Asus U35JC/U45JC

If a laptop costs $1,099.99 is it worth going from a i3-370M to a i5-450M for 50$ more? Also how about going from an i3-370M to a i5-520M for 150$ more? Are any of these upgrades worth it?

 

The only benefit you are going to get it turbo boost which is going to overclock one of the cores in certain situations. Personally I don't think it is worth it in this case. Maybe the 520 but the 450 is for sure not worth it.

 

The ENVY also has a down clocked 5650 that almost cripples it's performance.

 

And as an update from GenTechPC now on the new ASUS U33/43/35/45Jc:

Quote from GenTechPC

• Most of the U models are going to be delayed until the end of August except the U45JC.
  
  I am still waiting for the confirmed ETA, I'll let you know as soon as I have them.
  __________________
  Ken Lee

 

What do you think is updated in the U35/45Jc that's not in the U30Jc-B1?

• An updated all-plastic housing instead of the cool-to-the-touch brushed aluminum palm rest and trackpad of the U30Jc?
• No WiDi-ready wireless (unlike the U30Jc-B1 which is WiDi-ready)?
• Lots of air vent grills in the bottom to cover up & transfer heat to your legs unlike the U30Jc which has NO air vent grills on the bottom, yet is one of the coolest-running laptops that ASUS makes?
• The U35/45's underclocked 310M GPU that gets 3400 in 3DMark06 instead of the full-speed 310M in the U30Jc that's easily gets 3750. (And due to the laptop running so cool, can easily be overclocked to get 4300 in 3DMark06.)

Yep, those are quite a list of updates alright!

WHAT?? I've noticed ASUS downclocking the 310M in the newer models, but I hadn't thought of HP downclocking the E14's HD5650 as well. Is this due to cooling methods or need to keep heat down in the Envy?

On the NV 310M, it is pretty easy to clock the GPU back up to the standard speed using NVIDIA System Tools.

What about the HD5650? Can it be clocked back up to normal and does this affect the GPU's temps?

 

Looks like the UL30VT-A1 wont be in stock from Amazon for 2-4 weeks

I have no experience with J&R. How quick is their standard shipping and how is their customer service in case I ever need to return it for any reason?

 

The bamboo element of these models is not a deciding factor for me, I am open to suggestions.

 

From other reviews, I'd read that the Studio XPS 16 has an especially excellent screen.

The ASUS UL & U-series notebooks' TN panels seem consistently rated as mediocre.

While I really like my U30Jc, my biggest complaint of my notebook is the level of light bleed, poor contrast ratio & poor viewing angle. When I watch HULU or a movie in full-screen, the blacks look like washed-out grays, esp in the lower third of the screen. Tilt the lid back just a bit and the top 1/4 turns into an inverted negative on the blacks.

In normal work, it's fine and gives me a sharp image.

Of course, that's me coming from a Dell Vostro 1000 that had an equally as mediocre screen (light bleed-wise). At least the U30's screen is MUCH brighter (brighter than also my wife's 1-yr-old 13" white MB ... which also has light bleed / poor contrast ratio.)

Will you be happy with that kind of screen coming from your Studio XPS 16?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love my XPS, with my only complaints being the speakers crackling when the volume is past 50% and the slightly heavy weight, but the reason why I am looking at a new laptop is that I want a laptop that is thin and light, while retaining reasonable performance, and that is what led me to the U30/U35 series. The U30JC-X2B looks very promising with an i5 and Optimus technology, but sadly the only retailer I've found that carries it is in Canada, and they do not export to the US. The most demanding task I would do on my laptop would play 720p MKV videos, which from what I have read that the Intel HD graphics can handle, but I want to have something that will have the extra oomph if it is required. I have also looked at the TimelineXs, which are also appealing, despite the lack of discrete graphics.

 

If the U45JC wasn't $50-$70 more than the U35JC, I'm sure that more people would have been excited for it.

Oh well, at least this means that we should see some reviews in the coming weeks.

 

I live in New Jersey, and I usually get stuff from them within 3 days, since they ship within 2 days and it takes about a day to get to my house.

Apologies for the double post. I can't find the delete button anywhere...

 

Frankly, I would love to have your Studio XPS 16 screen, but it was too big & heavy for me and way out of my budget.

Interestingly, they didn't put the same screen in the smaller sizes, just the 16. I guess they felt people who wanted that quality of screen (and speakers) wanted the screen to be big as well. Understandable.

I thought the TimelineX 3820TG has switchable discrete graphics ... though the last I heard, the US was having a severe supply problem getting any of that model in the country. Has that changed now?

 

My problem is that I am so used to high resolution screens that I worry that 1366x768 on anything bigger than a 13 may not work for me. I use two 24" screens on my desktop, and my XPS' 1080p screens, and before my XPS I had a XPS m1530 with also a 1080p screen. I actually thought about going down to a TimelineX 11.6" with a 1366x768, but then I think that the screen size itself may be too small. My only other options are the Envy 14/T410s/Vaio Z, all of which are very expensive (with the Z being ESPECIALLY expensive with a 1080p 13.3" screen, which would be perfect, but I have heard the Z suffers from fan noise issues).

 

I believe the issue still remains. I can find a 4820TG on MicroCenter , however the TGs have the ATi Radeons, and I am an nVidia fan. I probably am being picky, and can settle for it, especially if it is offset by an i7 as is the case with the 3820TG that I saw on eBay

Ah decisions decisions

 

Ah, but the 3820TG doesn't have just ANY ATI Radeon. The HD5650 is very powerful compared to the nVidia GF 310M.

Reading about the 3 lb, 13" Sony Vaio Z, I must admit that it looks like an amazing notebook. ... The price is pretty amazing as well.

Sigh. The cost of top items in a given tech field. ... Oh well, beyond my lusts, my U30Jc serves my needs very well.

 

Indeed, I know the 5650 is pretty powerful. That brings the topic of cooling, heat, and noise into play I remember when Acer boasted about Intel's Laminar Jet Flow technology.

The question now is if I should spend a ridiculous amount for the VAIO Z and risk with the fan noise but be floored by the amazing 1080p 13" screen, or spend a slightly ridiculous amount for the TimelineX via eBay...

 

Compared to those, the U35/45Jc would be cheaper as would the U30Jc-B1 (or one of its variants).

My U30Jc is extremely quiet and exceptionally cool and in terms of color & brightness, it's wonderful.

Is the TimelineX a better screen or the standard-fare 1366x768? And the light bleed/contrast issues in most of these laptops. Ugh.

 

I think the 3820tg's screen, according to NBRer's, is also mediocre in terms of contrast, but still has decent brightness and color accuracy.

Don't go for an ebay one, especially from singapore where the 3820tg is really expensive. You can get it imported from taiwan or germany for ~$900 (i3) or ~1100 (i5)

 

The TimelineX series is the standard 1366x768. Which U30JC variant do you have?

I understand the general fishi-ness of ordering online through eBay, but bear in mind that the one I linked is an i7 powered version.

 

Just the U30Jc-A1. I bought it in early April when it first came out and that was all that was offered.

 

Umm has anyone seen this. This is from June 30th and not a config i would get. But in terms of build quality the screen/lid seems prone to damage. Who knows the build quality could be better on the actual units coming out now.

Techtree.com India > Reviews > Mobile Computing > Notebooks > Asus U45J Optimus Notebook

 

In spite of Quatro's somewhat negative views on the U45JC, I have to say that I am very impressed with mine, and it is in no way a flawed product imo

 

You have one? Can you give any details? I guess especially about the link i just posted above. It the screen really that flimsy?

 

Somewhat negative views? I'm crushed.

I've said nothing negative (that I remember) on the U45, just that compared to the U30Jc, it's not better or truly newer, but simply different.

... well, perhaps a tad negative HERE, but I was defending my beloved U30 from the charge that it was outdated or the U35/45 was more updated. There was honor at stake here and I had to pick up the gauntlet. I think the U30's differences make it unique (thus far). USB 3.0 and an improved webcam & screen will change that eventually, but the U35/45 have none of that yet.

 

If you had read the whole thread, you would know that we already covered that issue, and I tried flexing my screen A LOT (it would never flex that much in everyday use) and nothing happened. I think they must have used vice grips to do that

Quatro, remember that I said "somewhat" negative But lets just leave it there

 

Yea, I agree. They must have released a gorilla on it.

And Odysseus, I was only being silly in my last response. Nothing to be concerned about.

 

I know, I know

My main concern right now is whether or not it is too much hassle to connect this system to my 24" benq monitor everyday when I come home from uni, or just get a laptop stand or the like.

 

I'm sorry if this was already mentioned, but does the U45 have vents on the bottom or are they on the side like with the U30JC-A1? I plan to have my laptop on a table most of the time so having it breathe the same air that it releases probably isn't smart.


Nevermind I just got my answer from looking at the techtree review...eh oh.

 

Hey Odysseus Im not sure if you've addressed this before but what sort of temperature readings do you get from both CPU and GPU under heavy load at stock U45JC speeds? I want to know how cool this runs compared to the 4820TG which can get up to 90C (CPU) and 86C (GPU) under stress.

If you can address this for me, thank you so much

 

Yup!
I think the GPU is under volted (.90W) so I'm not sure if it's a heat issue or what but from what I've read on it in these forums when the 5650 is set to it's stock clocks most owners get BSOD.
Surprising huh?

 

This TimelineX reviewed by CNet Asia definitely is an appealing competitor though...

 

Oh yeah! Too bad its not available in the US...

 

Wait Ikas V, you're saying the Envy 14 was underclocked and is thus crippled, does that mean it now runs significantly slower? or...I'm not sure what it means. Could you or anybody clarify?

 

I have a friend who has family that lives in Taiwan, so if I do decide I probably can get it imported, but I think that it will eventually come to the US...

 

The Plastiki Docks Down Undah - The Next Bench
Read this, it's very telling.
Don't bother with the first post, the title doesn't tell the full story of people that got the ENVY 14.

 

So what does the underclocked 5650 effect? And is it still better than what a U30JC or U45JC has? Or is it worse, cause I like everything the HP Envy 14 has to offer.

 

I believe he is speaking of the GPU being underclocked, not the CPU. The CPU doesn't run slower (unless you have power saving enacted). It's the discrete graphics GPU (ATI HD5650) that is running somewhat slower.

Typically in 3Dmark06, the Envy 14 at stock (underclocked) GPU speeds has been scoring 6700-6900. The U30Jc scores around 3750. The UL30Jt & other new U-series ASUS's in Taiwan have THEIR 310M underclocked and have been scoring 3400 and lower.

You can read about E14 users o'cing their GPU's and their results around HERE (and pages after).

Frankly, at around 6800, the Envy 14 still has a MUCH faster GPU than any of the 310M's.

 

I dont know about my cpu, but after having "over"clocked the 310m to the stock real 310m stock speeds (it is for some reason underclocked) and after gaming l4d2 for two hours it peaked at 80c, and the fan never kicked in to full speed, and this is while the i5 is running on turbo boost as well.

It is a quiet and somewhat cool notebook, it never got hot to the touch

 

So this laptop can game halfway decently?
I would love to see some game benchmarks on it.

 

That is really excellent news! Great that the temps are staying cool to the touch. That is a great recommendation.

What do you use to monitor the temp of your GPU while gaming? How do you find out the max temp while gaming?

I use HWMonitor64 to see & record the laptop/CPU core temps, but that doesn't seem to show the GPU temps.

I've used GPU-Z but that is only the temp in real-time. When I'm gaming, I can't see it. When I exit a game, the GPU begins to cool rapidly, so I can never see how hot it got during a session.

Just wondering.

Game decently? It's the standard nVidia GF 210M/310M that is in all of the U & UL ASUS laptops these days. You can read about their gaming benchmarks & FPS in various games in numerous reviews like HERE and HERE. 3DMark06 score is about 3750.

It's certainly not an ATI HD5650, but it's adequate (low-med detail) for most games!

 

since the ones i do want wont be out in time for school, what do you guys think about the Acer 4820TG? it seems to have better specs namely the ATI HD5650, the i3-350 model is only 799 at micro center, not that expensive either... plus its available now

 

Quatro I use GPU-Z, but I let it refresh in the background and I am able to see the recorded temps via the graph

 

How much battery life (away-from-the-outlet) time do you think you'll need at school? How much battery life in real life does the 4820TG give you? Have you looked on their thread here?

Oh yeah, I forgot it can record to a log in the background. Thanks!

 

for the 4820TG they say 5-6hr on web/wifi and 10hr idle with the i5-450M model, Asus will probably get more (U35JC claims 11.5hr, 4820TG claims 8hr), i think 5hr is plenty for a student, but i may need to bring the power cord for rare occasions and just incase...

i was thinking maybe with the VT or newer asus i can leave the charger at home, but VT isnt exactly cheap for the specs imo, and new ones are getting delayed too much

 

I posted this on the UL30VT board, but I wanted to post it here since it relates to one of the possible laptops I could get.

I pulled the trigger on the UL30VT-A1 and then canceled it a few minutes ago. I seriously can't make up my mind and its driving my crazy! I know the SU7300 will be enough for my needs, but I want to future proof myself. I don't want to be kicking myself in the for not getting the U35JC. The one thing that is holding me back form the U35JC is its release date. It most likely will not arrive at my house until maybe 2 weeks after school starts. I have a LOT of down time in between classes and I do not know if I can go without a laptop. I just cant make up my mind and its so frustrating. Another thing I am worried about is Optimus with the new laptops. It seems like a PITA to not have it on the integrated card when I want it to be on there to save battery. If I am not plugged in I would prefer for Optimus to run the integrated card 100% of the time, but it doesn't seem like thats an option which sucks.

My parents are paying for the laptop for me (graduation gift), but it is still a lot of money and I do not want to settle. I just really can't stop thinking about whether or not I will really regret the UL30VT-A1 down the road with the SU7300 processor. Why do I need to keep 2nd guessing myself.

If anyone wants to incorporate their input that would be greatly appreciated. (Thanks for your input earlier Quatro)

 

I can see nVidia is still fine-tuning and improving Optimus drivers. It used to be that when, under Firefox, I viewed a HULU episode, Optimus turned on the nVidia GPU even when I asked it to run it with the IGP ... I just tried it a minute ago and when I set Firefox in the nVidia Control Panel to run with the IGP only, then when I launched a HULU episode (LXD!) in 480p, the nVidia GPU did NOT come on! So settings seem to be sticking better than before for me.

In the older drivers, if I set WinDVD 2010 to run using the nVidia GPU, it still ran it using the IGP. Even if I launched it from the right-mouse click sub-menu under nVidia. Then in the next update, it would let me choose and it WOULD run it using the nVidia GPU. ... but it crashed WinDVD everytime. Now in the latest driver, I see that WinDVD is automatically in my NCP menu and it has chosen "integrated" for me and won't let me change it to the nVidia GPU. It now knows that WinDVD, on my Win 7 x64 system, will crash if run I run it with the nVidia GPU.

It gets smarter with each update. So be encouraged. Optimus is improving.

 

Why would you want the GPU to be on all the time when the computer is plugged in? Optimus will still kick in when it is needed.

 

Relent, why not just go for the SU7300 with integrated graphics then? Is there that much of a benefit to having the dedicated 310M? IIRC, the integrated graphics can still stream 1080p quality videos without stuttering.

I'm hoping that the U30JC-B1 comes out very soon becaue I think it would be perfect for you in terms of price and performance.

It's too bad that Asus didn't plan this out better...all of these laptops should be out right now so people can buy them before school starts. Kind of makes you wonder what kind of morons they have in their marketing department...late releases and model numbers that take days to understand. It's a good thing the laptops are well made.

 

Odysseus! I have read the entire thread, and haven't seen you describe the designe of your U45JC. Can you describe it? Is it almost all black, and plastic? Or more like Asus ha pictured it on their website?

TY

 

If I'm plugged in, I'd prefer the nVidia GPU; faster and better colors.

It depends on if he wants a laptop with the extra weight & thickness of a DVD drive. I have a feeling he doesn't. If he wants a laptop with no ODD, then the U30Jc won't be the right thing for him. ... even though I love (mostly) my U30Jc.

At times, I wish for a better quality screen like the Dell XPS Studio 16 ... now THAT's a nice screen; or the 13" MBP or the higher resolution of the Envy 14 screen. But my screen is ... my screen. I just need to live with it.

And mostly, it's pretty good.