Official F8SN Owners Lounge

I'm trying to decide between a B1 anda D1. They both have the EXACT SAME SPECS. But the CPU is different.

B1 - Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1 GHz
D1 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz

It's about a $160 price difference. I hear the Penryn's run a bit cooler (which is important to me), but is there any real world significance?

How about whining issues? Which one of these are less likely to whine? (which seems to be a universal problem with mobile CPUs as of late)

 

T8100 to t5500 has much difference, I think, not only the 0.5ghz, but the L2 cache(2mb to 3mb) and others lil' differences...

 

Right, the ASUS website lists all the components that computer supports. then, subtypes are obtained by choosing particular configs from those components. You need to check the resellers websites for the configs of particular models.

there's going to be quite a lot of difference between the two CPUs. The T5500 is (i think) the entry-level of the previous gen; and the T8100 is the mid-range of the current generation. If you do only office work, though, you won't feel the difference. If you do gaming, video encoding or other possibly CPU intensive tasks, it'll probably be felt.

 

Anyone find that when you type, you really have to hit the centre of a key in order to register it? Whenever I type a key lightly or just press on the corner, the keystroke doesn't register.

Is this what is known as keyboard flex? My typing is still okay, but when I type numbers I tend to make more errors now. Can reseating the keyboard help?

 

hey guys,

I've been trying to decide between the F8SN-C1 and the Dell XPS M1530. I made a thread on it recently in the Dell subforum, and I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks a ton! Here's the thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=253224

 

Here are your main questions/concerns:

1) Is there a big difference between the 9500 GS and the 8600 GT (DDR3)?
2) What about a 5400 RPM hdd vs 7200 RPM?
3) Is the LED LCD worth a $150 premium over the base screen?
4) Which one would you go with, and why?

1. Not really
2. Not at all (slow speed HD has higher capacity that does the trick)
3. Yes
4. ASUS ( I'm not a dude)+ the best warranty + ASUS will not bother you in future with junk emails, junk catalogues and so on

 

Very good point. I haven't ordered a Dell for years and I still receive their catalogs!! As for Lenovo, I purchased a T61 a while ago and have been receiving quite a few e-mails from them.... it's kinda annoying

 

Is there any thread which has got info on the tweaks to do on a Asus F8SN ?

 

I'm considering purchasing the F8SN-B1

what should my expectations be about the screen and battery life? I believe there are two types of screens I can get, which is better?
thanks

 

Battery life more or less an hour. As for the screen mine's great its a CMO 1431, i have a F8SN-C1.

 

how do you check if it's CMO or AUO?

thanks

 

I use free software 'PC Wizard'

 

To check screen do the following:

(From Stamar)

his is something Ive wanted to do for the forum for a while.

I dont have my laptop yet so I was going to wait for mine and do it myself first.

What well try to do is compare all the models of asus notebooks, and then also show the stats of the lcd they use.

Look under device Manager-->Monitor-->Plug n Play Monitor***-->Details Tab--> You will see the Device Instance ID's listed in the white box like this...
DISPLAY\QDS005C\4&.....

QDS is short for Quanta Display Systems
AUO -> AU Optronics
SEC -> Samsung
LPL -> LG Philips
CMO-> Chi Mei optoelectrics (optronics vs optoelectrics????)
cpt-> Chungwa picture tubes
hsd-> hann star
sny->sony
tos->toshiba

What we need to see is the model number of your lcd. From that Ill look up what its stats are on the internet or you can do it yourself.

edit
http://www.majorgeeks.com/EVEREST_Fr...ion_d4181.html

use this program if your model comes up ms 0000

Id definitely like to see the stats of corialis' v6va because Ive heard different things and Id like to look it up. Then also the model number of the w2j,w2v, etc.... all of them basically. Lets see what brands of lcds asus has used in current and past models.
I think when we get enough responses this will be very interesting and will deserve a sticky.

I personally think there is general lack of knowledge on who makes lcd screens and what their stats are, even from the many asus dealers that come here. I think this will even be a useful advertising tool for them. I mean, if they dont know the difference between the v6js screen and the s96js screen other than to say its brighter, how can they try to sell it?

 

why did asus reverse the ctrl and fn key on the lower left side of the keyboard?
makes no sense to me...

is it possible to switch them?

 

My dear friend!
I greatly appreciate your desire to study and learn.

Could you, please, take a few minutes to sit down and make a list (short or long) of all the things you want to know about ASUS F8Sn series and what does them different from others.

I'm positive you will receive complete and unbiased response from large many of us

P.S. I have not switched functions of these 2 keys. I did not replace key caps of these 2 keys. I use them as they are for many years, on different brands of notebooks.
I GOT USED TO THIS KEYBOARD LAYOUT

 

@Jabongga and everyone else with a (better) HDD for the F8SN

I saw that you have a 7200 Seagate in your F8SN and would therefore like to know if that Seagate has G-force protection and if you consider it being loud.

Are the fans loud w/ this HDD?

I am also planning to get a 7200, however the dealer so far cannot tell me what model he has.


Thank you.

 

First partition is Asus' recovery partition, for quickly reinstalling the OS if something goes bad. You can do the same thing with the recovery DVD, but it takes multiple steps and is a lot longer to complete.

 

@quirkyalone

Doublepostings should be avoided. Otherwise there will be less and less structure in this forum.

Thanks.

 

sorry, i thought i had deleted it. slow connection is a pain in the ***. Anyway thanks for your reply ClearSkies/xnbr.

 

need your help here. i need drivers for xp 64bit sp3 drivers.
i have search everywhere but i cannot find the right drivers.
i still have 4 unknown device and its killing me figure out what devices do i need to install. in addition to that, i am not successful installing the audio drivers.
I also plan to dualboot vista ultimate 64bit.

Really appreciate the help guys. Thanks in advance.

new Asus F8Sn owner
CPU: C2D T8300, 2.4GHz
GPU: nvidia geforce 9500M GS 512MB
HDD: 250GB 5400rpm
RAM: 4 GB ddr2 667Mhz
OS: Windows XP Professional x64bit SP3, some drivers still missing

 

XP 64bit is probably the ultimate "no-no" OS. Even if you do manage to find all drivers (which is VERY difficult to almost impossible), they will probably be faulty or won't perform to the hardward's potential. If you do want to go with a 64bit OS, I'd highly recommend sticking with just Vista 64.

 

Thanks mate.
by the way, does the x32bit drivers for Vista works on x64bit? if not, where can i found the drivers for ASUS F8Sn Vista Ultimate 64bit?

new Asus F8Sn owner
CPU: C2D T8300, 2.4GHz
GPU: nvidia geforce 9500M GS 512MB
HDD: 250GB 5400rpm
RAM: 4 GB ddr2 667Mhz
OS: planning to install Vista Ultimate 64bit =)

 

Hey everyone,

I just ordered the F8SN and I am still looking for a good protecting cover.

Do you know if the F8SN will fit into a Vyper M2 or Vyper L ( 386 x 302 x 53mm )??


Thanks a lot.

 

Yup, that will definitely fit the F8Sn

 

@emporiumboutique
Which one? The Vyper M2 or the Vyper L??

I know that it measures 335 x 245 x 37.3 (mm), however the Vyper M2 measures (inside) 358 x 244 x 25 mm.

Here, I have my doubts and actually the Vyper L is quite large for a 14,1".

Is anyone of you using these covers?


Thank you ;-).

 

Sorry for the confusion It's the one you linked in your post (the M2 version)

 

Sorry for nagging, however, do you have the sleeve/cover or know someone who does?

I know its just a mm, however the f8sn is 245 and the cover inside 244 - and assuming that asus said it's 245mm (although it quite isn't) to make it more appealing and the cover producer overestimated its size, then it won't fit.

I don't want to be stuck with an unfitting cover. Unfortunately I do not know a store where they have these actually for sale.

Thank you for your opinion, though ,-).

Thus far I have been thinking about a 10turio, yet it does not really provide a closed cover.

 

hello everyone, I'm interested in buying a D1 and wondering how long I can expect the battery life to be if I'm just typing up notes at lectures? This is without any wireless on, just running a word processor and typing.

 

i don't know about d1 but i have a f8sn-c1 and i can squeeze around 3 hours out of it for word processing and some light web browsing. this is after under volting, vista tweaks, and disabling the camera, blue tooth, and modem.

 

I wont have bluetooth on or the internet, im not sure how to tweak vista or undervolt though...

 

i recommend you to read these guides:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=179315
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824

keep in mind i have a f8sn-c1 so i'm not sure how the tweaks will affect the d1. i should probably be able to get at least 2 hours and 45 minutes.

 

wow ok, thanks a lot

 

Alright guys I'm on the verge of buying an F8Sn-D1, but I really don't know if they're built well enough to take with me to college. Everything else about it is perfect for me and I love the warranty that comes with it, but are the plastics good enough to be carried around?

Also, If I'm in a lecture hall are people around me going to notice the noise coming from my laptop...?

 

The F8 notebook is pretty sturdy. I've taken it around school and it's been fine (I bike around too!). As for the noise, the fan is almost always on though it's pretty quiet. The keyboard is pretty silent as well. The only "loud" part of the notebook is the left and right mouse buttons.

 

This owners' lounge was added to the list in the Info Booth sticky.

I waited for so long before adding, because there was another thread competing as lounge for the F8Sn but it seems this thread won.

 

If anyone is interesting in seeing a review for the F8sp-x1, I wrote one here. Even though it's the ATI Radeon 3650, rather than the more commonly installed 9500m gs, the case, camera, keyboard, etc are all the same. Either way, whether you get the ATI or Nvidia GPU, you won't be disappointed in the laptop, especially for the price and warranty

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3658561&postcount=3

 

I enjoyed reading your hands on review (i own a f8sn). It sounds like your power switch is different than mine. Asus has done a GREAT job controlling the heat on the F8's & their warranty simply cannot be beat. I do not think there's a better ratio available re what one gets for money spent on the Asus notebooks.
I still can't figure out why Asus makes so many models that are essentially the same notebook. They should go with half the amount of models & then allow for certain biggies to be swapped out like video card or something along those lines.

However I've had my notebook since March/08 & could not be more happy with it after extensive use so Asus probably knows a little more than I on how to design & make available notebook p/c's.

 

I don't know why they do it this way. They just like to have a huge variety of models, and not offer any customization under warranty. That's the Ensemble concept... must be making sense to them, for some reason.

 

Thanks. Are you saying your power switch can be easily pressed? For mine, you pretty much have to use a single finger and give it a good press. I couldn't imagine it being accidentally pressed unless you bumped it hard into a corner of a desk (even then you can change the windows settings to have the power button do nothing when pressed)

I agree. For an entire month, I was debating whether to get an ASUS M51 15.4" with an nvidia 9500m gs or the f8sp-x1 14.1" with an ATI 3650, both at the same price. So after a month of research, I realized that no matter what decision I made in regards to ASUS, I would be a happy man. So I opted for the 14.1" w/ Radeon 3650 at $999. I had my heart set on the F8SN-C1, but I just couldn't wait long enough for the price to drop from $1350.

As for the customization system you proposed, I agree that it's the best thing for Asus to do. However, when you look at a lot of laptop companies, they all just make a large amount different laptops and ship them out to retailers. I'm not a fan of that system since it's very inconvient, chaotic, and costly in regards to storage. Also, what'll they do to the older laptops that didn't sell? However, making a lot of laptops in bulk and shipping them to retailers is a way to cut cost on the part of Asus. Dell has to advertise for their own products while the retailers probably advertise for Asus. So I guess in regards to overhead cost, Asus wanted to make sure that they didn't have to pay so much in regards to dealing with consumers, storage, advertising, etc.

The 2 year warranty, with the first year covering Accidental Damage, was a great deal.

 

I just recently got the f8sn-b1, and i just had a few things on my mind

Temps are pretty nice on it: my idle/load temps are 30/48, since i undervolted and use RMClock to control the cpu in idle states, but i was wondering if there were any other way to lower the temps on it

I was thinking of applying some Arctic silver compound on the cpu, but that'd require me to open up the casing. I spent a good deal of time looking at disassembling this laptop, but i havent stumbled upon anyone who's done it, so if any other f8 owner can help me with this or give me some advice that'd be nice

 

Undervolting is the biggest thing you can do. AS will pull <5C max in most scenarios, and you instantly void your Asus warranty by putting it on.

With the temps you've got, those are nice and definitely not in need of further reductions.

 

i agree, with those temps u dont need artic silver. it'll void your warranty which is one of the strong points of getting an asus notebook in the first place.

for my fsn-c1, when the warranty is up i will give arctic silver a try just to see what kinda results i can get with it.

 

i guess you have a point about the warranty
i'll just keep an eye out for now, and maybe i'll get a zalman nc1000 if i have the extra cash (for the extra cooling and tilted laptop)

 

Hi, first time here!

I have a F8Sn-B1 and I just downloaded the new drivers from NVidia, the ones with PhysX. But, I just couldn't install them. The installer says it can't identify the hardware or something like it. I'm running Vista Home Premium.

Here are the drivers.
http://www.nvidia.com/content/forcewithin/us/download.asp

Anyone else has had the same problem? How can I update it?

Thanks!

 

Those are desktop drivers; they won't work or install on notebook GPUs. Whether nVidia plans to release something for notebooks with the CUDA/PhysX is unclear; perhaps others here have heard and could update.

The webpage also says that the desktop version is required for that driver update.

 

I kinda thought that was the case, but, as nVidia says, the 9500m is PhysX capable, so I though I'd give it a try.

I guess it's a matter of time, now.

 

I was actually able to remove the void sticker without breaking it, then saved the sticker on a wax backing in a safe drawer incase anything happens. LOL a big no no, but I'm that type of user(I pin-modded my W3V when I first got it). I managed to put artic silver on both the processor and the GPU core and noticed a 4-6 degree drop on idle temps alone. My cpus now idle at 36 degrees celcius compared to 45-46 from before, these results are already undervolted.

I picked up a non ES x9000 processor and will be testing it on the F8SN once I get it.

 

PVivan: Did you check laptopvideo2go.com ? They have new drivers, along with instructions on how to install them on laptops. Not sure they are the ones you are looking for though.

 

Thanks E.B.E.!
I'll try that.

 

X9000 IS HERE!

I have already installed the CPU. Pictures and results to come. Looks like a complete success so far, infact ,to my surprise the temperatures are slightly better on idle.