Close to buying an ASUS A8JP...a couple concerns

My current laptop is a Sony SZ120p but unfortunately I spilled apple cider on it and its now sticky in various spots. I want to get a replacement laptop and the ASUS A8JP looks very appealing. There are only two concerns I have.

1. How durable is the casing? I know this laptop has a plastic casing and I've heard complaints that it scratches easily. Is this true? I like to take good care of my equipment and I want to know if this laptop will get scratched up under normal use, both on the lid and palm rests.

2. How loud is the fan on this unit? I plan on using this laptop in college classrooms where it is very quiet and I don't want to disturb anyone.

I'd really appreciate if owners of this laptop could answer these questions for me. Thanks in advance!

 

it will scratch easily.

on a scale from 1-10, its armour class is 3.

It is a single small fan, much quieter than most notebooks inclduding the sony sz

 

You will need to use a sleeve or a backpack with a dedicated laptop slot to protect your A8js.

It will scratch, most plastic lids with made with similar materials and colour will scatch easily. I know people who throw their laptops into a bag filled with binders, pens, pencils and other school supplies at it will get scratched.

The noise shouldn't be enough to disrupt a class or anything, someone posted about placing a little peace of tape over one small portion of the vent and will stop some sound coming from it.

 

Is the casing of A8J same with V1J? Scratch easily?

 

The outside case does scratch easily and I take care of my stuff. Hasn't even been out of the house yet (well, the front yard).

Palm rests have not scratched at all. Even though one person said he use his mouse on the palm rests and they scuffed up. He was able to polish it away.

Fan is very quiet. The laptop cooler fan is louder.

Check out the A8JP Owners Lounge for more info and links to reviews, etc.

 

The V1JP's lid is not easily scratched because of the Magnesium alloy lid plus a darker colour, almost black, it doesn't show scratches.

Whereas the A8js lid is reported by many users to be relatively scratchable, so I would suggest proper care, using a notebook sleeve or a backpack with a dedicated slot for the laptop.

 

And a class 10 is bullet proof.

 

I want to know who is testing this stuff.

 

ya actually i think its a two. I have scratches on mine and the touchpad has worn. Every part that is silver is covered with a soft finish.

 

it sounds scary T__T, i'm considering buying A8jp, but i'm the kind of person that throw it in my backpack with pencils and everything...
glad that Vaio FE has magnesium alloy lid

 

The value of this machine is too great to care about scratching the case in my opinion. Yes I take measures to avoid scratching it. Yes it has a couple scratches but very few and very unnoticable. Do I really care.. no not particularly.

Most importantly it gives me incredible performance in a small size at an unbeatable price, scratched or unscratched.

 

^^

What he said.

 

FYI Lenovo, Panasonic and General Dynamics.

 

This kind of has me worried now about the touchpad being worn. Has this happened to anyone else? How often/hard do you use the touchpad? I would take really good care of my A8JP, I like my things to look very nice, I'm really picky like that. This computer is no doubt a great deal, but things like this have me wondering if I should buy the machine.

 

I cant give you any good news about that.

If you want the touchpad to stay new looking you will have to not use it.
Asus actually sells brand new ones for like $15 at the e store though I wouldnt worry about a $15 part for a 1300$ computer.

Its just taking apart thats even more scary.

The touchpad is entirely seperate from the chassis but its covered with a very non durable silver finish. You will wear out spots in months at most. No functional difference

 

Just put a piece of clear contact paper over the touchpad.

Or put a PDA screen protector over it.

Covers it, still usable, doesn't wear off the finish.

 

I'm slightly worried too - I was looking at the A8JS (which uses the same chassis as the A8JP) and if it really scratches easily, maybe I should pass on it.

 

I bought one of these and it works great! If there's none listed, just ask the seller to list one. It was kind of hard to apply but it looks very good and protects my laptop from getting scratched.

Edit: It comes with three panels which cover everything that's silver on the computer. I also have an extra panel (the size of the keyboard) left over.

 

I'm an amature vinyl installer (done 5 cars and one motorcycle). Last night I covered the lid with 3M clearbra material. Looks great. Actually, it looks like a glossy layer of paint. I'm pretty sure it's the exact same thing that adrian linked to above me. It's nice and thick (5 mil if I remember right) which makes it a little harder to work with than most automotive vinyl (3 mil) but the lack of any real curves makes this a nonissue.

Today I think I'll do the wrist area.