Anyone own a Asus A8SC- X2? I need some opinion

I can't really find any review online so I am here asking for help. Anyone using A8SC model? what are the pros and cons. Are they loud quiet..etc


Here are the specs
Brand ASUS
Series A8 Series
Model A8SC-X2
General
Operating System Windows XP Professional
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 1.66G
Screen 14" WXGA
Memory Size 3GB DDR2
Hard Disk 200GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8400M G
Video Memory 128MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 13.0" x 9.6" x 1.4-1.5"
Weight 5.25 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed T5450(1.66GHz)
CPU FSB 667MHz
CPU L2 Cache 2MB
Display
Screen Size 14"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Display Type Wide XGA
Resolution 1280 x 800
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows XP Professional
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 8400M G
Video Memory Dedicated 128MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 200GB
Memory
Memory 3GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
Bluetooth Yes
Ports
Card Slot 1 x Express Card
USB 5
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x DVI, 1 x S-Video TV-out
Audio Ports Yes
Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Internal Speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard
Supplemental Drive
Webcam Yes
Power
Battery Lithium Ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 13.0" x 9.6" x 1.4-1.5"
Weight 5.25 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 3 years limited
Labor 3 years limited

 

I just got my ASUS A8Sc-X2 from Newegg yesterday.

I was comparing against other machines that came with XP Pro, so the HP Compaq and the Sony SZ series. I also kind of considered the black Macbook, because I have an unused XP Pro on the shelf for that very purpose.

The Macbook was ruled out because of no slot for future upgrade to WWAN. I don't want a USB dongle for that. Also, maybe I'd want to get an ExpressCard for eSATA. Who knows. Why be limited.

If you check the measurements, the 14" screen models are just slightly wider than the 13" Sonys or Dells. Like 1/2 inch. The computer feels pretty robust to me.

I ruled out the HP because of the PC card vs Express Card. The Sony got points for having both.

After a trip to Best Buy and realizing all the Sonys had chiclet keys like the Macbook, I stayed with this. I kinda wanted a T7500 chip, but decided that the T5450 was fine.

note: I just opened the bottom, and this is one of the ASUS models with a socketed CPU. So I could motivate and put in a T8100 or something later. (As long as it had the same TDP thermal design power rating)

The drive I got was a Seagate. So that's good. The Sony and the Mac have shock protection sensors for the drives. The ASUS manual says don't drop the laptop.

Basically, the next computer "up" was always $300 more for less hard drive and less memory than the ASUS and fewer USB ports. which this laptop apparently wins the crown for with 5.

I like the full stroke traditional keyboard. (I'm typing on the ASUS A8Sc keyboard now). They keyboard is quieter than the Sony too. I also like dark keyboards over white keyboards.

Also, except for the Macbook, the other laptops require a $150-$200 docking station for DVI.

I really like that the Gigabit, VGA, and DVI are on the BACK of the A8Sc. Kinda rare.

One guy on newegg said that there weren't switches for Wireless on/off. There are dedicated buttons for that in addition to the function keys, so I'm not quite sure about his issue.

The moment I'm running it in "quiet office mode" which lowers the CPU speed to 980 Mhz. The fan is on, but pretty quiet. No high pitched whine or hum, just a reasonable sound of air moving. I haven't heard it yet at full speed, I assume it can crank up under load.

So now for the problem.

There is no bluetooth installed that I can tell. No bluetooth device in devmgmt.msc, and Wireless Console 2 doesn't show it, and press the bluetooth switch does not turn it on (or the bluetooth light.)

So I think they forgot to put the bluetooth card in at the factory, since ASUS lists it as an optional feature. Or Newegg has dorked up the description.

I'm still researching the problem.

I'd be very happy if it wasn't for that.

oh, and they decided to use the light next to the caps lock light to mean fun mode, instead of NumLock.

I actually managed to set my password with Numlock on, but you can't tell if it is on unless you check what you are typing in a plain text field. If you used the numlock feature a lot, you'd be annoyed. And the FN is at the far left instead of Ctrl, which bugs some people.

Norman

edit: ASUS Technician (5 minute hold, friendly person on other end) just told me that my model DOES NOT COME WITH BLUETOOTH and Newegg description is WRONG.

Newegg has already sent me RMA form and a prepaid UPS label. Now I must decide if this is a deal breaker for me.

Also, Newegg is wrong about the warranty. ASUS warranty is 2 years. 1 year accidental damage if you register in 30 days. Battery warranty is 1 year.

 

ask newegg to supply you with a usb bluetooth dongle or you will threaten to return the lappy since the description was wrong on their part anyway. Tell them you have consumer rights!!! Especially against false advertising!