Asus N73JQ Owners' Lounge

Unfortunately the layout on that is even worse than on the original N73 keyboard

The fact, that the up arrow key is right below the Enter key is driving me crazy.
I'm used to the right shift key being below the enter key and always use my right pinky to tap shift. That's not really working anymore. I keep hitting up arrow

 

Yeah, it's specifically that area of the keyboard that I find most awkward and annoying, too. (Also, don't other keyboards always put the END key just to the right of the HOME key? )

Can you be specific about how the N71 layout is, in your experience, worse than the N73's?

EDIT: Oh god....I just looked at a close-up picture of it, and you're absolutely right! Whoever thought of putting the ENTER key up under the BACKSPACE key???? That's just bizarre.

 

I like the N71 keyboard more becuase of backliting (obviously ) and that the keys aren´t so close to each other. They may be smaller but that doesn´t matter. I also like the design more.
To be honest, I can´t get much worse than stock keyboard and for 29 dollars I´ll give it a shot.
EDIT: And wouln´t you just love having something like this in your N73?

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Well, that one is a G73 keyboard, which has exactly the same layout as ours. As far as I can tell from the photos on Asus' site, I don't think the N71 keys are actually spaced any further apart. They're chicklet keys, making them a little smaller, but their spatial arrangement on the keyboard looks exactly the same.

Yeah, I'd definitely like some keyboard backlighting, too....though my preference would be something a little more subtle than that G73 color mod! I really like the backlighting on Apple laptops.....subdued but enough to make it very useful.

All that said, I hope the N71 keyboard works out for you. That's still the weirdest ENTER key I've ever seen, but I'm sure there are people who really like it. Keyboards are all about personal preferences, so if it works for you, that's all that matters. Be sure to keep us posted, and especially, show us your workaround for powering the backlight.

 

I solved my problem with the keyboard via software now. I always kept hitting the uparrow when i wanted to hit the right shift key so now i remapped uparrow to right shift so it doesn't matter anymore which of the two keys i hit. It will just always be "right shift"

Since i never really use uparrow anyway it's no loss ^^

 

Great idea, gio. What software did you use?

 

Asus NB keys aplication should be capable of doing that (app for remaping the media keys for any purpose, it can also remap any key on the keyboard).
At least, that´s the theory

 

I used a freeware program called "KeyTweak".

 

Anybody else running Norton?
I have an issue: Lately, when I transfer files over the network with AV auto-protect on, transfer speed gets slower and slower until it almost stops.

EDIT: Fixed, thanks to Norton chat support. Had to exclude my network drives from scans. Apparently outgoing files were being scanned, slowing down the whole operation.

RELATED ISSUE What kind of file transfer speeds are other owners getting? Say to a USB drive from the HDD or from one USB to another USB?

Do you, like me, see a big slow down when transferring many smaller files instead of one very large file?

I seem to have much better transfer speeds on my five year old desktop, going from HDD to USB drives.

 

Hello all,
This is my 1st post.

I'm "patiently" waiting for delivery of my N73JQ-A2...probably around the first of February.

I read this forum to help me decide between the N73 OR an HP dv7...I'm positive I made the right decision! The turning point was the USB 3.0 and the Crucial C300 SSD!

Did I say "patiently" waiting?!

Looking forward to lots of good forum reads!!

 

Hi,
Gratz to purchase, keep it together till it arrives mate I´ve been that way before: a box in my room for 3 days before christmas, and I wasn´t allowed to open it (since it was a christmas present). I felt like a little child

I think that buying Asus over HP is definately a good move, not because we have one , but also according to this survey:
Laptop reliability survey: ASUS and Toshiba win, HP fails -- Engadget

Cheers
D.K.

 

I think you made the right choice, as I have used both of those notebooks. (Obviously, ultimately settling on the Asus. )

I wanted to clarify something, though, just in case there's some confusion that might cause disappointment later. The Asus does have one USB 3.0 port on the right side, as well as a couple USB 2.0 ports on the back. But its internal drive connectors are SATA 2.0 exclusively, so it cannot take advantage of the SATA 3.0 capabilities of the Crucial C300.

That's a perfectly good SSD, but using it in the N73 is a little like buying a USB 3.0 portable HDD to use with a computer that only has USB 2.0 ports.....it'll work, of course, but offers no advantage over one that matches the computer's actual specs. Crucial charges a premium for that SATA 3.0 capability, so you could probably save some money buying a top-quality SSD that matches the N73's SATA 2.0 spec.

I use Norton Internet Security. I haven't noticed the slowdown issue, since I usually assume transferring anything more than a few Gbs over my network will take a little while and use it as an excuse to go eat or something! Now that you bring it up, though, I'll be sure to take a look at my settings and make sure Norton isn't wreaking havoc on my transfers. Thanks for posting that....I suspect a lot of owners use Norton.

Again, I haven't paid that much attention, or tried to measure transfer rates. But I often use an external drive (a 1Tb Passport) on the USB 3.0 port, and it always seems really fast.

What's the easiest way to actually measure the transfer speed as it's happening?

 

Is there anybody that tested the N73JQ (especially the european model N73JQ-TZ087V) for Linux compatibility?

Nearly every other notebook uses the nVidia Optimus technology and this renders the GPU completely unusable in Linux. So this notebook seems to be one of the few models that don't use this "feature".

The other thing is the WLAN module - has anybody tested the Atheros AR9285 with recent Linux kernels? (Is there support for monitor and AP mode?)
It would also be great to know if the Sound and the Webcam work out of the box.

If there are any Linux users here please also tell me what distribution you used.

Thanks,
Lukas

 

No Optimus on the models with Core i7 processors...

Easier to buy a laptop and then install the wireless adapter you want, than base the buying decision on it. Sorry, can't say if Atheros is compatabile with Linux...Yet!

KEYBOARD: No matter how great the laptop's keyboard is, my problem is still the typing angle. What I mean is, I don't feel comfortable typing for long periods of time up where the laptop is sitting, and I NEVER put the laptop on my lap!

So...I finally just ordered a Logitech Wireless keyboard. I went with the less expensive unlighted one, but the lighted ones look very, very cool and only cost about USD $25 or so more.

This way, I can put the keyboard lower, even on my lap, and at any angle I like.

So I'm NOT going to bother modifying the onboard keyboard.

Go PACKERS! Keep winning! Aaron Rodgers is a man on fire!

 

@LukasHetzi that AR9285 card is definitely compatible with ath9k on Linux and works in monitor mode. I have one in my U20A that I am typing on right now. It's been supported for a very long time.

 

Awww mannnn, Brody Boy ...That SATA 2 connectivity info (to my Crucial SSD) bums my high! I did research/comparisons of that to get the best bang for my $$$, now I find out the laptop can't use full capabilities of the drive?!

Bummer!!!

 

Don't be too bummed....the N73 is still a great laptop, and any good SSD will be a nice (though not necessary) upgrade to it. I honestly doubt you'd notice any difference between a SATA 2.0 and 3.0 drive anyway, even if the Asus could use 3.0 The 3Gb and 6Gb transfer rates are theoretical maximums and it's one of those things where the numbers on paper are probably much more impressive than the real-life impact.

 

I just click on "details" on the file transfer box, and the transfer speed shows in MB or KB per second.

I've been reading that, in general, Windows 7 transfer speeds of many small files are quite a bit slower than on XPs, but the big files are about the same.

In our PC Shop at school, I'm seeing a ton of HP's coming in for repairs, but no Asus yet. Of course, I don't see that many students around campus with Asus machines--Mostly Toshiba, Dell, and HP.

I know about those repair stats, but the way students use their machines is crazy. I mean they practically toss the things around while powered up and with the HDD's spinning. They lift them by the open lid; they sit them on laps covered by bunched-up coats, blocking the vents...We had one come in that a pet rodent of some kind urinated all over (frying the motherboard).

***********************************************************
By the way, Asus support pointed me to an updated touchpad driver and a keyboard filter. I installed both and have not had any repeats of the touchpad problems for a full week. I'm getting smoother cursor operation and less touchpad caused typing errors.

Here are the Asus links:


Elan Touchpad Drivers: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support- (Look for Version V7.0.5.15 at the top.)

and

Asus Keyboard Filter: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

And now back to C++!:GEEK:

 

Did anyone manage to get a second drive bracket by now ? I would like to add a SSD in the empty drive slot.

 

Not that I know of...but you don't need the bracket. Several of us have added drives and used various methods of holding it in place. The SATA connectors have a pretty tight fit, so that secures one end of it. There isn't much space around the drive inside the bay, so you just need to fashion a way of holding the other end stable. It's not hard. SSDs, in particular, are so light that it doesn't take much to ensure that it can't move around in there.

 

Anyone able to connect to wifi N through 5GHz channel?
I have a dual band router but my N73JQ doesn't connect to wifi N when broadcast over 5GHz channel.

 

The N73's Atheros WLAN card doesn't have 5GHz capability. You need to upgrade the card if you require that function.

 

Thanks for clarifying which driver, Cary. I wonder why the latest Elantech driver isn't posted in the N73 downloads section? Also...you tried a Synaptic driver at one point, correct? Was it one of the ones posted by Asus, or did you get it directly from Synaptic's site? I'm still not liking this touchpad much....I would replace that before the keyboard, if I could....so I'm willing to try any other driver(s) that might offer improved function.

 

May I suggest the Intel Advanced-n 6200? Comes with nice connection/monintoring/statistics software too.

Brody, I only tried the generic Synaptic driver from their site, not anything from Asus. It did work, but, like the generic MS drivers, it had no way to disable the tapping feature.

Now that my touhpad is behaving, I like it.

Did you install the latest from the link?

 

Thanks, Brody! I appreciate the good info.

I am still thinking about making a call to XOTICPC.com (where I ordered my N73JQ-A2) to ask for a HD change (to an OCZ Vertex 2 Sandforce SSD). Any opinion?

I want to get as much speed as I can out of this system (I'm a handicapped guy with advancing Muscular Dystrophy). I'll probably need more "adaptive" programs (such as word recognition) so that's why my interest in an SSD. My current HP laptop just isn't cutting it anymore.

 

If you are having the retailer do the drive installation for you, and you can still make the change, AND it'll save you a little money....sure, I would probably go with a different SSD. Those OCZ drives have a great reputation, too.

As I mentioned in my other post, I think there comes a point where the differences are pretty minute....a couple angels on the head of a pin, so to speak. All SSDs are noticeably faster than HDDs, but in real-life use, there are so many variables that bench test variances between them are very unlikely to translate into significant performance differences.

 

Brody, did the request (via e-mail) to change to the OCZ. Sales rep said it wasn't too late!

Now to get my N73 and enjoy all the posts in here! Hopefully, I can make respectable contributions in the future.

 

Has nobody played with the Express Gate feature at all - I tried it once, but haven't really tried to use it much...

 

I've played around with it a bit on my desktop, which uses an Asus motherboard and offers the ExpressGate feature. Personally, I don't get the point of it at all....it just seems top be a basic, rather clumsy internet browser (with Skype and some sort of chat client, I think) that can open without Windows running. When & why would anyone use that over just waiting another 20 seconds for Windows to open?

If someone has found it useful, I'm curious to hear the details.

 

It´s probably the same idea as a Google´s Chrome OS but not implemented too inteligently

 

Okay....now I get to show off my ignorance. I thought Chrome was just a browser....has Google also made a whole operating system?

 

Yes, sort of...
Google Chrome OS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks for that. The streamlined, browser-tasked OS does seem like a concept well-suited for some netbooks, with their limited use and power. But the utility on a more powerful platform still seems negligible.

 

For N73 and similar laptops it would be a stupid idea.

Why buy a powerful PC capable of video, audio, photo editing and then using an OS which can´t even burn a DVD?
It´s like buying the Buckingham palace and then living in the kitchen to save money for heating (as Jezza Clarkson once said)

 

hmm...has anyone changed the wifi card? Is this easy to do?

 

Cary did. How to get to it is on page 2 of this thread.

 

OK, regarding Express Gate: I looked around and read some, and spent a good chunk of time playing with it.

1) This is a Linux-based OS called Splashtop ( Splashtop OS) and is currently being used by Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, and Sony laptops.

2) There seems to be no capability to do anything productive at all, unless it is entirely web-based. Presumably I should be able to use Framemaker, Excel, Photoshop, whatever through Citrix - but the provided browser looked a little too lightweight for me to even try it. Edit: Oops, not Citrix - it would have to not require installation or install to FireFox/Linux.

3) It was a quick boot, which allowed an instant-online experience but the whole interface was really too limited - if I could configure what appeared in those selectable tiles myself, and if the screen resolution was better, then I could see the appeal - especially with the saving grace of the "Enter the OS" button, which boots your normal OS without having to do a shut-down first.

4) The nice thing was it was a good taste of cloud computing - I couldn't get to my hard drive, but I could have used online applications with online-stored files... I may use it some more to kind of play with the concept of cloud-work. Annoying as all get-out, but it's the way of the future, right?

5) What would really be interesting would be if I could find the VM file, replace the Splashtop VM with my XP Pro VM, and then boot XP Pro from the left button or Windows 7 Pro from the Right button... (Mwa ha ha ha...)

 

Yeah, Cary and I have....maybe others too. It's a very easy upgrade. There are two different size standards in laptop WLAN cards...the N73 uses the smaller one, called "mini PCI express." I used an Intel dual-band card called the N-6300.

The card is just inside the back panel, held in place by a couple tiny screws. You just detach the antennae, remove that card, install the new one, and re-attach the antennae.

Then you need to install the new driver. Intel includes a driver disc with their cards, but I never trust those to be up to date. They post all the latest driver software on their website, so I got one there.

 

Wow! I am lovin' my new wireless keyboard. The best of both desktop and laptop worlds!

I got the Logitech K340. The keyboard itself is solid, and has just the right tension for me. Pretty quiet too, unless I type really hard. Full-sized numeric keypad with a NORMAL layout!

I put the little USB receiver nub in a back port, and even with the keyboard down on lap under a very heavy wood table, I don't miss a stroke. Same if I am 5 meters away.

For me, this was a much, much better move than modding the "built-in" keyboard (which works fine for light typing). When I go out with the laptop, I can just keep this in the trunk of my car...Or if I don't have 500 books in my bag, I can put in there. (Now what do I use for a sleeve or case for this keyboard?)

Anyway, I'm enjoying my Asus more now that I can type in the position I want, and with a keyboard that is perfect for my hours of typing.

 

That's great, Cary. I'm a huge fan of Logitech keyboards, and nothing beats the freedom of a good wireless keyboard. I'm one of those people who always sits my laptop on my lap, though, so that wouldn't work too well in my case. But I can sure see why you like it!

 

hey guys, just joined, good thread.
i ordered my N73JQ yesterday, discovered this thread today. kinda backwards.

anyways, went through this whole thread and didn't see if there is a limit to the HDD size. can we put 2x 1TB drives in? this may be more of a windows issue but i wanted to make sure there was no hardware limitations.

also would SSD have any significant power savings over conventional drives?

look forward to any input.

 

With Windows 7 SP1 being released I've got a question.........

Can I use the SP1 file IF it's downloaded as a p2p file on a friend's pc on a different ISP? My friend has a cable connection while mine is a satellite connection (it'd take me 3 weeks at my speed). Or should I download it myself?

I'm thinking it shouldn't matter, but I want to be sure?

 

SSDs do use less power than HDDs, but I doubt it's really that significant, considering that 2.5" HDDs are already pretty efficient. I would use an SSD primarily for the energy savings only if I was trying to squeeze every last minute of battery power I possibly could from a laptop. Everyone would have their own reasons for choosing an SSD...energy savings, speed, etc....in my case, I think what I like best is how cool and quiet it runs.

There's no hardware limitation to using a 2Tb drive. Very large capacity drives do tend to run louder and hotter, and as I understand, they're a little less reliable, so those might be some considerations.

Welcome to the thread. I'm sure you'll like your new N73.

If I understand your question correctly, it sounds like you're talking about installing Win7 SP1 as a standalone package. As far as I know, only the RC (release candidate) version is currently available. SP1 hasn't yet had a full public release.

Honestly, I would just wait until the final build becomes available through Microsoft Update. Standalone beta and RC packages have to be uninstalled when it comes time to install final build anyway, so why bother with them now?

As to your question about the download source, it wouldn't matter. As long as the standalone installation package is the one released by Microsoft, without any alterations, Windows won't care where it came from.

 

Yes, Brody, that's what I meant. Sorry for the poor wording.

I'd like to install it as a standalone after I do my clean install of 7 Home Premium when my N73 gets here. I've got such crap download speeds having it now will save me hours downloading it from Windows updates. Besides...I'll be dl'ing ASUS updates.

I reread the description of the file I was downloading...it's an RTM. ooops!

Guess I'll be waiting a while longer.

 

Hi guys, I am also a new owner of N73JQ-A2, I love it, just installed fresh win 7 ultimate, there are some pros and cons that I have, but overall it is a very nice laptop.
I have few concerns though:
1st: fan works all the time. Is it suppose to work all the time or not and what are the normal temps for this computer? On idle I am getting from 43-55 depending on environment.
2nd: is there a way to put the touch pad scroll on the side, I hate this two finger scroll function. Have Asus F3Sv, jut did fresh install of win 7 as well on it and they have the same thing on new drivers. On F3Sv I installed older version of driver and that is it, but here I do not know how to do it?
3rd: Is there a travel charger for this thing since I take it with me all the time.

My cons:
-catches dirt like crazy
-the screen is a little too glossy
-my problem with keyboard is its bouncy nature it jumps a lot!!! key space and arrangement is not the best but is good, anyone has fix for this problem, was thinking of finding a thin double sided tape and putting it underneath
-fan works all the time

pros
-SPEAKERS - some desktop speakers are not this loud
-Screen - wow so bright, was working on direct sunlight the other day, I can easily read on it (directly compared to f3Sv, did compensation of f3Sv with other laptops before), color is pretty good as well
-look and feel (like always Asus has done proper job here)

Full HD thing question? Is that resolution when you watch movies only on mine it says FU LL HD powered by Asus Video Magic meaning that it is available when you when you watch movies? (this is not a con for me 720p is plenty for laptop in my opinion)

always forget something!!!
Thanks for awesome thread!!! This thread helped me to make final decision.

THANKS

 

I've lately been organizing and backing up a lot of my files, so I frequently connect my WD Passport external HDD to my N73. It's a USB 3.0 drive and I use it on the 3.0 port.

I'm trying to figure out why the N73 spontaneously disconnects the drive. It usually happens after a period of inactivity, or rarely, it disconnects immediately after a file transfer...in other words, it completes the file command and then closes as if "Disconnect when done" had been part of the command. I simply unplug the USB cable and plug it back in to make the N73 reconnect the drive.

I'm guessing this is a software issue. If it were hardware....the drive itself, the 3.0 cable, or either connector.....it seems like the disconnects would be random and might sometimes occur during use. That doesn't happen....commands are always completed as expected and the files are intact.

So....has anyone else seen this behavior? Or do you have any suggestions as to which software might be the culprit? Hopefully, it's just a settings somewhere.

Those temps seems pretty normal. I get around 42-45 during idle. The fan is variable speed, and most of the time, mine runs at a fairly slow, quiet level. I have to hold my hand along the left side of the computer to feel the warm air and know it's actually running.

Not that I know of, but boy, if you find a driver that allows that, PLEASE let me know. I hate two-finger scrull as well, and would love to be able to set scroll zones on the touchpad.

Does the F3Sv have this same Elan touchpad? If it does, and you found an old driver that uses scroll zones, that's a very hopeful sign. All the touchpads I've used that had scroll zones were Synaptic, so I've been afraid that it can't be done (or hasn't been done) with the Elan hardware.

Don't know about that.

The keyboard issue has been discussed a lot here. Using some added backing does seem to help, but I wouldn't use double-sided tape. The keyboard has to be removed every time you want to access the back panel, so you wouldn't want the keyboard adhered to the chassis like that. Thin rubber strips with one adhesive side work better.

The N73JQ-A2...a configuration sold in the US....has a video card capable of 1080p over the HDMI output (presumably to a 1080p display device), but the laptop's integrated display screen has a 1600 x 900 maximum resolution.

Oh, BTW, RoadCrasher..... welcome!

 

Thank you BrodyBoy

Well F3Sv has Synaptic but recently they have been putting the same thing in their new drivers.

I read some of them cant read all have no time school has started and trying to get this baby ready before more work arives.

I read somewhere that Asus have made something 720p looks like 1080p using software, I was thinking that this must be it, but that may as well be marketing tool. Can't wait 'till I try blue ray movie to see it in action.

 

Just to be clear....if you're talking about using the laptop screen, everything you watch will be 1600 x 900. That's the native resolution of the N73's display. Everything else is rescaled to that resolution.

 

You are right, honestly I do not believe that you can make 1600x900 into 1980x1024 using software, there is no a way. I am in college majoring in computer engineering, just learned a lot about LCDs, teacher knows a lot about the LCDs, looking forward to learn from him.

 

thanks brody. it seems that SSDs are perfect for laptops, high resistance to shock, quick access time, less heat and less power but standard laptop HDD only uses 3 watts. SSDs are pretty expensive now whereas a 1TB standard drive is cheap. that's the way i'll go until the prices drop.

i just got my N73 a few hours ago (thanks to 2-day shipping from newegg.ca) but its going back to asus because of a screen defect right out of the box. vertical bar of flickering lines. asus support was good, picking up fedex tomorrow free of charge and replacing/repairing. oh well my excitment was short lived.