* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

Well I think i can pop my head in here since I just became the owner of an N61JA...

Difference to the JQ being it's got a Core i5 520m and a 5400rpm 500GB hdd.

Loving it so far. COD6 and SupCom2 are running brilliantly. No issues with rubber coating but that's after 1 day. Also I don't know if the edge to edge glass/plastic is to blame for poor viewing angles as I've put that down to a cheaper screen. There has to be compromises for such a lot of grunt in a low cost pc! Outputs just fine to my 27" Dell so not too worried.

One thing, though, can't get esata to work?

 

I don't think the poor viewing angle has anything to do with the glass covering. It is caused by the TN LCD architecture and is present in all laptop screens. It does seem to be worse in the N61JQ, but I believe it's the fault of the panel (Samsung), not the glass cover.

There was one other user in the lounge reporting issues with the palm rest coating peeling off. You might have a case there for RMA; it shouldn't be peeling up this early.

Regarding build quality, ASUS seems to be at the top right now in terms of reliability ( source), but that's all relative .

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and even though theirs isn't in its favor, it is their opinion. All N61JQ Owners are welcome here. We do not dictate that they only speak positively of the N61JQ. We only ask that they speak honestly.

Allowing people to have their opinions is what has made this thread very successful. Flame Wars will only hurt what so many have worked extremely hard to create.

 

I am getting a little peeling also. It is just at the very tip of the laptop (the lip?) right before the trackpad and at the seam where it closes together. It is almost like there is a thin plastic glossy covering at the very edge and that is peeling up.

It is not major but, it does look like it could be from the carry case. I will take some pictures tomorrow since it is hard to explain.

 

Update -- I figured out the drive errors and feel pretty dumb for not checking the volume names b4 posting. Any way, it's my thumb drive. Very relieved it's not the HD.

 

I think we might have stumbled upon something with the peeling happening from the edge rubbing on the laptop bags. Mine has none of that but I have yet to put it in a bag. If anyone gets this peeling without using a bag let us know.

 

I'm having a little bit of the peeling as well. Nothing more than a slight cosmetic inconvenience though.

 

So what about putting it in a sleeve inside of the laptop bag? Perhaps the closer fit of the sleeve will protect it from the rubbing caused when it slides around in the bag compartment. Or perhaps something as simple as wrapping the laptop once in soft cloth?

 

I agree with you David and I am posting a link in the review section on the first page along with the peeling issues.
Personally I agree the build quality has gone down hill with everyone. And I can see the viewpoint that saying one is better than the other is not relevant when none of them are good enough.
My only complaint about wesdeek's review is it does not mention the performance, good or bad. If lousy build quality is a given now then with a laptop that has the specs this one does I think you need to include your opinion on the performance in your review.

Greg (Don't call me Allyw) W

 

Welcome to the Club Krammikk! Now if we can only get your fellow Countryman Wishmaster to pull the trigger on his.

 

I called asus twice, first as soon as I got my laptop, they said it is for one year, if newegg said it was for two, they asked me to call newegg, so I called newegg and newegg told me to call asus back because it should be two years, so I called asus back and asus said if I have newegg receipt it will be for two years, even though the box said one.
I am still trying to update my drivers and such to see if it will stop BSOD, if not I have RMA ready.
Thanks

 

Thanls. Deathwinger, 2mny, LordDavon and others for the input about how to import video from an old camcorder.
I-m still looking around for good things to plug into the esata and the expresscard. The possibilities seem pretty cool! I hope to get them together soon.

unfortunately, one camera comes without firewire, so I will need some sort of miniDV importer...mmh... any comments appreciated.

I'm still having some trouble considering adapters and cables for an old TV, do you know if there are any good HDMI to Component RCA converters for this laptop? or how about HDMI to S/video converters?

 

I have a question for paladin...what are you using to connect those two external monitors?


this is my situation, i plan to get n61jq or n71jq and have two external monitors and the laptop screen. a total of 3 screens.



2 x asus 1920 x 1080 full hd monitors for 400.00

1x n61jq or n71jq laptop for 1000.00-1300.00



so to have 3 total screens, my laptop being the main windows screen and the two monitors on the left and the right side of my laptop. this is my home set up and i plan to buy it all soon.

this set up is not for gaming so i do not need the best quality. for gaming i will connect laptop to my 42 inch TV. which is easy....

but for work i need to have my laptop screen and two 23"+ 1920x1080 monitors.

i just want to be able to drag stuff across to the other external monitors from my main laptop screen.

i dont want mirrored and i dont want one giant screen like for simulations.

please can u all help me find the best way to have this done?

i want to order the n series and either two hanns g 23.6 monitors or two asus 23 inch monitors.

either way i want to have fast laptop with two extra monitors with a total of 3 displays multi set up.

i wont be editing, mainly just just looking at graphs and charts on the other two screens thats why i need 1920x1080 minimum on the two extra externals, and i use my middle laptop screen for news and search and executions.

i have looked at some docking stations and the display link dvi to vga adapter but i dont know which way is best, i dont think i need the expensive vidock station with extra video card because i dont need to game.

i just need a simple lag free multi set up.

and yes i need the screens to run at native 1920 x1080.


please helppp

i know this is pretty simple its just that i dont have experience with all the different options to this because i know there are a lot.

i was thinking the set up is very basic for the first extra monitor, but for the second monitor making it 3 total screens is where it is tricky...

with 1 extra monitor, total of 2 screens is simple, just plug into the hdmi outport and set configuration and voila the laptop screen and new external monitor works, but a 3rd monitor i read does not work.

the simplest version would greatly be appreciated, cheapest ways also..


plus if they could all be independent that would be best, instead of like 1 screen independent and the other 2 screens sharing.


thanks for reading!

 

Greg! you are after my life!

well mate, my pulling the trigger depends on when my relative comes to the country.

anyway, hows it going with yours?

 

on a sidenote, though

Has anyone got this machine with SSD?

I want to know how quick an SSD really gets.

Thanks!

 

i meant the screen looks good for a 1366x768 one.I do have a full hd monitor anyway

 

Assuming the N61JQ supports TV out(better check on this) you want a VGA -> Component/S-Video cable for less than $10, Heres one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...39047&cm_re=vga_to_rca-_-82-339-047-_-Product. You will need a separate set of cables for headphone jack -> component if you want sound.

Keep in mind that the maximum resolution you will get on the TV is 720 x 576 for PAL signals, and 720 x 480 for NTSC signals. You are also likely to experience ghosting, blurry pixels and screen flickering. I wouldn't recommend the setup for anything except the occasional full-screen internet video, text and detailed graphics will most likely be completely illegible.

 

Hey all,

Still loving my Asus 5 weeks and going strong

Can anybody tell me what i can do to update or customize my BIOS?

thanks

Mike

 

@ billspill

Your laptop will support its own screen plus one external monitor, so for the 2nd external monitor I use the ViBook Plus USB to DVI adapter. It has its own video chip and heat sink and works great up to 1920x1200. Stays cool too.

 

my second n61jq-a1 cpu temperature hits 89C during intel burn test while the first n61 max at 86C. since asus put a seal on cpu socket screw, it would void warranty if applying thermal paste, disappointing.

 

You do not void warranty if an authorized reseller applies the paste...like powernotebooks.com

 

Hey guys like two weeks ago I posted about my peeling. I may of been the first person it has happened to. ASUS said they have not heard such a thing....but I guess it is happening. I have an RMA and I am sending in the laptop tomorrow. I will let everyone know what happens. Attached are some pictures from my peeling. Donald from powernotebooks.com has been very helpful in this matter. When I first posted about it : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=456659&page=119

 

Come to think about it, I think I touched on the plastic feel of the ASUS in my review (or at least one of my reviews HA!). After checking out the Toshiba (that is also in its price range), things like the cheaper display and the plastic feel are common in this range. I can't say that the build quality is any worse or better then the Toshiba.

I do have a slight issue with the plastic-glossy-film-kinda-stuff starting to peel but, it is still a solid/sturdy machine.

As for his performance review, I think once people get past the venting of the bad, they start to appreciate the good.

 

Theonee are you having BSOD and getting like crazy matrix looking stuff when it dumps memory...yellow text in the memory scan in dos ?

 

What are your temps after actual use (i.e. after your 6 hrs/day, 100% load task)? The thermal spec for this processor is 100 C. I doubt even extended use at 90 C would give you any problems.

 

Here are some pics of the slight peeling on my system. You can see it just to the left of the touchpad. I am not sure if this is being caused by my laptop bag or resting the laptop against my shirt when it is in my lap. I usually use the laptop while sitting in a recliner.

I couldn't get the camera to take a really close picture so I am going to try another camera so you can see it better. It is almost like a glossy plastic coating that the laptop has on it.

This is the first laptop that I have owned that is having this issue. I have used the same laptop bag for all of my 15-17" laptops (I have had it for about 10years). As well, I sit with all of them the same way.

 

I have not seen anything over like 82C on CPU and like 75C on GPU...I have thermal compound on CPU and GPU and a laptopcooler from Coolermaster

 

That is the same thing going on with mine bro...I Have pictures above your post.

 

I think the issue is that Newegg and Amazon received for a special version of the Laptop to keep it at a lower price. Because of the ASUS considers the X1 an OEM version. Because of this, OEM versions do not follow the same all-laptop-2YR warranty that all ASUS laptops come with. Since the laptop is ASUS branded, Newegg considers the laptop an ASUS brand. Again, I am shooting from the hip but, since ASUS states that ALL laptops come with a 2YR warranty except OEM laptops, this is the only way they can make these exempt. If what I am guessing is true, we are now caught up in a battle between Newegg and ASUS.

Again, this is just speculation (and I am usually wrong when I speculate) but, again, there isn't any other way that I can see ASUS able to cut back on a very public 2YR warranty statement.

 

the good news is second one gets a bit better memory read benchmark:

 

I called everyone from the Canadian Resellers page from Asus (I'm in Ontario).
http://promos.asus.com/wheretobuy/CA/NB_ca.htm?prod=NB&ctry=US
It took me about 2 hours to find a seller that had the N61JQ-A1 in stock!

I ordered my new N61JQ-A1 today. The seller said that I should receive it tomorrow! Is it being teleported to my front door? :wub:

 

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 0000000000000004
BCP2: FFFFFA8004AF28D8
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

Above is the problem I am getting, it happens whenever I play video files.

 

where can you find a log of BSOD ? I am having same problem sometimes...when computer goes 2 sleep or something like that. Need 2 check and see if we have same type of error

this is the one I Have been getting. I think its something 2 do with my drivers. I can not update them out here...offshore....and when I get in tomorrow I am mailing off the laptop anyways:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 0000000000000004
BCP2: FFFFFA8004AF38D8
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

we having same exact problem...looking at all that info.

 

Looks exactly the same.I have not played any games so far, so I wonder how it will affect when you game. Is yours from game playing or playing videos like mine?

 

sometimes opening certain movies...it crashes. I wonder what is causing this. I have not had a problem with playing games. It just randomly crashes with the same log info as you.

 

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

this site have some downloads, I just got to go through them.

 

did the driver update for video card fix it ? I cant download it out here right now...looks like my video card is running at x8 and not x16...hmm wonder why.

 

I am downloading right now, I will let you know once I update it. As you said it does not happen all the time, it happens at certain times with certain video files, but I I play that same video file again, it works.

 

What version of the ATI drivers are you using? I will make you a bet that they are being caused by the video card drivers.

Try the 10.3 leaked driver and see if it is still happening.

 

Make sure you are downloading the newest driver. It is V8.692.1.0, at the top of this page.

 

That is the exact same thing bro..yah let me know mang.


thanks.

 

I was downloading this one, thanks for the tip.
Version 8.680.0.0

 

So I installed the 8.680.0.0 while waiting for the other one to finish.

I am trying my best to get a BSOD, so far none, but then they happen when you least expect it.
I tried the file that gave me BSOD earlier 20 times, so far no BSOD.

 

I am going to bed now, I will update you later.

 

It is amazing how some people have the nerve to think that they have a right to sleep! What is wrong with these people?! The audacity of some people!

Ok, off to bed now. HA!

Sorry, I haven't teased Theonee yet. I get Greg all the time!

 

I am not sure if you posted this yet and I just missed it but, is your system still stock for drivers or have you updated some.

For everyone, I know there is a new ELAN driver. Does it allow adjusting the zoom sensitivity yet?

 

I was having problems getting the boot CD to work. I tried compatibility mode for the Linux boot CD as well. And I changed boot priority in the BIOS. I burned it on a DVD-R.

 

I'm worried that my new N61JQ keyboard layout will be English/French.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0034GXNYM/ref=dp_otherviews_z_6?ie=UTF8&s=pc&img=6

or will it be only English
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Image...00GB HDD ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 NoteBook

I ordered the N61JQ-A1 from http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX27213(ME).aspx

I prefer the English layout!

Did anyone order from this seller? If yes, what keyboard layout do you have?

EDIT:
Nowdays, most new laptops sold in Canada are bilingual (English/French). Since I ordered my laptop from Memory Express, which is a Canadian company, I thought I would have received the bilingual layout.

Looking into the matter, I noticed on 02-21-2010, 05:41 PM brochillier mentioned "British keyboard" when refering to the amazon.com keyboard picture. I think he is right. It might just be a British keyboard when all this time thought it was French which got me worried.

To answer my own question, I called Memory Express to ask if the keyboard layout was English/French or only English. The sales rep opened a brand new N61JQ-A1 and told me it was English. Yay

 

Hello guys,

How do you think the N61JQ compares to the Dell Studio XPS16? I have loved the idea of the Asus, but I want your advice. The dell is about $1050 at the dell store, and has a better screen resolution ( http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...CJ&cid=24471&lid=566643&acd=10495476-1727683-) but I-ve read some mixed reviews.

Now that you guys have had your n61jqs for a little bit longer, would you still take it over this XPS16? (Uses: heavy Photoshop/Second Life/3d modelling/after effects)

 

I have booted from the Linux CD just fine. I have done 2 image restores so far with my A1. You have to have a USB mouse plugged in to click the buttons though. I don't think I even had to change the boot priority (ODD was already higher than HDD). Not sure why yours isn't working.