Laptop shopping: First thoughts after a round of Crysis

[Bram Turismo]

Well if there isn't so much difference between the i3 and i5 as Road Dogg mentioned, I think I'll be settling down for the ASUS soon. Here are some gameplay videos I found, and although the FPS or graphics aren't maxed out, I still think this machine cranked out some nice FPS on high settings out of those games. I also suspect the FPS will be higher without the recording. Whether I will be playing games of the same caliber, I don't know yet. I haven't even considered thinking about titles to buy for it. If the laptop lives up to my expectations and I've gotten familiar with it, I'll probably be active in the PC games section of the boards for advice on some good titles with the specs I now know I will get

Here are some videos:














Out of all the videos, the very last one and the Crysis video were the only ones in which I can tell for sure it's the i3 processor model. But since these videos are all submitted by the same user, I'm suspecting all these videos were recorded on the machine I'm settling down for. Either way, I think I at least can expect a huge step-up from a laptop which denies to crank out more than 25 FPS in WoW on its lowest settings...

 

[Bram Turismo]

Well, I will be placing an order this Friday most probably. I will then receive my salary and it was a very positive surprising number. Nearly 2,000 dollars for 1 week full-time and 2 weeks 1/3rd time

And to top it off, I checked back on that X64JA model and found out it had a 13% discount on it, bringing the price down from 7,995 to 6,995:

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=586017

I'm nearly sure it's the same as the N61JA model, because the only N61 model on offer comes with the i5 processor, but also at a much higher price.

Here's a list of all ASUS 16" and bigger models, so if you any last suggestions or advice make them quick, because with these nice specs and this kind of discount, I ought to e crazy not to take the bait...

 

[nick09]

Well if you can afford a bit over your original budget then you get this one. What it has over the one that you link to is an i5 cpu and the 17.3 inch monitor with 1600x900 resolution. Tough if you can't afford the one that I linked to then the one you linked to should do find. I have read that the i3 is similar to a lower end core 2 quad and i5 is the mid-end between i3 and i7.

 

[Bram Turismo]

My decision has been made!

I decided that with the specs I was getting, I would have to be stupid to not go for the 10% discount and save that money for some extra icecreams!

First of all I would like to thank all of the GTP members to pop in and have their thoughts about the notebooks I came up with.

So to close this post I will post what I am getting Monday or Tuesday, and if I'm lucky seeing Norway's super-swift posting services, perhaps Saturday already:

ASUS X64JA JX110V - Core i3 350M - 16" TFT
2.9 kg
Intel Core i3 350M ( Dual-Core )
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM - 1066 MHz ( 2 x 2 GB )
640 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
16" TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA )
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 1 GB DDR3 SDRAM


When I have used it for a bit I will report back with first impressions and all that stuff 👍

 

[nick09]

I will just quote my post from the latest purchases thread.

Congratulations on your laptop purchase! I can't wait to see the results.

Also the dual core CPU is considered a quad core because of hyper threading(2 physical cores and an extra virtual core for each physical cores). So the processor is not that bad.

 

[crooky369]

I will just quote my post from the latest purchases thread.


Also the dual core CPU is considered a quad core because of hyper threading(2 physical cores and an extra virtual core for each physical cores). So the processor is not that bad.

I don't think hyperthreading is anywhere near the performance of a physical core though. The Atom I'm using right now is a dog even with hyperthreading and the clock speed raised to 2ghz and a 2.6ghz core 2 duo is noticeably faster than a 3ghz P4.

Also what is it with laptops having dreadfully long and complicated names "X64JA JX110V"

 

[Bram Turismo]

Also the dual core CPU is considered a quad core because of hyper threading(2 physical cores and an extra virtual core for each physical cores). So the processor is not that bad.

Indeed. The Turbo Boost technology was very neat so that I know the processor will try to pack some extra punch should it be needed. I don't think I will be taking the N61 to its limits since that newest games I played on this Dell were games from 2005 so even Fallout 3 or Battlefield: Bad Company will blow me away even on lowest settings incase I should find either of them.

I called ASUS today and the X64JA was indeed the same as the N61JA. The X64JA model name was just a specific indication of the i3 processor.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Indeed. The Turbo Boost technology was very neat so that I know the processor will try to pack some extra punch should it be needed.

The i3 350m doesn't have turbo boost. That starts with the i4 430m, but it's only an extra 266Mhz

I called ASUS today and the X64JA was indeed the same as the N61JA. The X64JA model name was just a specific indication of the i3 processor.

Browsing their website is quite the workout

 

[Bram Turismo]

Browsing their website is quite the workout

Oh the sarcasm.

I took a trip to their website, but they seem to not be bothered with updating it, or keeping it alive. Half of the time the European website does not work, and I couldn't find any info on the X64. Calling them can't hurt either to get some confirming info

 

[Jump_Ace]

Heyyyy, how come we don't get that map in the console version of MW2? Unless that somewhere in campaign mode???

Jerome

 

[crooky369]

Heyyyy, how come we don't get that map in the console version of MW2? Unless that somewhere in campaign mode???

Jerome

Looks like campaign to me. Haven't you played single player?

 

[nick09]

I don't think hyperthreading is anywhere near the performance of a physical core though. The Atom I'm using right now is a dog even with hyperthreading and the clock speed raised to 2ghz and a 2.6ghz core 2 duo is noticeably faster than a 3ghz P4.

Also what is it with laptops having dreadfully long and complicated names "X64JA JX110V"

Well the atom cpu only really meant for general every day tasks and very little HD video and video game use while still save a ton of energy for long use. A Core 2 Duo is more well rounded for the tasks it is demanded for. Therefore it is less of an bottleneck for games. The newer processors are more efficient and better designed so the same tasks can be done with less time and energy. All processors are not created equality since they are designed for a certain niche in the computer market. If you don't have a niche you will not sell.

The complicated names are there so you can give customer support your computer's model number and make it easier for the customer. It would be bad for the support and the customer if the customer had to do extra tasks looking up information about their computer to fix a problem. Desktop computers also have long model numbers too. But you know if you can patent and come up with a better system you would become the next millionaire. If you could find a way to have machines make Ethernet cables then a company will give you loads of cash for the patent since Ethernet cables have to be made by humans and you do know they can mess up.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Dayum!

Ordered it Wednesday at 22:43, checked this morning at around 10:53 only to found out it is already waiting for me in the local post service in the store. Norway may be big, but these guys do such an incredible job with packages, I'm simply astonished at how fast they managed to handle my order and send it over here. After all, we are talking about a warehouse 300 kilometers away from me...

Awesome!

 

[nick09]

I wished USPS or UPS could be like that. USPS is just snail mail and most of the time UPS take three days to deliver(if the shipping is three days). They would not deliver early even if on the second day they are in town..

 

[Bram Turismo]

Time for some first impressions!

Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase. I haven't put it to the test yet since I've used two and a half hours to make 4 DVDs with a recovery installation.

Anyway, the machine as an entire piece looks just so good. I am most pleased with the isolation materials, which are ridiculously good. It's not getting hot at all anywhere, not even the screen. In fact, the screen feels cool, and only the fan emits hot air, no other places seem to emit heat, not even the bottom side! It's very quite as well, it makes little to no noise at all. I also like the LED light on the sides of the computer and surrounding the on-off button with a nice white light. The touchpad is very neat, but sometimes it seems to be confused of what you are trying to get at. I also miss how the touchpad buttons on my Dell were so gentle and smooth, yet on all new laptops recently the buttons make so hard clicking noises. I don't like Windows 7 so much yet, it's all too fancy for me. First thing I did was removing IE and get Safari, I just cannot use IE more than 5 minutes without getting angry at the program. Thank god for Safari. I was worried about the battery life after reading the reviews, but when you turn down the brightness (which can go so high you'll go blind) the lifetime gets much better.

This machine is just such a world of difference coming from that good old Dell, it'll take me some time to figure out all the functions and to accept Windows 7. But I think you can expect me coming back in a few short days shouting how epic this laptop is, because it really is.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The touchpad is very neat, but sometimes it seems to be confused of what you are trying to get at.

Check for new drivers and then see if any of the touchpad settings help.

I don't like Windows 7 so much yet, it's all too fancy for me. First thing I did was removing IE and get Safari, I just cannot use IE more than 5 minutes without getting angry at the program. Thank god for Safari. I was worried about the battery life after reading the reviews, but when you turn down the brightness (which can go so high you'll go blind) the lifetime gets much better.

This machine is just such a world of difference coming from that good old Dell, it'll take me some time to figure out all the functions and to accept Windows 7. But I think you can expect me coming back in a few short days shouting how epic this laptop is, because it really is.

I use the minimum brightness on my laptop 99% of the time. I also disabled Aero but that's on Vista. When you do that on 7, it looks a bit worse. But you can disable the transparency, which I don't like that much.

 

[crooky369]

Well the atom cpu only really meant for general every day tasks and very little HD video and video game use while still save a ton of energy for long use. A Core 2 Duo is more well rounded for the tasks it is demanded for. Therefore it is less of an bottleneck for games. The newer processors are more efficient and better designed so the same tasks can be done with less time and energy. All processors are not created equality since they are designed for a certain niche in the computer market. If you don't have a niche you will not sell.

The complicated names are there so you can give customer support your computer's model number and make it easier for the customer. It would be bad for the support and the customer if the customer had to do extra tasks looking up information about their computer to fix a problem. Desktop computers also have long model numbers too. But you know if you can patent and come up with a better system you would become the next millionaire. If you could find a way to have machines make Ethernet cables then a company will give you loads of cash for the patent since Ethernet cables have to be made by humans and you do know they can mess up.

That name is still ridiculous though. The netbook I'm using now is called an Advent 4211-B otherwise known as a MSI Wind U100 which is a lot more memorable. Maybe laptops will get car like names in the future hopefully similar to Lamborghini names not Mclaren ones (MP4-12C) though!

 

[nick09]

If want it to look more simpler then change the Window color to Windows Classic. That will also reduce the ram use too. If you want the old fashioned Windows bars then just right click the windows bar. Select properties and it will open the options for the bar. Put a check next to "use small icons" and in the pull down window next to "Taskbar buttons:" select "Never combine". For me having these options enable give Windows a simpler feel to it.

You can change the tracking sensitivity in the Elan Smart-Pad program. Though I mainly use my VX Nano mouse on about everything so I set the touch pad to disable itself when a mouse is inserted(you can set that in the mouse menu in the Control Panel).

 

[boiltheocean]

It's just as easy to theme Win7 as it was XP. However of course UXThemePatcher no longer exists as it's been replaced with UXStyleCore. You should know the rest Bram.

 

[crooky369]

Dunno how anyone can like Windows classic theme any more it's a decade out of date and was rendered obsolete way back in 2001 as soon as Mac OSX first came out then XP even if the Fisher Price theme wasn't the greatest.

You've got to be pretty hardcore if your still rocking the eyesore that is the classic theme for a few more megs of RAM these days.

 

[Tornado]

On my Windows XP computer I use Windows Classic just so I can use Title Toy.

 

[Bram Turismo]

It's just as easy to theme Win7 as it was XP. However of course UXThemePatcher no longer exists as it's been replaced with UXStyleCore. You should know the rest Bram.

Nah, I'm keeping that crap off my new and beloved laptop

It's not so much the looks that I don't like, it's just the childish behavior of it at times. If I press "Install", just install the god damned program already and don't ask me 3 times again if I'm really, really, really sure I want to install it. But otherwise I love the new USB 3.0 port. Transferring 10Gb from my iPod as external HDD would take ages, but on this baby it only takes a couple of minutes. Great stuff, too bad I only got 2 such port

The resolution is also very weird, 1366X768. Makes it very hard to find a nice wallpaper for it.

 

[crooky369]

On my Windows XP computer I use Windows Classic just so I can use Title Toy.

Fair enough that looks pretty cool if you've got it set to show you what are songs playing.

 

[nick09]

The resolution is also very weird, 1366X768. Makes it very hard to find a nice wallpaper for it.

Just download gimp and resize the wallpaper.

 

[boiltheocean]

It's not so much the looks that I don't like, it's just the childish behavior of it at times. If I press "Install", just install the god damned program already and don't ask me 3 times again if I'm really, really, really sure I want to install it.

Thats the main reason I switched back to XP before I got my Mac. I just couldn't stand the constant admin password questions and the fact I could extract ZIPs where I wanted them, I had to extract to the desktop then move the contents. It's just a hassle I couldn't stand much longer.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Just download gimp and resize the wallpaper.

You must be the only on here now knowing how much of a Photoshop user I am

 

[nick09]

I guess so.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Played the Crysis demo on high settings, and my laptop did this very well. I'm guessing between 25-35 FPS depending on whether in open zones or in the bushy areas. But still, in my opinion my laptop handled these graphics very nicely!

That brings me to the screen, which is both my favorite thing of the laptop and the biggest minus at the same time. The HD quality of this screen is amazing; fantastic colors, and I can't describe how sharp the image quality is. The big minus point of it is that this screen is made from glass, and acts like a mirror when playing Crysis night-time parts. I had to max out the brightness to be able to see enough of what I was doing.

Am liking Windows 7 better, but I need to configure the Windows Updater. I don't like how it shuts down my PC for updates automatically at all.

 

[Casio]

Wait....did I read that correctly.

You're using the Windows version of Safari???

 

[Bram Turismo]

Wait....did I read that correctly.

You're using the Windows version of Safari???

Yes, you read that correct. I've used it for a long time now and I love and praise it for its user-friendly-ness and simplicity while still holding onto a nice lay-out. Firefox is still the most user friendly browser, but for some reason I like Safari better, and IE is not even an option to start talking about.