N81VP-D2 or other?

Hey guys!

I posted in the "What should I buy" forum and I've decided I'm (probably) going to go for an Asus in the next few days.

I'm mainly looking for a laptop which can be my main computer for gaming, productivity and music-related tasks (composition with Finale 2010 mainly); but which is portable so I can bring it with me lots of places. I think I've fallen for the N81VP-D2 due to its nice clock speed and good gaming capabilities, but I thought I'd get a final affirmation from the Asus pit =)

I have a budget of around $1700 CAD so the N81 is definitely below that limit, but I don't think there's anything else that really matches the portability + power.

Do you guys have any other suggestions or would you enjoy slamming the final nails in my coffin?

=) Thanks again!

 

I can add:
I could afford the G51J-A1 as well; but I've heard rumors that that one has been having lots of problems (BSOD, heat, i7 isn't used by all games yet, etc) - what would you guys say on that?
Is it as portable as the N81 would be?

Thanks!

 

The G51 is going to be physically larger, heavier and will run warmer than the N81 due to the high performing hardware the G51 packs. However, the i7's limitations doesn't just stop at gaming. Finale can be quite CPU intensive, especially if you'll be composing complex scores.

All in all, I think the N81 would still be the better choice for you since it provides a better balanced system for your needs.

 

Haha, thanks for the input! I was thinking along the same lines - I wasn't sure if the i7 and Finale would get along. I'd definitely be doing score work with Garritan Instruments, so perhaps the higher clocked duo core would work better for that =)
Thanks again!

 

Actually, sorry for all these double posts - I'm generally not this noob-y

I forgot to mention, do you (or anyone else) have suggestions for anything more powerful in that 14" range?

 

If you want a bit more battery life you could always try and go for the x83vp-a1.. except I'm unsure how much battery life you would gain.
Anyone have any estimate battery time gain with the x83?

 

I'd generally agree, but I'd rather have the higher clock from the T9600 =)

 

Well, I'm not too familiar with finale, but if the program can utilize all 4 cores from the CPU, then even if the i7 is clocked slower, it will still perform better than a higher clocked 2 core CPU. I would double check with the makers of finale to confirm. If finale only uses 2 cores, then the N81 would be the better choice for finale.

CPU wise, the best CPU the T9900 is going to be the best for a 14 incher. Most online Asus resellers provide the option of upgrading to this CPU but at a very hefty price.

For the GPU, it looks like the X83 with the HD4670 is just slightly better than the HD4650 in the N81.

 

I'll check with the Finale thing momentarily, but I'm pretty certain both the N81 and the X83 share the same GPU - it's just related to how it's clocked =)

edit: As far as I can tell, Finale doesn't use all 4 of the cores - so that kind of settles that one haha

 

My N81 came with an HD4670.

 

I thought the n81 and the x83 had the same graphics card? I read that the n81 shows up as a 4670 but has the clock speed of a 4650. (Underclocked for better battery life?)
Is it true?

 

Neenjah - I've been researching too, and that's the conclusion I've drawn from reading many reviews =)

I have a question for Asus-literate people!
Is it possible to upgrade the RAM as well as other components (eventually GPU maybe, etc) in this model?

 

Never checked ...but if it's solder on (which I will think it's ) , then sorry it won't be upgradeable , RAM and CPU wise sure .