Asus N61jq-x1 Owners Lounge

What do you mean hiding ? I am glad 2 hear this though.

 

I am wondering if any of you can help me here...

I realize this is a notebook site, but please bear with me.

I have $1000 to spend on a new computer and I decided on the ASUS N61JQ-X1, obviously.

But now I see that HP has a desktop for $950 with the following specs:

Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz quad-core processor, 6GB DDR3-1333 RAM, 1TB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive, DVD burner with LightScribe, ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB video card

All this computer is going to do is edit video and audio - I doubt it will even be on the web much.

At this point, I'd rather go w/the Asus -- but am I being foolish? If the Asus has enough power, I'd rather go with the notebook. Would I see/feel the extra power from the desktop in an editing situation - or would it matter more just for gaming? I know renders would quicker, but I am not that concerned with rendering times -- I am sure the difference would be in minutes, not hours.

Any advice? I am worrying myself sick here!

 

Both machines would work fine. That looks like a good desktop, does it come with a monitor and what is the warranty for that price? Personally I like laptops better than desktops due to the flexibility, but if you think you'll be upgrading it a lot then a desktop is a sure winner.

 

Like if something in the BIOS is reserving that RAM for something (it usually happens with integrated video cards, but sometimes happens elsewhere)... When you right click on "Computer" and hit "Properties" you should see 4.00GB. I think if it were a little lower it might say 3.98GB or something. You could also check to see what the BIOS says.

That's a lot for a desktop. You could build it yourself for much less... unless it includes a monitor, then you're still overpaying but not by as much.

 

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xywwml
Still loving this laptop! It seems like it is really built well. This thing is so quiet! I will have to check into the wifi card to see if thats why I cannot connect in 5GHZ. I'm assuming thats easy to replace. I will try to figure out the crysis demo today. At first I didn't notice a difference in battery mode, but when I was useing the guns the graphics did not work as well on battery. But when it was plugged in it did not seem like you would have any trouble playing this game. I was really concerned about the screen resolution as I have always had top of the line screens. But I don't have a problem with this screen at all. The keyboard does flex. I returned 2 HP Dv8's that had keyboard flex. I guess it might be something you have to live with in alot of laptops now. With the 2 year warranty I'm going to overlook that for now. If anyone is debating between HP,Lenovo,Dell,or sony models in this price range I would strongly recomend this unit. If you want to spend another $500 to $1000 then it gets into more personal preferences. I don't think you can get this performance with this build quality at this price. And when you factor in the warranty. Go to the other manufacturers and add another year to the warranty and add 1 year accidental damage and see what they charge you.
Just pull the trigger and get this thing!

 

Same as the Asus, 2-year warranty. It does not come with a monitor, but I already have an Acer monitor from my current desktop.

I like laptops as well, which is why I am unsure. And I won't be upgrading anything - I'll add another HD, but I won't be upgrading.

 

Thanks for keeping us updated with reviews. How do you like the touchpad? Also, any thing else you can add about the screen would be great. The screen resolution seems to be the major hangup for many on this laptop.

 

Well the laptop is a killer deal. The desktop is just a so/so deal, but they are both good machines. This one is up to personal preference. I would like to add, if you already have a monitor then you can go duel screens with the laptop without any additional cost and from my experience the more screen real estate the better. If it was me, I'd go with the laptop.

 

http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR9285.htm
Here is a link to the wifi card. You were right it only supports 2.4. can anyone recomend a wifi card for this laptop that would support 5.0?
I am assuming it would work better on 5.0

 

You should be able to use this one:

http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/adapters/5000/index.htm

Make sure you have a router that supports 5.0 Ghz if you're going to upgrade your wireless card.

 

Here's where I got my info...

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/23639-low-ram-score-2.html#post511211

If you posted some pictures of your BIOS there's a chance someone might see something that could be changed.

 

I intsalled a Logitec mouse because generally I can't stand the pads. But this one I would say I like alot. Your finger slides real easy across it. The multi- touch feature is pretty cool. Nothing on the keyboard is glossy so you dont get fingerprints. The screen and lid of the laptop is glossy so they are fingerprint magnets. I like the dark brown color of the top alot. The rest of the unit is black.
I know the screen is a deal breaker for most people. It was a deal breaker for me too. But after returning 2 laptops with great 1080p screens because of the poor quality of the laptop I decided to focus on ASUS. You can't get all the bells and whistles for $1000 and expect good quality to. I thought I had with a HP DV8T. I had Blu-ray, 1080p, 18.4 inch screen but the quality...... Well I returned it and focused on what was important to me.
I saw that alot of screens this size have this resolution. I read some reviews that said I wouldn't really notice the difference with this screen size.
To be honest with you I dont see much of a difference. This screen is fine for me. Even the small size seems just right. And it is alot more portable.
I tried watching some HD tv feeds and it looks ok to me. I really thought everytime I looked at the screen I would be mad at myself for ordering it. But I have no concerns with this screen. Also it seems alot easier on my eyes. My 1080p screens kill my eyes.
For me Blu-ray and 1080p is not worth another $400 or $500. I went with the X1 over the A1 because I don't care about the small hdd since I'm going SSD.

 

Thank's, Is this something easy to self install? Is the 5100 better for this laptop than the 5300.
Thank's for the heads up on the router. I spent way to much on my router but it screams on 5.0

 

Cookie just because the score says 5.9....does that mean it will be effected performance wise...or windows just has a cut off point for the scoring ?

 

Thank's for the link. I forgot all about windows seven forums.
I would post a picture of the Bios but now I have to admit to you and the whole world I can't remember how to pull the BIOS up.

 

When you boot up the computer it should tell you what F# key 2 hit... maybe F2, F8 ???
It just depends sometimes....maybe del key also ?

 

For that laptop go with the 5100. The 5300 really requires 3 antenna and the N61JQ notebooks only have two. There is a thread somewhere around here with a detailed explanation. I haven't installed a wireless card in a laptop since my Dell 600m. I don't remember it being too difficult. I don't know what affect it will have on your warranty though.

 

If I'm right it's just a stupid Windows 7 cut off point. Passmark rates the RAM plenty high. Passmark seems to rate it at just a little slower than my memory... 4GB DDR2800, but overclocked quite a bit, so it probably all works out.

Usually it's F2, F8, F12, or delete. On my ASUS desktop motherboard it's delete, but that really doesn't mean much since mobile boards are usually very different.

 

Here is the bios.

 

There are a few tabs, probably advanced is the most important.

 

Here is the bios and some picures of the desktop to give an example of the screen resolution.

 

Has anyone tried "Express Gate" on this laptop. Does it have it and if so does the wireless work with it?

 

Hey thanks for those pictures of the desktop. That is a really nice looking screen, just judging by the pictures. Still wish it was a higher resolution, but looks great otherwise.

 

Review and problem i face using this laptop
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=456186
Maybe someone can help clarify my problem. Or i'm the only one with 80+ degree celsius

 

Your welcome, In order to upload to notebookreview I had to downsize the resolution of the pictures to the lowest setting.
I know how you feel. I felt the same way before I got this laptop.
Now I will say that I'm betting the screen resolution won't be a problem for you. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So are you thinking of ordering one of these or have you already? Because the screen resolution won't change on this model no matter how much we all wish it would.
Thank's for all your contributions to this thread.

 

Which N61 model do you have? are you sure it is a N61JQ-X1. I'm only asking because I did not think you could buy this model on Jan. 5th. Where did you buy it from. Before we start working on this lets make sure we are talking about the same model.

 

Not sure its says N61JQ series. Thats all. Thats the model i see when i buy the laptop from the shop.
And its 20 Jan not 5th. My bad.

Asus N61Jq28i7H64D7PM notebook. lol what the hell is this model =_=

i updated the specification here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=456186

 

Try looking on the bottom of the Laptop for the model #. It should be directly under the bar code.

 

Haha I know, we can wish as hard as we want but Asus won't budge.

Anyway, I'm just thinking about ordering one of these right now. I'm ready to pull the trigger at any moment though... just waiting to see what reviews of the G51jx are like.

Btw, I have a 1280 x 800 screen now, and while I'm not fond of losing the vertical pixels with the N61, I don't know if I could handle the small text size with the G51's high resolution screen. It's a conundrum.

 

I saw this in your update

If you're running the 32-bit version of Windows 7 then windows won't see you're full 4GB.

 

Jonathon, The model # on the invoice dosen't make any sense. And it lists an HD screen on your specs. Get the model # off of the laptop. Where did you purchase this laptop from?

 

With the price difference between the G51 and the N61 I bet you could afford a really nice external monitor. They you get the benefit of high rez on a big screen and low rez on the laptop. That's assuming you don't do a ton of traveling with the laptop.

 

Might be this:
http://www.samratbazaar.com.sg/inde...keyword=video&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53

 

Trust me I was zeroed in on that G51jx myself. But when this model came out I thought I could get by with it and save $450. Usually I have to have top of the line. But it gets expensive and it doesn't stay top of the line for long.
You could get the G51 and up the text size or downgrade the resolution when it is not needed.

 

ok so its the same model. Maybee we need to dig into this some more. Was one of his screen shots showing throttling?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44370&d=1265173185

 

Let me run an idea by anyone on this thread. I started this thread but it seems like it is redundant. We have 3 threads going with basically the same people following them. We have N61, N61jq-x1 and N61jq-A1. And I'm assuming there will be more models in the N61 line. Personally I'm getting tired of checking all 3 threads. It seems to me we should all be on the N61 thread. Like Hp dv6 or, sony F series, or Dell studio xps 16.
Or maybee just merge the N61jq x1 and a1 threads. Don't get me wrong I'm loving all the input I can get on this thing. I'm just wondering if its smart to branch out for minor differences. Maybee since the cat is already out of the bag there is noting we can do about it. What do you think?

 

I agree, it would be much better if it was compiled in one thread.

 

Yes.. So far, the N61s around uses the i7 CPU so they are pretty much identical..

 

I am in the same boat as you. I talked to Donald at Powernotebooks and he recommended the N71 for me which has 1600X900 resolution. It gets a second HDD, and is larger (17.3) and weighs 1.4 pounds more, but is otherwise the same.

It also appears that the Blu-Ray comes standard with the N71 and it is an add-on for the N61. So if you are adding Blu-Ray to the N61, the price difference is $175 to change to the N71 which is made up in my opinion by the extra HDD on the N71 and the expansion options that brings such SSD/HDD. Also, Donald reported the audio quality of the speakers on the N71 is reported to be good in this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5825412

The 17.3 inch N71 may be too large for you, but if not you may want to throw it into your mix to consider.

 

Thanks for the tip and I have considered the N71 for a bit, but ultimately I don't really want that big of a screen.

And you're right allly, I guess I could always just increase the text size or change the resolution if I really have to. I guess I'll just let it play out and see how I feel.

 

I must admit that i liked the pictures too. Yeah, I would prefer some higher resolution but it isn't as bad as some people want you to believe. I guess we need to compromis...

 

I mean paying 1065 for this laptop is outstanding IMO. We cant have everything for 1065...you know! I agree alibabba.

 

I think Adamal has a good idea to address this. He suggested to me that someone should start a new N61jq thread. This would incorporate the A1,X1
and future variations of the line.
Some have suggested including the N71's because of similar specs. But I think screen size really separates what a lot of people are looking for and we should keep them separate.

 

I don't see anything there... kinda odd... anyway, I'm still pretty sure it's a problem with Windows not recognizing quite all of its memory.

 

He sent me a message and he fixed it. Now all his 4.0gb of ram is recognized. That doesn't adress his screen shots of potential overheating and throttling though.

 

Ok I posted a new thread. N61JQ owners thread. I'm hoping all the N61 owners can now meet in one thread. If everyone would not make another post to this thread then eveyone that comes here will see this message and hopefully come join us in the new unified thread.
Hope to see you over there. If it does not work.... Well never mind!

 

these laptops have 1 drive bay or 2?

 

The N61JQ line only has one hard drive' If you want an asus with 2 hard drives try the N71 or G73 lines. Here is a link to the N61 line which has its specs. And instead of using this thread please come join us on our N61JQ
thread'

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=ZfpnPRZ5UxVOtrHJ&content=specifications

 

well i have n61jq -x1 too...i really like the notebook! ..the only thing im gettin used to...its the screen resolution! (and the screen its mirrored) the screen also seems too bright, i dont know...maybe is the LED technology! i decreased the brightness ...i was used to my 1280 x 800 (not mirrored)..so im just adapting to this one.. but im liking!its very quick and the sound is very good! its a great machine,im not a gamer but i think for this price, this is the best laptop you can buy...!

ps: sorry for my english..im from portugal..and my english its very weak.