Asus N73JQ Owners' Lounge

I'm not usually an early adopter, but I just orderd the N73JQ-A2 tonight. I wanted to get it from a re-seller, but I've been without a work laptop for weeks now, so as soon as I saw it available at a retailer, I grabbed it.

I'll post unboxing pics, and I'll be happy to post any test results suggested. I'm not quite sure how to post the temps and so forth, but I have time to learn before it arrives ("10/18 to 10/21").

Any suggestions for testing and posting of results will be warmly welcomed!

If I'm first to report, I'll be sure to note the brands of the components.

Whooo-hooo!

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Product Features:

Intel Core i7-740QM Quad-Core Processor 1.73GHz with turbo boost up to 2.93GHz
6GB of DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM, 3 slots, 12GB Max; Nvidia GT425M graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM
500GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM); Blu-Ray Combo Disk Drive; Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn
HDMI Port; USB 3.0 port; Bluetooth; 2.0MP Webcam; eSATA; 5-in-1 card reader [Note: Should include an ExpressCard slot also]
17.3-Inch HD+ (1600x900) LED Display; Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System

Size (LWH): 16.8 inches, 11.48 inches, 1.62 inches
Weight: 7.5 pounds

 

First, let me say thanks to the many contributors who make notebookreview.com great and make buying a computer something better than blind guesswork!

While waiting for the N73JQ-A2, I’ll say a little about why I chose it from among the multitudes. Note this is all based on specs, pics, a couple of phone calls, and a brief but sad encounter with the previous 17” model in the N-series, the N71JQ-X1.

Asus was my first choice because I own an old one that has survived harsh condtions and still works great today. (But a Pentium M with 768MB RAM is kind of pokey at times, these days.)

I need at least a 17” screen for writing, photo editing, web-surfing playing a few tables of poker, and trying out a few older video games (such as the earliest versions of Halo, Far Cry, and Call of Duty). (No, not all at the same time!)

I did want a very powerful GPU, and I came close to buying the G73J. But the price and my hands-on experience with it at a big retailer put me off. Also, in design, battery life, and less connectivity, it just seems too gaming focused for me, which, of course, is exactly why gamers rave about it.

I tried something more budget oriented, namely an Acer 7741G with a Core i5 and the pretty quick ATI 5650m. It had a great display and keyboard, but several of the components (touchpad, wireless, mic, and webcam) and the build quality left me feeling uneasy. The audio-in was terrible, whether I used the built-in mic or a headset. (Others got around this using a USB mic rather than analog, but I sent it back before trying their fix.)

I then found the N71JQ-X1 online, and it seemed to be exactly what I was looking for—about six hundred bucks less than the G73J and with all the features I wanted. Unfortunately, the HDMI port on my unit was loose and could not maintain a connection. I believe that this port on the N71 might be prone to problems because of the way it is placed under the ExpressCard slot. The other problem with the N71JQ-X1 was that it did not put out 1080p to an external monitor or HDTV, only 720p. I returned the unit for a refund.

The N73JQ-A2 solves the port placement problem, and in my opinion, has a great overall port layout. I like having a few ports on the back of the machine, and this does. Also, the power jack is not in the middle of the left side like on the N71, meaning that the power cord doesn’t lie up against the exhaust vent. (That’s where I want to keep my coffee cup!)

And what mildly paranoid person could resist the cute little built-in cover for the webcam?

By the way, the user's manual showing the new layout is available for download on the Asus USA website, but the best pics are on Gentech and Xoticpc.

The one feature that did make me hesitate is the nVidia GeForce 425m GPU. Everything else is, spec-wise, just right, but here I feel I’m compromising. I’m not looking for a gaming monster, but I do want a GPU that can handle photo processing and help with video conversion. As mentioned above, I want to play a few older games, but I don’t have the time, and don’t want to spend the money, to get into lots of new games. From the best I can tell from nVidia’s claims and notebookcheck.com ratings, this is close enough to the ATI 5650m. (I will admit I felt like, as time goes by, things are supposed to be getting FASTER!)

As for display resolution, the 1600 x 900 on a 17.3” is just right for my eyes. Everything is sharp enough, but I don’t have to distort icons and webpage layouts by making them bigger, like I would on a 1080 screen. And of course this resolution is easier on the 425m.

It is important to me that this is nearly $500 cheaper than the fully loaded G73J’s. I can do some other things with that $500 (like put it towards the upcoming 100,000 mile service on my car), and once I’m using the laptop for everyday, real world apps, I think I’ll stop obsessing over the numbers. We’ll see!

There are two features I’m hoping will be included, but can’t be sure about until it arrives. One is the real aluminum lid. The other is the same protective sheet of glass or very hard Plexiglas that the N71JQ has over the display. I found that the protective sheet reduced glare in settings with fluorescent lights overhead, and it added rigidity to the display panel. I believe it is less delicate than the “naked” LCD screen.

In addition to solid performance, I want a unit that is stylish for meetings (I’m tired of black, already), has good build quality for travel in the States and toting around town, and will last five years or better. I have had great luck with my 2003 Asus M2400, and I’m hoping for the same with this laptop.

Again, if there is any test somebody wants ran and can tell me where to find the diagnostics, I’ll be very happy to give it a try.

 

New FedEx ETA: Tomorrow!

10/15/10 Update: On the delivery truck.

Why is it, no matter how many computers we've had, no matter how many we've sent back, no matter how many hours we've spent installing and uninstalling Windows, swapping this and that...We still feel like kids on Christmas morning when that new laptop arrives?

Ain't a plain brown shipping box just as lovely as something wrapped in red and green shiny foil?

 

hi,

I am also "on standby" to order this notebook (the 1920x1080 version) and am in total agreement with your above reasoning which led you to buy this machine. The port layout is the only one that's usable looking at current notebooks, and also the insulation of the palm rest is a great feature, then usb 3.0 ...and so on...

The only thing holding me back from buying at the moment is the question of noise from the cooling system / the hard drive(s). That's also one of the reasons I'm staying clear of the Sony F-Series...guess I'm the noise-sensitive type...

It would be great if you could post your impressions after you have unpacked the plain brown shipping box ;-)

best regards

 

Yes! Arrived by FedEx this afternoon. I've created the 5 recovery disks, and I'm now in the middle of a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium.

monoflop, I haven't done anything to push it yet, but ambient was about 79 degrees in my living room during most of the recovery burning, and the laptop has been whisper quiet. The fans are near silent, and so is the BluRay drive.

Otherwise...

No dead pixels. (Exhale.)

My lid is made of aluminum or a great imitation.

It does have the edge-to-edge display protection. When the display is off, it is extremely reflective, but once anything comes on the screen, the reflection is not as bad as a "naked" glossy type of LCD.

I'll have some pictures by Sunday night or Monday morning, mainly of the fit and finish aspects.

Appearance-wise, this is a beautiful machine. It'll look great in meetings, on your desk, or in a coffee house, for sure. "Elegant" and "classy" are words that come to mind first.

The first (and only) thing I tried when I booted it up was the HDMI-out to my HDTV. Seems flawless, and software selected 1080p without me doing anything.

Anything that seems as if it would be essential to buyers in a rush, I'll post below, in this frame. I'll do my best to answer questions. During the weekend I'll put together some notes and try to put out a useful consumer's review. (I have to get up to speed on posting pics! In other words, I've never done it here.)
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Some hardware:

Wireless adapter is Atheros 9285. Works fine with my DIR-655 router; will go out into the wild later today.

HDD is Seagate.

BluRay drive is LG, the same, I believe, as in the G73J.

Touchpad is Elan and is smooth and precise.

Webcam is Azureware (haven't tried it yet, but I like the built-in lens cover!).

Ok, in pics 1 and 2, you see the tight craftsmanship in the hinge area and the rear ports (this kind of work is everywhere on the machine); and in pic 3 you see an angle shot to show the edge-to-edge display protection.

Pic 4 shows the contents of the package. That second disk to the left is, according to the label, a set of drivers for Windows XP 32-bit. Seems like a nice touch, especially if they would be needed and usable in XP Mode for W7 Professional???

 

Sounds really promising

Design-wise I'm still a bit torn. I would have preferred an island-style keyboard since the one used seems prone to collect dirt underneath the keys. Also, the "media panel" on the left makes the appearance a bit unsymmetric...(is it really needed anyway?) ...but ...well...that really is a minor point and looking at photos is still different from seeing the thing in reality.

Anyway, thank you for the info so far, I will continue to watch this thread

 

A fly in the ointment.

The bottom access panel has no screws, and it seems to be locked in. A great tech support specialist from Asus spent nearly an hour on the phone with me, but we could not figure out how to get to the HDD, RAM, and wireless card area. He said he would try to find out and contact me by phone or email later today.

There is a panel. It has a notch for a screwdriver. It does not lift up much, only about 3 mm at the notch area. Any more pressure than I applied would break something, for sure. There are no screws, not even hidden under the little rubber feet.

The tech specialist, Gavin, looked at the N73J service manual and was surprised to find no disassembly steps for the bottom.

Again, the bottom of the laptop has NO screws--except for four very tiny ones under the battery along the back edge, and they obviously have nothing to do with the access panel at the front of the laptop.

I've never bought from a reseller. In fact, I didn't know about them until early this year when I found notebookreview.com. In this case, I wanted to go with a reseller because I've read enough here to see that companies such as Xoticpc and Gentech have excellent reputations, but I was in a hurry, and they still showed them as pre-order status. I feel I've made a mistake; I should have been a little more patient.

Does anybody sense the first little green shoots of panic appearing?

The pic below shows there are NO screws on the bottom. Those little circles back by the battery that look like screw covers are apparently welded in, and they wouldn't be connected to the access panel anyway. The two little rubber feet on the access panel have no screws underneath...

Is it possible Asus made a cover that snaps in but cannot be removed? Was this a goof? I hope I'm missing something.

 

A word about the keyboard.

I went to BB several times before ordering the N73Jq, and I tried out nearly all of the laptops' keyboards. I have a good idea of firm, flexy, and mushy.

[Edited after I removed keyboard and repositioned the keyboard ribbon cable.] This unit's keyboard is flexy. With normal typing, the flex is slightly distracting if one is used to a rigid desktop, but then becomes un-noticeable. All the keys surrounding any key I type get depressed only slightly.

Number and function keys in the upper left went down so far that, the first few times I hit them, I thought the keyboard was actually detached and getting pushed through. [This was fixed by simply pressing down lightly with a tiny flathead screwdrive in the upper left corner of the ESC key. This keyboard is easily removable and one of the little tabs had sprung over the edge of the keyboard at this point. Issue resolved!]

 

Just wait to point out the GT425M is not a compromise over the 5650M. They actually have pretty much identical performance. As in, a Vantage GPU score of within less than 100 points. On notebookcheck, it is usually a fraction of a percent faster, or the same as a 5650M as well.

 

cool, thx for the picture.

i wonder if the n53 will have edge to edge sreen too.

that weird that the backpanel don't have screws.
i remember seeing pics of the n53 bottom, that didn't have screws too.

 

Why do you wanna open it? For cleaning in the future or something else? I don't find it big problem...
I recently bought N71jq but graphic card was defective, so I'm thinking to buy new 73jq too, when, and if it arrives in Croatia, N73jn and N73jf are only available for now.

 

Hi Cary,

Be patient, and don't break anything!

I forwarded this to someone who should be able to help. Help is on the way!

Anyhow, thank you so very much for your contribution here! I am sure this model will be received with considerable interest.

ENJOY that new toy! Tell us about the sound quality of those speakers!

 

Thanks, -=$tR|k3r=- .

The sound is the best, by far, I've heard on a notebook. As good as, say, an older small-screen TV (stereo), which is impressive for a notebook, absolutely. Volume doesn't go as high though.

When I play music, I feel a little bass in my hands, but, as you can see from the picture of the bottom, there isn't a visible subwoofer like on the N71J. The sound is definitely better, though, than that model.

I really appreciate your interest and efforts.

I will want to max out the RAM, upgrade to a dual-band wireless adapter, and add another HDD. Can't do that unless the access panel can be removed.

 

Hey Cary Ader,

First off thank you for posting your experience with this particular laptop. I was doing some research on this computer, and I was wondering if theres any computer noise? Im coming from a Sony Vaio S-430 which has a very loud fan that makes grinding noises and attracts alot of attention. Im looking for something that makes little to no noise at all. I was wondering if the fan or any other parts make noise under normal (web surfing/word document) and stressed conditions (games/watching a movie). I was also wondering about the heat generated by this machine and how long the battery lasts under normal conditions.

For the price and specs it seems like a very good deal and has mostly what im looking for as a portable desktop replacement..but im a bit hesitant mainly because noise, heat, and battery life are somewhat of a big deal to me. Id rather not carry the AC plug to my classes or burn my thighs with excessive heat.

Thanks.

 

hello,

can you tell me something about battery life? when just working without wifi, when surfing on inet or if its possible to see a 1,5h movie without external power.

 

The lid has no screws, I read this somewhere, what you have to do is remove the keyboard and then remove screws under the keyboard that are holding the lid. Someone posted a manual with information but I can't remember where it was, but it should say in the computers manual.

 

My first run on battery, using wireless the whole time for surfing the web but not doing anything else, gave me about 2 hrs 15 mins. I had the brightness down almost half way.

Heat is not an issue on mine so far, but I haven't run a game on it or done any video conversion. Watching movies from HDD, web surfing, burning recovery disks, and listening to music is about it so far. The keyboard and palmrest have remained very cool, about room temperature. The air coming out of the exhaust vent on the left side is warmish, not hot. This is significantly cooler than the N71Jq, if that helps anyone.

 

1: You need to remove the keyboard first:





2: Remove 7 screws from the top case:




3: you can now open the access panel:

 

Ken, thank you very much for revealing the secret!

I thought I could hear/feel two sided tape under the keyboard. Nope---that was ribbon cable folded on itself.

Got the keyboard off and will see if I can also get the access panel off...

Yes! Following Ken's instructions, and, voila!

(Bonus: when I put the keyboard back, I was able to lay the ribbon cable so that it wasn't folded on itself as before, and now that sound is gone. Has to be better for the life of the cable.)

 

Please note that I went back and edited my initial comments regarding the keyboard (10/16/10 12:20p.m.)

Apparently, the ribbon cable being folded like it was lifted the keyboard up from the backplate and created more flex than ususal. Also, all of the tiny spring tabs are now popped into position properly. Whew!

Believe it or not, I like to type a LOT!

Will try out everything I can think of that I'll be doing with this machine, put thoughts together, and post a review in its own thread later.

 

It' great to hear that the keyboard is usable
Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences with the notebook.

I have to admit, I'm almost convinced. The only thing I'm still concerned about is the Display quality. What about the brightness???
My desk is near a huge window front, and I if the brightness isn't high enough, working will be horrible with all the reflections.

It would be great if you could consider the reflection and brightness in your Review

 

Yes, good point about the brightness. Right out of the box, with the default nVidia and Asus settings, the screen is vivid, sharp, and accurate with colors. When I'm sitting in a dim room with a little bit of sunlight off in one corner, I have to turn the brightness down a click or two.

I don't have a color meter, but I used a DVD of FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL to watch on the screen and on my Samsung HDTV through HDMI. The colors are very close. I then popped the same DVD into a DVD player and the colors looked the same as from the N73Jq's built in LG Blu-Ray player. Very impressive.

From side to side, the viewing angles are surprising. This is like a good LCD HDTV when it comes to the viewing angles; yes, you lose a little of the contrast, but three friends can easily sit on a wide sofa and enjoy the screen at the same time. Up and down, yes, there is a dead-on sweet spot, but I'd say I can get to almost a 25 degree angle before text becomes unreadable. Again, very impressive.

As for glare, I know that the matte type screens handle it better, but still won't be usable in direct sunlight, in most cases. But I chose my TV because it has a glossy type screen, as I find that colors, resolution, and contrast all seem better. So I'm glad this has the glossy type screen.

I'll try different, real-world lighting and include that in the review. Again, thanks for the suggestion.

BTW, could somebody please tell me how to determine the brand of display, in case somebody asks? Device manager just shows "generic."

 

That would interest me too.

Btw. Cary: Thanx for your interessting thread and your work on showing us this brand new machine.

Has anyone experiences with the FullHD-Version? In Germany it is distrubuted as N73JQ-TZ087V (FullHD-display, i7 740, 1000Gb HD, 4 GB Ram, GT425M...). In this configuration it definately competes the new Sony F13M-Series...if the display is a good one!

 

I will get that one tomorrow or the day after. Surprisingly, even ASUS Germany says in their flyers that only two RAM sockets are available. Let's see.

I just sent back my F13. It's unbelievable loud and has a real whining fan problem. So, in IMO that's no alternative for anybody.

 

I'm curious about the RAM sockets. Maybe a flyer translation issue? Do you mean "two...available" total on the motherboard, or two open slots?

I did go inside mine, as you might have seen in the picture, and the A2 definitely has three slots total.

I've already ordered a 4GB Corsair chip to replace one of the 2 GB Adata [not Kingston as stated in error earlier] included. I'll definitely report whether it works or not.

I'm also thinking of getting an Intel Advanced-n 6200. I'm trying my computer at a public library right now. It is an easy upgrade, but will I notice any difference?

That's too bad about having to send a laptop back for the noise issue. I can't hear a thing from this one over the murmer of the quiet library. I do have the power settings set to very low...And the keyboard and touchpad buttons are much quieter than I'm used to.

In my review I mentioned the battery life. I think I've learned how to milk another 15-20 minutes out of it, but the Asus Power4Gear doesn't seem to be kicking in automatically. But note that I did a clean install of windows and may have to play with the configurations.

If anybody can name a good source or two for an extra battery, please do. I tried one online retailer and was told they don't have spares yet. The Asus store on the US website shows out of stock.

 

on Asus.de I also read "3 sockets" for Ram

I would not spend money in a wireless card upgrade. The effect will be to small and the risks, that the WLAN on/off switch will not work with the new card is way too high (for me). I made that experience in my old Asus M6N, where I also got a WLAN on/off button, that does not work longer with the newer card.

noise or no noise...that's the question?! When I bought my Samsung R560 about 2 years ago, it was one of the quietest notebooks that has been tested. Now, because of the really bad ventilation construction, the cooler runs very loud and hot. After 1 minute Farcry I I got a system breakdown. Samsung means it could be a hardware problem. Thank god I got a rest-warranty and can ship it to Samsung for service.
Means: I would accept a little louder machine that runs and runs and runs, instead of breaking down after a year or two.

I know, that the computer industry thinks in 1-2-Year (ok, Sony thinks in 6-months) for a product replacement, especially in case of desktop replacement notebooks, but I want to use my next notebook a bit longer. I'm not the gamer, that needs the newest hardware to feel not ashamed on LAN-parties. But because any well designed and up-to-date notebook configuration is expensive (1200 Euro +), I want the BEST! Is that too much?
So, is the N73JQ thebest buy for the money and will it last for more than 2 years of hard office-usage?

 

Yes. On the website (even in German) ASUS tells about three slots.
But everywhere you can order they tell you that there are just two slots (8 GB max). Sometimes they just include a pdf from ASUS Germany with the specs and it says it only has two slots.

I tried to contact ASUS Germany about that but (of course) couldn't reach anybody by phone and I'm still waiting for an answer for my email to them.

So, there are two possibilities: ASUS Germany can't read the English specs or the model relies on another revision of the laptop with only two slots. So, I think I have to open it to find out.

 

Just a follow up. While they weren't as fast as Ken Lee from GenTech Computers on access to RAM, HDD, and wireless adapter, Asus tech support did follow through on their promise to send me the instructions. Asked for help on SATURDAY, a weekend, and they had two of the three steps to me by Monday afternoon. The missing step, lifting the keyboard, came this morning (Tuesday). Not bad for a brand new model, imo.

Looking forward to the arrival of RAM and an Intel Advanced-n 6200. Don't know if I'll get much of a boost from the adapter, but it will be fun to compare. Plus, of course, I'll be ready for dual band.

Again, if anybody knows about a good source for a spare battery, the A32-K72 pack, please post. Thanks!

 

hello everybody, this is my first posting over here...

at first let me thank you for your infos...

... and i've got the asus n73jq on monday and there are three slots for ram as everest tells me, i haven't opened it by now, but i will do, when time for upgrade comes.

sry for my bad english,
ulfnicz

edit: i think, specs on asus site are ok with 12gb ram possible in three slots.

 

Cary, thanks for the thread, it's being very helpful.
I'm interested in the full-HD version, for video editing. But I haven't been able to find one for sale online. If anyone knows where to get it, I would be grateful for a PM. BTW, what is the difference in model names between the HD+ and the Full-HD?
Cary, any suppositions on HD video editing performance of this NB?

 

I'm going to be doing some large video conversions towards the weekend. Looking forward to other posts on this topic.

BTW, I just installed the nVidia Geforce 425m drivers update of 10/18/10, and it went very smoothly. nVidia site says these new drivers activate the CUDA for Photoshop, make older games play smoother, and fix some bugs.

I found the drivers by allowing auto-detect scanning of my system by nVidia, because they weren't yet listed on the 400m series page.

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Definitely appreciating the full, rich sound. Listening to BBC World News. Sitting outside a Starbucks, traffic whizzing by, and my sound is clear and plenty loud. Other customers are scowling, though...

Screen glare is acceptable out here under an umbrella just after noon on a sunny day. I just make sure I have light backgrounds chosen for the desktop, etc.

 

Oh my god, that's ridiculous.

I got my one today (N73JQ-TZ087V). First I installed Everest and it shows that there should be three RAM slots available. ASUS mistake #1.

But after that.. SHOCK! It shows only the 1600x900 maximum resolution - and right, the system properties of Windows shows the same! That's ridiculous as there's a marker on the laptop saying it has "FULL HD". Each reseller here in Germany says it has full HD (well, they also tell you it only has two RAM slots).

So I telephoned with ASUS. They told me to update(!) the drivers (of course you can make a 1600 panel to a 1920 panel with a software update...).

I guess that all of those laptops have the wrong resolution but hopefully it's just mine. Tomorrow I will telephone again and give my very best to express my unkind feelings.

=======

So, here's just a small review so far.

1. The display is very glossy. Black is more like gray when you don't see straight on it (I've seen better displays).
2. The keyboard is not the best.
3. The fan runs all the time (i7), BUT it does not change the rotation rate all the time. I started Prim95 and even under full usage the fan is not too loud. So, if the Sony F13 gets a F for the sound I would give it a A-. It's really good.

 

Sounds not good to me...hm, I just bought the G73JW today.

The N73JQ sounds really cool (specs aso), but I don't want to be one of the first testers. The G73JW has a lot more reviews and tests and IS a good machine with no compromises. Ok, it's much more expensive. Everything has it's price.

I hope Asus can manage the issues mentioned above.

 

Sorry to hear that, LastMan. Hope you settle this without having to software emulate 1080 HD.
Looks like it's really not easy to get proper specs. For me it's even worse since we don't have proper resellers down here in Kazakhstan, so any config mismatch turns into a long and costly sending the poor notebook back and forth.
Looking forward to posts on the HD type issue...

 

Yeah, I have the "Full HD" sticker too. While I was shopping for the right notebook, it took me a while to realize that the "full HD" often applies to the HDMI output, not the screen. A little, um, confusing?

But the Asus site does show that somewhere there exists a 1080p version.

One of the SODIMM slots on this A2 is directly under the keyboard, and the other two are under the bottom access plate.

I wonder if it makes any difference which one I replace with a 4GB chip...Since I'm swapping out the wireless adapter, which is under the access panel too, I guess I'll go ahead and try one of those slots first---unless somebody knows better.

This morning I found my wife's Acer where I had left the Asus last night, and my Asus in her office. She says she was only joking. I'm getting a Kensington lock.

 

Indeed. I also got this on a sticker:

Display: 17.3" FHD

I would say that FHD could mean "Full HD", but who knows...

Here's the official ASUS Germany datasheet: http://tinyurl.com/23wmgzs
As you can see: 2 RAM slots and Full HD display.

 

Replaced one of the 2GB Adata SODIMM's with a Corsair 4GB, for a total of 8GB (4+2+2).

Recognized immediately and no problems.

Sorry earlier I posted Kingston as being included. It is Adata memory.

I just swapped out the one easiest to get to, the one directly under the keyboard.


...........And, MemTest86+ shows no errors.

 

It doesn't look good. There are already two resellers here in Germany who talk about about a 1600x900 resolution. Most of them still say it has Full HD.
I talked with ASUS and they confirmed the three slots (so they confessed to have made the first (of two?) mistakes in their flyer for the reseller). Sadly, they didn't call back today so I have to wait a bit further.
I fear that all laptops of that series have the wrong panels which would be a no-go for me.

Update #1: ASUS is not able to call back for 1.5 days ("looking for a solution" again and again). My resellers says that he has other customers with the problem. He said ASUS first denied not confess the problem. It's not definitely sure that all laptops here are wrong but it seems to be so. I asked another reseller to check their stock for it. Now, waiting again for ASUS to answer and the new reseller to confirm the resolution.

Update #2: The T-Online-shop confirmed me that the laptop only has 1600*900 pixel resolution. It's now absolutely clear that there no full hd panel in the N73JQ-TZ087V. God dammit. The only question is if ASUS has some plan for handling the customers like providing the other panel via repair option or newer produced ones.

 

Too much confusion with all the HD terms, why not use plain numbers?! 1080, 900 (?..) 720 - everyone's happy (except the marketers))
Cary, could you provide the specs on the USB3.0 controller please? I just learned that the device I need only supports NEC controllers.

 

getman, Device Manager shows the USB 3.0 as "Fresco Logic xHCI (USB3) Controller."

I have to say, the more I use the laptop, the more right it feels. I've been doing photo editing with PS CS, and this flies. The colors are right on. This is good news because I have small mountains of photos to process, and more soon in the pipeline. I prefer working outdoors or at a Starbucks or library to staying locked in my office with this.

One little note concern: As mentioned before, I really would like a spare battery. Asus tech support is looking into this. I spoke to a supervisor, Kirk, and he will try to get one to me. I am waiting to hear from him, but as of now, perhaps because the unit is so new in the US and Europe, they are scarce.

Even the top resellers cannot seem to get their hands on them. Any help in this area would be welcome.

Is Asus having this problem with any older models?

This is the flagship model of the N-Series, so lets hope something breaks soon.

PS I am nowhere near desperate enough to go with online aftermarket stuff, which is all I can find at this time.

 

Thank you, Cary. Too bad it's not a NEC... maybe I'll have to buy the N90 instead. I tried to ask ASUS directly to learn USB 3.0 controllers by model, but their site really suxx. To make a direct technical request, I must be the notebook owner, and to post a question on their BB, I had to fill out a giant reg form, only to find out there's no forum for notebooks. It's ridiculous.
After all, I'm not all that sure I want to be an Asus customer...

 

Carey, wanted to say how much I appreciate all the posts - I'm still in the waiting stage.

I have a question about the physical diminsions - the 42.0 x 28.7 x 3.7 cm or 16.53 x 11.3 x 1.5 inches seems right on the limit of most 17" bags/cases - as far as I can tell by reading specs, I'll need a bag for 18" notebooks - is that right?

 

Yes. As noted in my review (separate thread), it wouldn't fit in a Swiss Gear 17" case. I picked up a Case Logic 18" case. It is a lightweight case, and while the padding is sufficient, you might find that the shoulder strap hooks seem too light. I don't mind putting it over my shoulder to stand in line, but as far as long distance carrying that way, I just don't feel confident enough.

Otherwise the bag is great. The handle is strong, and the front compartment design is great. Rather than a pocket, the bag has a front compatment that zips all the way open, so when I place the power brick, network cable, a couple of games in DVD cases, and some cleaning cloths in there, the front doesn't bulge out.

For quick packing and carrying into a Starbucks or other hotspot, the case is great. If I am bringing books, the Targus XL backpack is better.

No matter which way I carry the laptop, I put it first in a Case Logic neoprene sleeve for extra protection.

*********************************************************************************
I did install a new wireless adapter, the Intel Advanced-n 6200. With the laptop in the same little office as the D-Link DIR-655 router, I'm now getting a solid 10MB per second, a nice increase over the Atheros's 6MB - 7MB per second. I'm pretty sure I have everything set the same as it was with the Atheros. My settings are based on the optimum according to Intel:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/sb/CS-030709.htm

I downloaded the newest drivers straight from Intel here: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/highlights/wireless/6300-6200

Within a couple of days I'll report on range (based on the little strength bars--not scientific, but it's what I've got). I can tell you that I am seeing three or four networks in the neigborhood that were not visible on the Atheros.

((((((((((((!))))))))))))) Yes, the Intel Advanced-n is giving me 5 bars solid all over the house, even in places, like on the patio (outside a concrete block wall), where before I was getting only 3 - 4 bars. And in the public library, where I never got over 1.0 Mbps on speedtest.net, I'm now getting 1.6 Mbps. And I'm getting a solid 5 bars instead of 4 in the library. Nice and easy little boost for under $30.

 

Again some news. ASUS offered me to "repair" the laptop to get the right resolution. Today my reseller called me and said that ASUS has wtten, that "just < 1% of the charge has the wrong resolution". Can't believe that but I will send the laptop back to me reseller to get a brand new one. But it's not sure that the new one has the right resolution, though. Let's hope so.

 

The latest version of WinRAR shows a benchmark score of 2212.

Stitching together file segments: 301 segments, 4.5GB total, took 1 min 55 secs to form 12 .avi files of 350MB each.

Espresso video conversion takes 19 minutes to convert a 350MB .avi file to a .wmv file of the same quality. Converting the same file to an mpeg2 took only 7mins 40 secs. I'd like to get something faster than Espresso, which came with the Asus/Cyberlink BluRay suite.

Regarding the battery, I see it is now available on the UK Asus Shop site, but still nothing here in the USA, either from Asus or a reseller. Waiting...

In my review I said I was pretty sure the lid is real aluminum. My wife used the edge of her 10 karat (what can I say?) wedding band to scratch the surface near a corner, and the scratch sure looks like a scartch in metal! Very scientific, eh? (No, I'm not going to put drops of ammonia on it to see if it turns black!)

 

Hi

@Lastmanontheplanet: hope you get the notebook with the right resolution.
can you tell me what`s the name of the reseller is?
and let`s know about the resolution of the new n73.

Thank you

Harald

 

BATTERY LIFE UPDATE: I'm maxing out at two hours now; no matter how I set my Power4Gear, I can't get more. This is two hours with a little cspan.org streaming (about 20 minutes), five minutes of watching a low-rez .avi file, reading some newspapers, and playing online poker. No heavy use.

 

CUSTOMER SUPPORT UPDATE: Asus support supervisor Kirk contacted me to let me know the battery for the N73Jq is now in stock at the U.S. Asus eStore! Part number: 07G016CQ1875.

Two instances now of excellent customer support from Asus.

 

Now a new machine arrives... Once again the wrong resolution. It seems this is more than "< 1% wrong" here, ASUS (I know about three wrong ones and zero correct ones). Again, I called ASUS and now it will go definitely for repair... 10-15 working days :-/

My reseller offers me again to give back the money. redcoon is a very good reseller, thumbs up!

 

is the n73 able to play ff14 well?