Asus notebook with dedicated graphics and good battery life.

Are there any new Asus notebooks out there that can achieve at least 4 hours of battery life with the default battery and also have a dedicated graphics? It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just better than integrated. Ever since I sold my z70va, I have been looking at Asus again and hoping that a new model that I might like more will surface. I could achieve four hours easily on that notebook but it seems as technology advances the battery life department isn't keeping up. I've read a lot of Asus notebook reviews already and most of them can barely make it past three hours. Something like a 7300 which benches less than an x700 has crappier battery life than it, which doesn't make sense. I don't really expect Merom to have much of an impact either after looking at the Anandtech preview.

Are there some models I am missing that don't suck at battery that bad? Notebooks are supposed to be advancing, not going the other way.

 

Well, if you call stock battery + extra battery in the modular bay default, then the W3J will be it ... the default bat gets about 3 hrs, and if you put another extra battery in the modular bay, it'll get you more than 4 hours...

 

The V6j has over 4 hours of battery life if you aren't using it graphics intensive on battery, and has a dedicated GeforeGo 7400. You should also consider it.

 

Well if you dont have the wireless on and have the screen at 40%. Then a A6vc will do 4 hours ish. Thats got a Go6200 - the A6Vm with the Go7300 is the updated model.

Insane

 

Ideally you should fill out the FAQ again, but looking at your wants, you seem to want a High Rest 15.4" laptop with an X1600 with long battery life. But also portable enough to take around with you.

If you want to dip into the 14" screen laptops your options do widen quite considerablly.

W3J with a modular bay battery would get closer to 4+ hours, it has a X1600 and a 14" WXGA screen.

a8jm has dvi and would get 3+ hours, a lot get 3.5 hours and comes with a Go 7600 and a 14" WXGA screen.

Compal HGL30 14"
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=67057

Compal HEL80 15.4"
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=63575

ASUS Z96j and S96j, i'm sure you know the specifications on these but some are able to stretch the battery life over 3+ hours.

Lastly the V1J, this model is yet to be released, X1600, 15.4" WSXGA+ Glossy, has many features that are much desired, plus a modular bay, so you may be able to get 4+ hours on it too. Only downside is its not released yet and it may be pricey, but it depends.

If the V1J comes in 2 versons, low specs or high specs, many might be able to afford the low spec version without any cost to the other features.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=69600

The V1J may be your best bet.

 

Minor correction here, the A8Jm has a Go7600

 

Thanks for listing me some options MilestonePC, but you've got me all wrong. I am not a hardcore gamer and I also think 15.4" is too big for my tastes. The problem with the z70va that I returned was mainly the loud fans and the overheating I experienced with it. I am using a fujitsu s7010D (14" xga and integrated gma) currently and have learned to appreciate smaller form factors as well as lesser graphics chips that produce less heat and noise as well as giving me more battery life. I am currently interested in the w7j but don't know anything about the heat, noise, or battery life. Can someone please enlighten me?

 

I would suggest the ASUS A8JC this has around 4 hours battery life, a 14" screen and has a Go7300, which sounds adequate for your needs

 

For the W7J, as with all newer ASUS models, heat and noise are hardly a problem. Do a search for the W7J review and owner's lounge, you should find all the info you need there.

Battery life with the default battery I heard is pretty average, just around the 3 hour mark or less, but with the 9 cell which sticks out the back a bit, it gets more like 5 hours or so...., again there's a thread around here somewhere called W7J 9 cell battery results or something like that... should be able to help you out..

 

Well... what is your budget?

If you wanted something cheap with long battery life, I would suggest the Z96J. S96J is also an option. Get a 9 cell for it and you can get 5-6 hours, plus close to 4 with the standard 6 cell.

If you must get something smaller... the W3J might be a good option.

The only thing is, I would advise against getting a laptop smaller than 15.4" with serious hardware in it, because it will run fairly hot. Not only will this be annoying to the user, but it can cause part failures. Sure, if you don't mind sweaty palms and a burning lap, and you have plenty of $$$ to shell out, go for a smaller laptop.