Asus laptop - $1,410

[MichaelD]

This thing here.

At first, $1,410 seemed a bit pricey for an Asus laptop. But, the specs look decent. It even comes w/a case (case looks to be around a $50 retail case)

What do you think of it? Could I do better for the same money? Gaming on it is a primary interest.

SPECS
Brand ASUS
Series F3 Series
Model F3SV-A1
Part# 90NPLA5134125CQL300Y
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0G
Screen 15.4" WXGA+
Memory Size 1GB DDR2
Hard Disk 160GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Video Memory Built-in 256MB VRAM Turbo Cache 512M with 1G Memory, Turbo Cache 1G with 2G Memory
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Battery Life 4 hours
Dimensions 14.2" x 10.5" x 1.1-1.6"
Weight 6.5 lbs.
Tech Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology
Other Features Finger Print Scanner
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Power 4 Gear+
Instant Fun Plus
DX10 support
Carry bag & mouse
30days Zero Bright Dot LCD
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed T7300(2.00GHz)
CPU FSB 800MHz
CPU L2 Cache 4MB
Chipset
Chipset Intel PM965
Display
Screen Size 15.4"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Display Type Wide XGA+
Resolution 1440 x 900
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Video Memory Built-in 256MB VRAM Turbo Cache 512M with 1G Memory, Turbo Cache 1G with 2G Memory
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HD Capacity 160GB
HD RPM 5400rpm
HD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory Slots 2 x SO-DIMM
Memory Speed DDR2 667
Memory Size 1GB
Max Memory Supported 4GB
Memory Spec 1GB x 1
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec 8x Super-Multi DVDRW Dual layer with Light Scribe
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11a/g/n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth Bluetooth V2.0+EDR
Ports
Card Slot 1 x Express Card
USB 4
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x DVI, 1 x S-Video TV-out
Audio Ports Yes
Audio
Audio Built-in Intel High Definition audio compliant audio chip
SoundBlaster Pro Compatible
Speaker Built-in stereo speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard 19 mm full size 88key with MS-Windows function keys
2.5mm travel
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 8-in-1 Card Reader
Webcam 1.3M webcam with 240 degree swivel and LED lighting
Power
AC Adapter 90-watt AC adapter
Battery 6-cell lithium ion
Battery Life 4 hours
Physical spec
Dimensions 14.2" x 10.5" x 1.1-1.6"
Weight 6.5 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 2 years limited
Labor 2 years limited

 

[Piano Man]

You'll probably want a better vid card if you want this primarily for gaming. You can get a 8600M GT with the Dell Inspirons and Vostros, but they are having shipping issues right now.

I specced out a dell almost identical to that, except it had 2GB Ram, and the 8600M GT, 9 Cell battery, and a 3 yr warranty. It came out to $1434 (damn CA taxes). If you can get away without paying taxes and can wait awhile, the Dell would be a better deal. But not by that much.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks much, Piano Man. Are Dells "OK" these days? I remember...I guess about two years ago, that Dell laptops were having all kinds of issues. They've got things sorted out now I guess.

Wanna see something mind-blowing?

$775!!!! :Q

Granted, it's got a last-gen video card, but it's a dedicated, 256MB solution, plus it's got most of the same features of the Asus. Buying a no-name scares me though.

I currently have an Acer TM4400. 2+years old and reliable as a rock. The problem is that the specs are kinda measely. (1.6GHz Turion single core, ATI X700 (64MB) video). It does have 1.5GB of RAM though. But gaming on it isn't quite what I want. It does everything else (business apps) splendidly though.

But anyway, that VT is something else for that price, huh?

 

[imported_Truenofan]

get the F3JP with the WSXGA+ i have that one, very nice resolution, why get a dx10 card that cant do dx10....no point, in that the x1700/7700(if you can find some of the asus's that have a 7700go in them) is more than enough to handle just about any game i'm throwing at it with med/high settings(ghost recon advanced WF1/Quake4, HL2, and a few others). unless your going for a desktop replacement, i wouldn't go for a dx10 card at all. i wouldn't go dell at all, they're pretty pricey for the same performance you can get out of anything else in the same price range. i got my F3JP used for 1k usd on ebay, it was practically new condition, a little wear on the keyboard but not much more than that plus i got a/b/g and bluetooth on the wifi card.

edit: just noticed on that one you get a/b/n and bluetooth 2.0+EDR as well.

 

[VinDSL]

Um...

Just going by the Title & Summary of your post...

If you're going to be using your laptop in Dog-Eat-Dog corporate meetings, or whatever, I wouldn't be caught dead with a 'fringe brand' laptop, like Acer, Asus, et cetera. What you need is an Apple Notebook Pro.

However, if nobody ever sees what you're running, it doesn't really make any difference what you get, IMHO! All you're talking about is placating your own ego - and only YOU can answer that!

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys.

@Truenofan - thanks for letting me know about the X1700/Go7700. That's good info. I've definitely rescinded my thoughts about going Dell. After reading the thread in this forum about the guys M1330 and seeing the pictures, I now know that Dell's crappy laptop QC from years ago is still with them. No Dell for me.

@VinDSL - LOL! No Apples for me, man. I want a laptop that can actually RUN SOMETHING. Besides, my Geek Ego covers what my hardware can do, not what it says on the cover.

I'm still looking. I saw a couple of Toshiba's today...can't remember the model numbers, but they were new models in the Satellite series. One was a 17" WXGA+ and had everything...it was also $2,300. The other was $1,100 and looked really good...until I saw that it had the new Intel GMA3100 or whatever it's called. Onboard graphics = suck.

This isn't easy. I'm looking for something NEW in the under-$1700 range. With features like:

Dual Core (1.6GHz min)
2GB memory
128MB (or better) discrete graphics
Preferably a 17" widescreen with at least 1400x900 res.


The rest of the specs like USB, FW, DVDRW, Wireless are pretty standard across the board and all new laptops have them.

 

[JustaGeek]

I am still going to recommend the HP - dv9500t with 17" screen, 2GB of RAM, Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB), 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS comes to ~1,524.99. And I strongly believe in HP quality and great support database.

Pick your components:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/ser...ation/browse1/home_SDP


Support:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...bmit.x=9&lang=en&cc=us

This is the config I came up with (you can get faster HD's too)

? Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
? Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
? 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
? $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
? 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
? HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
? Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
? 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
? FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
? No TV Tuner w/remote control
? High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
? Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
? HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Notebook instant rebate ?$150.00
Order subtotal $1,528.99
E-financing price/month? $46/month
Free shipping
Your order qualifies for free Standard 5-7 Business Days shipping.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, JustaGeek. I did see that box on their website and am strongly considering it. Anything I've found with even slightly better specs is $500 more.

 

[JustaGeek]

Look above, Michael. 1,528.99, with 8600GS and top of the line C2D T7500.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Look above, Michael. 1,528.99, with 8600GS and top of the line C2D T7500.

Wow, that's a great price for what you get! :Q That's only $400 more than I paid for my Acer TM4400 about 2.5 years ago.

I may have to pull the trigger on that bad boy. Thanks!!