Asus M50VM Montevina, NV 9600M GS Review

Does any of the ASUS software work on XP? For example, it installs splendid but when you try to load the app, it complains about it not being compatible with the OS or something...


dB.

 

No not every software is compatible, Smart logon also not compatible.

 

Do you know by any chance which ones are or does one have to figure it out by trial and error?

 

I think these are the only programs that are not compatible with XP:

-Copy Protect
-Life Frame
-Smart logon
-Splendid

 

I'm not sure if this question belongs here, but do you guys have any advice as to what some general laptop maintenance procedures are? in terms of routinely updating drivers, software, etc...? Basically procedures against anything that would stop one's laptop from operating at its optimal...much thx.


dB.

 

have you tried this wonderful search website where you can locate any information you want? It's called www.google.com

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/26-tips-to-keep-your-computer-up-and-functioning.html

 

You could also have a look at my Vista guide (for a cleanup procedure of the default ASUS installation), and my XP guide (for some suggestions about good maintenance of an OS, which apply to any OS not just XP).

 

If you want working versions of Life Frame and Spledid for Xp, than download them from the ASUS support website of older notebooks like F3JP model.

I am not sure about the "Copy Protect", but the "Smart log on" will not work. ASUS released only a Vista version of it.

 

i have the m50sv-a1 and lifeframe and splendid both work fine in XP.
you simply have to download the Xp version from asus download site

type in splendid in the search, and Life in the search, and then choose OS in the top right corner. install and have fun!

 

Thanks for the information.

 

hm. I have 360 and ps3 with a reasonale tv so.... I don't need to play high RES high detail (not that i do) but how long do you think this baby will be able to play fps games???

 

Hi! Sweden speaking...
Here we have different specs M50VM to choose from.
1*ASUS M50Vc 15.4"WXGA+,9300M GS 512 MB, P8400,4 GB,320GB,DVD±RW,11n WLAN,BT,VHP

2*ASUS M50Vm 15.4"WXGA+,9600M GS 512 MB, P8600,4 GB,500GB,DVD±RW,11n WLAN,BT,VHP

Would like to know about the ram, is it 667 or 800mhz? The info says(we all know that sellers often get the wrong info) 667Mhz, but ain´t it suppose to be 800 world wide?
How good/quick is the 500GB HDD?
How good is the screen?
How far behind is the P8600 from the T9400?

The price diff between the Vc and Vm is about 161,42 USD over here

 

The ram is 800mhz
It should have a 320GB HDD not a 500. It runs at 5400rpm.
The screen is great.
The 8600 is extremely close to the 9400.

 

i have a driver question, if i got the B4 with the BD combo drive, will the disk supplied with drivers have the 64 bit(vista) driver for it or just the dvd driver for the other models? also, what drivers will i need to hunt down for the 64 bit(vista), the same ones that XP are missing? thank you again to whom ever responds

 

This was posted several times earlier by Ken, on this very thread. The Vista 32 drivers also work in Vista 64.

 

Hi, I am looking at buying the M50VM but I am torn between the A1 and the B2. Price is an issue as I am a college student but my number one priority is to get a laptop that I like and can hopefully last at least 3 to 4 years. I prefer the WSXGA (my current laptop has it, the old Asus Z71V), but I am not sure if the upgrade, along with the processor and hard drive upgrades, are worth almost 300 dollars. I realize that the A1 could probably last a long time too but I really like the WSXGA I am using now and I am unsure if I will like the WXGA. As a reference, I was wondering how much monitor upgrades usually cost (just want to know if the B2 upgrade is worth my money). Also, I was wondering whether the 500 GB 5400 is as fast as the 320 GB 5400 and if the T9400 is really noticeably better than the P8400. Thanks!

One more thing, I heard that Intel is coming out with Quad-core processors in the near future, is it worth it to wait until they come out? I do some minor video editing and multi-task A LOT on my laptop. Thanks!

 

dcrono there is a M50VM-B2 now out there: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=M50VM-B2&Category_Code=

1680x1050 res is that what your looking for? Thats what I was looking for in the M50 as thats my prefered resolution, but I opted for the G50 instead in end.

The B2 M50 also has a pretty kicking 500gb HDD. So its worth the upgrade for sure.

 

heyjust to let you know if cash is a problem for he m50vm then the quad cores are goingto kick it up a notch as you will be adding hundreds of dollars to get it plus I don't remember but he asus isn't upgradeable to quad

 

Quad for the most part goes to waste in a laptop. I can only think of a few tasks that really benefit from going dual --> quad. Those tasks are things like encoding videos, and then in a laptop your hard drive is going to hold you back not the cpu. Heck same goes for a desktop even.

I like my quad in my desktop, but dual core is just fine for laptops for now and for quite awhile to come.

 

First of all, thanks to each and everyone that commited to this tread. I got a lot of usefull information while reading this tread. Thank you!!

I think I'm going for the Asus M50Vm-B1. Futureproof (imho) and this is gonna be my first laptop, so why not buy a decent one Because this is my first laptop, can someone please tell me how to give it a fresh install of WIN VISTA, including drivers and so on. And maybe more important, in which order should I install?

I'm going to pick it up tomorrow and would like to give it a fresh install, before using it. Maybe this is a noob question, but I would appreciate the help.

Thanks again!

 

For a clean install, see the ASUS_FAQ in the Info Booth, last question (#14 I believe).

For the order of the drivers:

- chipset first
- ATK drivers sometime early on
- GPU (so that you can actually see something on the screen)
and then it doesn't really matter... Just do a couple of reboots in-between batches of driver installs.

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far. However, I am still unsure if the B2 is worth the extra money. Anyone know how different the P8400 and the T9400 are? Thanks!

 

Thanks for the heads up, it is indead #14:

It's not really clear to me, but I will play with it when I have my notenook Thanks again!

 

are there any games out there this can't play? And how long do you think the GPU will last? Ps: have u heard of the Sagers with the 8800but are only 15 inch!!!

 

how does this compare to a 7950 GTX for gaming ?

 

I think I'll be picking up my m50vm-a1 on tuesday , monday is a holiday here

 

Got my M50Vm-X1 from Newegg Thursday, and I absolutely love it! The P8400 only hits a cool 54C after 45 min of ORTHOS (undervolted @ 1.0125V), and the 9600M GS hit 69C after several hours of CS:S and TF2 in a very hot basement (probably around 85F).

 

If you use the driver/utility cd that comes with the M50VM you just select the drivers you want and it will install everything for you in the correct order.

 

OK dudes (and maybe chicks?), thanks for all the information and the help. I bought the notebook today... and I installed WIN XP PRO. I got everything to work just fine. Thanks again

 

Does anyone know if the 9600GS can be OC'd or not? I can't find any info. or stat. about OC the 9600GT or 9600GS ... thanks in advance

 

Is it just me or is the volume on this machine too low? I tried changing the bios settings from 4 to 6 and maxing out everything else but I still think the volume level is not high enough.


dB.

 

Could anyone confirm to me that there is no violation of the warranty rules when you delete backup partition (you do not loose your warranty)?

 

yes, I mentioned this as well when I first got it, default setting was 4 and I changed it to max 8 without any success... seems like Altec Lansing is not all it hyped to be...

 

Probably this was already suggested, but check the WAV and the Main volume sliders in Volume Control. Put them both to max

 

same problem here, the sound from the speakers is extremely low but if i use the headphone jacks it is VERY loud, i have to turn it down.

i assume it's a driver problem

 

just ordered my m50vm-a1! i can't wait til it comes haha =D

 

it was mentioned that this line from asus doesn't take advantage of centrino 2s ability to turn off the main GPU and use the integrated card, but what about centrino 2s other features? does it support any of them, or does it just use centrino 2 as a selling point only?

 

Delete backup partition does not void warranty.

The volume setting in the BIOS is not the volume for Windows, it's for the Asus logo sound when you first turn on the computer.

 

Does it have a firewire port

 

Yes, just one on the left side.

 

Does it come with a HDMI to DVI adapter (if one exists)?

 

No, you'd have to buy one on your own (it exists).

 

Drats, I was really hoping it came with one. Looks like i've got to go cable hunting.

 

Hi all,

I'm planning to order this laptop once I get home from my holiday. I will be using this laptop for school and some gaming (seems like most people are like this too). As a student I have a limited budget so around $1650 would probably be my very limit. I am hoping to keep this laptop will last me for quite a while.

Couple of things I'm wondering before I order it.

1. Is it worth it to spend an extra $120~ to upgrade it to a vista64 (home premium) to make use of that extra 1gb of ram since 32s only read up to 3gb (if i remember correctly)

If it is worth it to upgrade:
2. Is it worth it to spend $200 to upgrade it to vista64 ultimate or just keep at it with home premium? Since some say ultimate runs better compared to the other versions of vista

3. Between the A1 and B1 is it worth it to spend an extra $150~ for the 6mb cache and that extra 0.2Xghz?

Thanks

 

Check out monoprice.com for cables. Good quality and very low cost. People on AVS forum swear by them.

 

so um...what settings can I get on warcraft 3, CS:source, starcraft 2, starcraft, Need for Speed....with the 9600m gs?

 

probably the highest? these are old games, so I would think that it will run on highest.

 

Hmm, i guess i should have asked this first, but can you hook up a DVI monitor through the HDMI port?

nm, should work since DVI is HDMI without audio

 

yes you can, just get a HDMI to DVI cable but no audio:

 

Hello, I got my M50VM - B1, absolutely love it!!! runs great, feels sturdy! I have a problem though, the numeric keypad comes with pg up and pg down, they work, when in the num lk is off, without playing games, when i play a game that needs the up n down pgs, it doesnt work, can anyone help?