Question: F3KA-A1, F3SA-A1, or F3SV-X1

Ok, as you can probably see im kind of new to this forum, although i had read threads here for some time now. I decided to join after wanting to buy a new laptop.

Basically my laptop use is for school and some gaming over the weekends, i was looking at the F3KA-A1, F3SA-A1, and F3SV-X1 and was wondering which one is better for the price. I've seen the prices on newegg.com and all the prices were around $1300 (my budget). I know that the hd 2600 is better than the 8600gs but was wondering what processor would be better, AMD or Intel?

So i wish you notebook experts can help me decide.

Thx in advance

 

F3SA-A1 for sure.

 

I'm not sure about the configuration of those laptops, but definitely get the one with the Intel CPU. They have much better power consumption. Also make sure you get something that speedsteps (I.e., not the entry-level Celerons) and preferably 4MB L2 Cache.

For gaming, go with the better performing GPU but be aware that will mean more heat and worse battery life (which is already abysmal with newer ASUS models).

 

processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (Santa Rosa)
gpu: ATI

F3SA!!!

(Although I ordered a F3ka-x1...)

 

thx for all the replies but i heard that the F3s had a new battery, 8 cell to be exact? Is this true and when will it be avaliable?

 

I bought the F3KA-X1 a month ago bro and its a fine machine, don't worry about all the Intel hype, I get 1-1.5 hours battery life on this rig/6-cell battery-Asus does have a 9-cell available, on power4gear high performanceg(gaming(E.V.E.) with background apps running) and 2-2.5 hrs(untweaked) in battery saving mode, I consider this good with a 15.4" screen and the Radeon 2600, the 2600 does not run that hot, its a good machine for under a 1,000 bucks. I am partially saying this because I am a hard-core AMD fan, I believe AMD Processors are a slightly more robust, but sloppy and a little more power hungry... but hey, nothings perfect! You will like the machine and pm me if you have any F3KA-X1 specific questions and need help.

Enjoy,

razo

 

Get the F3Sa. The HD2600 is superior to the 8600GS in the Sv, and the Ka has an AMD processor, which is vastly inferior to the Intel chips. Less performance, less battery life, with AMD its a lose-lose situation. So go Intel, definitely.

 

I agree, in the notebook market there is no reason besides price to go for an AMD CPU...

 

does getting the F3SV-X1 with 2.0 ghz compared to the F3SA-A1 with 2.2 have much difference?

 

Nope. You can safely go for the 2.0 GHz. (Unless there are other hardware differences that matter like different GPUs)

 

Well, as far as the CPU goes, there really isn't much difference, though the F3Sa will be slightly faster. However, the HD2600 GPU in the F3Sa is easily 30% faster (if not more) than the 8600GS graphics card in the F3Sv, which is why I would recommend it.

 

if i am going to buy a F3SA-A1, what resellers would you recommend buying from without execeding $1350 with 2 gig of ram

 

I recommend NEWEGG: $1,238.99 + ~$40 1gb RAM

 

If you buy it anywhere else besides BTO Tech you are a fool!

 

Do you know how the customer support is from BTO TECH?

Any comments?

 

I ordered an A8js last november from BTO tech. I was very happy with the support I recieved. BTO has their own in-house support forums which are checked pretty regularly. E-mail responses were quick and helpful. I'd definitly go with them again next time around. But then again, I've heard only good things about all the Asus resellers.

 

I've looking at the F3SA as well, The thing comes with 1 GB of ram, but I'm going to up that as soon as I get it. With the Canadian dollar doing so well I might get it in the states. Vivek, do you know any good retailers in Seattle? (I ask because I live in Vancouver, and the closest city across the border)

And also, how is the Radeon HD2600 in terms of overclockability?

 

Hey Skiiper, i m in vancouver as well, and i m interested in this lappy too.

Did you get it? Any words on the 9 cell battery option?
I am probably gonna get it in seattle as well.

thanx

 

F3SA-A1 hands down; I've owned one, and one, and IMO, it's one of the, if not the best bang for the buck, reasonably powerful and very full featured notebooks on the market.

 

Excellent.

Just call and talk to Eddie, he also posts on this forum, he'll be glad to answer all of your questions for you.

 

ya, but i think it would still be nice to know the overclockability

 

scooberdoober Did U measure how hot the temp were in the laptop?

 

No I didn't, but I will tell you that it showed no signs off overeating, and was nearly silent at all times. I have no reservations about recommend this notebook. If you buy from BTO Tech, you get a no hassle 15 day full refund -shipping return policy, so there is no real risk to purchasing it, which is almost unheard of in the industry; I say go for it, and buy from BTO Tech. Just call and speak with Eddie, he's a great guy, and he'll will help you out before, during, and after your purchase, and Asus tech support is second to none IMO, you just can't go wrong really.

 

hey scoob, i m probably gonna go for that, can't resist the temptation anymore.

last thing, is there anything wrong with the screen?


I never had an asus before, so what is its refresh rate? any lags? is it bright enough?

 

The screen was gorgeous, no dead or stuck pixels at all, and no graininess, just beautiful, clear, and easy to read,even for my eyes! Again, I was very impressed with the quality aside from the strange situation I had with it, which was just an anomaly no doubt.

Tech support from Asus was outstanding, and it was great no matter what time of the day or night I called, they were there to help me 24/7, and were all very knowledgeable and friendly. It really reminded me of what tech support used to be like before it became an impersonal, cold, and incompetent experience for the most part, as unfortunately is it is with so many companies these days. Asus gets an A rating from me.

Keep us updated on your purchase, OK?

 

ya for sure scoob
actually i saw your comments on the other thread about the 8510p
i am deciting on that one as well
hard pick

 

Very hard choice, but in the end, the HP 8510p was mine, and mainly because of the matte screen option to be honest, otherwise I would likely have stuck with the Asus F3Sa-A1.

 

RIGHT! almost forgot about that!
DAMN
even got harder
dont know why the shiny glossy screens are so popular
its like staring at a mirror!!


OMG I AM GONNA GO BACK AND READ THE REVIEW FOR 8510p ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!
spent 3 weeks looking at the HPs, then gave up when i saw asus, spent more 2 weeks, and now this 8510p poped up just 2 days ago. DAMN
NEVER gonna be able to decide!!!
wonder what else i m missing!!!

 

Here's a link to the spec sheet on the Asus site for the F3Sa-A1, http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5&l2=61&l3=587&l4=0&model=1824&modelmenu=2.

 

Another Vancouver area person here. I just bought the F3SA-A1 from NCIX, for $1309 with an extra 1GB Crucial stick of RAM included (not installed). I don't know about you guys, but I liked the idea of buying from NCIX since they're based out of Vancouver and if you want to go into one of their stores, you could talk to someone face to face.

 

I know what you mean, and I do like them as well. But recently I am starting to realize that their prices aren't that competitive anymore, and the service been dropping quite a bit. But then again i would get it from them if the price difference wasnt that big.

BTW, which memory if you get? and which memory does it come installed with? mind passing on the specs for it?

 

It came with 1 GB installed and an extra 1GB of Crucial DDR2.

 

ok thanks, cus from the kingston website, the F3SA comes with 2X 512, so i was worried that there might be different versions of F3SA-a1 out there.