F3SV-A1 vs. F3SV-B1

From all I can tell the difference between the F3SV-A1 and the F3SV-B1 is the B1 has a T7500 (2.20 GHz) and 15.4” WSXGA+ 1680X1050, whereas the A1 has aT7300 (2.0 GHz) and 15.4” WXGA+ 1440 x 900. Is the difference really worth $110?

I really wanted to stay around $1500. I could stand $1600 (or slightly more) for the B1 but if I wanted to upgrade it to 2 gigs I would have to shell out an additional $150 (at MilestonePC.com at least). At $1750 I don't know if I should just start looking at other laptops (especially an old G1 or something...).

And if I wanted to order it soon (so as to "reserve" one) where would a good place be to get it? I see that both MilestonePC.com and GenTech ( http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=F3SV-B1&Category_Code=Notebook) computers both carry the B1, but only GenTech carries the A1. ("carries" = "pre-order" in this case). I have seen that MilestonePC.com talks in the forums so that makes me a little more comfortable with them, but their prices are slightly higher. Any advice?

 

Did you already try WSXGA+ resolution and do you really need very high res? And do you really need a lot of power? That's the questions to answer.

If you just have typical use of the laptop, and you are happy with a lower resolution, it's maybe not worth it. The WXGA+ resolution is, I think, the best compromise for everday use. 1280x800 looks like a resolution for people who forgot to take their glasses. 1680x1050 will be interesting only if you need it, like with applications using a lot of bars and icons everywhere, or if you like to display plenty of windows at the same time;

T7300 will already be a very fast processor, it should handle almost everything you will feed it with. Do you really need extra power? Are you using very ressources-intensive softwares? With long calculations, etc...? If not, no need to go for T7500 I think. If you plan to game, as the graphic card is the same, I don't think it will make such a huge difference.

 

im not sure but i think the b1 has a 8600m gt and the a1 has the gs.

 

All the websites are listing a 8600 GS for both models. Only the G1 and G2 have a GT. Where did you find this info? Asus website also lists 8600 GS for both them.

 

They both have the GS.

 

sorry
;D
they both have the gs...

 

The A1 has a 1440x900 screen, which I think is a good fit for a 15" panel unless you are a creative professional that requires lots of real estate.

 

Yeah I agree with everyone else. Unless you need the higher resolution or the slight performance gain (2.2 vs. 2.0) then you should just stick with the A1. Think about it, if you don't want to exceed your budget an A1 with 2GB of RAM and 2.0GHz will be more powerful than 1GB of RAM and 2.2GHz. So I think it's better for you to just get the A1 and upgrade to 2GB of RAM if you don't need the higher resolution and the slightly faster processor.

 

This might help, it's a preorder though. Check Here

 

I'm deciding between an Asus C90S and a F3SV-B1. The B1 is cheaper at least at EXcaliberPC it is but it also has a weaker card. Does anyone know or at least have an idea how well the F3SV-B1 and the Asus C90S will handle Crysis and UT3?

 

Any of these laptops will be able to melt any game coming out this year. I would say the A1 the best because:
-Lower Res
-2GB RAM (in your price Range)
-8600 GS DX10 compatible

the 8600 is a little bit squished compared to the mid range of nvidia's earlier line-ups but it is still a fantastic card which I think will show its power when it allowed to use its DX10 functionality. (giving nvidia the benefit of the doubt here, but I think they deserve it).

 

Why would the A1 be the best? Just because it has a lower resolution? You do realize you can have a computer with 1680 x 1050 and just lower it to 1200 x 768 whenever you're playing games right? I think the Asus C90 would be the best considering it has an 8600M GT but I want to know how well the 8600M GS could perform on Crysis and UT3 because the F3SV-B1 is cheaper than the C90 on excaliberpc.com

 

The higher resolution will help with a busy desktop.Though laptop LCDs on non-native resolutions will definitely look choppy.

 

I should have clarified. The lower res is what you would use anyway (during gaming) so it should not be an issue. I'm sorry for that, it was very confusing.

About the rest, I was refering to your price range, you said you wanted to spend around 1500 right? With the A1 you are taking a hit to the resolution, but you are able to get more RAM, which I believe is more essential in the long run (granted that you can live without the ability to push the res back up after gaming.)

By "best" what I should have said was "best for the money" that was also confusing. But still, the A1 I think would be the best choice for you of the three IF the resolution does not bother you more than price does.

 

In that case, then yes, the A1 would be a better buy.

 

Yeah, I'm sorry about the confusing post, I was rushing out the door for lunch and had to be very brief. Good Luck though!

 

Anyone know the difference between the A1 and the X1 that newegg sells?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220163

 

The X-1 doesn't have a fingerprint scanner I heard. In addition it has a lower resolution. I think the X-1 looks exactly like the Asus A8Js except for the rotating webcam because the trackpad looks the same.

 

Buy the Asus F3SV-B1 and A1 at

http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=asusnb

Much cheaper!

 

A1 v.s. X1
1. WXGA+ (1440 x 900) v.s. (1366 x 768)
2. 8x DVDRW w/ Light Scribe v.s. 8x DVDRW
3. 802.11 A/B/G/N v.s. A/B/G wireless LAN4
4. Finger Printer Reader

A1 is definitely a better buy, excaliberpc has it for $1429 shipped. There's also the A8 series w/ 14" screen which should be available soon. I believe it's called A8SC-A1.