A8Js - Owner's Lounge

Mine's in my avatar.

 

Thanks for the pics, it looks so nice but i think the pics are a bit dark. It would look much better in higher brightness.

 

Thanks Guys, glad you like the pics... As for the brightness thing; yea - perhaps, but i didnt borther to edit them in photoshop. lol

 

Tissie great pictures and nice bencmarks, 27XX in 3DMark06 is a GREAT score! Congratz!

Laum, i'm not totaly sure what your trying to describe, but could it be that your screen is exhibiting sparkling? Or can you further describe or use pictures?

 

hmmm... i received a different mouse - one without horizontal scrolling

i have some fading on my space bar too

i think this issue has been discussed in this forum.. not sure if in this thread though...
personally i have noticed a problem from resuming from monitor-off state sometimes, but not standby - haven't tried to fix it though

 

I just ordered an A8JS-4S034P from Newegg, which I think is one of the newer A8Js models (it has a 120GB hard drive).

Can I expect one of the better screens with this particular version of the A8Js?

 

While i can't say anything for certain, i received my A8js from newegg yesterday and it still has the crappy monitor with light leakage along the entire bottom of the screen along with a slight amount at the top. Its only really noticeable on dark backgrounds and not worth going weeks without my laptop to bug asus for a replacement, here are the details:

Monitor Properties:
Monitor Name Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]
Monitor ID AUO1247
Manufacturer B141PW01 V2
Manufacture Date Week 1 / 2005
Serial Number None
Max. Visible Display Size 30 cm x 19 cm (14.0")
Picture Aspect Ratio 5:3
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support None

 

Ah, well that sucks . Thanks for answering my question though.

Oh well. I'm ordering the A8Js for the hardware specs, mainly, since I have an external LCD to use at home. I don't anticipate using the built-in screen quite as often... which is why I went with an A8Js over a G1.

 

I am considering purchasing an A8Js and I have one question that I have not seen come up in this thread. Is there a way to disable the touchpad while typing? Looking at the specs on the ASUS website I see "Fn+F9 Touchpad lock". Does that disable the touchpad? Thanks.

 

Yes, it disables the touchpad.

 

I don't know if this is gonna make things clearer:

But the problem is that when I look the screen for example half a meter away, I can still see different colors of subpixels. The white background on this forum isn't as white as I would like it to be. I'm just used to see white color when I look to white color, and not see it consist of green, blue and red. At least my older laptop had a great screen on that matter. Also the screen looks a bit dirty like there was some kind of a dirty pattern on it.

 

In my opinion you seem to be describing "Screen Sparkle" this was a known issue on the Z71V back 1 year ago. I suggest calling or emailing your reseller about this and have them look at it or send it to ASUS for a new LCD.

Also try to find someone in your area who owns a Z71v and you can confirm for yourself that it is screen sparkle. You are one of the first to state that your screen exhibits sparkling like aspects.

 

Laum,

I was just wondering if you have a different style sheet for this forum than the default, because the text in this forum is not displayed over white, but a very light greenish color. The highlighted tab at the top is white. AT least I think I am using the default style .

The first thing I did when I got my laptop was color correct the display. When I stare at the light greenish color in the forum I can kind of see the weird color array of pixels. Maybe that color is not a good color for these LCD displays.

Just a thought.

Joe

 

Thank you for your help!

I think I have to send it to Asus because I bought this laptop from abroad. But anyhow, my screen also has some light leakage so that's a reason to send it there too.

 

Hehe, actually the background on the posts is white. On quotes and the sidebar it's the light green colour

 

Laum,

Not really! I just checked my profile and I am using the default forum style. The text [right here] is on a very light greenish background and the text in your quote above is a darker light green. The only white is in the trim areas of this forum's display (like the tab at the top that says "Notebook Forums").

Where I say greenish some might say it looks blueish, but the point is that it is not white.

Joe

 

Oh, actually it was true! My contrast was really ****ed up and I couldn't tell it from white. But still, white looks really weird on this screen. Bah, it's so hard to make this look like a good screen...

 

hey guys i just bought a a8js too from hk (i live in australia)

auo panel it has
c2d 2.0
2 gig
120 5400 hd
g7700
bluetooth

 

Hello All!

I just received the A8Js from NewEgg (NB ASUS | A8JS-4S034P RTL - Retail) and wanted to pass along info about the LCD.

Monitor Properties:
Monitor Name Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]
Monitor ID AUO1247
Manufacturer B141PW01 V2
Manufacture Date Week 1 / 2005
Serial Number None
Max. Visible Display Size 30 cm x 19 cm (14.0")
Picture Aspect Ratio 5:3
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support None

This is the AUO part and quite frankly, it SUCKS. Light leakage is totally unexceptable. Black is actually very light grey unless you use the Nvidia control panel to adjust contrast and gamma. When you do, games like X3 and Oblivion are almost unplayably too dark. I am considering buying the CMO part and intalling it myself...

Any thoughts?

 

there must be a mistake with the CMO LCD other people seem to describe. You might get one that doesn't fit the unit if you buy it... I would rather buy the LG-Phillips which is a really good one. I was gonna buy it and replace the AUO one i have, but i am short on cash right now so i wont be able to buy it.

Here is the Lg-Philips part No. if you are interested: LP141WP1

 

Hey!

Thanks very much for the info. Are you certain that this part will fit the A8Js? If so, where would you recommend picking one up and what is a good price? If I can get one of these I'll post the results / photos for everybody else to see...

JWB

 

Hi all -

Loving the A8JS so far. I have two eSATA hard drives that work great in XP and Linux via the Sunix expresscard adapter (when will they start including these ports on the laptop itself?!)

I've been trying to get S/PDIF output working with my Logitech speakers. Not that it sounds so much better, but it's the only way to get surround sound without springing for an external card, yes? I got one of these cables (optical headphone jack to RCA), but the speakers aren't getting anything. Any special drivers I need for this in Windows XP? Do I need a special cable? A clue?

Also just installed Fedora Core 6. I compiled the Realtek 8168 drivers for the ethernet card and followed the install instructions to no avail. The adapter itself doesn't show up at all via ifconfig or any of the KDE tools. Yeah, I'm new at this. Anybody been here yet?

Cheers
Steve

 

I don't know if Asus will include the SATA ports on the laptop in the future. I kind of doubt it. I also don't know about the optical out issues, as I don't use/need it.

In terms of the realtek NIC driver you need to get an updated version that supports the chipset. The tech support download area for Realtek is at this URL. I'm not sure what version of the driver you need, it maybe later than 1.03, I think I have 1.04. The website has 1.05. You may also want to ask on the Fedora support forums, they already may have an easy way to update the driver without you compiling and installing it manually. I use Gentoo and there's a Gentoo support page up at this URL if it helps.

 

I thought all the A8J series laptops used the same monitors, but according to newegg and the asus site, both the A8Js's and A8Jp's LCD has Color Shine (gloss). But the A8Jm's LCD monitor has both Color Shine and Crystal Shine. I wonder if thats the cause of the bad vertical viewing angles that most people notice. (If this has been noted before sorry...). If its the case, I may talk to Asus about a LCD replacement if my LCD has bad vertical viewing angle and light leakage when my A8Jp arrives.

 

I talked to one of Asus' resellers about this issue, because W3J listed both Color Shine and Crystal Shine and a8js listed only one of those. The reseller said that the a8js also has both, it's just some sort of (relatively meaningless) terminology (probably meaning "glossy") and the panels should be similar or the same. It's been a while and this may not be very accurate, but if it is, it means that the distinction doesn't matter.

 

I am certain that it will fit on it. Just look for it on ebay its the best place... Be sure to ask the seller if they got the exact same model because sometimes they sell it as "compatible" and they just send you any other LCD that fits yours.... I am sure the LG-Philips is very good.

 

We have two A8JS-4S013P left and have discounted them to $1,499

 

I have Logitech 5.1 speakers with the three different color 3.5mm plugs for 5.1 sound. Is there a way to connect them to the laptop's SPDIF to get 5.1 without using an external sound card?

 

A8Js owners,
where is A8Js made?

I was under the impression that ASUS laptops are Taiwan made.
But A8Jp is made in China. Are they all made in China?
Thank you.

 

Anyone? I also fight with this matter..

 

Not many laptops are made in Taiwan anymore, almost all of them are actually manufactured in China.

The headquarters and research and design are still mostly in Taiwan, but once it goes to mass production, it goes to China for that.

 

ColorShine = Asus' marketing term for glossy screen (i.e. HP Brightview, etc); present on all models.
CrystalShine = Asus' marketing for high brightness LCD panel; select models.

Some sites may not list all of the marketing notes from Asus about the listed model.

 

Unfortunately, SPDIF will only output a dolby ditigal or DTS encoded surround stream, (i.e. from a DVD), you will require a Dolby decoder (such as a audio receiver) to decode the signal. A couple logitech speakers have such decoders but not many... and it wont happen with the three plugs you've got there.

The best bet is to buy a external USB surround card like the audigy 2 NX.


PS I got my A8js and I like it mostly. The screen is OK, its the same one everyone else has but I dont think its all that bad. the blacks could definitely be blacker though.

 

Hello again!

I've found several versions of the LP141WP1, the -TLA2, TLB2 and TLB3. Any advice on these part numbers? One last question before I pull the trigger on this: The LP141WP1 will just plug into the cables / inverter power in the A8Js, correct?

Thanks for your advice!

JWB

 

The different versions are between glossy and matte screens. If you like glossy go for glossy, if you like matte go for matte. You are correct about the cables / inverter power. Good Luck with this... Please post pictures... I will most likely be doing this too .

 

I have now recieved my ekstra gig of RAM and a laptop sleeve. I have installed the ram and thus have a total of 2048 mb ram. That is sweet Just one question though, do the RAM run DUAL by default, or will I have to set that up in e.g. BIOS??

 

Your chipset supports Dual Channel memory by default when two pieces of memory are in the laptop...there is nothing you need to do in the BIOS.

 

Does anyone know if its possible to reassign some of the hot buttons, like Splendid or Instant Fun, if we dont really care about those functions? Id love the instant fun button to open Firefox instead .

PS That instant fun is insidious. I know I was warned *NOT* to press it. But i just had to. Now it pops up every time I boot.

 

Thank you for the answer

 

I got my A8js today... I'm so happy! One question though: my screen is CMO1416. was that the good one or the bad one?

 

ive been using my a8js since Christmas
thanks to notebook review and g2p/bto

some questions:
1. what is net4switch? every time i restart it asks to make a profile to match the network environment...
2. i have only uninstalled norton and i am about to convert to ntfs, should i just do a clean install?
3. is there any way to configure the 5 hotkeys above the keyboard?
4. i use an external monitor at home (wish there were screws on the sides of the DVI) and i close the notebook, are there any risks to the screen being near the heat of the base?
5. is skype worth saving? is it free?
6. is it better to shut it off at night or hibernate?
7. how do i check my screen type and for zero bright dots?

 

fabarti, have a look at your viewing angles and compare to to the rest here, CMO is generally better, the AUO screens on the A8js are not up to par for some A8js owners.

Whereas the G1 and V1JP are both using CMO screens, which are fantastic.

 

1) You most likely don't need this Windows Zero will create profiles for you automatically. Like one for home, work and school. So when you go to either it should connect automatically or prompt you with a "enter a password".

2) That's fine that you got rid of Norton, it is ultimately your choice if you want to do a clean install. You should change the hard drive to NTFS, so that you don't have to do it later, if you choose to do a clean install.

Generally use it for now, and if you feel that you need a clean install, then go ahead.

4) There should be no risk of the cable burning or anything of the like, but don't have the cable blocking the vent.

5) Skype is not free, more like a pay for a month type service. This is up to you if you want Skype.

6) Once again, this is your choice. I personaly Hibernate all the time, even during the nite, because my load time out of hibernate is only 30 seconds while my boot time is 90 seconds. Plus when in hibernate, all my programs are still there and loaded. Of course take out the AC or battery when your leaving it overnight. Unless your charging overnite, then it is somewhat ok...but not recommended.

7) You can open paint and visualy change all the colours of the background, or use Pixel buddy, google it you should find it. In general use you may be able to find it too.

 

well, my viewing angles seem fine, but i come from a 2,5 year old laptop with a 15,4" matte xga screen. it is better than that one, and we recently replaced the screen... anyways, i have no problem finding an optimal viewing angle. But i have another problem... Bluetooth doesn't work anymore. I'll be trying to reinstall the drivers.

 

I too have just jumped on the A8JS bandwagon. My first laptop and first "fruit" of my labor in the "real world" after college. It shipped today. My question is does anyone use those notebook cooler things? For the most part I will have mine on a desk and it won't be moving around too much until I possibly decide to go to grad school. Is there a problem with heat buildup when they are against the desk? On a side note I hope this whole AUO v. CMO thing isn't as bad as people are making it out to be. I am guessing (hoping) that it is something that anyone but a notebook "connoisseur" would notice since otherwise the package looks solid and hard to beat for the price. I won't be banging my head against the wall asking why I dropped 1500 on this pile of junk right?

 

Danny at MilestonePC answered your other questions quite well, however I would like to add a comment or two about this one.

Please understand that your laptop releases heat through the keyboard and needs to breath that way, so closing the laptop when it is on is generally not a good idea. Further, if you close your laptop while using an external monitor you are losing one of the main benefits of using an external monitor. To get the most productivity out of that setup you should use both screens at the same time. This has been discussed many times in this forum. For example please go to http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1595430

 

so when i put my notebook in hibernate for the evening, i should unplug the AC and the battery?

 

fabarati.... can you please install everest and tell us the exact part No. Of your screen?

 

Ok, so it is around midnight and your just about ready to go to sleep and you see the battery is charge to 100%. Yes close the lid and it goes into hibernation. Take out the AC adapter, because during the night a surge may occur and decay your battery, and then 6-8 hours later you wake up.

Or something like this, your working on the laptop, but then you get called into work for a small night shift for 3-5 hours of work, your battery is still charged to 100%, you put it into hibernate, then take out the AC adapter because you don't want to risk a surge in such a small timeframe anyways.

Another situation is that you don't have work one day, so you get to stay at home and relax, and your using the laptop for an hour then do something else, come back for 2 hours, then do something else for some time. You can see in this case you are using the laptop the entire day, but not consistantly, so you can if you want to remove the AC adapter for each time you leave your laptop, this one is totally up to you.

 

Hello All!

Has anyone attempted to install XP x64 on their A8JS? I may start trying to gather a complete x64 driver set and install XP x64 on mine. Of course, if someone else has already done the legwork for me, so much the better....

Thanks

JWB