~ Asus F8 Owners' Lounge ~

Nope, I find it very clear.

 

That will make a huge difference in screen quality preception.

 

Hi. I need a new computer because mine is falling apart. I have been inpressed with the Asus since I started researching notebooks in general.
They question is - which one do I want?
I want a 14" for sure. And the F8 looks like a solid computer but there are so many options. I just don't know.
W/my current 4 year old HP I have a hard time playing iTunes. It really bogs it down. I have scrapbook programs as well that nearly stop this dinosaur.
I mainly use the machine for email and web surfing. We have verizon DSL so I am wireless. I store a lot of recipes and files in addition to the iTunes and would love to get a photoshop program.
Any suggestions and which model. I think the leather would be fine. I am pretty clean and I have a little basket I carry the nb in.
Thanks so much.

 

Well, in the ASUS world there aren't too many 14" options. Basically there is the A8 (which hasn't been updated in a while, except maybe the low-end budget models, and I don't know about those either), and there is the F8, which has been updated. The V2S hasn't been updated and was never a very good computer.

Given its good track record, I would really recommend the F8. As to which model, the F8V (Montevina) probably:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272679

if it fits the budget.

 

There's also the F80, L80 and the X80.

 

I don't know about those. Aren't they renamed A and F's by any chance?

 

They look a bit different. None of them are as poweful as the F8 though.

F80
L80
X80

 

That L80 does remind me of the F8P. Oh well, thanks for the info. Maybe it helps -- sunnysnowflake, as well.

 

Actually, I thought so too.

And we don't have those on the swedish market yet, and we have tons of Asus's here. Most models, in fact.

Also, randomly browsing the Asus webpage can bring up new laptops. loads of new laptops.

 

Thanks guys! I will check them each out. That Montevina is more money but it looks like a nice system. I will see if I can swing it.
One thing I wanted to add and I am sure these can handle it - but I like to have lots of pages up all at the same time. If I remember I wanted to check out this page and that page I bring them up right away or else I forget lol! So it can get full and then slows down. That would mean I need a larger processor - right?
thanks again

 

Nope, the CPU's on them will handle that just fine (surfing is not a CPU intesive task). Just haveing a decent enough CPU (which they all have) and 2GB ram (Which is cheap these days) is enough. Unless you run a lot of tabs. A lot, a lot. Like 25-30 tabs-ish. Regularily. For longer period of times. Then a higher end CPU MIGHT do you well.

 

With browsing, CPU might help when opening the TABs. Otherwise it's just RAM. Regardless, any current CPU and typical amount of RAM (at least 2GB) will be just fine, in XP as well as Vista.

 

One more question, how is customer service with ASUS? Does it cost? Do you get people you can understand?

 

It does not cost afaik. Here (Europe), you get people that do understand you, however in my case (two experiences) they do not have a clue what they are talking about - let alone knowing anything about the products they sell.

But the US could be different.

 

US is better. See the recently updated thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=284738#support

 

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/forcew...s/download.asp

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

Thanks!

 

Please don't double-post the same question in multiple threads

See your other post for my reply.

 

Oops! Sorry!
Lesson learned!

 

No problem Welcome to the forums.

 

Hi all,

this is a great thread, and the posts in it have convinced me to join the lounge by buying a F8Va-b1. Everyone just seems so HAPPY with their F8s!

I am still a little confused about what happens if I "downgrade" to XP. I have an XP pro CD and license from the laptop I am replacing (an asus Z33a) and have lots of experience doing clean installs of XP (because of the problems I have had with that laptop).

My question is what happens to vista if I wipe the hard drive and do a clean install of XP. Can i ever upgrade back to vista with the restore CD? or is vista gone forever (unless I buy a new copy)?

I read question # 14 in the ASUS FAQ as suggested earlier in this thread, but still don't understand.

thanks so much!

 

If you have a Vista Restore DVD and it's not faulty (like mine is), you will be able to restore vista.

By the way, not everone is happy with their F8. I'm close to despising it.

 

arass, there are two ways in which you can recover Vista later on. One is the recovery partition. Two is the DVD which fabarati mentions.

You can install XP on the HDD without touching the recovery partition (at least I see no reason for which you shouldn't be able to). Just make sure to not select the recovery part when the XP installer asks you to select a partition to install to.

fabarati, why is it that you are close to despising the F8?

 

wow thanks so much for the quick replies!

also EEK!

why do you despise it? just the battery life? I think I can live with that.

 

Driver issues, Heat issues, general build issues (it's not as solid as my old A8 - it uses thicker plastics, but there's more flex, and the screen ripples when pressed from behind), Noise issues, Size issues, Battery life issues, Windows issues, Harddrive issues.

 

Oh that is a problem. my z33 has always had BSoD and freezing issues which I believe are heat related, but I had hoped that going with a larger laptop would be better for that. Ick, I was feeling so good.

 

Well the heat problem is not so much heat problem as it is a lack of fan control. Right now, i'm idling at 51-54C. this is with the Cpu on 1.2GHz and lowest voltage. I've underclocked the GPU to way below what the ATI drivers do. All I have up is FF3 and windows live messenger. I've shut down many (IMO) unnecessary services. It just now hit 51C, and the fan noise is now tolerable. when they were 52C they were LOUD.

I didn't have this problem on my A8Js. The temperature was, in fact, lower. And it still was quiter. And I could controll it usin NHC. And the Parts I have now (HD2600 vs go7700) should draw less power and produce less heat.

 

Interesting. I always thought the F8 was better than the A8. At least I wasn't impressed by the A8 I had in hands for a few days.

On the other hand, I didn't have the F8 in hands at all, just in a store. I suppose you did try cleaning the dust from the fan and heatsink, right?

 

Interesting designs. The F80 looks like they tapped into the Sony design there especially on the side. The L80 is an F8 variant, and the X80 looks like a carbon fiber version of the A8.

 

I do that fairly regularily (anytime it hits over 55C when idling, which is more often the you'd think), but I do that only by blowing. Hard. I should do a proper cleanup.

My old A8 was (a bit) more solid than regular consumer laptops, like the HP DV2500-series. Less chassis flex, no screen rippling. Crappy touchpad though (that's one thing that's better with the F8: better touchpad). And the Hinges were attrocious. Even if mine held up fairly well, it's a horrible design.

The thing is, I loved my A8Js, for all its faults. I chose that laptop after much consideration. It was the best that I could afford. When It died (pepsi-related death), I got the F8 as a replacement. After 3 months. I was already not liking it. And while the best I could afford amongst what was available in late 2006 was the A8Js, by spring 2008, there were much better choices. And the F8Sa was replaced a few weeks afterwards by the F8Sp. Add to that the major and minor issues I had with it, and you got a laptop I have a hard time liking.

Not to mention how boring it looks when opened. Really, Asus redesigns the lid, but can't do anything about the inside, except switch the coulour of the plastics to a different shade of shiny silver?

 

Yup. The L in L80 probably stands for Leather, and will likely replace the now discontinued F8p model.

The X80 is the best looker of the bunch.

The F80 is supposedly durable, with a spillproof keyboard.

 

Hmm. I'm not having any heat related issues with mine. When I first got it, it was rather cool. Idles at 43-44, and maxes out at 64 on full load (with Orthos running for about 20 mins). I was quite pleased with the noise and heat, I came from a W3V so it was much noisier and hotter. I then used artic silver 5 on both the cpu and GPU cores and the temperatures dropped even lower, it stands about 38-39 idle, 60 full load. Given my machine is much more powerful than yours I don't know what to say, I even have it overclocked using SetFSB to 2.5Ghz.


As for the build quality, I'm not sure what you are comparing to because perhaps I'm not so sensitive about flex, but it certainly isn't very flexible to me. I've had the dv2000 before and I would say that the F8 is superior to it. In direct comparison to the W3, it's actually much stiffer. The only thing is the hinges are not as smooth as the W3. Other than that I think the F8 looks slick, and it's not the in your face HP gawdy looking design nor the Dell multicolored approach. Overall the design it's subtle and somewhat elegant, some of my collegues call my machine "a piano".

 

Really? Because I would not call the F8 solid. But I wouldn't call the A8 or Dv2000 solid either.

Want a nicely executed variation of the glossy black lid? Check out the LG S1. Still amongst the prettiest laptops ever.

When Under load, my CPU goes to 79-ish C. I think I've peaked at 84 once.

On the other hand, I can OC it to 2.8GHz.

 

Depending on how long ago you got it, it's probably a good idea to open it up and remove the dust from the heatsink. That might help some with temps.

 

Do not overclock - won't overheat.

 

Well I never had an A8 but I did hear bad things about it. The F8 is indeed not top notch like the VX2s or like U1S and doesn't come close to Apple, but I would place it a category under that with Dell's XPS series and above HP.

As for the design, the LG S1 is a little too minimalistic for me, sort of like the older style F Series Sonys. I think Asus is sort of going for a blend between HP and Sony designs. A perfect example is the F80, which you linked a couple posts earlier.

Wow 79 under load is way too high, I've never seen temps nearly as close as that in my F8Sn. Which processor do you have?

Nice OC btw, my T8100 can't go higher than 2.6 due to the FSBs getting way up to Montevina levels and really unstable. I am getting an X9000 to play around with, was able to pick it up from Ebay for a steal.

 

Not if you know what you are doing.

 

The VX2S is just a prettified V1S, which was not as sturdy or wellbuilt as the V6J o W3J. But I would not classify this as solid as even an XPS. Seriously, it creaks. Creaking is not a good sign.

Design is more of a personal taste. I don't like where Asus is going (away from V6, W3 and M5 designs). You apperantly do. No worries, if everyone thought the same, the world would be boring.

Actually, I think the problem right now with temps is two-fold: probably some dust and stuff glogging some of the vents and higher ambient temperatures. I should'nt be hitting over 80C's though. Just a note, i'm using RMclock to measure temps, and it measures them on a different place than many others do (the core themselves).

I have a T7700, which is 2.4GHz. I OC the FSB with 133MHz (from 800 to 933). This also boosts my wPrime numbers over that of 3.4GHz C2D's with 800 FSB.

Those are not the load numbers when OC'd. I know what I'm doing.

 

I have F8Sn (march 08). Not one driver issue to speak of. Re temps...coolest running laptop I've ever owned idle & load (30's/50's). No more no less "flex" than any notebook I've owned. Noise never noticed (but my hearing aint that great). I knew in advance the "size" as I read specs. Battery life is worse than any notebook I've owned. HDD is certainly up there as best owned...speed & reliability , so far , is fine.

I'd recommend a F8Sn to anyone I like.

 

Creaks huh? If you have the F8Pa then could it be because of the leather inserts that compromised the build quality? I can see a tiny little flex above the exhaust vent and the optical drive on my F8Sn though, is that what you are talking about?

To be honest, I'm impartial about it. The design doesn't bother me, but personally like yourself, I liked the W3, W2, M5 design more(which is why I own a W3V?). It's a little too bland and would have liked it if they were to use magnesium or aluminum for the casing, but I guess that would increase cost.

Well I use RMClock as well, so my temperatures are just as accurate as yours. Could this be the difference between Merom(with a little dust)and Penryn(25TDP)? I guess we'll have to revisit this once I get my x9000 which I'm expecting will run like a furnace.

That comment was directed at Oldman, not you. I'm sure you do.

 

Soz, about that. I misquoted. Or rather, I tried baking both quotes in ot one, so it would be neater. I was merely agreeing with you.

And I have a F8Sa (T7700, HD2600, 250GB, 2GB RAM, looks like yours). All F8S I've handled have creaked. Most consumer laptops creak, this being one of them.

 

There's been questions in the past , due to Asus spec page , about the F8Sn's DVD writer being Ligntscribe compatible.

I recently purchased an LG (E40L) DVD writer that happened to be Ligntscribe compatible. I'd never really been interested in Ligntscribe but being how this unit supported it I tried it out. Of course it requires the more expensive Ligntscribe compatible discs but what the heck.

Anyway Ligntscribe is kind'a neat but I now can say for sure the F8Sn's DVD writer is not Ligntscribe compatible. Can't imagine why but if you really really want Lightscribe with your F8Sn the LG E40L works fine.

 

That's strange! I just noticed this! Mine came with a TSST drive, I have a Lightscribe tray icon on my taskbar but it says "-No Lightscribe device found-". Bizarre, why would they put up specs of this? Honestly I don't care much about it as I have a color CD labeller(that I barely use).

 

It has been like that since the A8Js Days, maybe even A8Jm (early 2006, Core Duo). No idea what Asus is thinking.

 

Yeah it is weird. Another guy posted a'while back about that tray icon & not being able to get his F8Sn "Lightscribe compatible" writer recognized. I think most/all the F8Sn's use TSST drives.

Like you I'll probably hardly use the fancy dancy disc labeling but it's nice having , especially if one is recording a DVD for someone else & wants the label to look good.

 

Well, I have my Epson CD/DVD Inkjet Printer, so I don't need Lightscribe technology. I thought I had it though, oh well.

 

Ok, so I cleaned out the fans. The CPU is up to 10C cooler. It really needed a cleanup.

This is from a newly booted laptop though, when playin a 720p video. I'll see how it is tomorrow.

 

awesome! good to see that the heat problem is gone.

 

Ok, temperatures are rising now. It's like 2-3C cooler now. But this is unders some load. I'll try temperatures whilst just surfing later.

 

My F8Sn is running very cool. System has been on for over an hour, and it's only sitting at 47'C. 22'C ambient.

I'm on battery saving profile, but I am plugged in and the CPU is running at full.

I have the T5550 cpu.

This is easily the coolest running laptop I have had. My Toshiba A100 use to get incredibly hot, and it was a Celeron M with no speedstep unfortunately.

 

Hi all,

I just got the F8VA-B1 and downgraded to XP.
I had a lot of trouble getting all the drivers installed, but eventually found an order that worked (on my fourth clean install). I didn't want to do a full cross posting, but am posting a link to the page where I posted my notes. Hope that's OK.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272679&page=21

I also am having some problems with wireless performance when the laptop is not plugged in. If people have advice for me about that problem i'd appreciate it. thanks!