Asus N53SV & N53SN SandyBridge Owner Thread

is the screen any good? Only thing im worried about is the resolution, because its so low. Is it the best bang for the buck laptop atm or should i wait?

 

Hooked up my Kill A Watt and this laptop pulls around 40W at idle.

 

Is the warranty international and 2 years? heard amazon has a mistake in their info...

10x

 

Nice work .. was it hard to disassemble or did you use a service manual?

 

Has anyone been able to replace the keyboard? I am considering sending the Asus N53sv-Xv1 back (which I received last week) in favor of the SAger NP5160. Thoughts?

 

This biggest clue was the location of the on/off switch for the wi-fi on the right side. I was guessing the adapter would be close to that switch.

I took apart much more than I needed to in order to get to the part. Now that I know a little bit more how this thing is put together I could help anyone out with exactly what you need to unscrew / detach.

 

Does the resolution affect the visual so much between Asus N53SV-XE1 (1366x768) w/ Asus N53SV-XV1 (1920x1080) e.g. when playing games? In amazon the prize different is 150 bucks. I was wondering if it is worth to buy the full HD one.

 

Games will be playable at higher detail settings on the 1366x768 screen because there are less pixels to draw although the screen won't be as detailed overall due to the lower screen resolution.

The higher resolution screen is better for web browsing, spreadsheets, graphics programs, pretty much everything but games as it gives you more room to see.

Personally, a 1080p screen is invaluable. You can always run a game at lower resolution but you can never get a lowres screen to show all that a high res screen can.

I just wish the video card was a lil better.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was also wondering about the dimension of this laptop. In amazon it says:

15.6 x 10.6 x 1.6 inches
Does that dimension refer to width x length x height or width x length x height?

For other laptops the description in amazon is (15.6 inch laptops):

10.5 x 14.3 x 1.5 in.
9.8 x 15 x 2.3 in.

Is there a typo in amazon? Is the asus laptop has its width greater than its length?

 

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has a N53SN with GT550M and Full HD screen.

Is the resolution and screen quality good? I hope that the hi res screen provides adequate viewing for graphics related tasks.

Is the card underclocked or modified in anyway by ASUS? Is switching seemless whether auto or manual?

How much does the laptop weigh with standard 6 cell battery and without the adapter? There is a range on many sites. Hoping for under 6lbs.

Any minor or major problems so far? Not including lack of personal preferences like a backlit keyboard (which I hoped for too).

 

Guys, since most of us wants a backlit keyboard, can we use the Asus G53J's keyboard for the N53SV? is it compatible?

For those who have done some MODs on their lappy, please post here what you replaced, and where you bought the parts, so the others here will know where to go. Same thing for defective drivers, please post here the link for "working" or better drivers for the N53SV. And oh! also, post where you bought a compatible 9-cell battery! Thanks! ^_^

 

I just ordered the N53V-XE1 from Amazon, and it's listed as having an eSata port - can anyone confirm or deny that? All the other models in this series don't appear to have one, and I really need it.

From Amazon ( Amazon.com: ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum): Computer & Accessories)
1 USB 3.0 port; 2 USB 2.0 Ports; Bluetooth; eSATA; 5-in-1 card reader (SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro,MS-Duo); Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn

Thanks!

 

Could someone get hold of a disassembly guide for the N53 series? I can't seem to find it anywhere..Would be much appreciated as I'm looking to replace the keyboard on the N53SN that I'm going to order soon.

 

I do not own that model but my best guess is that it will not have eSata

Are you doing backlit? If not the swap is easy. I ordered the chicklet non-backlit keyboard here: eBay

I can take pictures to document how I replace it and post them here for you; it really should only take 1-2 minutes.

If you are going to do the backlit version I am sure we can track down the disassembly guide by the time your keyboard is delivered.

 

Looking at the picture on Amazon of the left side of the notebook, the one next to the USB 3.0 is an eSATA/USB combo port.

 

I noticed some reviewers mentioned that. Makes sense now, thanks!

 

of course this is the same photo that is used for the N53SV-XV1 which does not have the eSATA port...so doubtful that the N53V-Xe1 will either...but interesting to hear if it does.

so you managed to replace your keyboard? Ist this an improvement over the original?

 

I'm not sure yet about the backlit option; really depends on how complicated the operation is and whether it would void the warranty by fiddling with it. I had a look at the N61 disassembly guide and also read on another forum that to removethe keyboard you need to press down 5 hinges above the top keys and then pull it up back towards yourself. Sounds easy, but I've never done it before. Some pics would be a great help!

Also, we agree that the keyboard must be 348mm, right? And that it can be any N53 series keyboard regardless of the specific models? I've been looking at these Keyboard

 

Not yet, the replacement is on order, looks like it might take a while to get here from Asia

That is right. I start by pushing all the tabs up with a small flat head screwdriver. The go to the top left and push that one in again and grab the top corner of the keyboard and pull it up a bit, then go down the line and push up the tab and pull up the keyboard lightly. Once inside the ribbon is hooked up to the mainboard. You have to slide down the black part of the connector to allow the ribbon to be removed. When you put it back in you just have to push the black part back so it is secure again.

The keyboard just snaps right back in place. I think you are right 348mm and five tabs from ASUS. I verified with the seller on eBay that the one I ordered would fit before ordering.

 

Keep us posted nama8137.

 

Thanks, man. Big help! Definitely gonna try this as soon as I get my hands on the rig.

As I'm in Europe I have a variety of models to choose from and currently I'm looking at these two:

N53SN-SZ172 (Poland) - Price: ~ $1442
Asus N53SN-SZ172 i7-2630QM/4GB/750/BR-RW - Notebook / Laptop 15,6" - Sklep komputerowy - X-Kom.pl

N53SN-SZ121V (Czech Republic) - Price: ~ $1500
ASUS N53SN 15.6/2630QM/750/6G/DVD/NV/B/7HP | Asus.cd

Which one of these do you guys think has the most bang for the buck?

One thing that bothers me with the Czech model is that under RAM they say it's got 4+2 GB = 6GB and that the max is at 8GB while it has an i7 Quad processor. Is that possible, or could it be a mistake? The official specs on the Asus site says that Quad core rigs allow a max of 16GB, Dual core 8GB. So I'm a bit puzzled..

 

N53SN has 4 ram slots = 16gb max. I don't think Asus produced different models with 2 and 4 slots

 

Well, see, that's the thing: they did.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks - ASUS N53SN

"Memory DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM,4 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 16 G SDRAM Quad Core,2 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 8 G SDRAM Dual Core"

Something to bear in mind. Which is also what leads me to think that the Czechs made a mistake in the specifications, since the notebook comes with a Quad-core processor.

 

Quick question, what's the default Wi-fi card?

 

@Dragauss: From first page, "WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz) , Bluetooth v2.1"

Guys I have question about the screen resolution for this laptop asus n53sv-xv1. How do you make your web browser into full screen? Because currently only like 2/3 of the middle of my screen is used. So, the font size is small. I try zooming it but not really working. (Btw I'm using mozilla) B/c every website that I looked need to be zoomed in one by one. I'm not sure if I can zoom all. Any1 experiencing problem like this? And is there any fix?

 

AzureWave 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi & Bluetooth AW-NB037H

Try one or both of these addons to Firefox:

Default FullZoom Level extension

NoSquint extension

 

Many thanks for this info, I am seriously considering this laptop. I want a Vaio but the equivalent spec is £1000 more

I returned a Sony F13 because of the fan noise and crap battery life.

I am just unsure of the size of the this 15.6, why is it so big?

 

I could not say why asus made it larger but the large bezel around the screen appears unnecessary and results in a wider than averarge 15.6 laptop. It is pretty light though, and not too much bigger than my prior laptop, an HPdv6000t.

 

This is exactly how I feel. Why such a large bezel? That said, the motherboard does fill the whole chassis. I'm guessing that dictated the bezel size.

 

Thanks kinsey, this laptop seems like a great buy. One last question, one people seem to bash Asus battery lives, is this the same in this case?

ps, whats the bezel?

 

Okay, well that makes sense then...the motherboard...I had assumed they used this motherboard to accommodate the 4 dimm slots...but there are models of the n53 that only have 2 slots and still this larger chassis.

I think the battery is pretty good, although I am not much of a gamer so definitely depends on your use. I can get at least 3 hours from the battery with basic wifi use.

The bezel, check out the photos that nama8137 posted on the first page. It is the rather large border around the screen. Its about an inch of useless plastic around all sides of the frame. Compare this to the macbook for example where the screen makes up 99% of the lid.

 

Just picked up my N53SV-XR1, gotta say its a really nice laptop. You can check out the specs at the link below if you want.

FRYS.com | Asus

One problem that has come up is that Windows 7 SP1 does not work with this laptop for what ever reason, Even after exchanging for another I got the same results.

 

Nice buy! Welcome to the N53SV family.

 

Ordered my N53sv 2 days ago, hoping to get it today but most likely i wont get it before monday... i ordered the i5, 4gb, 500gb-version with full hd screen. Hope i wont be dissapointed.. i've been using an asus x77ja (i7, hd5730,4gb ram, 1600*900 17" screen) for about a year, until it broke down...

Any idea on how the performance on n53 is compared to the x77?

 

Thanks for the heads up. I've been wanting to see it in person so I'll probably go there and check it out. I'm leaning more towards the XV1 though.

 

Going to go pick up a Momentus XT drive today and Win 7 OEM disc for a fresh install. Wish me luck!

 

See if you can get SP1 disc

 

Is there any way to tell when the N53 switches from the Intel GPU to the Nvidia one?

 

There's a tool within the Nvidia control panel.

 

also the light rigth beside the power button. when integrated gpu is used, it glows blue (blue for intel ), and white when dedicated gpu is used. this is on my n53sv-a1, dont know if it is the same for other versions.

 

just got my n53sv-sz095v today and i've been guite satisfied, but don't really like the keys though.

earlier the computer weirdly uninstalled a couple of apps that come with the driver cd. after windows update they just were gone and it changed the theme too. very weird stuff i think.

got this one question with the resolution. when i watch HD vids on youtube with full screen, they don't look really good. in a normal view they look sharp but in full screen feels like they're too stretched or something. how do i fix this? i really would like them to look hd, not some blurry crap.

 

i also had those wierd problems happen to me. i had to restore the system couple of time untill i figuered that the problems occur when i uninstall any of the games that asus decided to preinstall. no matter how i delete them, i will loose the function keys,the theme would change, and a lot of other funny stuff, i just ended up resoring the system and just keeping those games.

and i would also like the solution to the quality of the videos. when watching in full screen they look low res.

 

I have found some of the drivers needed to be reinstalled despite everything coming from factory preinstalled. Makes no sense but thats whats worked for me so far.

 

well in my case, when deleting any of the preinstalled games, the notebook goes crazy, i loose controll of the function keys, the theme goes to the default state, the preinstalled porgrams i chose to keep get removed and do not want to be installed again, same thing happens to my programms as well (ex. when i tried to launch acronis it said that the program is not installed). now i am scared even looking at those games haha

 

Si basicly, if u uninstall all asus softwarw, the pc goes mad? Anyone solved the sp1 issue?

 

no, just the games

 

So, what do i have to do to get rid of all the asus-stuff i dont want to have? And still have a fully functional windows? Reistall everything? But i guess i can't install a clean w7 with the disc that comes with the pc?

 

I just uninstalled the games and then installed the lost drivers from the driver cd that came with the lappy, works fine now i guess.

You people got windows 7 cd with your asus? I Just got driver cd and manual cd, and after every startup it recommends me to burn some kind of factory setting windows dvd, haven't done it yet tho..

How about this resolution thing? What settings do you people use with n53sv-sz095v? It recommends to use 1920x1080 but it feels that everything is waaay too small. And still havin problems when stretching videos to full screen

 

Awesome tip...it does this on the XV1 as well...

I finally installed the SSD drive and did a fresh Windows 7 install and the difference between the stock hard drive with all of the ASUS bloatware is night and day.

It appears that I am getting better USB3.0 performance as well. I have a USB3.0 to eSata adapter and I was getting pretty crappy performance with my eSata hard drive dock (it would start at 100Mbps and then drop down to 20 or 30 Mbps in about 10 seconds)...Now it stays at 100Mbps until the transfer is done.

The only driver I have not re-installed is the camera driver. There are two different camera drivers on the ASUS site and I didn't have time to figure out which one I needed.

 

Guys! I desperately want this laptop...
But my issue is whether I should choose between the i5 or the i7 model.
Here in Denmark is the price the same for these two models. But my concern is how much more battery life i get by choosing the i5 than i7
Can someone please advice me if there is any major differences in these two cpu models??