Quote on Asus A8JP - your thoughts.

Hi,

I've just had a quote on an
Asus A8JP-14P
Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.86Ghz, 667Mhz FSB, 2MB Cache),
14" WXGA+,
2 GB (2 x 1GB) DDRII 667Mhz,
100GB 5400RPM HDD,
ATI X1700 256MB/512MN HM,
DVD Dual Burner,
WiFi 802.11a/b/g,
10/100/1000 LAN,
Bluetooth,
CMOS WebCam,
Win XP-PRO
Bag
Mouse

For $2898.00 AU (approx $2225 US).

Any thoughts on this - good price? Bad price?

Is the X1700 ok compared to the Nvidia 7700 in the A8Js?

 

That's way too expensive, given that the unofficial entry price, not yet confirmed, is reportedly US$1600.

 

What about with the extra 1 GB of RAM I've had added?

 

Do you really think that 625 dollars is a good deal for a 1 gig stick of ram?

 

Yeh you are right - if you believe $1600 US to be the base price for that model which he has said is an unofficial price.

 

It was $2499AU ($1900US) for the base unit with 2 x 512MB sticks and they don't trade in the old 2 sticks to get 2 new 1 GB sticks - so those 2 new 1GB sticks would cost me $399AU if I want to go ahead. So a total of $2898.00AU for the unit with 2 x 1GB sticks.

I think I'll wait another week or so and wait for some more shops to get these models in. They've only "just" come in so I think they are charging a bomb for them.

 

Just as the Go7600 and x1600 are comparable, so too would be the Go7700 and x1700 I presume....

The price does seem a bit steep....

 

Aussies always pay more for laptops, simply due to the fact that it isnt viable to setup shop at our shore. Its 20 million Aussies vs 300 million Americans. Its the power of bulk buys.

 

The A8JP cost €1400 (1800 USD) in Germany.

 

leebaldoc,
I am in Melbourne and have been waiting for the A8Js to be released. I would ideally like the T7200 CPU (due to 4mb cache) and would also like an upgrade to 2gb ram (2x 1g). I would also prefer the nVidea 7700 over the ATi based on the Chinese article (which was linked to you in your other post).

I have already contacted one of my suppliers (early last week) and they did not have a time estimate. Which company are you dealing with? Maybe we could get a bit better deal if you are in Melbourne. If the A8Js was specced as i want for under $3k then i am ready to go.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Exactly what my wife said last night to me when I told her about what ubercool and Dal said. Thankyou!

 

Hi Mike,

I'm in Perth - yes I would prefer that machine as well based on the Chinese article's benchmarks. I went to a place called Cybershop in Perth to get this notebook price.

http://www.cybershop.net.au/Notebooks/Notebooks.shtml

 

Hi Lee,

I am also in Perth. I just bought that exact A8JP with those specs from Cybershop. I thought this was a good price considering they have the A8JM with T2500 and lower resolution screen for $2699. Although the hard drive is slightly bigger at 120GB.

Cheers,

Reggie

PS. My price was $2499. I did not upgrade the memory. It was the standard 1GB(2x512MB).

 

Oh wow! Amazing! This forum certainly draws out everyone! The guy at Cybershop (Dylan) said they had 4 and had sold one (so had 3 left) and so you must be the person that bought it! Amazing that you would be here on this forum!

How is it Reggie?

Can you post some benchmarks and/or some pictures of it?

I have been in touch with Chris from http://www.p4laptops.com.au who says to wait a little longer as he should be able to source the A8Js soon.

I've let him now about this post so he may post here when they are available.

I'm going to hang on another week or so to wait and see about the A8Js as I would prefer that to the A8Jp - or at the very least I would like the choice to compare the two.

 

Hi Lee,

I can post pictures tomorrow. I'll also post some benchmarks if you like. But where do I get the benchmarks to run? Never tried it before.

Cheers,

Reggie

 

abach, some benchmark tools:

Super Pi – ftp://pi.super-computing.org/windows/super_pi.zip
PCMark05 (free version) – http://www.futuremark.com/download/?pcmark05.shtml
3DMark05 / 3DMark06 (free versions) – 3DMark05: http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark05.shtml (283MB), 3DMark06: http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark06.shtml (580MB)
HD Tune – http://www.hdtune.com/
Everest – http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html or here http://www.notebookreview.com/everest.exe

 

These machines are both brand new.

A chinese translated comparison showed the 7700 has a large increase in performance.

Theres totally unsubstantiated rumours that the x1700 might have longer battery life but theres no known reason to buy that model.

You should compare the price and pay $100 more for the 7700 all other things being equal

 

I've heard that the 7700 is underclocked as well... I just wish the next W3J would come with it

 

Hi Lee,

I just ran 3DMark05. The score was 3722.


Super Pi with 2M was 1m 14s.

 

Hi Reggie,

Well that seems pretty acceptable to me.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

How are you finding the notebook as a whole so far? Any gripes?

 

Hi Lee,

No real gripes, so far. I'm not used to the touchpad having been using the pointer on my Thinkpad for the last 2 years. I very much like the screen and resolution. I had 1024x768 on a 12" so 1440x900 on a 14" is just right.

I don't know if I could have tweaked anything to get a better 3DMark05 score. Everything was stock settings. Probably I could get more RAM? 1GB at the moment and the x1700 is 256MB VRAM with 512MB Hypermemory?

Cheers,

Reggie

 

Do you mind running Everest or some other application to determine the GPU core and memory clock speeds for your A8Jp? That would be much appreciated.

 

Sure, but where can I get this from?

 

Darrick provided a link to Everest in his post on the previous page.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

 

Just download it from the link above and install. In the application go to Display>GPU, that should give you a variety of information including GPU Code Name, Memory Size, GPU clock, Pixel Pipelines, TMU per Pipeline, Vertex Shaders, Pixel Shaders, Memory Bus Type, Bus width, Real Clock, and effective clock. All those values would provide some interesting information on the MR X1700. Thanks in advance.

 

I tried running Everest but it did not detect anything under GPU? It detected all other devices, though. GPU was blank.

 

Is it because X1700 is so new that Everest does not recognize it?

 

Try this one:

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/HWiNFO32/hwinfo.html

It's a only a free trial, but it should work. It's the only software right now that seems to have MR X1700, MR X1350, MR X1450, and Go 7700 support.

 

This is the reading from hwinfo32 on the GPU. Not much there but does show memory and bus speeds.

 

Thanks for that. So ASUS did use DDR2 afterall, but they actually clocked it pretty aggressively relative to the memory type at 390MHz. The 470MHz core is higher than the MR X1600 so I guess that is the purported strained silicon clock advantage. For comparison, the W3J's MR X1600 is clocked at 450MHz/450MHz versus the A8Jp's MR X1700's 470MHz/390MHz. Overall, a think the gaming performance of comparable Merom W3J and a Merom A8Jp would be a wash although the W3J may have a slight lead.

 

Does anyone knows if and when the higher spec'ed A8JP (Asus A8JP-4S015P - T7200 1024/120 DVD±DL 14"WXGA+ X1700 g/BT XPP) will be released in Australia?

 

Hi Reggie,

That's awesome feedback regarding the 1440x900 on a 14". That's the sort of feedback/experience you just can't get after 10 minutes in a shop.

I think the X1700 has 256MB of it's own RAM and then can use up to 256MB of system RAM. Not sure how that works or how you can configure it as I have never had one of these types of GPU's. 1GB should be enough for 3DMark05. You could run task manager while running 3DMark05 to see what memory useage occured during the 3DMark05.

I'm not sure what the latest driver set is for ATI cards but you could potentially try updating to the latest video card drivers. This "usually" gives you the best performance. But sometimes it doesn't.

I've not had an ATI card for this whole year as my current machine as a 7800GT in it. My old machine has an X800 Pro in it but I use that as a home theatre machine (which it does perfectly well) and as such haven't touched the drivers for about a year.

I used to get my ATI drivers from this guy:

http://www.omegadrivers.net/

He gets the ATI drivers only and then repackages them with just the "right" settings based on his personal opinion. I have found them to be excellent in the past and I wouldn't hesitate trying them again when/if I need to update my drivers on my ATI cards. (I also have a 9600XT in my test machine - currently running Vista RC1 - but for that I used the ATI provided beta Vista drivers).

In the past just using "just" the Ati drivers (and not the Catalyst Control Panel) meant for better performance although I have no idea if that still holds true.

I know it's probably a bit crazy but I am now considering the Asus F3JM as I can get one with everything I want for around $3198. It has the CTRL key in the "right" place, Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0Ghz, 667Mhz 4MB Cache, 15.4" WSXGA, 2GB's RAM, Nvidia 7600 512MB, 120GB 5400 RPM HDD, Bluetooth, Webcam etc etc.

I'm going to go and have a look and compare the sizes of the two A8Jp vs F3JM.... basically I like the size of the A8Jp but I like the specs of the F3JM. The F3Jm isn't much bigger so I may just take it instead of the A8JP.

 

leebaldock,
Hows the search for an A8Js going?

It's frustrating having the money but not the hardware - normally it's the other way round!

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

Chris from p4laptops.com.au has told me definitely by the end of October it will be available - maybe sooner.

Dylan from Cybershop.com.au said he couldn't get a date for that model at all. Wasn't on his suppliers list at all.

 

I'm headed off to an Atomic Live Forum this evening... among the various speakers will be Emmanuele Silanesu, notebook product manager for Asus Australia. Will see what I can find out about local release dates...

/me loads the boot with battery, jumper leads, pliers, thumbscrews etc.

 

Sounds fun. I'd love to go to some of those promotional forum/events. Perth gets left out of those sorts of things unfortunately - problem with being all on our lonesome over here. But the Eagles are in the Grand Final! Small consolation I know. But still better than nothing!

 

I had quoted to me:

F3JV-AK001P C2D/2.00/120/1G/15W/XPP $2,899.00 due mid October
Core2Duo T7200 2.0Ghz,120G,2x512Mb DDR2,15.4"WXGA+
Colourshine,GeForce GO7600/512Mb,DVD-SM+DL,
802.11ABG 10/100/1000+BT,1.3MPC,Bag+Mouse,XP Pro.

Note a 'JM', but close enough. The number of models, the scarcity of information from suppliers, and designation of some models as 'retail only' is driving me insane

 

So what's the difference between the F3JM and the F3JV? Base machine looks the same to me...obviously the price I have been quoted included 2GB's of RAM instead of 1GB in yours....

Is it the resolution? The F3JM I've been quoted on has 1680x1050...

 

The F3Jm should be Core Duo, while the F3JV looks like a Core2Duo...

There are different versions of F3Jm, some with WXGA, some with WSXGA+ ...

 

OK. So this is it. It's crunch time.

I can get the Asus A8JP as listed at the beginning of the post or I can get the following...

Asus F3JM-18P INtel Centrino Core 2 Duo 7200( 2.0Ghz, 667Mhz, 4MB Cache)
15.4" WSXGA (YES WSXGA - seen it with my own eyes)
2 GB's DDR-II 667Mhz
120GB 5400RPM HDD (I will get a 100GB 7200 RPM later if I feel the need)
Nvidia Geforce Go 7600 512MB
DVD Dual Burner
Wifi 802.11a/b/g
10/100/1000 LAN
Bluetooth
CMOS Webcam
Win XP-PRO

It is basically this machine

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3164

With Core 2 Duo CPU, WSXGA screen and 7600 Go 512MB

My issues with these two machines are many! Perhaps I am too pedantic.


F3JM good things.

Keyboard on the F3JM is great - CTRL key is in the "right" place.
CPU on the F3JM is awesome - 2.0GHz C2D with 4MB cache.
About the same weight (for me) as the A8Jp
Camera is true 1.3 Megapixels.
WSXGA screen
7600 GO 512MB
DVI and VGA out.
Touchpad is recessed and to my mind better therefore feels than the "flush" touchpad on the A8JP

F3JM bad things

All the ports are crowded on the right hand side.
WSXGA - yes this is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it gives me options. Bad because it's small. Yes I can increase text sizes etc when typing. Bad if I find I hate it in time. The only way to know is to use it and unfortunately using it means many hours infront of it.

1 less USB 2.0 than the A8JP
Slightly less portable than the A8JP

A8JP good things

Nice portable size
Screen of WXGA 1200x800 offers no challenges - text is easy to see.
All ports at the back nice and easy
5 USB 2.0 instead of 4 (not a big deal really)

A8JP bad things

Camera is only .35Mega pixels
Keyboard has Function key and CTRL in "wrong" place.
Lower specced C2D CPU
Lower specced Video card - but at 1200x800 does this really matter??? My guess is probably not!

Would appreciate any and all thoughts on the issue.

I have sat with both of them on my lap in the shop. They are both excellent machines... I like them both. I wish I could take them both home - use them both for a week each and then take the one I find suits my needs the best.

Also so you know I have actually purchased the F3JM with a cheque yesterday (Saturday) after spending an hour deliberating over both machines. IN the end I decided on the F3JM however I couldn't sleep last night for thinking I made the wrong decision. Today is Sunday and tomorrow is a public holiday so the banks will be shut. They will not cash the cheque until Tuesday and it won't clear until the following day so A. I don't have the notebook yet and B. I could still call them on Tuesday morning and change the purchase to the A8JP if I really felt I had made the wrong decision. I am 90% sure I have made the right decision for my needs in the getting the F3JM over the A8JP as I won't move it much (therefore don't need the slightly better portability of the A8JP) and in all other respects it's great.

My only real issue with the F3JM is the screen at WSXGA. I currently comfortably use a 24 inch widescreen dell at 1900x1200 however that is a significantly bigger screen than the 15.4 widescreen at 1680x1050.

Will I find the 1680x1050 at 15.4 just too small to be comfortable for typing, web development and a lot of excel spreadsheet work (one of the main uses for the machine) - even though of course i can increase the text size in word or a browser. My first impression with it was that it was pretty small - however sitting with it for 10 minutes and typing I found it was OK - but I am still a bit unsure - therefore the 10% unsure factor which keeps me still leaning towards the A8JP with it's nice safe 1200x800 screen.

BUT I do know that when I game on the F3JM I will appreciate the 1680x1050. I also know that when I am knee deep in spreadsheets I will appreciate the 1680x1050.

Maybe what I prefer is the F3JM with 1200x800 instead of 1680x1050????

All and any thoughts gratefully received!

 

I guess it all depends on you and it seems that you've already made a decision.

If you don't care that much about portability then yes, you should get F3J.
As for the screen resolution, again, it is up to you to see is WSXGA good for your eyes. I have 10.6" Vaio T350 with 1280x768 and I can use it without problems but I would rather have bigger screen for that resolution.

As for A8Jp I see that you have lower speced one I Australia the we here in Europe.

Our A8Jp is like this:

Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00 Ghz, 667Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache),
14" WXGA+ 1440x900 ColorShine
1 GB (2 x 512GMB) DDRII 667Mhz,
120GB 5400RPM HDD,
ATI X1700 256MB/512MN HM,
DVD Dual Burner,
WiFi 802.11a/b/g,
10/100/1000 LAN,
Bluetooth,
CMOS WebCam,
Win XP-Home

And A8Js:

Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00 Ghz, 667Mhz FSB, 4MB Cache),
14" WXGA+ 1440x900 ColorShine
2 GB (2 x 1GB) DDRII 667Mhz,
120GB 5400RPM HDD,
nVidia GF Go 7700 512MB
DVD Dual Burner,
WiFi 802.11a/b/g,
10/100/1000 LAN,
Bluetooth,
CMOS WebCam,
Win XP-Home

I want to get A8Js but I would rather like to have 1280x800 resolution. I don't know.

Again, it's all up to you.

 

Sorry it's taken a couple of days, but I've spoken to Emanuelle from Asus (Aus & NZ) regarding the launch date of the A8Js. He stated that since the A8Js is the replacement for the A8Jm, they weren't planning on rolling them out locally until current stocks of the A8Jm have been sold. This means we probably won't see it until November.

 

I have a question:

Where can I find a F3Jm with a WSXGA+ screen!? I would LOVE to have that size screen, and the only reason I'm not going to buy a f3jm or a8jm is that the screen resolution is only 1200x800.

What country sells the f3jm with a higher resolution screen?

 

I'm buying it in Perth in Western Australia from Cybershop.

http://www.cybershop.net.au/Notebooks/Notebooks.shtml

Details of it aren't on the net yet quote from email I got from Dylan from the store:

"We haven't put it on our web site yet as we are not launching it till next month. I can still sell them so if you were keen, they are selling very well."

 

Lee,

I was just curious what you ended up getting and where from?

Cheers

 

For all you .au readers out there, I noticed that The Australian IT supplement looked at the A8Jp yesterday, among a lineup of "multimedia powerhouse notebooks," alongside the BenQ R55 and the Toshiba Qosmio G30.

Not surprisingly, the Qosmio won, but the review for the Asus was very favourable.

 

Hi,

I ended up getting the F3JM from cybershop.

I pick it up tomorrow and will post pics/review of it ASAP.

 

It wasn't the price of the Qosimo that I couldn't handle. It was the size and weight!