Asus G1 Review

wainting on mine...ups aint working weekends....wtf people... have to wait till monday...sigh. i see that a lot of people post about the left side of the keyboard. but not much people reply to it how they solved it. Also..i am going to be a first time laptop user. are there any specific programs running on a laptop that you don't see on a desktop computer ? ..asking this so i know what to leave in startup after i clean some of that stuff out seeing on the posts here that a lot of programs run on startup.

 

Got my G1 about 5 days ago. So far, I am very impressed with the overall quality of this notebook. I also noticed the 'loose' feeling of the left side of the keyboard. Nothing bad, but noticable.

My main question is what everyone's CPU temps are. To me, it seems a little on the hot side. My readings :

Stock T7200 CPU - Power Mode=High Performance
SpeedFan results : 54C idle
Local : 46C
Remote 2: 50C
HD0 : 47C
Temp1 : 53C

With a load the CPU maxed out at 85C. That seems really high for a stock setup. I wouldn't dare overclock.

Thoughts?

 

I haven't noticed any problems with my computer running hot. I think it runs about as hot as most laptops. I had 3 thinkpad models and they would always get hot on my lap after a while and I haven't really noticed it much with this laptop.

The keyboard doesn't seem to be loose to me but the center seems to be higher then the sides. The backspace key sounds different then the rest of the keys too. Another thing that's weird is that the plastic over the right side of the screen rests on the screen and it is lose on the left. I can press it down with my finger it comes back up when I let it off. The final grip is that I have noticed that the angle of the patterned plastic is consistent except for the corner near the right arrow key. I don't know if these things are all part of the design or a problem with the mold. The one thing that is really impressive is the aluminum and the track pad. Probably the best I have seen and I wish that it had more brushed aluminum because it is sharp. The Green lights could have been left out because they don't really do much. Mine just blink when I play a game and they just annoy people if it is dark. I thought that they would be sync to music or gunshots and get brighter and darker but they just blink. Those are the only problems I have seen so far.

If anyone has put Ubuntu/Kubuntu on the G1, please give suggestions for wireless because that is the only problem I have had. I have to run ifup eth1 to get the wireless to work.

 

this baby runs cooler than my sager did. i too would like to know what programs to trash to get the machine running more quickly.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'd be curious to know what readings you guys would get with Speedfan. It's a free program that can be obtained here ;

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

As for what programs to get rid of, here's what I did :

Removed Norton Internet Security, and loaded Avast. It's free, and uses a lot less resources.

I also removed the Net4Switch. For me, the built-in XP wireless utility is more than sufficient. I also removed the Intel Proset utility. I don't know if this came as part of the system, or something I loaded when I updated the LAN drivers. Regardless, it was buggy and a memory hog and also really isn't needed.

I also removed Asus Live Update and Multiframe.

I just don't like stuff loading that I don't necessarily need. It seems to boot up quite a bit quicker now. Of course use your own judgement on what you want to uninstall.

 

does anyone know if you can output to two separate monitors at the same time using the dvi and vga adapter and not the LCD of the laptop? i noticed you can in clone mode but not in dualview...

 

No....

As with the questions posed earlier tonight about the A8 - and those posed in the last couple months about the A8.... the VGA and DVI are attached to the second output of the graphics card basically through a splitter..... they both put out a signal at the same time, but they're both of that second source...... Not much good a clone view of the same desktop on two external monitors will ever help, but that's not why both were on the notebooks.

... Remember, source one is going to the notebook's lcd.

 

do you know this for fact? ive seen some pretty basic dells and other laptops that do have this ability and is a requirement for me to output to dual monitors. this is a high end video card in this box as well. What a waste of space if it cannot do dual output since a dvi to vga adaptor would give the same result and leave space on the back of the laptop for other plugs.

 

I've tested them multiple different ways and have routed the cables off the gpu..... tweaked different custom drivers... I've asked everyone on the forum who ask the same question to go ahead and prove me wrong... I can't do it, but more power to someone else that would like to try.

By the way, what "basic dell models" have you seen that will output to dual external monitors with different desktops? Even high end desktop cards only have two outputs..... and when you're talking about the notebook, one is going to its own LCD...

 

ill find links... ive seen that the laptop lcd turns off when outputting to 2 external monitors. i remember a youtube video showing it recently when i was researching.

 

oh my 3 year old sony had this ability.

It had a vga and also um like the mini rca plug it came right from the video card. Could run 2 external monitors or 3 total.

It was not the norm but its not like anything new or ground breaking.

 

Hey i notice that there are a lot of g1 users here and I am new at this so..the drives are at FAT32 and it comes with a NTFS converter. I was wondering if it was best to convert it into NTFS format on the G1 and if so how do we do it with the NTFS converter and would it affect anything that is already on the drive because i Have some downloaded files already on the FAT32 format? I hope any one of you can help me out, so thank you to whomever. :}

 

NTFS is generally recommended over the older format types. Windows XP actually has included in it a mini utility that is run from the command prompt thing. For more info http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

Now I've done this before a couple times but I still recommend you backup anything vital. Overall though the best option i would say is to format into NTFS before anything is on the drive so you know you wont lose anything, just like when you install windows XP you can format the drive, i would do it there the next time you install if you want to wipe everything.

 

i just dont know how this pc breathes because i cant see any intake vent holes.
just the vent for hot air.

 

tis very funny that they format the HD in fat32, but then offer u the NTFS utility. i would have thought they'd know better to provide ntfs to consumers by now.

 

Well, you can't go NTFS -> Fat32, but you can go Fat32 -> NTFS; so I suppose they're just giving you the choice.

 

No really.

G1 owners just unscrew the bottom of your case and take a picture.

the gpu should be right of the fan
does it look like this?

 

Since you really can't for from NTFS back to Fat32, ASUS provides and easy 2-5 minutes process to transform to NTFS.

The reason is that if there are some people using prorgams or old software which may require the user to use FAT32 for their needs.

Also nice for those who want to use Win98 to use DOS.

 

Anyone else have the tape on the vents for memory and CPU. Is there a reason for this tape to be there, because i want to pull it off

 

Hey I heard that when you buy the G1, there is supposely a free upgrade to windows vista. I was wondering where do you exactly do or go to get the free upgrade?

 

Yeah if you read through the forum you'll notice i mentioned the tape on the memory slot and cpu cover. I removed both (left the copper tape just the stuff covering the vents) and my nprobe reports 45*c now when i used to run at 55*c. I'm not saying you should but it seems silly to me as those are the only two openings on the case. I think they share the covers with other models that have side vents or something... Anyone back me up on this?

A good fix for the keyboard is to just put a strip of fuzzy backed tape from Velcro as I also mentioned.

As well I got wifi working in kubuntu with the knetwork package. It's got a built in scanner and works with wpa.

 

You'll have to pay shipping. For me, it was a total of $7.08

http://event.asus.com/vistaupgrade/

I purchased it a few days ago. I got an email back stating that I need to return an original or 'certified' copy of my original receipt, and a 'redemption form'. I emailed them back requesting where I find this redemption form, but got a canned response pointing me back to this page :

https://upgradeweb.moduslink.com/vista/default.aspx

Which basically covers everything I already knew.

 

yeah, i have no idea what is a redemption form either, sorry. But i did follow ur link to ordering it, I got copy of my original receipt but i have noidea what a redemption form is either.

 

When you fill out the order"form" on the site, it'll give put you in the system and give you a number...... You then need to use that when you send in your reciept to "redeem" it.

I know that it's not the easiest thing in the world, but they're honestly not trying to make it hard for people to do this.... I heard people were having problems with it, so I ran an order through for myself... It certainly may take more than a 12 year old to figure it out - but it doesn't take a rocket scientist. People are complaining there isn't a digital way to attach their invoice... and to that, all I can say is that most people filling this out wouldn't know how to do that either.... and on top of that, as with everything, there are a lot of fraudulent attemps to get this upgrade for free. I heard we had the folks there call to confirm an order date for a customer... they said most of the "people" are sorting their way through physical invoicing and trying to verify orders. Apparently many, many more people are "ordering" the vista upgrade than were computers sold since 10/26...

Good luck guys/gals...

 

Hi - I just got my G1 in December and I'd installed several programs and what not, before I realized I was at FAT32. I ran the conversion on the desktops and it was not long at all. It did nothing to my data or programs. I was quite pleased with the speed of the conversion.

 

So basically I just need to send in my receipt and my Vista Upgrade order number? If that's it, I guess the confusion is when I received the confirmation email and they stated I needed to send in the redemption form in addition to the receipt. It's not hard, it's just they aren't clarifying what is needed.

Thanks for clarifying what is actually needed!

 

I received my G1 yesterday...it's a beauty...
As someone else posted earlier my G1 also has Windows XP installed and not media.. i am still going through the many running processes and trying to figure out what to keep and what to take out of the startup. Laptop looks amazing..pretty sturdy..the flashing green lights didn't impress me much. the laptop in combination with the mouse and backpack makes it a awesome package. Glad i went ahead and ordered it.

 

Well here we go then...

Just pulled the trigger on mine, from milestonepc.com

Pretty stock, only upgraded the hard drive to a 100GB 7200RPM and took the 3 year warranty. I'll let you all know how their customer service and sales support plays out by updating this post.

Updates:
1) 1:02pm (EST) I got an email about 2 minutes after I ordered notifying me of my order.
2) 1:30pm (EST) 30 minutes later I got an email letting me know the laptop would ship today!
3) 5:15pm (EST) The G1 was in the hands of UPS.

I must say, that so far this is by far the easiest, most professional and efficient system supplier I have ever dealt with.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

 

I have no problems with my G1, the keyboard is all perfect and it never heats up. I really love this laptop so much, the design is sleek and it is a powerfull laptop. I am waiting for the 160GB 7200 rpm hard disk so then I can upgrade it. I purchase mine from milestone pc, they can handle everything fast.

 

If you bought your G1 in North America, it should have XP MCE on it.. if it doesn't, you should call up Asus and let them know..... But MCE still boots as "Windows XP" as it's part of XP Pro... if you can't get into the media center side of it, you need to give Asus a call.

 

I pulled off the cover you are talking about and the only thing I can think of is keeping dirt out of the fan. I don't see a problem with taking that tape off but I think it could have a risk of getting things in there that shouldn't be(dirt, dust, water). If you are careful it shouldn't be a problem.

I still haven't established a good way of getting the net with kubuntu. Have beryl working though and it is very nice and smooth. Better then any vista demo I have seen.

 

I'm leaving my tape in place. I really think there's 'more to the story'. I'm wondering if it's there intentionally to pull air from across the notebook (from over by the hard drive). I'm afraid if I pull the tape off, it will lower the cooling in other areas of the notebook. At least that's my feeling.

 

Two things..... what exactly is this tape you removed (picture please) and what do you think it's going to do for you again? I mean, I know these systems and what you're explaining - I can't even picture.

Also - in terms of velcro tape... I think you guys would be setting yourself up for more issues with your keyboard. I know the old A series (what the G1 is built on) don't have the best structure under the keyboards, but the best thing you can do to make it feel more solid than it is, would be to simply get decently thin double stick tape. Anything you do to lift the keyboard in one area or another is just going to cause a void under another part...... Even if you don't feel it, it'll make the flex worse and maybe even bend your keyboard over time..... not a good idea.

Every hole is intentional.. like I said, down to the pan of the keyboard... not only does it make the keyboard lighter, which helps the rest of the system, but air can flow through the system better through the keyboard as well as other places..... the heatpipes are only actively cooling the cpu and gpu.... but other things get warm on the system.... just remember that.

 

On the cpu/fan cover is two vents that are covered with tape. I think it could be a vacuum type system and if you peel the tape off it just breaks the seal and less air will come through the intended vent.

Are there any docking stations available for the G1?

 

Ok, well I don't have a G1 sitting here at my desk at the moment, but under that cover, the fan is open on the bottom, is it not? I think it should be and if it is, there is no reason for that tape on the bottom.... because it should be sucking from the bottom and pushing it out the sides.

No docking stations for the G1 - the only full docking station Asus has right now is for the V1 and V2... and only the V1 is out.

 

The fan is open but the tape is on the plastic panel that covers that whole area. Someone said that they removed it so that it had better airflow. I just wonder if it actually provides better air flow because it could be reducing air flow across other components that need it as well. Maybe I will take a picture of it when I get home.

 

As specialbuddy stated, the cover for the memory/wireless card is 90% taped up from the inside. It's actually a black plastic peice. There is a small opening directly over the wireless card, but the rest of it is completely sealed off. The hard drive cover is open. Finally the cover that covers the CPU/GPU is completely sealed up (once again from the inside). My thought is ASUS intended for air flow to be pulled through the hard drive bay and slightly across the wireless card. I wonder if you opened up the CPU/GPU area if that would then cause no airflow across the hard drive, RAM and wireless card.

 

How many CPU usage did the G1 had when you first got it, because I am at least from 17%-25% and I was wondering if it is all because of that bloatware.

 

Cany anyone show me what they were using for the startup programs as well please.

 

Has anyone uninstalled the wifi software and had the wireless console and hotkey stop working? I tryed reinstalling both the console and the wireless software and it still does not turn on and off when i turn it off through that.

 

If you have uninstalled a bunch of stuff and need it back I think it's almost quicker to use the recovery cd. But you don't even need the cd. When you start your computer just press F9 and it will do the same thing.

 

There is a new ASUS G1 review posted on NotebookReview!

Check it out at:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3454

 

hey guys do u mind listing the things you have check marked in startup under msconfig please? i'm trying to make my g1 load up quicker... thanks!

 

after reading thru all your post i have decided to get myself a G1, for that i thank you all. hope its as good as you guys say it is. already made the order and payment. my vendor said ill have it buy tuesday or wednesday.

does anyone have a picture of the asus G1 bag? wanna know what it looks like inside

 

I haven't bought a backpack in about 5 years but if I had to guess how much this might cost in a store I would have to say about around 50 usd or more. It's a really nice bag with lots o' pockets and I mean lots. I probably haven't even found all of them. There is one that has fleece lining and it's good for cameras. It's a nice bag but I think I would like something more professional looking (messenger bag) since I'm not in high school or college.

 

Was wondering why they formated the Hard drive in Fat 32 instead NTFS can anyone turn on the light bulb for me?

 

Many people have asked this question and no one really knows...But they give you the option of converting over to NTFS easily...so it really isn't that big of a deal.

 

Ya pls share this thanks.

 

Does anyone have any idea when the Vista drivers will be out for G1? I've installed Vista and wanna get all the stuff working

 

so you'll have an option of fat 32 or NTFS. i think you can convert easily to NTFS from fat32 but not NTFS to fat32. most laptops i think are like that. so that you can decide what drive format you want to use. if you want more security for ur files over a network, choose NTFS.