Juggling ASUS video specs vs. size

Hey everyone,

I have been looking into buying an ASUS for a long time now, but since I don't have the ability to go to a store and check/test it out, I am looking to get some help from current owners.

My main issues are graphics and size. I ideally want the most powerful graphics in a small chassis. I hate lugging around desktop replacements, BUT I'd like to play demanding games such as Fear, Half-Life 2, etc. I'm not expecting max settings with crazy res. Other requirements for me are DVD-RW, wireless, good sound output through headphones, and good battery life when playing DVDs/music, not games. Optional stuff includes Bluetooth and memory card reader.

So which ASUS laptop delivers? Would an A8J fit the bill or is there something better that I'm not seeing? Also, do these laptops come with a Windows CD and separate drivers/software CD? I hate just having partition restores or factory restore CDs with all the extra nonsense?

Thanks everyone.

 

Hey ArDarsh,

It sounds like you probably want the A8Js; it's a 14" notebook packed with lots of graphics and processing power. I believe Asus Ensemble notebooks come with a factory restore CD... I don't think they come with separate Windows install CDs. However, Asus OS images dont' come with too much bloatware unlike others out there... maybe just a couple of apps here and there.

 

Just a note that newegg.com is pretty good at showing you photos of everything that comes with each model including photos of the CDs.

Edit: Well darn...they do it for the 15" models like the V1JP and G1, but not so much for the A8s.

Also, the current suggestion is to get the A8JP or the A8JS-4S024P and not the A8JS-4S034P to increase your chances of getting the better screen.

 

if you have the money get a G1 ... amazing machine for playing games. some specs. 15.4' wsxga screen T7200 nvidia gforce 7700go 512mb 2gb memory. windows xp media. runs all games out now very smoothly. 1799$ at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834220098

 

if you want something smaller why not the w7j with a geforce go 7400, 13.3". that should be more than enough for some 'adequate' gaming

though to be honest, with that amount of money spent, i'd personally rather spend another $350 and get a much faster laptop, the G1 (the one i've got ). just a lot more bang for the buck, IMHO, and honestly not that difficult to carry around

 

If not the A8Js or A8Jp, look at the W3J. It has a less powerful X1600 and a lower resolution screen, but the case is much more durable and much higher quality, plus its better looking.

 

So, let's take away the size factor and ONLY judge by graphics.

How would I rank ASUS laptops based on their graphics cards alone?

I know that ATI x1700 is better than 1600 or at least I assume bigger numbers means better. But, I can't say I know how to compare between nVidia and ATI. All these benchmark tables give me headaches, and I wish I could find something that just took 10 crazy intense programs and compared a few stats.

 

take a look at the gaming/graphics cards forum. there's a good article explaining these cards.

 

Here is a list of the ASUS notebooks just ranked by graphics based on looking at the chart in the graphics forum. Please correct my order if necessary. I am not sure where the VX1 a.k.a "Lambo" and G2P belongs. And are GeForces that much better than the Radeons?

G1 nVidia Geforce Go 7700 512MB VRAM
A8Js NVidia GeForce Go7700 512MB
A8Jm nVidia 7600 512MB Dedicated
F3Jm- nVidia 7600 512MB
F3Jv NVDIA GeForce Go 7600 External 256MB VRAM

G2P ATI X1700 w/512MB VRAM @ DDRII 500MHz
W2P ATI Radeon X1700 256MB VRAM (DDRIII)
F3Jp ATI X1700, 256MB VRAM, up to 512MB Hyper Memory
W2Jb ATI Radeon X1600 256MB
W3J- ATI Radeon™ X1600 256MB
A7J ATI Radeon X1600 256MB

A7C ATI Radeon X1450 128MB
V6J nVidia 7400 TC 128MB
W7J nVidia 7400 TC 128MB
F3Jc- nVidia 7300 128MB



VX1 NVidia GeForce Go7400 VX 512MB with TurboCache™

 

vx2 also has the 7700 go in europe

 

ArDash, I really suggest you fill out the FAQ, this way it will help you and us, it will organize all of your needs/wants.

Also, I have compared the V1JP, G2, G1, look here, go to the "Comparison" section. Click Here
http://www.notebookforum.ca/images/akreview/G2P_Review/Comparison.JPG

Generaly yes the A8js seems to be the right notebook for you, if you feel you need more battery life, then buy an extra battery.

Will you be using the notebook for school, work or home?