Screen question for G1/V1/Z96/A8J owners - hoping to buy today!

Hi all. I've been hanging out here for awhile trying to decide what to buy. I have given myself a deadline of TODAY.

The only question I need answered still is about the screens of the models I'm considering. The two Asus models still under consideration are the G1 (which has the same screen as the V1 and Z96) and the A8j* (probably the S because the P is out of stock - I would try to get a model with CMO screen). Amongst people picky enough to know what a "sparkly" screen is, I need to know whether either of these screens exhibit any of that quality.

It's sometimes described as dusty, pixie dust, dirty, a sheen, etc. The screen shimmers on light colors especially light grays and whites. The whites never look truly white. To people that are sensitive to this it's a real problem.

I'm not much for sending things back, and I've sent back a Dell d820 and the Compal Hel80 over this issue (both matte screens). Other screens known to be like this, some A8jm's, z71v, Sony C, Macbook pro black, Sony AR UXGA.

So are your whites nice and bright and please let me know if you have the slightest clue what I'm talking about. I want to stop looking and join an owner's thread!

Edit: The only other notebook under consideration is the Sony dual lamp FE series. If any of you have seen it, and want to compare your screen to it, that would REALLY help. Thanks.

 

Are you in the states or some where else in the world? The V1 series for example come with different screens depending on your region.

 

Sorry....in the states. The screen I'm talking about is the WSXGA+ CMO 1523 N15421

The A8J screen is the CMO 1416

 

I have a V1Jp from ProPortable. I've only heard of what you're talking about but haven't seen it in person. The last time I heard about this issue it was fixed in the bios (can't remember model #). On my system I haven't noticed anything resembling what you described. I don't remember any one in the V1J/p thread reporting anything similar either.

Edit: I don't know if you saw the sticky on the top of the forum or not but it has a list of fixed bios.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=95731

 

loopty, thanks for your assessment. The "issue" you are referring to that was a bios problems was the x1600 ati issue which was in a bunch of computers like the Asus S96. That graininess made certain dark colors look like they were broken up into the CMYK colors as opposed to solid colors.

This is completely different. It's a sheen like you would get if you dropped some really fine sparkly powder on the screen. It can't be seen at all on the screen when you look at high-res color photos or black, just light colors.

I wouldn't worry so much, but I already feel bad for sending back two notebooks from different manufacturers and I don't want to send another back - and most Asus resellers have big restocking fees or don't take returns. Most screens I've seen in the stores are fine (except Sony C, Sony AR and Macbook pro black) but there aren't many (any!) glossy WSXGA+ screen in the stores.

 

When I get home I'll stare at it some more.

 

I love my G1 screen...everyone who has seen it says its probably the best laptop screen they have ever seen.

 

Here's an earlier post from the A8JS owner's lounge, just so y'all don't think I'm batty.

poncho:

Laum:

So, I guess unless I get a lot of hearty disagreement, I'll rule out the A8Js and that leaves me the G1 or the Sony FE.

 

Everything looks fine here on my V1Jp. Light colors look just fine.

 

If the large size can fit your purpose get the g1. Seems to be the best deal to me.

You have a better screen 2 gb 160 gb hd all the stuff.

 

Thanks, guys.

The specs are about the same on a similarly priced customized Sony FE except the resolution of the screen.

Do I go with a low res screen that I've seen in person, or a high res one that I haven't seen? I'll sleep on it and hope for another opinion or two.

 

I think that the Sony FE has a Go 7600 gpu with only half the vram that usually comes with that gpu (128) The G1 has 512, so does the A8js. That will be an issue if you are planning on gaming a lot with your new laptop.

 

Thanks, 8rocks. If you count dedicated ram, I thought the go 7600 was 256. Actually, when configuring I was going to maybe even step down to the Go 7400 which I understood to be 128.

I don't game with the exception of flash games and an occasional girlie game like Longest Journey. My husband has the desktop gaming system in case I should ever start.

I know it's sort of strange to buy a gaming computer when I don't game. I was mainly looking for a good screen because I'm an artist and that's what I stare at a good part of the day. There are all sorts of benchmarks for people for whom the video card is the deciding factor, but not much for monitors. I can look at contrast, nits, etc, but that is just like looking at video card specs without benchmarks. Kinda sucks not to be able to see hardly any higher resolution options in the store.

I didn't want to go over 15.4", because I do use it in my lap 100% of the time. The only 15.4" high res screens without many complaints I could find were the Compal hel80 and the V1JP/G1/Z96J. I ordered the Compal and the screen was sparkly. So I sent it back sadly. I picked the G1 because it seemed to run the coolest, had no major complaints, and didn't have any major heat producing items under the touchpad (I use the touchpad 80% of the time). Also, it has the best specs for the price. Without benchmarks, it's very hard to compare it to the Sony FE - I have to rely on user opinions.

 

The G1 has the V1Jp beat on price.

The V1Jp can have a longer battery life with a modular bay battery (extra money though).

The V1Jp is a little lighter than the G1 and a little smaller.

The G1 probably runs cooler than the V1Jp (not that I've had any problems with my V1Jp).

If you have and want to keep using your PC Card (PCMCIA) accessories then you'll have to go with the G1 since the V1Jp has an ExpressCard slot.

We've already covered the graphics card and RAM differences.

If you really want a nice 14" screen I would wait for the V2 if possible. It'll be better than the A8 series in terms of build quality.

Crap! I played a girlie game. Is Dreamfall any good?

 

I loved Dreamfall, a very compelling story (rare these days). They better make a third!

BTW, I didn't think of it as a girlie game

 

dreamfall has a very good story.....but somewhat simple gameplay.....i would still play it for the story though. ends kinda crappily though.....

back on subject....have you ever given any consideration to fujitsu screens? i think they are one of the few 15" screens with 300 nits brightness. my n3530 definitely has white whites and black blacks....though the resolution is only wxga....

 

Dreamfall, ironically, is sitting waiting for my new laptop. I don't think my old Pentium 4-M with GeForce4 460 GO would like it.

300 nits sounds excellent. My guess is that the dual lamp Sony FE is just as bright with the edge towards Sony being that I've seen the Sony FE and don't mind the touchpad, keyboard, etc.

I actually counted out the V1JP a good part because of the vent location. I tend to park my hand over there on the right side of the keyboard bezel with my hand wrapped around the bottom of the notebook and press the page up, page down with my thumb. I suppose I could change my habits; I just figured it would be a pain to have the air blowing on my hand for hours. I also assumed the palm rest got warm seeing where the components are. All that said, I would have the same questions about that screen as the G1 obviously.

I've changed the settings on my 1600 x 1200 UXGA 15" notebook today to 1280 x 1024 (or something like that) and then reduced the window heights by 1/5 to make it 1280 x 800 just to get a feel for it. It feels sort of cramped, but I do like how big the text is. I tried it in Photoshop and it's definitely not as pleasant as working bigger - but then there are external monitors for that. I'd still rather go 1680 x 1050 if possible.

 

The fan almost never shuts down so yes there will be air coming out of there pretty much all of the time. If you're playing games the air out of that vent does get hot. My friend's comment was "sweet, with this thing my hand will never get cold" (it was snowing out side). Good luck with your search.

 

I owned a sony FE, it has a very stunning and bright screen, they are probably 1 of a few companies that use HiColor technology, which is basically LED. I sold it because it doesnt have strong specs, especially that gpu, which i believe it may be underclocked, plus wanted something smaller. Now as far as 15.4" inch notebooks go, I think the G1 is the best bang for the buck.

 

I've only had my G1 for a couple days but I haven't noticed what you're talking about with the screen. I admit I haven't been looking for it but I'm fairly sensitive to screen issues most of the time though this may be a bit out of my eyesight's league.

Other than that the speaker sound is a bit goofy but I rarely have it on anyway. My favorite so far is the fan exhaust in the middle which means I can prop it on my legs without worrying about covering the main vent which I hated about my old hp's vent location (right over the right knee).

I dunno, I bought it for the power so I could game and watch discovery channel at the same time without hiding on a desktop sequestered in some obscure corner of the house.

 

Thanks guys! Hey, sliced bread, that was nifty. I gave you a +rep and it turned your little square to green. What fun. I don't need video games; I'm easily amused.

I'm gonna have to go Asus. Running at 1280x800 all day durn near killed me. (I moved to Texas - trying to talk like the locals). So, I'm thinking G1 and buying today. A little evil voice in my ear whispers: But what about the V1JP? It's sleek and classy and you are 42, not 18.
Then again, I retired at 39, so what do I care what that little voice says?

G1:
+ vent in back, touchpad doesn't heat up.
+ "bang for the buck" as y'all say
+ I like those little knob things on the sides
+ black, black and more black (once a goth girl, always a goth girl)
+ like the non-textured touchpad
+ XP MCE
- would like at least one USB port on the side for a tablet or camera connection
- a little flashy
- extra space above the monitor is goofy
- heavy

V1:
+ lighter - especially if I remove optical drive
+ like the extras better, the bag and the mouse.
+ USB ports on the side
- Big minus is vent on the right
- textured touchpad
- complaints of battery problems
- XP pro

I suppose carbon fiber and all that is better than plastic for most people, but my old Toshiba is plastic and even after 4 years of my hands sitting on the palm rests for 4 hours a day, not a trace of wear is to be found. I have respect for plastic.

Price isn't a big deal as long as I stay under $2000.

Anyway, I'll decide soon and put all of you following this thread out of your misery. Too bad no one knows what a sparkly screen is.

 

btw not too sure which laptop you're referring to when u mentioned carbon fiber, but just in case, as far as i know the G1 is actually plastic that LOOKS like carbon fiber. i would double check with that, but ya... just in case if that was one of the deciding factors and turns out that it isn't, wouldn't want to go through that disappointment, non?

 

Screen sparkle is something many Asus owners/enthusiates got to experience, especially owners of the Z71V, also many knew about this.

Screen sparkle should not be a problem on the G1 or V1JP.

Both notebooks would make you a happy camper.

Carbon fibre is better than plastic, but this doesn't mean plastic is bad, almost every notebook out there in the world is plastic (so many dell, toshiba, acer owners) and despite their problems that they may have there are people who are very happy with what they got.

I'm sure you've read these three reviews on the G1?
6times7 slo007 and a review made by Xotic PC.

Here's the review on the V1JP by MysticGolem Click Here

Also, it seems like you've basicaly made your decision already. Go for it, , you will be happy with the G1, just like many owners here.

 

Thanks. Lord Farkward, I was talking about the carbon fiber on the V1JP as opposed to the plastic G1. If you just gave me a V1JP and a G1 and an unlimited engineering budget, I think I could morph them into an almost perfect computer (as long as I was allowed to add on my old Toshiba Harman Kardon speakers).

Milestone: Yeah, I think I am getting the G1. Now, trying to decide if I want to pay an extra $100 dollars for the Vista + lightscribe. I don't think so...I kind of like the option of sticking with XP.

I took a look at your site last night when I was compiling price/model info. I didn't see a return policy anywhere (restocking fee, exchanges only or returns allowed, etc). Did I miss it?

Oh and thanks so much for the opinion. You are the first one to mention seeing the sparkles on some computer and them not being on the G1. That's SOOOOO good to know.

 

oh ya dont get the lightscribe and vista

If there is a xp vista upgrade machine get that

Youll use lightscribe once in your life and then never again.

You wont even use cds anymore in the very near future. Even if you did make a lot of audio cds you wont buy lightscribe media after your first one because its so expensive.

xp version has vista and xp vs just vista? hmmmm and its 100$ cheaper

 

I've used it twice so far It is a good gadget to have either way you look at it.

 

Just letting everyone that helped know that I finally ordered the G1 today. I bought from Milestonepc since they gave me the best answer to my question here. I'll write up a little review after I get it.

I mentioned that I have bought and returned two computers already. Well, my husband has offered to take the G1 off my hands if I should decide I don't want it. Nice of him, isn't it?:

 

Good choice, good luck