Asus N61jq-x1 Owners Lounge

Hi, I just purchased the newest version of the N61 series. $999 at amazon & newegg. I returned a HP DV8T a couple of months ago and have been searching for a better quality core i7. This one came out today and I just decided to take a chance on it. Any opinions on it ?

Brand ASUS
Model N61JQ-X1 General
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz)
Screen 16"
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
Video Memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Communication Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"
Weight 6.50 lbs. CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
CPU Speed 720QM(1.60GHz) Chipset
Chipset Intel HM55 Display
Screen Size 16"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Resolution 1366 x 768
LCD Features LED backlight Operating Systems
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Graphics
GPU/VPU ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
Video Memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Graphic Type Dedicated Card Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm Memory
Memory 4GB
Memory Speed DDR3 1066 Memory(cont.)
Memory Type 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Memory Slot (Total) 2
Max Memory Supported 8GB Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated Communications
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11 bgn
Bluetooth Yes Ports
Card Slot 1 x Express Card
USB 3
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI
Other port 1 x E-SATA
Audio Ports 1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Headphone-out jack (S/PDIF) Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Internal Speakers Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 8-in-1 card reader, SD, MMC, MS, MS-Pro, mini SD w/ adapter, MS-Duo, MS-Pro Duo via adapter
Webcam 2.0MP Power
Battery 6-cell lithium ion Physical spec
Dimensions 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"
Weight 6.50 lbs. Manufacturer Warranty
Accidental Damage Warranty 1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty - Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
Parts 2 years limited

 

I just noticed it says it supports USB 3.0 . I'm not very savy on this but I thought intel was not supporting USB 3.0 yet. Can anyone tell me if the HM55 supports it.








Desktop
Digital Storm
Core I7 965 @ 3.2 GHZ
GeForce GTX 280
6GB 1333mz

 

Can anyone speculate on if they think this unit will have the throttling issues? Also I'm assuming the battery life will be under 2 hrs.







Desktop
Digital Storm
Core I7 965 @ 3.2 GHZ
GeForce GTX 280
6GB 1333mz

 

Awesome on getting a nice laptop. Please let me know how to runs and games. i am thinking of getting one. but cant find any thing on the 5730

 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5730.23825.0.html

I think its a decent video card. It is listed as an upper end class 2 card. Here is a link if you want to check it out.
I will post a review as soon as I get it. I can't wait!

 

I am also interested in usb3.0. So far nothing from Intel supports usb3.0 since their working on Light Peak and waiting till 2011 to support usb3.0. Therefore Asus is using 3rd party controllers to get usb3.0, their desktop motherboards are using the NEC µPD720200 controller chip to get 2xusb3.0 ( http://www.necel.com/news/en/archive/0905/1801.html). I have no idea what's in the N61JQ has though, and I can't believe that it only has 3 usb ports and that only ONE of them is a usb3.0 port!

For info on the ATI 5730, check out ( http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5730.23825.0.html) they say that it's just a higher clocked ATI 5650.

Overall, I would wait for the rest of the Asus N series to come out to decide on a notebook with usb3.0 support.

One thing to note is that it looks like AMD isn't working on any device connection project so it's strange that they are also waiting till 2011 to release usb3.0 support on their boards.

 

lol, beat me to the notebookcheck link.

 

I would agree with you on waiting for more of the N series. Myself I was without a laptop since I returned my HP Dv8. I have been struggling with trying to find a good core i7 with $1000. I think this is about the best you can get for $1000.

 

Shipped out today from Newegg!

Specs:
Model
Brand ASUS
Model N61JQ-X1
General
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz)
USB 3.0
Screen 16"
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
Video Memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Communication Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"
Weight 6.50 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
CPU Speed 720QM(1.60GHz)
Chipset
Chipset Intel HM55
Display
Screen Size 16"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Resolution 1366 x 768
LCD Features LED backlight
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
Video Memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Memory
Memory 4GB
Memory Speed DDR3 1066
Memory Type 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Memory Slot (Total) 2
Max Memory Supported 8GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Communications
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11 bgn
Bluetooth Yes
Ports
Card Slot 1 x Express Card
USB 3
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI
Other port 1 x E-SATA
Audio Ports 1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Headphone-out jack (S/PDIF)
Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Internal Speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 8-in-1 card reader, SD, MMC, MS, MS-Pro, mini SD w/ adapter, MS-Duo, MS-Pro Duo via adapter
Webcam 2.0MP
Power
Battery 6-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 15.40" x 10.60" x 1.20" - 1.50"
Weight 6.50 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Accidental Damage Warranty 1 year ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty - Drops, Fire, Spill, Surge
Parts 2 years limited
Labor 2 years limited
Last edited by thaddyusmaximus; Yesterday at 04:05 PM..

 

please run some games please let me know how it runs and how it looks. i am thinking of buying this laptop as well. i cant find very much information about the 5730.

 

I will. And here is a link on the graphics card.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5730.23825.0.html

 

Yea, also please run something like Prime95 and a game and run something to watch your multipliers. See if they drop below 13/12. in theory they should be hitting around 19x just playing a game.

The Dell XPS 1645 (XPS 16 w/ quad core I7) has similar specs ( GPU uses more power, otho isnt as powerful) and it throttles like mad on its 90 watt.

I only ask because this also has a 90watt adapter and I'm looking for a replacement that doesn't throttle.

 

I am in the market for a laptop also and have had my eye on the dv8 also, I just can't afford that much right now and am really considering this one too. I can't find anywhere if it has a backlit keyboard so if you already know or when you get it let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

No backlit keyboard. But the DV8 does not have one either. My advice would be to stay away from the DV8. I returned 2 of them in december and had been looking for a replacement until I settled on this one. Check out the DV8 owners lounge before you think about getting it.
There are some things this unit does not have but if it did then it would be $1300 to $ 1700. I just focused on what was really important to me and I don't think you can beat this overall package for $ 1000.

P.S. I get mine on monday.

 

Here is a link to ASUS showing the N61JQ line.
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=ZfpnPRZ5UxVOtrHJ&content=specifications

 

Maybee this thing does have a backlit keyboard. The n61jq-a1 video posted on gentech shows a backlit keyboard. I can't wait to find out.

 

i am waiting on your review because after i see i will go from there on which one i am going with

 

i didn't see anything in the owners manual about backlit keyboard but it did say you could switch to integrated graphics to save battery use. And yeah I saw all the complaints about the dv8, thats why I really started to look around and found this deal. I am pretty sure if I go this route it will be ordered through newegg and it will also be tax free! Be sure to post a review for us!

 

but at the asus discussions forums here, it is quite the other way, backlit KB YES , and switchable graphics NO

 

I do not know what NB is, and I got my info from the Owners Manual.

 

I think backlit keyboard and switchable graphics are both NO unless I am mistaken. He couldn't have switchable graphics on a JQ anyhow since it's an i7, which doesn't support switchable in the first place.

We are waiting to hear if the kb is backlit or not, but we already heard from Ken no switchable graphics.

 

Reviews posted today on newegg confirm no backlit keyboard. Not a total loss, I still think I will order next week if all is well in my world!

 

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1831435&page=6

To bad about the keyboard but a reviewer on this link talks about using switchable graphics on this unit. Unless I'm not understanding what he is saying.

Quote from thaddyusmaximus :
Wow 3:30 hours. Was it switched to run onboard video or the ati? Awesome.
You just push the button and it switches right over to onboard video. Just the flash of the screen is about as long as it takes

 

the i7 720QM doesnt support switchable graphics.

 

I think that the guy on the slickdeals.net forum mistook the screen switch shortcut as a switch between integrated and dedicated video options.

 

Even so what I don't understand is 3.5 HRS on the battery?
I know everyone says the i7 doesn't support switchable graphics.
But everyone also says intel wont support USB 3.0 for at least another year.
And here we have a laptop that says its the first to support USB 3.0
Maybee ASUS has some tricks up there sleeves.
I guess I'm just dreaming. Like I was with the backlit keyboard.
To be honest with I don't care what this thing has on it. It still has to be better than the stupid HP's I just returned!
2 more days till I get MINE!!!

 

OK! Tomorrow I finally get my N61JQ-X1!
I will post a review tomorrow night. But here is my big confession. I'm not a Gamer! What not a gamer? Why would I buy an i7 then? Answer- Because I could! .
Seriously until some more people get these units I will be more than happy to answer any questions or run any tests. But you might have to send me the links and help walk me through it.
Also should we -
A/ continue posting on this thread
B/ Move over to the N61JQ-A1 Owners thread
C/ Start a N61JQ-X1 Owners thread
D/ Stop posting!

 

The i7 does not support "Demand Based Switching". If there is an integrated video chip on the motherboard it still might be possible.

 

There is a button, see page 41 in the manual, for switching between integrated and discrete modes.

 

Thank's, You are the first person to give me any hope. I went to the ASUS web site and they have a manual for the N61JQ line. On page 36 they show how to use switchable graphics. So I thought ASUS might have some sort of way around the i7 restriction. Similar to the way this unit supports USB 3.0 but Intel is not supossed to support 3.0.

EDIT- Thank's I will go check out page 41

 

It does show the button on page 41 for the switchable graphics. The bad news is it says ( on select models). I'm wondering if they put out a N61JQ model with an i5. Or they are planning to put one out. The only other thing I know is that a thread on slickdeals has someone claiming to have this button on there N61JQ-A1. And he is saying he is getting 3.5 hrs battery life using it.

 

Select models does not mean select chips. I did some searching and there are older N61 series like the N61Vn-A2 that would not have switchable graphics. I'm totally going out on a limb here, but I'm thinking there is a good chance of switchable, but not on demand graphics.

Doh! - Ignore this. The manual I'm reading is for the N61JQ series.

 

Manual says it has it.
Here is a link where on post # 77 they talk about using this button.
I'm just sayin.......

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1831435&page=6

 

I am looking to get this Asus, or the Lenovo y550p pretty much the same spec except the Asus has a 7200rpm hdd, and the ati 5730, the Lenovo has a 5400rpm and a nvidia gt240. I am looking mostly for school and I play World of Warcraft, I plan on ordering mine today and insight before then would be great. Also could you post the Windows Experience Index when you get it. I know the Lenovo has a 5.8 and that because of the hard drive the next one up is 6.4 graphics.

 

i7-720QM (45nm Clarksfield)+HM55 in this model does not have any integrated video card.

New i5's (32nm Arrandales) have an integrated video chip right on the dye. I have read, that switching to that chip will be included in the
future releases of Catalyst drivers. But now it is not enabled.

N61JA-A1 from 1toppc ( http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=N61JA-A1&Category_Code=) comes with the new i5's and i7's.

Would love to have an i7-620M proc, but +$379? no way.

 

I got mine! Stay tuned.

 

Heyyyyyyy

Hi veryone, im new to this forum,

I decided to register because i ordered this laptop from newegg.ca last thrsday night and ... I am so exited this laptop looks like the best bang for your buck around, it sounds too good to be true with 2 year warranty and the specs I7 + 5730.

Wow im exited i will post update when i received it too! In canada it cost only 1117$ including taxes with shipping included.

Im waiting for Allywy123 to post a detailed review. Hey man could you try any game and tell us if it run smoothly

Thanks!

 

Windows experience score is the same as kud0s N61jqA1. I guess I will have to upgrade the memory with a low score like that. I really don't mind I planned on going with SSD. I don't have any games. Let me know if you want me to run any tests with a link. I will look back on the A1 thread to find some of the tests people were looking for.

 

When you factor in the warranty,hard drive speed,and video card I think you know which one you should order!

 

What's odd is that users with the same or slower RAM are getting better scores.

I still think it might be Windows 7 being dumb, though.

 

Some initial observations. Keyboard flex. Screen resolution fine. Fans real quiet. cool on top warm on bottom. I like the fans venting out the side. This unit feels solidly built.

 

Thanks for the info! Be sure to keep us updated with your impressions.

 

Windows loads in 43 seconds. I tried crysis demo. Don't know how to play it but it did not seem to do as well in battery mode. What is a good free program to monitor temperatures?

 

When setting up wireless conection laptop only recognizes 2.4 on my router not the 5.0 . Any ideas?

 

What wifi card do you have? Some of the newer Intel wifi cards do not support 5GHz frequencies.

 

Hi - I am going to purchase this laptop tomorrow. I plan on editing HD video with it. I use Cineform NeoScene to transcode the HD to high-quality AVIs. Do you know if this computer will be able to play them w/out stuttering?

 

Hi and welcome to the forums

The i7-720QM CPU in the N61Jq is more than enough for HD video encoding/decoding and other HD video manipulations. You shouldn't have any problems with it in this area.

 

David - thanks for your reply and for making me feel welcome.

I will post back here when I've received the laptop and my impressions of it.

I'm very excited to own something this powerful!

 

Update on the Win7 RAM score troubles... If you have anything less than 4096MB of RAM Windows will score you at 5.9... so if something is hiding even 2MB of RAM it's going to give you a low score. The RAM is plenty fast.

 

Ha, I guess you were right. It really was just windows being dumb.