Asus N61Ja Info/updates

Can 5730 get playable framerates with crysis on high settings on 1366x768 screen?
i need benchmarks

 

sounds like the card is a little better than this card which has been fully reviewed.

 

We don't have benchmarks yet............

 

Now Asus also including 1 USB 3.0 port with N61JQ-A1, so the difference between N61JA-A1(i5-430M version) and N61JQ-A1(i7-720QM version) remains to below for the exactly same price ...

1. i5-430M (3MB L3 cache) and i7-720QM (6MB L3 cache)
2. 4x Blue-ray reader and DVD writer

Hence, its worth to go for N61JQ-A1 than N61JA-A1, but we have to see the amount of heat it (i7) produces.

Again, as I had asked does these models includes, touch sensitive multimedia buttons at the top of the keyboard, which is being advertised in the features pages of these models, but I'm not able to see them in the provided images

I think Justin can answer this.

 

I hope he can, I am also interested to see conclusive pictures of these laptops.

 

The difference between the i5-430 and i7 isn't just the cores and caches. There's also the IGP. If asus decides to allow switchable graphics on the N61JA, that's a strong case for it.

 

OK. Then why the price of the i5 (with IGP) processor is less than i7 (non IGP) processor ???

Hence, any i5 based laptop should be less costlier than corresponding i7 based laptop, if the other components are exactly same. This is what I feel from the price list of Intel processors.

 

i think for that we will have to wait till the first shipments are received at xoticpc.

Eagerly awaiting reviews and benchies for this baby

 

Because it costs Intel less to make. Asus have no responsibility to pass those savings onto us. In fact, the i5s will use less power then the i7s, and thus have better battery life and run cooler.

From the perspective of the average consumer, processing power and battery life balance each other out, despite one being "free"

 

I like your argument.

ASUS has decicded to make it look like you are getting(paying for) battery life by lowering the proccy.

It's all in the marketing!

 

I do not understand this. If the inner component of the laptop are costs less, then the overall price of the laptop should be less

 

How you're thinking is the ideal situation. Unfortunately, it's a capitalist world, so if they can get away with making it more expensive, they will.

Look at it this way, the i7 720QM has 20% extra processing power. But the i5 430M uses at least 25% less power! (And since we don't know yet, that's a VERY conservative guess. Closer to 50% would be my guess). To the average blockhead buying a laptop, wouldn't it seem like they were roughly equal? And if they're roughly equal, why make one more expensive than the other?

 

We understand all these numbers related to powerful processor and consuming less power and having embedded graphics or not : Its upto the processor manufacturer.

But the confusion is that, if the processor vendor is selling one processor in less price as compared to other, and assuming other components are exactly same, how come the assembler (Asus) can sell with same price (I know its the choice of the assembler to fix its product price, and it has right to do so :: If you like buy it else look elsewhere)

May be I'm wrong, lets put this topic in bin and wait for actual user reviews/benchmark numbers.

 

Whats putting in the 'bin' supposed to mean?

Pardon my ignorance. But i am new here!

Thank you!

 

i'd rather not hear the explenation, it sounds quite perverse

 

Does anybody here know if the new Asus N61jq-X1 has a USB 3.0?
There seem to be two different models of the JQ-X1 and A1
Looks like the only difference is that the X1 has 320gb drive and A1 has 500gb.
I already ordered the X1 which is selling on newegg but they don't know if it has 3.0 or not. I know that the A1 has it for sure, but I'm wondering if X1 does too.

If anyone know please share.

 

It does have a USB 3.0 slot according to Xotic.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n61jqa1-order-p-2734.html

 

See that's the thing... Xotic offers the A1 model.

Here is a link to the X1 on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220696
It just says 3 usb slots. When I called them they told me to contact Asus.

 

Oh sorry, I missed that part of your post. Honestly, I would have ordered from Xotic. They're known to have great support and heck for only $15 more (after taking Xotic's discount and free shipping into account) you get the 500 GB HDD and USB 3.0 for sure.

That's not to say Newegg is bad or anything, far form it. It's just in this case Xotic looks to be the better deal.

 

The A1 is a better model than the X1, which may be the reason.

 

Agreed, but I live in Canada and even though xotic ships here and they have customization which is a huge plus, I calculated it and it would cost me around $1650 CAD with 6 gb ram incl. shipping. Newegg.ca comes out to $1192 CAD with 4 gb. For the difference I can actually buy 8gb memory from newegg and it will still be slightly less.

Anyways I`m gonna try calling Asus and see what they say. I`ll keep you guys posted, just in case anybody else is wondering.

 

Well that makes a lot of sense for you then. Thanks for the update.

 

So looks like they should both have USB 3.0
Apparently the X1 is just something retailers requested but since they are both N61jq models they should have the same specs. Which makes sense, I doubt they would put different mobo into A1 and X1. So looks like I'll be getting some sleep after all But they said (by they I mean the girl at the call centre - didn't know much) they're not totally sure, so I hope they were right.

Another question; do you think 1333 mhz memory will work on the jq? Or would I be able to switch just one of the modules with the same speed but different manufacturer? Essentially I really need to have at least 6-8 gb. So just wondering what my options are.

 

Yes......1333 mhz DDR3 memory will work on N6JQ/A and infact Xotic has this option for customization.

 

Wrt the below (see attachments) processor price list and upgrade option price of XoticPC, why there is discrepancies in price

And also why there is not listed price of i5-430M processor, it only says OEM in wiki.

 

N61JQ-A1 first impressions video available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8coEChQeYo&feature=player_embedded

gentech pc now shows it in stock!

 

My Asus N71JA actually came factory shipped with 1333 memory, although specs stated 1066

 

Here are some initial benchmarks and temps we did on the N61JQ this AM.

 

Read carefully. Those prices are for every 1,000 units. Do you think places like Xoticpc purchase a thousand of those and keep them in storage in case users want upgrades?

 

Ok, so, let me see if I have this straight.

If I choose the -JA, I get a slower CPU, but better battery life and a Blu-Ray drive.

If I choose the -JQ, I get a faster CPU, worse battery life, and no Blu-Ray drive.

Is that right? Is that how it boils down, or have I missed something?

If that's right, then the question I have is this: How much better, really, is the i7 than the i5? If I'm not gaming (but I am crunching large amounts of data from time to time), does it really make a difference? Am I the "blockhead" (as someone so gracefully put it earlier) that would actually prefer the better battery life in this case, or am I an idiot not to choose the i7 when it's the same price?

EDIT: I'd also like your input on the heat benchmarks listed above. I have relatively little experience reading such things; is it anything I should be worried about?

All input is very much appreciated!

 

Battery Life would be news to me.

JQ= i7, DVD
JA= i5, Blu-Ray

Only difference I know of.

 

Better life is expected out of the JA due to the i5, however if there are no switchable graphics, I'm not sure how that will play out. I think that's what everyone was basing their ideas of better battery life on.

 

So was it confirmed that there's no switchable graphics on it for launch?

 

There we have it.

 

I thought he was referring to the JQ with the first sentence.

 

Yes...JQ & JA both are exactly same machines with below differences ...

N61JQ: i7 – 720QM 6MB L3 cache, 8X DVDRW Drive, 45 watt, NO integrated graphics, 4 cores, $1065 USD
N61JA: i5 – 430M 3MB L3 cache, 4x Blue-Ray reader, 35 watt, Integrated graphics, 2 cores, $1065 USD

Now Dell Studio XPS 1647: i5-430M, Slot load 8x DVDRW Drive, FULL HD 1080p screen, 4 GB DDR3, 520GB 7200 rpm, RADEON® HD 4670 – 1GB, 1Yr LoJack, 1 Year Basic Service Plan, $999 USD

Also Toshiba Satellite A505: i5-430M, 8x DVDRW Drive, 16" LCD, 4GB DDR3, 500 GB 5200rpm, $850 USD

With so much options it is making a tough competition to choose

 

I think Asus and the Dell are in close competition between the N61 series and the XPS config you listed, and in that case, I have to give it to the Dell. The Asus may have a better graphics card, and as long as you aren't upset about that, the Dell has similar specs AND full HD screen. Plus, I think Ken just said the JA doesn't have switchable graphics.

 

Looking at the benchmarks so far, we have an enormous 300 point (or 4%) advantage for the i7 720QM. Pretty much negligible in this case. However, once you start using all 4 cores, there might be a more noticeable difference.

Still can't say much about the battery life. Without switchable graphics (deal breaker for me), the battery life will probably still be better, but it's probably a question of how many minutes better than how many hours. That said, if you're not going to use the quad cores and tiny bit of performance, hell, I'd go for the extra 15 minutes of battery life.

And about that Dell, unless it has USB3.0, I'd take the lower res any day.

EDIT: I just noticed the CPU scores on those screenshots: 2954 vs 2903.

 

I guess I'm confused. Does the JA (with the i5) have switchable graphics? I think I understand that the JQ doesn't have it, but does the JA?

 

I don't think either of them do.

 

The resolutions are different for the benchmarks, 1280x1024 on the JQ, and 1280x768 on the JA. It's more than just a 4% difference if tested on same resolutions.

 

Good point. Though even so, the lack of difference in the CPU score is disheartening.

 

^ ditto. I wuld expect i7 to be at least a tad bit 'revolutionary', as intel has been marketing its i7s to be.

whatever happened to, 'dumbest of the smart kids'

 

The i7 scored a 2964 in GenTech's test of the jq-a1, with resolution at 1024x768. Would be nice to see what both the CPU scores would be at 1280x1024.

 

I think you guys are forgetting that the jq-a1 has a resolution of 1366 x 768, so how can it do 1280x1024 benchmarks?

Am I missing something?

 

They sometimes test to an external monitor.

 

What was the ETA on this model?

 

A few days ago. Came out the same time as the N61JQ, but I think everyone's going for that model, probably for good reason.

 

i will wait for a review and hope someone can confirm switchable graphics for core i5 before importing this laptop.

 

Now Dell Studio XPS 1647 i5-430M also available for $999 with FULL HD 1080p LCD and rest other are approx same except N61JA/Q has 1 USB 3.0 port. Also HP dv6t i5 version looks promising. Now its a tough competition among them and tough to choose one with approx $1000 USD.