Asus N80Vn-GP011C: First Impressions/Review

Hi guys! In my country they sell the version N80Vn-GP023C which comes with Blue-ray combo drive in default config, other than that identical to GP011C. Also I remember seeing the review on australian c-net for the F8Va (4S004G version) version with DVBT tuner built-in, and I have not seen this version in US market either.

 

Thanks for all those information. But this is not a good news, I'm really seeking for the integrated tuner, of course I coul buy a express slot one, but that's more money.

If anyone eard about a built in tv tuner please let me now.

PS: I think I saw one on ebay, but the processor was 5xxx series. I can't refind the seller.

 

Is it in Czech Republic? Can they send it to Belgium? How much did you paid?

 

So I found again the offer on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ASUS-N80Vn-GP011C-Core-2-Duo-p8600-4gb-320gb-14-1-wxga_W0QQitemZ380095897600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item380095897600&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

But the problem is that i'm afraid for import taxes to EUrope, I'll prefer a european seller, and the other problem is that I'm using a azerty keyboard, I could change to it but this is gone a cost extra money...

 

@ aguinier - Sorry to break it to you but that's still the GP011C version, with the specs just copied and pasted (inaccurately) from the Asus global site. I'd suggest waiting for a regional version (which might have the tv-tuner feature that you desire, as well as the respective keyboard).

 

Just received my laptop today. First major gripe is THE KEYBOARD!! As i type i tend to miss letters which then i have to go back and retype it. There is some keyboard lag too. Can anyone tell me how to fix this lag?

 

Keyboard filter or touchpad drivers are usually the cause of keyboard lag. I think if you look back into the thread, people have uninstalled the synaptics drivers and used default mouse drivers? How's everything else though?

 

I just updated my graphics driver and i'm currently installing BIOSHOCK. So far i've disabled a lot of the programs that run at startup. My question is, what programs can I uninstall that I don't really need?

 

I'll tell you this, even with all the bloated software installed this thing FLYS!

 

OK, uninstalled Synaptics driver and the lag is GONE. No more pressing the keys a little harder than usual. I finally installed Bioshock and let me say that it runs at MAX settings. I know this game is a little old (2007) but it's one of those games that you can always come back to and play again. I have yet to install COD 4 and Crysis so i'll give my 2cents then. Great computer so far.

 

My A8js died without warning on Saturday, sadly, and I'm in the market for a new one. Ideally I'd buy the LG P310, but seeing as it's not available in the U.S., I'm leaning towards the Asus N80. I have a question about processors, though.. I can get the n80vn-x1 from newegg for $800 after rebate, and the only difference I can tell is the T5800 (2.00Ghz) processor (and maybe lack of BT, but that doesn't bother me).

The only taxing uses this laptop would get is some online gameplay (WoW). Would it matter for my purposes? The P8600 processor would mean coughing up at least another $300+.

What sort of practical difference would I experience? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm really sad I missed out on the $200 cashback promotion, and sad that my A8js didn't last me through school (one semester left, boo).

 

Processor Speed
L2 Cache on Processor Amt
HDD Amt
no BT
Those are most of the differences that I see. For just playing wow and school stuff there really is no need to spend the extra 250+. If you switched the processor on my N80 I doubt I'd be able to tell the difference.

 

Well, I pulled the trigger. Thank you! Hopefully it will last a bit better than my A8js, which had some issues (cracked bezel and dead backlight, had to send back last year) and then this utter death 3 mos after the warranty ran out. (Seems to be graphics card issue.. maybe power surge got it, not sure.. :/)

 

This thing is amazing. You'll dig it.

 

Hey guys did you notice that this model is out of stock in newegg and excaliburpc and been replaced for other models... I think this model isnt coming back the only thing I hope is that the new models stay in the same range of price and performance (with ATI in theory should be better)

 

Yeah it has been in and out of stock at newegg recently. It isn't even listed on there at all right now, except for an open box version.

At Excaliberpc, it says it has been replaced by the N80-C1. It is about $100 more than the GP011C, and has the T9550 (2.66GHz) 6mb cache processor and Vista 64 being the only differences I can see.

 

How do i know what programs to uninstall? I was surprised to see when i went to Task Manager that i had 71 processes running at the same time.

 

@squads
It isnt about $100 more than the GP011C is like $200 n more. IMO is exaggarated the price obviously compared with the other ASUS

Still a Bargain compared to other brands but out of my price range

P.D. I have a question is a bit Off-Topic but if someone know something about it... Do you know if it is true that this year the PS3 will cost $299 in North America????

 

I read that the PS3 will indeed drop to $299 around April this year.

 

By the way, quick update on my brand new laptop. LEFT 4 DEAD runs AWESOME on this thing!!! As my first laptop I'll admit that I am thoroughly impressed. Although it's not the PERFECT laptop (problems with the keyboard), it is everything I've wanted, mobility, ability to play games, school, browse, music etc. Great buy, if you're still able to find it online...

 

So its true... I cant imagine how much will drop the 360!!!

I remember my last console the dreamcast was so awesome until it died

 

No it's not necessarily true. Odds are it will drop some time this year because it's been a while since the last drop, but...

 

Hey guys Do you know what have the studio XPS 16 that make it able to handle 8 GB DDR3??? Is a different chipset or what???

 

Is this lappy able to work with DDR3 RAM???? Someone told me that it cant but tell me why please

 

IIRC, this notebook is actually maxed at 4gb of DDR2. Probably a limitation of the chipset. If you dig through previous posts in this thread (I know, there's a lot) you should find the info you're looking for.

 

How would i go about overclocking the video card on this laptop?

 

Hey Gaming Nurse could you test the Witcher Enhanced Edition on this lappy and tell your impressions about it... Just want to know if it runs well with all settings maxed

 

Well, I finally ordered a laptop. Went with an XPS 1640 'cause it was only about $80 more for me than this sucker, and I sort of felt more comfortable with Dell, though I don't know if that's really justified. I'd much rather have this guy's Nvidia GPU though, although conversely I'd rather have Blu Ray built in, versus adding it on through USB like I was going to with this guy. Hopefully I won't hate it :-/

No, you can't. They have to be made to either support DDR3 or 2. It doesn't matter though. At the current clock speeds they have DDR3 notebook RAM running at the performance is basically the same.

Personally I wouldn't overclock at all, let alone on a notebook GPU...

 

Sorry for the late reply, but they were using it on new 120 Hz monitors (that were also announced at CES 2009). There were already many LCD TVs with a 120 Hz refresh rate before CES and I am sure that 3D Vision would have worked with those. And I also have yet to see a 120 Hz laptop monitor, and we probably won't see them for a while, if ever.

Anyway, apparently 3D Vision works by having the glasses make each of your eyes see 60 Hz which combines to the 120 Hz total. It's a weird concept, but it's what I read.

 

That's all confusing anyway, as LCD panels don't have refresh rates at all, and the 120hz thing on some TVs is really a processing thing, nothing to do with the screen.

 

Hey Wolfpup I was looking for the XPS 16 but the GPU was a con since the 9650 is better than the 3670. Could you please open a thread with a review like z did with this lappy. Photos and videos would be cool.

 

Can you tell the configuration/price just to know

 

Yeah, I really, REALLY want an Nvidia GPU. I'd much rather have the N80's GPU, even with the DDR2 video RAM. That's my big issue. If it had a 9600GT (let alone a 9700GTS or 9800!) I'd be totally excited about getting it.

It cost me I guess $1,445.22, with:

-spare AC adapter
-Blu Ray
-2.53Ghz/6MB/1066Mhz Core 2

Aaaaand I think everything else stock...unless I'm forgetting or confusing something. It was basically $80 more (after accounting for CPU differences and adding in Blu Ray) than the N80 for me, which is kind of what pushed me over the edge to finally order it. (And when I consider how much more the Macbook Pro is it almost seems cheap )

 

I really dont understand Dell... Why if they were using Nvidia GPUs (8400m GS & 8600m GT) in the old models they choose to use AMD and the old ones not the new ones :S

 

@Gaming nurse
Did you solve the keyboard issue?? Is REALLY so bad???

 

This lappy has a 5400 or 7200 HDD????

 

Are you dual booting or did you install only XP?

Actually, i haven't tried standby, i only use hibernation. I wonder if the 4gb of ram are causing problems.

 

Yeah i solved it. All you have to do is uninstall the Synaptics program and it takes it off.

Here's an update on gaming for this computer:

Crysis Warhead:
it's definitely playabale. The settings I have are in DX9 mode at a resolution of 1280x800. "mainstream" for texture and Physics quality. Everything else is set to "gamer." I tried playing it on DX10 mode and it's definitely laggy. If you're willing to play in Dx9 mode you'll have a better playing experience. To my observation there really is no Picture quality difference between Dx9 and Dx10. I haven't done a benchmark yet for this game but i would assume it's hovering between 20-30fps, which to me is still playable.

Left 4 Dead:
The source engine DOMINATES any nvidia card and so this computer is no different. I play this game MAX settings with Anti Aliasing x2, Anisotrophic x4. and Textures on Very high. Game plays at an average of 40-60fps.

In my opinion it's definitely one of the best gaming computers out there for the price. I spent less than $1200 for this thing which only included my state tax (California)and had free shipping from Excalibur. I could have spent another $300 for the G series but i would have sacrificed mobility, which was very important to me since i bring this thing to school. I didn't like the orange colors that the G series had as it looks too "out there" for my tastes. If you can still find this computer it's definitely worth the purchase.

 

5400rpm HDD

 

mmm I see so it comes with 5400rpm HDD.

Now are 3 differences between this model and the C1
- 2.66Ghz processor with 6MB cache
- 320 7200rpm HDD
- Windows Vista 64 bits

I dont know if this 3 things justify 160 bucks more and obviously less battery life with that processor

Someone bought the model C1 and can give some impressions of performance????

 

Hey Gaming Nurse I am totally sure that it is the best gaming 14 inch laptop.

For your experience in gaming I think this laptop can stand pretty well against all 2008 games except GTA4 that is not meant to be played in a laptop (I dont like it anyway).

The big question is how it performs against 2009 games. First I am totally sure that will run Sims 3 in a outstanding way and also Mirror Edge. FEAR 2 and This is Vegas am certain that will do it just well. But I dont know how will do it against:
-Street Fighter 4
-Prototype
-Dragon Age Origins
-Alpha Protocol
-Alan Wake

 

What model do you have? The CPU must make a huge difference because mine crawls at max settings when it isn't locking up.

 

Left 4 Dead is more CPU intensive than average, due to the number of zombies, etc.

If I recall the recommended CPU was a Dual Core 2.4 GHz.

 

Does that make it so you can't use the scroll/tap features on the touchpad?

 

scroll and tap works on the Vista driver. The only significant difference is you can't lock the trackpad with FN + F9

 

Hey Guys looking at some Dragon Age gameplay videos, the graphics doesnt look better than mass effect even the graphics seems a bit similar... could we expect to run it without problems if this lappy runs Mass Effect very well???

 

Has anyone removed the top panel (palmrest portion)? I had mine RMA'd for a paint flaw and now my touchpad doesn't work. I'm thinking the tech didn't connect the touchpad's cable properly. BTW, I tested multiple OSs which worked before the RMA, so I know it is hardware.

I'd like to do it myself rather than send it out for service as I am now in Japan. It will be a pain in the arse here.

 

I'm eagerly waiting for Fear 2 to come out. The original was a great game and i hope Fear 2 continues its greatness.

 

i have the version with the P8600 cpu. As far as i know this CPU is perfect for Left 4 Dead. I have yet to go back into time and play some Counter Strike...

 

I'm currently downloading the F.E.A.R. 2 demo for this computer. I'll give you guys an impression on the game itself and the performance for this laptop.