)
    and its not much of a journey. you remove 5 screws and BAM its all there. VERY nice and convienent. i like. its nice.
     
  23. tcee-

    tcee- Notebook Consultant

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    what cpu did you upgrade to? was it difficult at all?
     
  24. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    no i didnt upgrade the cpu. YET. but im planning to put the p9700 or p9600 in there by the end of the year. And no its not difficult at all. it is extremely easy. i mean XTREMELY easy. even a 3 year old on crack can do it.
     
  25. danik_iceman

    danik_iceman Notebook Guru

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    Upgrading CPU will void the warranty.
    When buying from amazon do you get 2 years of warranty including 1 year of accidental coverage?
     
  26. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    the one thing i hate about this laptop is the optical drive. and the touchpad drivers need some work. and the fan is....well you can hear it kinda easily.
     
  27. TevashSzat

    TevashSzat Notebook Deity

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    Yes, you should.
     
  28. tizzao

    tizzao Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there a sticker that you have to take off to get to the cpu? I ask because, for warranty purposes, if there isn't you could probably just put the old cpu back in place.

    I would even consider putting an SL9600 in one of these (17w TDP, similar speed, better FSB, 6mb cache),
     
  29. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    Ah this is very tempting now. Can't go wrong with $969. I was willing to spend $1200 if the specs were right. I can live with the CPU for now. A nicer GPU would have been gravy but i really need a new notebook :( After holding out since Christmas I really can't hold out anymore.
     
  30. nodlive

    nodlive Notebook Guru

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    Still want to know why it disappeared almost over night here in Canada.. So strange.
     
  31. danik_iceman

    danik_iceman Notebook Guru

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    I am fine with the loud fan, but what I am curious about is does it get hot?
     
  32. TevashSzat

    TevashSzat Notebook Deity

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    I believe there is usually a sticker on top of one of the screws that is holding the CPU heatsink in place.
     
  33. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    Does anyone know how to get these stickers off in one piece. the reason i ask this because I got my u80v replaced from the second longest river in the world because the old one had static in the headphone jack. so before i sent it, i checked if the cpu is replaceable/upgradeable and that "void warranty" sticker was so darn fragile that it ripped into piecies. :eek:
     
  34. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    You got it replaced from the second longest river in the world? What does that mean?

    And it is purposely made like that so if you do tamper with it it will tear. Kinda the point.

    I have read reports that most places do not bother with it but your experience may vary.
     
  35. KDragon5

    KDragon5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Amazon ;)

    and I agree what nicksti said, the warranty stickers are designed to be that way
     
  36. SoundOf1HandClapping

    SoundOf1HandClapping Was once a Forge

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    I might be just incredibly lucky in warranty-keeping, but in the last two Asus notebooks I've had the warranty sticker was only half-stuck on. In short, the screw was exposed, and I only had the prod the unstuck half of the sticker out of the way to get to my heatsink. I replaced a CPU without voiding my warranty.


    Well, not anymore. I finger-spazzed while applying some MX-3 and I ripped the sticker in half.
     
  37. Soviet Sunrise

    Soviet Sunrise Notebook Prophet

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    Good job. 10char
     
  38. SoundOf1HandClapping

    SoundOf1HandClapping Was once a Forge

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    It still astounds me how I didn't break my computer in thirteen places.
     
  39. jaydee101

    jaydee101 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm jealous of all you guys that already have it lol. I have to wait another painful 5 days. I hope that they can get it in by sunday. I too like some have ordered from amazon. As far as I know, there is only 2 year warranty. When I called to check the warranty, they said nothing about 1 yr accidental coverage. It would be nice if they offered it. The only problem is that when you get your free Win 7 upgrade, they refuse to upgrade to 64 bit. They said to ask Amazon to install 64 bit Vista, and when I asked that, they said they could not in any way do that. They received it from the manufacturer like that. I am sure if you argue enough with Asus support, they will help me out.

    Pardon me if I made grammatical errors. It is late, I am tired, and I don't give a sh!t.
     
  40. larsaunit

    larsaunit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm....

    The laptop I ordered says it has a T6500 which is a 2.1GHz but the spec says 1.83 which would be a t5600. I am really hoping that they made an error on the GHz and not the modell of the CPU.

    Anyone know if Asus even supply it with a T5600?
     
  41. messyrimjob

    messyrimjob Notebook Guru

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    Where does it say 1.83??

    also why wont this system be able to support 8gb RAM?
     
  42. larsaunit

    larsaunit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do a google om this modell "U80V-WX051C".

    Thats the modell thats available in the nordic countries (Sweden, Norway and so on).

    Everywhere it says 1.83.

    I know most link to one supplyer but there are other supplyers and they aslo have the same error on the spec.

    Must be a typo from asus on the swedish modell.

    So I wont knot what I get untill I recive the computer.
     
  43. larsaunit

    larsaunit Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have now talked to the supplyer and they say when they checked what CPU is available on that model that the T5600 isnt included, and their partnumber information says T6500.

    So he was pretty sure that is was a T6500.

    Lets hope he isnt wrong.
     
  44. danik_iceman

    danik_iceman Notebook Guru

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    Can anyone just call Asus and ask when and which store is going to have this laptop in availability?
     
  45. Raeglatem

    Raeglatem Notebook Consultant

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    Its been on amazon hasn't it?
     
  46. danik_iceman

    danik_iceman Notebook Guru

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    yeah, but just the amazon, and with a certain config. I want it with different CPU and from somewhere esle where I can get a cashback.(like ebay or tigerdirect)
     
  47. indeedo

    indeedo Newbie

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    Hello! First post here.

    I am searching for a new notebook as of right now, and I have been very intrigued by this model. I am just wondering, in others' opinion, what product would be better: the 13" macbook pro, low-end, or the asus u80v?

    I am looking in terms of bang for buck, customer service, quality of hardware, and importantly whether or not the lowest-end macbook pro's processor is really that much better than the T6500 that's in the asus. (I know that the GPU blows macbook pro out of the water)

    Side-note: I'm a student, so I would get a $100 discount off of the macbook pro, and a free 8GB iPod Touch, if that would sway any of your decisions, were you in my shoes. :) Thanks! All opinions welcome.
     
  48. nicksti

    nicksti Notebook Evangelist

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    I do not think bang for your buck and MBP can be used in the same sentence. I have heard nightmare stories about Asus service, but the warranty on paper is great. But with your $100 off an already $100 less notebook it becomes a great priced notebook no question.

    Depends on what you are doing I guess.

    Lowest End MBP: 2.26GHz CPU, 2GB DDR3, 160GB HDD, NV 9300 GPU $1099 Student
    Amazon U80V: 2.1GHz CPU, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, ATi 4570 GPU $969

    I personally on paper would pick the Asus.
     
  49. larsaunit

    larsaunit Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I would say it depends what you are looking for.
    I did choose the Asus since I game sometimes and wanted the performace of the graphic card.
    Some people love OSX in that case pick the Apple. If you choose the Mac Book you need to buy an additional license if you want to run Windows.

    I am a reseller and the service in Sweden is quite good. So the 2 year warrenty is nice.
     
  50. Voohoo

    Voohoo Newbie

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    I just got my U80V a few days ago. I'm now running Windows 7 on it. But in doing so a lot of the features of the laptop do not work; such as the back-lit keyboard and touchpad (no lights), bluetooth, some FN keys (vol, keyboard light), and some others that i probably not yet have noticed.

    So can anyone help me with getting these features to work again, especially the lights of the keyboard and touchpad??

    I think I might have to go back to Vista with the packaged ASUS disk and then work from there...

    EDIT*** nvm folks. i went to the Asus support site and found all the drivers and utilities. don't know why i didn't think of that before. it's kind of a hassle to download everything. i wish the packaged drivers & utilities CD worked with Win7...it only works with Vista.
     
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