Looking at the Asus M50Vm-B1

I am looking to get a laptop for schoolwork/browsing the internet , watching movies and mild gaming every now and then. I was going to get a dell XPS m1530 but after all the talk about the defective gpu's and heating problems i was unsure and today i came across this laptop , ASUS M50 Series M50Vm-B1

http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=M50VM-B1&Category_Code=AS15
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=273404

It looks very nice and has all the features i want and even the newer Centrino 2 chipset, also i would not need to have it custom built and wait for it to ship from dell, it already comes with everything i was going to get with the XPS 1530, and i would not have to worry about it being defective.

What i was really wondering is what should i know about Asus? is it a good solid company to buy notebooks from?

anything i should know, and any input on this laptop?

i plan to wipe it clean and use vista64pro and at some point dual boot with Ubuntu/Fedora

 

Hmm.. info about Asus? There's a ton! Asus is probably most famous for making motherboards. They've been producing notebooks for a while for Sony, Dell, Apple, Toshiba and other, and have only recently been making and selling their own brand of notebooks. Asus is also the manufacturer of the Sony PS3 and XBOX 360 gaming consoles and their product line currently spans from server motherboards to cell phone to lcd monitors. Asus is one of the largest ODM (original design manufacturers) in the world and it's definately a very solid company

 

Yeah i know all about Asus, but i have never purchased or used one of their laptops.

also could someone explain how the Swivel cam works?

 

The swivel camera basically lets you tilt the camera up and down to any angle you desire. You can also turn it so it faces away from you too.

 

The manual says to not turn it more than 30 degrees.

 

depends what you need it for, but if you only care about how the swivel cam works, I would say you will not be disappointed in Asus.

 

Re-read again

 

schoolwork, web surfing, watching movies/videos, mild gaming ,all around solid laptop to last 2-3 years

 

I would say that the M50Vm should suit those needs perfectly.

 

as i said i was about to get a dell XPS 1530 until i came across this and would not need to worry about the defective gpu's

 

Awesome. Thanks. Might come in handy someday.

 

i would say with those requirements, as well as best bang for your buck M50VM is perfect. I personally got it for HD video editing and wanted also good all around laptop. My initial choice was Sony FW, but other then the looks I wasn't satisfied with its options.

 

Another thing that's nice about Asus is that their build is really nice and sturdy so you won't need to worry too much about scratching or breaking it, they actually ran a car over a M50 and it worked fine, the waterproof keyboard's a nice touch too.

 

That's not the M50, but the B51
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=277828

 

I went with the A1 instead of the B1, I couldn't justify the difference in price for what i'm going to use it for which is very similar to you with the exception of some video editing.

 

video editing and you opted for a slower processor? hmm, I'd say for the extra $150, the B-1 is a better option and thats why I ordered it on Saturday

 

Yup, Asus is solid and their build quality is generally considered better than Dell, if that's what you're worried about. I ordered the X1 from Newegg Friday for $1166 shipped (and you don't even have to pay that for a year w/the Preferred Account).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=277530

 

I ordered the B1 from NewEgg last night. I should have it within a few days. If you'd like, just contact me and I'll let you know how it is.

 

editing in real time 1080p stuff is somewhat choppy even with 2.53Ghz in Sony Vegas

 

Trust me dude, it's nothing elaborate. Just making little dvd movies to send to my folks when our first kid gets here next month.

 

that's exactly what I do, except I have HD camera

 

Asus is a public trade company in Taiwan. They are in computer business more than 30 years. Some of Dell desktops and components are OEM from Asus.

Good Luck on your search!

 

Hey guys, I'm considering this computer ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220343) too. I just had some quick questions.


Since this computer is running 32-Bit Vista, will this hurt me in the future? I plan on using a laptop for several years.

And since the specs are high on this laptop, does the battery drain quick? What's the battery life like?

And here's my last question. I'm gonna be a college freshman soon. Is this a good computer to use?


Thanks in advance for any help!

 

The Asus M50VM-B1 gets about 2hr 40min of battery life with the standard 6 cell battery and 4 hours with the 9 cell. It would be a great notebook for college if you're looking for a well balanced system. It's also one of the most silent notebook I've ever used. If you do plan on purchasing it, I'd recommend you getting it from gentechpc since they offer better customer service than newegg and for a lower price.

 

Sounds pretty good so far.



In college, especially during the freshman years, does a person have time to do gaming? Do I need a laptop which focuses more on battery life over performance?

And If I wanted the 9 cell battery, how would I acquire one?

 

Lol.... I'm sure most college freshmen would make time for some gaming
The 9 cell battery can be purchased from any Asus reseller or from the Asus estore. Gentechpc has the option to add a 9 cell battery.

http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=M50VM-B1&Category_Code=

 

I found this thread which discourages me

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=274009

 

It's pretty obvious that there are some people out there that despise Asus for no reason. These particular individuals obviously have never even seen the M50VM, yet claim to know so much about it and judge it with extreme confidence.

 

I'm actually in the exact same boat as you man, I'm going to be a college freshman in a couple months and am seriously considering a M50Vm as well, and was looking at the XPS M1530 but due to the lack of Centrino 2 and all the problems I've been hearing about with them (Battery delays, fried GPUs, faulty keyboards, etc...) I'm almost certain that I'll be getting the M50Vm-A1, I'm just really hoping I don't get one with the keyboard lag problem, that's my main worry. I plan on buying the 9 cell battery along with the 6 cell that comes in it to have extra battery life for when I need to bring it to class/labs and take notes and what not. I figure that with careful use 4 hours will be more than enough on the 9 cell. I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope I don't get a crappy keyboard one, or hope Asus releases a new BIOS update soon that will remedy it, because I type right around 100WPM. I'm also hoping that the SPDIF out is indeed optical and upmixed into surround for stereo output only because I have Logitech Z-5500 system I plan on hooking up with optical, but other than that I feel pretty confident after doing a lot of research on picking the M50Vm over the 1530. I could care less about weight, I'm not a girl and I feel the 15.4" size is just about right for school/entertainment.

 

Is GenTech the only company that includes the 8GB ExpressCard SSD, or Newegg, Lynnbay, etc include it too?

Great to hear your reply. If I get this Asus, I will definitely think about the 9 cell battery too.

Just curious, where are you gonna order your computer from?

 

[I[/I]
I'm thinking probably xoticpc, I'd get it from gentech or newegg but I live in california and that means sales tax =\. I've heard good things about xotic though.

 

I'm kind of scared ordering online knowing that I can't get a refund like a physical store.

Also, since I live in Hawaii, I don't know if the computer I order will reach me in time before I leave for college (13 days).

If I select "2nd Day Air," I'm still afraid it might not come in time ._.

 

I know how you feel, I leave September 20th so I have quite a bit more time, but yeah I do feel a bit worried but considering that I probably would never ever find that kind of in-store price and I hate dealing with salespeople that THINK they know what they're talking about. My last two computers were ordered online and were fine too, so I guess I'll take the plunge. (Fingers still crossed for getting one with no keyboard lag).

 

I just confirmed my order today, this morning using GenTech. The only customization I made was the 320GB 7,200RPM HD.

Hopefully, I can get it on Friday or sooner.

 

Let me know how it is, I plan on ordering mine some time within the next week or two. If you use AIM or gchat and you wouldn't mind I'd like to talk to you about it when you first get it and ask some questions and what not.

 

I can confirm that the M50's SPDIF output is optical and will work perfectly with the Logitech Z-5500, because I have the same sound system. All you will need is a mini-toslink adapter ( link).

 

Will, what kind of digital output is it? What does it say on the Z-5500 effect section when the input is optical?

Does it upmix stereo input to surround?

 

It depends on the source. For music and other sounds from applications, you can choose between Stereo, Stereo x2, Pro Logic II Movie, and Pro Logic II Music. While watching a movie, it uses the Dolby Digital decoder to provide all 5.1 channels for surround sound.

EDIT:

Yes. Under the 'Pro Logic' effects, it gives you a 'virtual' surround experience from stereo sources.

 

Sure thing; I'll try to have a chat.

When it comes in on Thursday/Friday, I imagine I'll be occupied for a while with my new laptop!

 

Wow, very impressive for a built in audio card. Guess there's no need for the X-Fi after all, $80 saved. Thanks Will.

 

Hello.

I just signed up here because this is a computer that I am considering also. I heard that not very many programs work on 64 bit systems right now, is that correct? That is part of why I am considering this computer with its 32 bit system. It seems like a very good value. I use my computer for work, mostly word, excel, and autocad. I also play games occasionally.

 

Owner's Lounge thread dedicated to the M50vm is here, review of the M50Sv (very similar, the last update before the Montevina refresh) is here.