C90s hardware

I don't own a c90s but I'm considering getting something like it in the future.

How has it worked out in the area of actually being compatible with new technology as it came out?

Do you think Asus will do a refresh of sorts/has it been successful?

 

I would pass on the current gen of c90s if I were you. There are other options but if you really like it, asus should be releasing the c90p this summer with a newer motherboard and should probably have a good amount of the kinks worked out from the original. Also depends on if your a gamer or need more cpu power.

 

Asus has already announced the c90p, so yes there will be a refresh. And as for it being successful, i think that most c90s owners (me included) love it.

 

But as to being upgradeable, I don't think it has really worked out... none of the GPUs available for it are last-gen, and that was the main point where the C90 was supposed to be upgradeable w.r.t. other laptops.

 

Yeah, the lack of GPUs to upgrade to has me disappointed in Asus. Will probably try a different brand the next time I purchase a laptop.

 

I'm still hoping for some newers cards, but right they are no cards that are:

A) More powerfull, HD 3650 & 9500M GS are equal to the 8600M GT...
B) MXM-IIable

I'd wait for the C90P, and I still believe we'll see something like a 9650M GT or HD 3690

 

Doubtful. I'll wait till the P comes and out the 9 series. If no upgrades by then, then I am going to be pissed. Will have to talk to some sort of management.

 

Agreed.

(10 char!)

 

Well I don't think there is a contract anywhere that mandates ASUS to release last-gen GPUs for the C90 After all, they can always argue that they have several GPUs for it, and they would be right.

So it'll be tough to get anything out of "management" or even with legal action.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what's the biggest incentive to choose C90 over other ASUS laptops?

 

Well I spoke to sales representatives and they said that the c90s would be coming with the 8600 and that down the road their would be more powerful upgrades. Now the ddr3 8600 was the only upgrade but it was canceled. You can't consider the gs, 7700 and such upgrades.

Viper, as of now none. The newer mobile processors are as powerful to the e6600s and such. They produce less heat and draw less energy.

 

I mean, I build my own computers too, so I like how C90 allows you the ability to modify to your liking.

 

define "modify". It still uses mobile hard drives and memory which are changeable on all laptops. The Desktop processors are an easy swap but mobile processors have the base clock speed (but not the FSB, especially when overclocking!) to match. The GPU is upgradeable but there are no upgrades available.

Now I love my C90 and the personality it has of just being the baddest computer for the price but it's not at all what was promised to us.

 

Modify as in, you can easily take out components and replace it with a better solution, without breaking the bank. Mobile CPUs are generally much more expensive than the desktop CPUs, and they are harder to overclock.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your perception of C90 before you made the purchase?

 

I think everyone thought by now we would have at least a few GPU upgrades. If that were the case, I think there would be a lot more satisfied people, myself included.

 

However, you have to take into the account of possibly higher TDP, as well as different graphic card design. Unlike desktop computers, space is very limited in a laptop computer. Therefore to find a higher performing graphics card, while maintain within the same TDP, and having the same, or smaller form factor is a little bit difficult.

 

Yeah but we pretty much have the best cpus you can get with our older chipset. So no upgrading on the cpu front and lets see what the c90p brings. Now Asus was toting that the c90 can handle up to an 8700. Which makes no sense to me, unless they are not talking about the higher end nvidia line which they are not supposed to mention yet or so.

The TDP tiers are clearly defined by the mxm types so they should now what they can make based on those specifications.

 

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. Can you please elaborate?

 

Right now I have a g1s for my all around laptop. I will soon be getting a tablet for notes and mobility which leaves me with flexibility for a much beefier laptop that I can essentially dock. I still prefer laptops because it's just way easier to move with them and I don't need an insane amount of power.

With that said, as much power as reasonable as possible is best and being able to swap out parts/use desktop cpus seems way more cost effective then just getting a "top of the line gaming laptop" which the manufacturer doesn't want you to mod/upgrade.

 

www.mxm-upgrade.com

 

I the satisfaction with the C90s comes down to looking at its potential vs. looking at what it offers right now. For me, since I didn't really care at all about battery life, it offered me excellent value and it handles both work and play for me extremely well. Any upgradability was basically just a bonus. I'm still hoping for a better GPU down the line but I'm satisfied with what I got. That said, I'd like to see proof of Asus' commitment toward upgrades before I go down the barebones route again.

 

I want to be able to do a motherboard swap and have a C90s-p to save some real bucks. I would probably buy that since I already have 4 gigs of ram essentially. I'd probably keep my HD and just get a quad core and a new gpu.

But yes I do want to see asus do a real push to actually try and make this a maintainable idea.

 

Yeah, the 8700M GT has been re-released under the 9650M GS. Hope the C90P at least has a 9650M GT, 9700M GT or please please please the 256bits 9700M GTS

 

I guess but all of the notebook sites are still reporting that Asus is saying 8700m. Also some people have called Asus and they said the 8700 would not be compatible with c90 which again makes no sense unless the c90p is MxM 3.

I agree with you guys, but I have college expense and such to worry about and was counting on Asus since this was my first laptop purchase. I don't guess I'll have to wait and see.