N3050 (Braswell) mini review

escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
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So picked up this today:

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-E402SA-DS01-BL-ASUS-14-Laptop/dp/B01AW3NVEQ

although at local prices it was a touch over $300, but that aside I'm going through initial setup and so far am pretty impressed. First thing, don't do anything whilst upgrading 10 as it doesn't come with 1511. You'll get stutter and give the poor thing a heart attack.

That aside, its surprising how decent basic desktop is. I use a G1850 in my daily porn box and this is slightly slower but for basic web sites its indistinguishable. I'll also pick on Asus here and moan why they didn't stick in faster (and bigger) eMMC storage as I'm certain most of the hesitation is there. The laptop itself is fine, touchpad seems to support gestures, keyboard is respectable and the display has OK viewing angles for the price.

Only downside is the display itself doesn't get very bright. No matter what you'll want it at 75% or above. There is an older model with an N2840 (MA, new model is SA) although I suspect the battery life will be better on this one. Will poke around some more, but I'd take one of these over a tablet anyday. And it has Ethernet AND USB 3. Unlike some other netbooks. Yes I like options, slimming it so far as to kill Ethernet, grrr.
 

waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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Oh, you gotta kiddin me. :thumbsdown: Why didn't you pick up a Lenovo B50-80 with Celeron 3215U 1.7GHz Broadwell instead for $189.99 when it was last available last week?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291686060238

Plus it has 4GB RAM. A Celeron N3050 Braswell with 2GB RAM and 32GB SSD is just false economy and ripoff to me.

I expect everyone here agreed with what I said. Unless you're concerned with battery life, there are better choices on the same price you paid.
 
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escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
3,339
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Oh, you gotta kiddin me. :thumbsdown: Why didn't you pick up a Lenovo B50-80 with Celeron 3215U 1.7GHz Broadwell instead for $189.99 when it was last available last week?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291686060238

Plus it has 4GB RAM. A Celeron N3050 Braswell with 2GB RAM and 32GB SSD is just false economy and ripoff to me.

I expect everyone here agreed with what I said. Unless you're concerned with battery life, there are better choices on the same price you paid.

Because that model doesn't exist here and I wouldn't have bought it even if it did. I need something small and fairly light with excellent battery life. Not a chunky 15.6" mallet. And if that model was here I'd bet money that it would be at least $500, $200 more for something I don't need in the first place.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,141
138
106
That's pretty cheap, and probably quite acceptable for daily general use, but if I'm going for something that small, I would probably just spend a couple hundred more and get a Windows tablet.

In fact, I already have two Windows tablet 2-in-1s (HP Spectre x2 and Surface 3) and I see these ultra cheap laptops and try really hard to find a reason for one - and fail to do so.
 

escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
3,339
122
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That's pretty cheap, and probably quite acceptable for daily general use, but if I'm going for something that small, I would probably just spend a couple hundred more and get a Windows tablet.

In fact, I already have two Windows tablet 2-in-1s (HP Spectre x2 and Surface 3) and I see these ultra cheap laptops and try really hard to find a reason for one - and fail to do so.

Tis 14" unlike other netbooks at 11.6", so size wise it certainly beats a Windows tablet. And honestly Windows on a tablet is rather meh.
 

waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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That's pretty cheap, and probably quite acceptable for daily general use.
Are you referring to Lenovo's Celeron Broadwell or Asus's Celeron Braswell? Asus haven't offered another big notebook core since Ivy Bridge Celeron 1007U, it was their final-release back in 2013.

Regarding size, personally, I don't find much difference between 14.1" and 15.6". It must be 12" or smaller to take notice, and higher-price will justify.
 
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Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,141
138
106
The Asus escrow purchased.

Most 14" machines are significantly thinner and lighter than most 15.6" machines - OEMs seem to think that putting a 15.6" display into a laptop gives them license to make it 1.5" thick and 4+lb.

Tis 14" unlike other netbooks at 11.6", so size wise it certainly beats a Windows tablet. And honestly Windows on a tablet is rather meh.

It's a tradeoff. You get a bigger screen, but I get much much better performance and the ability to pop off my keyboard and do stuff without it. Weight is a slight win to me (2.6 vs 3.6 lb) and I also have touch. Windows 10 is pretty good on a tablet, imo. Win8.1 was better than WX, though, I REALLY miss the Charms.
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,229
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126
/me hugs his Lenovo IdeaPad 100s 11.6" laptop.

Yeah, 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC, but thankfully, the installed eMMC seems more-or-less snappy. The CPU is a Z3735F, so basically, this is a giant-sized Windows tablet with a keyboard (and webcam!).

For $120 USD, I thought it was a good deal. For $200 or more? That would be decidedly "meh" to me.

No ethernet, but I picked up some USB2.0 to Fast Ethernet dongles from Newegg last week for under $4 shipped each. Coboc brand. They claim to be driverless, and some people couldn't get them to work, but there were several recent reviews saying that they were PnP with Win10, and my laptop / netbook has Win10. So I'm hoping that they work with little to no fuss.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,229
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OEMs seem to think that putting a 15.6" display into a laptop gives them license to make it 1.5" thick and 4+lb.
You got that right. Plus, most 15.6" have a DVD-RW drive in them as well. Which, functionality-wise, is great, but it's also added weight.
Windows 10 is pretty good on a tablet, imo. Win8.1 was better than WX, though, I REALLY miss the Charms.
I agree. I'm not upgrading my Win8.1 7" tablets to Win10, if I can help it.
 

waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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You got that right. Plus, most 15.6" have a DVD-RW drive in them as well. Which, functionality-wise, is great, but it's also added weight.
Not in this Lenovo Celeron 3215U Broadwell that I have. Expensive processor, yes, so OEMs were forced to skip a DVD drive. Doesn't surprised me. But, hey, it weighs less than I thought. :thumbsup:
 

waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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To OP, hopefully you can return your Asus Braswell junk and settle for this lower-price Lenovo 3215u 1.7GHz Broadwell deal today:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291686060238

You'll also earn 8% eBay bucks cashback ($15.20) for this item by activating your offer through message. For selected customers only. Might worth every penny. You can't predict whether or not there's a Skylake Celeron at this price.
 
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escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
3,339
122
106
To OP, hopefully you can return your Asus Braswell junk and settle for this lower-price Lenovo 3215u 1.7GHz Broadwell deal today:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291686060238

You'll also earn 8% eBay bucks cashback ($15.20) for this item by activating your offer through message. For selected customers only. Might worth every penny. You can't predict whether or not there's a Skylake Celeron at this price.

No. I am not in the US and no they don't ship and by the time you add in foreign exchanges fees its what I paid for the Braswell. Which is sufficient.
 

waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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Today only until 10:00 PM EST. Get yours for only $154.99 shipped with $25 off coupon on $125 purchase or more. Also works for any Intel processors if you wish.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291686060238

$25 off Coupon code upon checkout: CSPRING25OFF125

Picked up another two for myself, one for each eBay account I have.
 
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waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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SlickDeals forum on this Lenovo Celeron is available now:

http://slickdeals.net/f/8616958-len...b-ddr3-500gb-hdd-win-10-180-free-shipping?v=1

Everybody cracks me up here because NOBODY knows it's a Broadwell, and MANY passed on this offer because of its dismal 1.5GHz frequency number. They are now used to seeing Bay Trail's 2.6GHz catchy number, assuming its 2 times faster than Broadwell.

Their lost is our gain. Who's being dumb here? :D
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,229
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Not bad, but I was able to get an A6-6310 quad-core APU, with Win7 64-bit pre-installed, for $200 some time ago. The quad-core makes a bit of difference. Not that a 1.5Ghz Broadwell is "slow". My 1.5Ghz Celeron 1007U (Ivy Bridge) is fairly snappy.
 

NTMBK

Lifer
Nov 14, 2011
10,208
4,940
136
SlickDeals forum on this Lenovo Celeron is available now:

http://slickdeals.net/f/8616958-len...b-ddr3-500gb-hdd-win-10-180-free-shipping?v=1

Everybody cracks me up here because NOBODY knows it's a Broadwell, and MANY passed on this offer because of its dismal 1.5GHz frequency number. They are now used to seeing Bay Trail's 2.6GHz catchy number, assuming its 2 times faster than Broadwell.

Their lost is our gain. Who's being dumb here? :D

So what you're saying is that Intel marketing has won, and people now prefer the tablet processor? D:
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,794
266
116
/me hugs his Lenovo IdeaPad 100s 11.6" laptop.

Yeah, 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC, but thankfully, the installed eMMC seems more-or-less snappy. The CPU is a Z3735F, so basically, this is a giant-sized Windows tablet with a keyboard (and webcam!).

For $120 USD, I thought it was a good deal. For $200 or more? That would be decidedly "meh" to me.

No ethernet, but I picked up some USB2.0 to Fast Ethernet dongles from Newegg last week for under $4 shipped each. Coboc brand. They claim to be driverless, and some people couldn't get them to work, but there were several recent reviews saying that they were PnP with Win10, and my laptop / netbook has Win10. So I'm hoping that they work with little to no fuss.

I think we own the same laptop except for mine is still in the box :eek:

How is battery life and if you've received the USB to Ethernet dongle, does it work without any drivers (W10)?
 

asendra

Member
Nov 4, 2012
156
12
81
This thread feels just in time for me.
Anyone has experience comparing between n3050, n3700, 3205u and 3805u?

I have lying around a 250gb ssd and a 4gb ram module, and I need a cheap but decent windows computer for my mother to replace an aging 2007-2008 core 2 duo.

The options I'm managing are braswells intel nucs with a n3050(150$) or a n3700(200$). Or MSI cubis with a 3205u(140$) or a 3805u(200$).
I'm happy if she gets 2-3 years of usage out of it.

The pentiums seem better options performance wise, but wanted a confirmation. Also, I'm not sure the 3805u is worth the higher cost. I think the 3205u will work just fine for her needs.

I'm in europe, so please abstain to recommend better deals in amazon.com, eBay deals newegg etc :p
 
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AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,642
3
81
SlickDeals forum on this Lenovo Celeron is available now:

http://slickdeals.net/f/8616958-len...b-ddr3-500gb-hdd-win-10-180-free-shipping?v=1

Everybody cracks me up here because NOBODY knows it's a Broadwell, and MANY passed on this offer because of its dismal 1.5GHz frequency number. They are now used to seeing Bay Trail's 2.6GHz catchy number, assuming its 2 times faster than Broadwell.

Their lost is our gain. Who's being dumb here? :D

Hey I pointed out that it was a Broadwell yesterday :p, yet nobody cared - or at least, was uneducated as to what it actually meant re: BayTrail/Braswell vs anything part of the Core series (SNB/IVB/HW/BW/SL)

This thread feels just in time for me.
Anyone has experience comparing between n3050, n3700, 3205u and 3805u?

I have lying around a 250gb ssd and a 4gb ram module, and I need a cheap but decent windows computer for my mother to replace an aging 2007-2008 core 2 duo.

The options I'm managing are braswells intel nucs with a n3050(150$) or a n3700(200$). Or MSI cubis with a 3205u(140$) or a 3805u(200$).
I'm happy if she gets 2-3 years of usage out of it.

The pentiums seem better options performance wise, but wanted a confirmation. Also, I'm not sure the 3805u is worth the higher cost. I think the 3205u will work just fine for her needs.

I'm in europe, so please abstain to recommend better deals in amazon.com, eBay deals newegg etc :p

Always try to get any of the Celerons/Pentiums that are part of the Core architecture (Haswell/Broadwell/Skylake)

Then, if you *must* get part of the SoC line (BayTrail/Braswell), get the quad-core version like the N3700, N3150, or N2930.

I would avoid any of the dual core SoC stuff -- N2840/N3050. Heck, even the older N2840 is faster than the N3050 lol
 
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VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,229
9,990
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I think we own the same laptop except for mine is still in the box :eek:

How is battery life and if you've received the USB to Ethernet dongle, does it work without any drivers (W10)?

Sorry for not getting back to you right away, RossMAN. I get around 10 hours battery life, just mild forum web browsing (no ads, no video). A bit less time on Skype video-chat.

Haven't tried the ethernet dongle yet, will try to get to it in the next few days.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423142

That's the dongle I got. For the next hour and a half, they have a 50% off coupon code.

Anyways, it plugged in really easy on Win10, auto-detected and auto-enabled. No driver installation (on my part) needed.

However, it stopped working briefly, and I had to "Troubleshoot" on the adapter properties page, and Win10 said it fixed an "invalid IP configuration", and now it's working again. For how long, I do not know.

But for $3.50, it's a pretty cheap gamble.
 
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waltchan

Senior member
Feb 27, 2015
846
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81
So what you're saying is that Intel marketing has won, and people now prefer the tablet processor? D:
Yep, tablet processors are the way of life now, including some big old desktop with only N3050 inside (Acer at Walmart everyday special for $248). :'(
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,229
9,990
126
Yep, tablet processors are the way of life now, including some big old desktop with only N3050 inside (Acer at Walmart everyday special for $248). :'(

That's... kind of a shame, that they would build a big desktop tower, and put such a weak, low-power, tablet-class CPU in a desktop PC.

Oh, oh, but... it says "Intel Inside!"

Edit: I guess, if you buy PCs at Walmart, you're not too savvy.

Edit: I didn't mean you, personally, waltchan, I meant more the "royal you (we)". Aka the average Walmart customer, that doesn't know jack about PC specs or processor codenames.
 
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