Opinions on the N56JR..

1) I heard issues regarding about the video drivers and w 8.1. I guess don't update them until there are some stability. You can switch over screens in w 8 to look windows 7.
I replace my hdd to a ssd (samsung 840 evo 250gb) and install win 7. I need to switch back to hdd to create a recovery disk to load win 8 to ssd if I chose to in the future.

2)This is one my issue stated above in this thread...if you are comfort in 802.1 g/n environment then, you are good. But I run 802.1 ac at home...hence I would want to change the wireless card to ac.

3) You can try to reduce power...the video card can be disable to use the intel graphics chip..

4) weight wise...17.3 is a little heavier.

5) nope.
6) not too sure here...but I don't think so, like that...hdmi stands alone..probably good on the other two.

Hope this helps.

 

Doh! I thought I asked too many questions, so I edited it down. Thank-fully you quoted in your reply, so I get it.
Thanks for the feedback.

Reading this and the geforce thread, it seems like the upgrade works and the error code 43 is gone with the new driver, provided you get it to be recognized, if you have to use power without battery. So are you saying even without code 43 issues, people are having other compatibility issues with the new driver?

My laptop box says WLAN: CB-802.11BGN_WW+BT 4.0.
What is ac? Newer wireless hardware or protocol? Better than bgn?

250 GB is quite a bit smaller than the 750 GB. Is the SSD that much faster? Do you notice big improvement in performance? I would like SSD and HDD but I like BD so I will keep HDD. Perhaps a hybrid SSD/HDD would be a better option for me if better than regular HDD. I am probably ok for now though. Upgrading from a 3 GB desktop with an AMD64 3000+. The laptop cpu is over 16 times faster alone by cpu passmark ratings. Also my desktop video card was an ancient Geforce2 GTS bc I did not game...lol.

Do the SSD use more or less power on average vs a HDD? How long will an SSD last?

 

no problem....that's why we are here on the forum to ask and be inform.

I really can't answer on the video drivers bc I just got the laptop yesterday but,have been doing some research. Using win 7 on the SSD...

802.1 ac is the newer wireless hardware/protocol that has huge bandwidth...it is indeed better than b/g/n...it depends on which frequency you are on. 2.4ghz or 5ghz... 5 ghz has less interference than 2.4 since almost everyone is on that frequency even if you secure your wifi. You may skip this version...I heard ad is up & coming with higher frequency, higher bandwidth? need to read up....I'm fine with the SSD storage for this laptop. If I do need more, I can setup an external drive storage or go to my desktop. If you go hybrid on this laptop, you will need to take out the cd/dvd drive out. SSD will always be faster than HDD....I do notice it on my desktop. I may have to tweak some settings on the laptop. SSD uses less power than HDD. I think SSD can last pretty long since there is less mechanical parts than HDD. SSD is very light.

 

Modern SSDs have write cycle life that's so high you'd have to put them in a very busy database server to wear them out in anything less than a few decades. And they are MUCH faster than spinning drives like you said. While they're a fair bit faster reading sequentially (think copying a big video file etc) they are literally hundreds of times faster at random access (think booting up or loading scenery in a game) and that shows in daily use quite a bit. It's not uncommon for folks to yank out the DVD drive like you mentioned and get a caddy to put a spinning drive in that bay, so that you can have large storage for less accessed files, and the fast SSD for whatever you work with most often.

I hadn't heard of 802.11ad yet. Seems every time I blink the wireless standard gets faster lately. Still 802.11ac is several times faster than 802.11n. The newest 802.11ac hardware can approach gigabit ethernet speed. I can't imagine how much faster and better 802.11ad will be with empty bandwidth to play with.

I replaced the broadcom / atheros wifi on my N56DP with an Intel 6250 802.11n card and the throughput is about twice as much under normal usage. I went from ~2.5MB/s to almost 4MB/s on 2.4GHz and well over 6MB/s on 5GHz with it. Got it off ebay for $15 or so delivered so it's a cheap upgrade. Sadly the intel N56 machines seem to have part of the case in the way of removing the wifi card... Not so the AMD ones.

 

wow...no wonder i couldn't find anything on it...I have the intel cpu...darn...i have to think about it, if i want to cut the casing or not...I just restart laptop...boot time is like less than 10 sec on win 7 ultm....also streaming under 802.11ac is bit better....

 

hi!
i just bought an n56jr.
can someone suggest the correct steps to upgrade to windows 8.1 and avoid the errors.

thanks in advance

ps. shall i upgrade the bios?

 

Thanks for the info folks.

So I take it there are plenty of ways to make windows 8 / 8.1 look and feel like windows 7? I would like to try and keep windows 8 and upgrade to 8.1 to enjoy its benefits, but I'd like it to look like win 7.

Man the text is really small on the 15.6" screen at 1080 res. As I said, was originally going to pick up the N750JV-DB71-CA but the 15.6" laptops seem to be a good size and weight. Yesterday, before starting my laptop, I dropped by another store and looked at the 17.3" screen of the N750JV near the N56JR laptop I bought and I admit the 17.3" screen didn't look as nice. Being 43 going on 44 though, the old presbyopia is rearing it's ugly head. I wear glasses and I will be getting a prescription that should help my reading small print. I don't think I'll have an issue with wifi right now.

Guess I'll research SSD drives now.

 

I highly suggest you make a bootable recovery disk before you physically swap drives....check on newgg website for anydeals... This is the one I got recently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB.

 

I bought my wife a N56JR in January and it's suffering from the wobbling cursor when plugged into specific outlets. Is this a problem with the outlet or is the N56JR just "sensitive"? Should I return it and look for something else?

 

I use Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements on my Windows 8 notebook and have it set up to look just like 7 on my desktop.

 

It's worth trying a two prong power supply (Microcenter carries 120W ones for ~$50) and see if that solves the problem. That or maybe get an adapter that disconnects the third wire ground. Since I suffer from this issue as well I might try this too.

 

You could try turning down the sensitivity if you have the issue.

 

It's not just sensitivity. It also causes problems like thinking you're using two fingers when you're using one, and clicking on stuff you weren't clicking on.

 

guys need some help pls...

i just received the laptop today. is there a safe way to upgrade it to windows 8.1 without getting errors or shall i keep the 8
and just install the Classic Shell ??

thanks in advance

 

Anyone that has switched the hard drive out with an ssd what type of real world differences do you feel? Also, do you need to modify anything to accommodate the 6.8mm thick hard drive? Thinking about pulling the trigger on a 500gb evo since newegg has it on sale right now. Thanks


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I swipped the hdd to an DVD caddy and put an SSD in the hdd bay, the PC is snap as fast, instant turn on and ready to use

 

the feeling is like day and night, it is much more faster, and there is no problem with 6.8mm, it will feet without any issue.

 

Just had my friend Kyle buy the model online from Microcenter and he loves it. So far, I'm VERY impressed with the performance and for $999, it's probably among the best choices out there.

Linky

 

Is this laptop always going to be preparing and configuring windows each time I turn it on? It seems to take forever. I've only turned it on 4 or 5 times since Sunday. I turn it off at night.

The type on the screen really is quite small and seems hard to get used to. Not only windows, but Google Chrome and other apps let you change the text size so that seems to work for now. Hopefully new glasses with fix me up.

I'm getting used to the compact size, light weight, fewer cords and reduced fan noise of the laptop vs my desktop. Also, although I complain that the text is small on my laptop, when I use the 17" lcd I am surprised at how soft it looks now...lol.

I bought a Bytecc ext USB 3.0 to sata hdd enclosure for my main HDD and a Bytecc adapter to get data from another drive. The enclosure didn't work with windows 8. The drives (partitions) on my 1 TB wd were not recognized consistently and I could not access them. I tried the adapter and it seems to work. Reading about the Bytecc stuff I find sketchy feedback, so I am going to return both and simply buy two Vantec hdd enclosures or one enclosure and some other adapter. I don't want to nuke my data.

What external hdd enclosures can you asus laptop owners recommend? : )

 

I used some steps from here to fix that problem on my n56vz. Basically the sfc /scannow command fixed it for me.

 

Ok, thanks.

Bytecc ext sata hdd enclosure and separate adapter not working so good. Read about them and worried they don't work well. Any N56 users have luck with Vantec hdd enclosures? Thinking of trying one of those.

Small text on laptop giving me a headache. Hope new glasses will help, but changing text size in windows, chrome and apps is clumsy. Before 14 days are up I am going to re-visit 17.3" asus laptops before settling in with this one.

 

1: I use whatever's cheap this week at microcenter for external USB 3.0 enclosures and they seem to mostly work fine.

2: Changing text size in chrome or firefox is just CTRL+ and CTRL- for me.

But I totally get the small text thing. I'd think a 17.3" with 1920x1080 would be a nice step up in scaling but they seem hard to find, many 17.3" are still 1600x900.

 

I'm thinking about getting the Microcenter version of this. The price seems impossible to beat for what you get. My other considerations were the N550JV and the Lenovo y510p. This seems to have a good balance and to be the best value among these models.

My one question is whether the Microcenter version(the one with MH in the model) has Bluetooth or not, and which wireless card is included(is it dual band or not?). Anyone who has received the Microcenter version, can you confirm these things or not?

Thanks!

Brent

 

The y510p with dual GT755M is definitely the more "hot rod" of the two laptops, but it runs hotter and SLI is still a bit of a "not quite as good as it sounds" technology. At the $1k or so price point the N56JR is one of the better values out there.

 

Thanks. That's what I've heard. The features of the N56JR-MH71 seem to be the best all-around value in this price range, which is awesome. I do have a desktop that is custom built by me for gaming and heavier work, so I don't NEED the laptop to be a grunt in that area. So I'm thinking that the features I get in the N56JR are more worth it for me. I do a LOT of graphic design and video work, so the extra RAM can come in handy, along with the faster primary hard drive.

Plus, I just can't get on with the look of the y510p. I think the ASUS models just look more slick and "professional", which helps since I work in a corporate environment a lot.

If anyone knows about the Bluetooth and wireless card questions, just let me know! Thanks!

Brent

 

I work from home 99% of the time, and drive 8 hours to my home office every 3 months for a week or two. Last time I drove out three different people asked me if I'd switched to a Mac when they saw my Asus. I've used electrical tape to cover the shiny asus logo on the inside of the lid because I found it very distracting. Then I point out my "Mac" has a numeric keypad...

 

Haha, that's awesome! I wouldn't be surprised if I get that kind of response. The place I work, our graphic design and magazine layout departments ALL use Mac products. Everyone knows I'm a very big Windows guy. So I'm sure somebody will wonder when I bought a Macbook Pro, lol.

I'll probably reply with "nope, I just got a similar laptop for half the price!".

Brent

 

I'm not sure about the Bluetooth. Wireless card: Atheros AR9485 Single Band Frequency. There is a casing blocking the screw to change the card, which I'm having trouble doing. I'm still looking for a way to replace the wireless card inside...dremel some plastic off....or get a Wifi usb adapter.

 

Ok. So you have the Microcenter version, correct? Just making sure since I've heard that the wireless card differs depending on where you got it(or is the MH71 model only available at Microcenter? Haven't seen it elsewhere, come to think of it).

Brent

 

Yes, I brought mine from Microcenter. MH71 model.

 

Great, thanks! I'll figure in the cost of a replacement adapter to my budget then. And if you figure out how to replace it, post back here so we can see how you did it! I'm sure others have done it, even in this thread(I did read the whole thing), but I don't remember.

And if you figure out the Bluetooth thing, let me know. It should appear somewhere in your device manager, I believe.

Cheers!

Brent

 

Yes, I check the Device Mgr and it has a Bluetooth module...it uses Qualcomm Atheros driver.

 

You would have to strip down the machine further to get proper access to the card but it can be done.

 

which card are you referring to? Bluetooth or WiFi?

 

Both are in the same module i believe.

 

I'm real close to taking a box cutter to my N56VZ. If I do I'll report back.

 

lol...I'll have my dremel tool ready by this weekend...I'll see if i can sand down the plastic casing near the wifi screw...wish me luck.. Luckily, I'm not much a bluetooth user....hehe..

 

Right click,screen resolution, increase or diminish text and other items and select 125% or 150%

 

Awesome, thanks! Though I may still replace the wireless card, it's good to know it has it in case I don't want to right away. I'll probably see how the wireless works with the networks I'm on, and if it works good, no need to replace the card. So having the bluetooth helps!

I appreciate you checking, thanks!

Brent

 

Where did you get the caddy from?

 

On eBay , like this one http://m.ebay.com/itm/281246034033?nav=SEARCH

 

I may have to pick one of those up after I get the laptop.

Is the N56 easy to remove the drive bay? On the n550 you have to do more work, from what I've seen. But the N56 is just one screw, correct?

And have you tried to use the DVD drive faceplace on this caddy? Does it fit well?

Brent

 

Its only one screw , the hardest part it's getting the face place from the DVD drive. But exist tutorials on YouTube explaining.

 

Thanks guys. I have been trying that in windows, Chrome, Open Office etc. I think it helps a bit. It would be nice if I could get away with reducing the text size as little as possible or not at all. Perhaps a 1600 x 900 15.6" or a 1920 x 1080 17.3" may be better if text size is an issue and I want to keep desktop space at a maximum. I'm not giving up on the 15.6" in a 1080 screen yet, but those are my potential other options.

I have researched migraines and laptops. I'm suspicious LED refresh rates may be responsible. The led refresh rate alone or in conjunction with the small text may be causing migraines. If refresh rate is the issue, I'm not sure if I can change the refresh rate or not, and/or is it the quality of the GPU that is displaying. I have read that the way the LED's are used to produce light, their on/off states are more on/off than clf. I don't get migraines on a 1280 x 1024 17" LCD at work in normal res. I am experimenting by actually reducing the text size at work to see if it causes migraines.


If refresh rate is the issue, I hope I can try a different rate than what it is now.
Is anybody else experiencing migraines?
What refresh rates are you folks running on your N56J laptops?

 

Would this work?

Amazon.com : SANOXY® SATA 2nd HDD caddy for 12.7mm Universal CD/DVD-ROM : Second Hard Drive Caddy : Computers & Accessories

has anyone used this particular one in their n56? I tried checking the reviews and no one has mentioned. Thanks

 

Yes one 12.7mm will fit

 

Is anybody having problems with the USB ports? The front right usb port won't always recognize ext hdd. It recognizes my mouse dongle.
Are all the ports on this laptop the same?

 

Strangely it worked later. One thing for sure, some usb cables don't have the best connection with this laptop. A slight movement will disconnect an external hdd for instance. It may be the cable.

 

Do you have another external HDD to try? Perhaps it is the HDD's cable?

 

I don't have any issues with any of the USB ports. You may have a bad cable.


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