* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

anyone? please!

 

Alright Ive deleted most of the bloatware Im not going to use and burned my recovery discs. That being said what free hardware monitoring downloads do I need and any other tweaks I should do? Thanks for the help.

 

The new i7s are not QM (Quad-Mobile). The 35W i7s are duel core.

 

Yes, I think also the package should on its way, but USPS does not give any new tracking details.
I find it little bit annoying that I can not see where it has reached.

 

I said new i7QM the 32nm refresh maybe later this year

 

Been keeping an eye on here

http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/extra.asp?pn=n61jq-jx021v

Also here said both N71 and N61 inside two weeks.

http://www.simplyasus.com/Home

 

Reading 56 pages is hard but it was worthed .. hopefully it'll be as nice as yours!

 

I just received my n61JQ-A1 yesterday and its performance is great. The only regret is possibly better resolution, but the point is to connect it to my tv often for 1920x1080 goodness.

On that note, 1920x1080 is being cut off on my TV through HDMI. About 5% around the edges is gone - I can only see the top right edge of my start button. Anyone else have this problem? My TV doesn't have any issues with other sources (it's a samsung pn58b860).

Thanks!

 

alright!
I ordered mine from amazon.ca yesterday.

they only had one left, I hope I got it.

It comes with a regular win7 key right? So it would be possible to get a Windows 7 copy from the internet and make a clean install.. or would that be illegal?

 

It's an OEM key only working with the Asus w7 install I think (not tested though, but that's the "norm").

 

I doubt your key would work on a retail Windows 7 CD. However, I was able to do it with my old vista laptop using a trick. There is a way to backup the activation files for your current install. So you use a normal retail CD do the install and the restore the activation files. I was able to convert my Vista 32-bit CD to a Vista 64-bit CD and recover the activation and it worked fine. That was a couple of years ago and I no longer have the files or the instructions but you can search around on google.

 

You might want to play with your ati settings, it might be over scanning.

 

I haven't had a chance to get really playing with mine yet. However it took longer to delete my stuff off my old computer than put my stuff on this one. That setup was a breeze , everything just worked including setting up with my hp Mediasmart server. As far as the screen I don't think I'm that picky. Seems fine to me. I'm getting used to the vent on the side. I'm used to the bottom of the notebook heating up not the side. I think it's an awesome notebook though very happy.

 

Here there is a guide on how you can install the same version of Vista that your system came with cleanly on an OEM PC. It shows how you can backup your license and restore it after installing windows freshly.
I am not sure if it also works for Win7.

http://directedge.us/content/installing-vista-clean-with-no-crapware

 

Being that I am probably the only person besides you that has had issues woth this screen, I went to BestBuy and took a look at the Toshiba they sell with the 1366x768 display.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba...3.p?id=1218154377801&skuId=9705203&st=toshiba i7&cp=1&lp=1

The ASUS screen is about the same as the Toshiba. Yes, I did spend $100 more at screw-egg (NE) but, I got SO much more of a computer. Even comparing this to the other i7 laptops on NE, all of the i7's under $1199 have this 16" screen except for one 15.4" screen.

I agree that the screen has less viewing angle then the other laptops I have owned. I also think that fonts on this machine aren't as nice as the other laptops I have owned. After comparing though, it is the nature of the 16" 1366x768 resolution. I did see a 1366x768 15.4" laptop and it did look crisper but, there was no room for the numeric keypad on that laptop.

I do think that the ASUS looks great with images and has incredible depth. I played WOW last night for hours and it looked amazing with all of the features that the video card allowed.

Features like the chicklet style keyboard with numeric keypad, 1GB ATI 5730 video, multitouch touchpad, better then average speakers, etc. make it a great deal. Every other computer I have owned got too hot to place on my lap or hot on the wrist pad when playing but, this one only got a little warm. ASUS did an incredible job with the cooling system.

I have also complained about the plastic feel of the machine yet, this machine is also 3 lbs lighter then my Dell XPS M1710 was. It was top-of-the-line when I got it too.

When I look at the specs of the N61JQ vs. the other systems in its price range, I am amazed that other laptops sell.

 

Davon, since using the notebook for a while, what do you think about the multitouch compared to the macbook multi touch now?

I'm getting this also as a business notebook and I believe the multi-touch will assist me a lot in circumstances where I don't want to bring out any extra peripherals, such as the mouse or battery pack and the touch pad is just as efficient to use.

 

Friend, See carefully.
$1065 is the discounted price, but the standard price is $1099 which was $1065.
As XoticPC/Justin confirmed, ASUS has not hiked the price but done by PNB.
Seems that, like Newegg, PNB also hitting the rod, when its hot

 

Greetings you Asus owners.

I have a couple questions that I hope that can be answered.

1: I note on the specs that I found for this N61 series there is no
built in firewire . Is that correct? If that is in error and it does have
firewire built in is it the Texas Instruments chipset type?

2: I need to know if the Express Card slot is of the chipset type
that does not share chores with other IO items. It is important that
the Express Card slot does not share for my purposes and is dedicated.
If anyone knows the answer please post, or failing that give me a clue
who I could contact at Asus that can answer such.

The reason it is important to me is I'm looking for a laptop taht can
support demanding IO and TIGHT timing on firewire. TO be specific
the application is SDR or Software Defined Radio. Sloppy firewire implementations screw up.
I'd rather not build a desktop and use a plug in PCI card with the TI
chipset and am hoping I can go the laptop route.

This laptop interests me for other reasons but it has to fill the role
as a monitor for a Flex radio using SDR software.
If that express card slot is of the dedicated variety and not sharing
cycles with other IO support it could well work.

Thanks.

 

I would recommend you just purchase a firewire 800 express card as 4 pin these days just isn't efficient enough for many HD uses.

I don't own the laptop yet but I do a lot of HD video and sound editing. I use a desktop for those purposes these days however.

 

It is as much different as it is the same. On the Macbook, the touchpad has a single button bar (no right or left click) and is about 1/4 the size of the pad. It takes a slight push to click it. The ELAN Smartpad on the ASUS has both a right and left click and is about 1/7 the size of the pad. It is also harder to click but, I am hoping it will wear in. On the Macbook, I am used to pushing the center of the bar to click. When using multiple fingers on the pad, it is just more comfortable. With the ELAN, you need to push either side. I am finding this harder to adjust to since it isn't as comfortable.

On the ELAN, you need to keep your fingers closer together for the scrolling. This is because the zoom sensitivity is too high and scrolling is often causing a zoom effect. Also, the zoom implementation is much different and no where as smooth. You can't adjust the zoom sensitivity. You can disable it though. I tought this may be an issue with IE except Google Chrome reacts the same.

I think the button differences and sensitivity differences are due to design and implementation for/of the OS. Driver updates should take care of some of the sensitivity issues and Windows 7 (due to its "touch" friendlier design) should improve the integration with updates.

All in all, it is more comfortable then a standard touchpad and far better to use. Yet, the Macbook's touchpad is just better implemented.

 

Hey, did we ever get a YES or NO on the backlit keyboard. I think that is the #1 upgrade this thing needs.

 

Thanks for the insight Davon. Glad to hear its better than a regular touchpad and it doesn't come across as 'gimmicky'. Same with the sound from the machine, I understand its better than regular laptop speakers. However, in comparison to the Macbook Pros, how are the speakers?

 

I paid 1065 for mine, and when I called to order they told me that they price matched. They volunteered that information without me asking so I think that says a lot about what type of company they are.

 

ASUS really did implement the touchpad as well as it can be implemented into a Windows 7 machine.

As for the speakers, when I mention that they are better than average it is because many laptops have a "tinny" or distorted sound at higher volumes. Some get the sound at higher levels than others. The ASUS doesn't have this problem. Honestly, either does my Macbook Pro.

Since neither have a subwoofer, they both have the standard "flat" laptop sound. There aren't any magnificent levels. My Dell XPS had a built-in subwoofer and had a wonderfully full sound when it was enabled. When disabled, it had the same flat style sound.

The speakers on the Macbook Pro are on each side of the keyboard while the ASUS has speakers above the keyboard. The Macbook Pro has a more defined stereo sound then the ASUS due to this. Don't take this as the stereo being terrible or the machine monotone. It is much better than many of the other laptops that I have used; it is just not as pronounced as the Macbook Pro. That being said, the ASUS comes with SRS software and I have yet to play with it. If it is like the other software I have used on other machines, we may be able to get a synthetic surround sound out of it.

 

is it possible to switch to a i5 520m if we want? would it be a easy task swicth the processors?

 

I believe that would need a different MB so I'm pretty sure that isnt possible but I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong

 

Here is a shout out to jbwolf. Vancover put on Quite a show last night!
Seattle wishes you a sucesssful Olympics.

tbrocato, Xismo,brochiller - Hows your N61's performing?

And Wishmaster, Speaking of updating signatures. When are we going to see a N61JQ on your signature?

I'm going on 2 weeks without a hint of a problem. I returned 2 HP DV8T's in that amount of time! I have not even got around to picking up a laptop cooler.
I'm really debating if I even need one.

Why complain about price increases? It's a good sign for this model, Supply and demand, capitalisim! If you already got yours it's worth more. If you haven't ordered one yet that's on you!

 

Yes, the N61 chipset supports the i5 and i3. Since the processor is not embedded on the motherboard you can replace it. I would not recommend it as it would void your warranty. As far as how easy it would be depends on how good you are at working on laptops. I would consider it a fairly easy operation, but I've worked on a lot of machines through the years. Your mileage may vary.

 

i have not much experience with laptops... so its better to buy an extra battery or wait to see if asus come with a new larger battery

 

@allyw123- i am still waiting for the buzz to settle down. You guys are here to help me with all my pre-buying decision making!

 

how much battery life do you need? and for what purpose? just browsing the net or hardcore gaming?

 

See I knew someone would correct me if I was wrong

 

But you would have to pay only $1036 (for default config) from XoticPC /GenTechPC; assuming all three have same excellent service.

 

Wait a couple of weeks, when again Asus will resume shipping N61JA-A1 version, which has i5-430M processors. But upgrade to next level processor i5-520M will cost you more than the actual processor price

 

Where are you getting 1036?? I am only seeing 1065 on both of their sites.

 

Ok I see it on Xotic now the price it for a "cash" discount... I paid for mine with my Visa so I could get an extra year of warranty for free, plus it's funny how the "discount" comes out to almost the exact price of the IC Thermal compound. (Which IMO is a complete waste of money) All I can say it that I was more than satisfied by the quality of service from PNB and can't wait to enjoy my new laptop.

 

@ally
I still haven't gotten it in yet. Hopefully this coming week it should come in, but we'll just have to wait and see I guess. I really can't wait, I want to get rid of this machine now which feels older than dirt.

I definitely wouldn't say that thermal compound is a waste of money, especially when considering the longevity of your notebook. Better thermal compound such as IC Diamond has been known to decrease the temperature of the CPU/GPU by 5-10 degrees Celsius. Less extreme temperature fluctuation = longer notebook life, because this means the internal components aren't constantly heating up and cooling down as much, which makes them expand and contract. Keep in mind too that better thermal compound is always there for as long as you have your laptop, which is a nice thing for peace of mind. If it was really a waste of money there wouldn't be a 500 post thread about it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=372333&page=17

This isn't to say that you're not going to have a perfectly good notebook experience without it, I'd just rather be safe than sorry. My current laptop has had bad overheating problems, and while it's still running, it's not something I want to have to deal with again. That's why I went with the IC Diamond and got a Zaman NC2000 to keep it running super cool. I'll probably undervolt it too which also only helps with regards to lowering temperature.

 

Hey guys,

Im thinking about of getting the N61JQ-JX021X sometime this week at MSY. It costs (AUD)$1899.
Im very happy with the specs that I have seen with the i7 cpu, blue ray reader, ati radeon 5740, & 16" screen.
Im mainly using it for home use; internet, watching movies and a little bit of gaming.

Those who currently own one of these, whats the pros and cons that you have experienced?

Thanks

 

can't be 5740 it's either 5730 or 5470 most likely

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get it from US (well u have to wait more but the price would be like ~20% less after shipping and taxes)

 

The reason why I am replacing my 'all powerful' m860tu is due to the fact that the graphics cards is dying and its out of warranty. This is most likely due to stock thermal paste placed on the cpu and gpu as I bought it from a company that did not give any options for thermal paste and are now out of business. For someone who went through that I wouldn't call the thermal compound a waste of time...in fact, anything to keep the laptop cooler I'd never consider that.

Has anyone tried undervolting the cpu yet?

 

just for browsing the net... but 1h:30 or 1:40 its a little short sometimes...
with 2 batteries i can get at least 3h
i´m wondering whats the gain with an i5... 15 a 30 minutes more?

underclock cpu and gpu could be an option but for now i think the available software doesnt allow yet for I7 processor

 

I would say at least 30 minutes. Especially with the i5 comes the switchable graphics, which is REALLY good for enhancing the battery backup.

 

Yea it's a 5730, just checked it at MSY.

I'm ordering mine so it should be shipping tomorrow.

Pros: great value!
Cons: Some people say its the resolution that's not high enough, the video card isn't 1st class but it should be quite good to play nowaday games pretty well.

If he were to get from US, then warranty might be an issue. Although it's global warranty so he might get away with it.

 

Thanks for the pics looks fantastic

 

i've been following this thread but still reluctant to get this laptop due to the i7 quad. is there going to be an i5 for this anytime soon?
how hot does this laptop go?

 

Yes there is

http://www.oyyy.co.uk/product.php/1...bal-warranty/8c73b3a80bed54c43fce3a16ff287fe2

 

Can anyone confirm the dimensions of the N61JQ-A1 ? I'm seeing a lot of discrepancies between different sites. Newegg claims it's 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50" while asus website says it's 38.4 x 26.5 x 2.78~3.91 cm (W x D x H) which converted to inches is 15.1" x 10.4" x 1.1". Is it closer to 15" or 15.5"??

Also, I cannot even find this laptop on asus' usa site, only on the global site. Whats up with that?

 

Wow, I guess I wasn't clear in my earlier post.

A simpler question now.

Does this laptop come with a firewire port or not? Please confirm.

 

Nope it sure doesn't.

 

I measured mine the other night to see if I could fit into a bag I was looking at and the ones on the asus site are correct. I don't have the comptuer with me right now but can confirm when I get home.

Pretty sure it was approx 15"x10.5" and about 1"-1.2" high with the lid closed.