Where are all the Asus C90S reviews?

How is it that no one has seen this thing actually turned on in any of the demos? I'm about to pull the trigger on this one, but I still have some major concerns:

1) Just how loud are all those fans?
2) Is this going to roast in my lap?
3) How much air comes blasting out of the back?

I find it kind of disturbing that this is (supposedly) shipping out to users this week without anyone actually seeing the thing working.

 

I'm in the same boat. We should be seeing reviews early next week when people start to get their shipments in.

 

Probably early July when all the new asus/compal/clevo laptop reviews start rolling in.

 

I hear you I am in the same boat as well. already purchased a s96s I guess I may have to do a review on it when i get it

 

Well, as I said in another thread, Asus is testing every unit that comes off the line. (not just 5 out of 100, which is the usual practice) So I am not too worried about the final quality.

 

I'm not worried about quality or how long it will last. I'm worried that it will be disturbingly loud or too hot to keep on my lap for long periods. I also don't want a jet of hot exhaust coming out the back blasting whoever is sitting in front of me.

 

Are you sure about that ?
All companies test a number of laptops from each batch and then they ship it to the customers. If they are going to check every laptop though their production line, they will have to double their work-force.

 

So, how do you know this???

 

Greg, you newb!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=132410



Haha, well, or so it says

 

Pretty sure, they were supposed to release it in mid-late May, but then decided to go the extra mile with QA and test every unit, now it being released in Mid-Late June. I think about a month's time is reasonable for checking 100 something thousand units.

 

I like the C90, but Im very confused about some stuff....

it is or isnt a laptop? well i mean in terms of plataform, this isnt napa or santarosa (since its a different plataform, Im right?) so altough it uses new techs, its not the same thing...
(can use new techs that only santarosa notebooks can like DX10, but it isnt santarosa Im right?)

and C90 can use robson? It will be upgradeable to upcoming notebook techs?

new techs for laptops are different from desktops so wich ones does the C90 use, or its in middle gorund?! : :

 

It is a middle ground.
Also as to the information about Asus QA, I called up Ken (GenTechPC) the other day to ask a few things about the C90, and if he knew of the validity of the release claims. He told me that he talked to the Product Manager from Asus not too long ago (in response to the arrival date being moved back from late may), and his statement was that they wanted this launch to go very smoothly, so they are both increasing the number of units to be shipped and testing every unit rolling out of the factory before release. I must have asked him about four times "Every unit? Like...every single, last one?" to which every reply was "Yep, every one."

 

That doesn't answer the original question. What is the heat and fan noise going to be like on this laptop?

 

Dude, that doesn't answer the original question because we can't tell you the answer. Of course, it's assumed since a desktop processor is being used, more heat will be produced and more power will be consumed. However, Asus seems to have put a lot of R&D into keeping this baby cool with those huge fans, so it shouldn't be too bad. And as far as power goes, this is very obviously advertised as a desktop replacement notebook, and if you're looking for anything different you shouldn't bother asking the questions. However, from what Asus tells us you can still expect 90 minutes, fully charged on the power saving mode.

But again, I'm assuming and guessing. Noone can pull magic answers out of a hat until someone actually has the thing in their hands. Wait another week or so (hopefully, lol) and then see what turns up...I can all but guarantee you once these things are out there will be a multitude of reviews up not only on this site but all over the internet.

 

After reading the Sager NP9260 Full Review now Im not worried at all about heat/noise issues, if a notebook with those specs (clearly better than C90s) dont produce enough heat (to melt the desk or user) the C90 should be fine.

I know that the sager is a 17" notebook but the specs on the C90 are not the same (so the heat and noise should be less)

 

WHEN IS THIS THING GOING TO GET HERE AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IM BUYING THIS THING AS SOON AS I POSSIBLY FREAKING CAN AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

also: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134342

is the ram i'm getting for mine o.ob. The reason I am doing so is this, quoted from wikipedia:

i'm a nub at this, i used to be knowledgeable about this stuff a few years back but I haven't kept up with it :/. So if I don't know what the hell i'm talking about please help me!

 

I'm not going to try and break down that wikipedia article for you, but do yourself a favor and get 2 gigs of ram, preferably DDR2 667.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231116

that's what i'm ordering.

 

I have little to no experience with Intel based systems, but it would seem to me like the C90S would be better with the DDR2 800, even if it runs it at 667, since the computer has automatic overclock, which is performed either by increasing the clock multiplier (I don't think it's unlocked on the non-extreme models) or the FSB, which will also tax your ram. I also read somewhere that the C90s used the DDR2 800, but I'm not positive.

 

Yeah it does use ddr2800 but its expensive

 

You can't increase the clock multiplier (you are right it is locked) on these CPUs, you have to increase FSB speed. So higher clocked RAM would help, BUT the mobo only supports 667. Not to mention the over clocking mechanism hardly even uses all of the 1334 that it can clock to on higher end Conroes, so 800 would be a little over the top.

 

Thank you for the help, but I am still a little confused on the ram it supports ; ;. Asus website says:

is that not referring to the c90s specifically?

 

really,?!?!?!

so its a total waste to put higher RAM? : :

 

some of you people from google should join in here

 

I asked RJTech about this a while ago. They said it supported 800MHz RAM, but it would be downclocked. I imagine, though, since this is a good overclocker, then buying 800MHz RAM would leave more overclocking headroom.

 

Any info on if any retailers have received them? I have to go to class soon, hopefully good news when I get back.

 

Just got an e-mail from Gentechpc (Ken) and he said that the C90S have already been shipped from Taiwan to retailers in the US. They should have them by the end of the week.

Hope this helps

 

Yay 1st-post guy! You seem confident in a way that I think that's just a new account of an old poster.

Yeah, that helps loads. Thanks for the info. As far as I can tell, all the retailers still say "back-ordered" and "0 in stock" and "pre-order" and most don't have a picture.

I'm not as curious to when they come in as how they're going ot be resold. Like, what will the barebone come with? Will there be multiple barebone packages? How will graphics cards, the TV tuner, HD-DVD, and Blue-Ray drives be resold? Here's what I think based on pieces of info from online-stores.

Here's what I'm thinking, and I'm being ridiculously specific:

Comes with:
Mounts, screws, etc.
Battery/power adapter
Notebook
DVD Burner
Motherboard
Heat-sinks and fans
Bluetooth
Monitor
Keyboard
Speakers
Camera
Carrying Case/Bag
Asus site says a wireless mouse as well.

Doesn't come with:
HD-DVD drive (C90S specific)
Blue-Ray drive (C90S specific)
Harddrive
CPU
RAM
8500 256mb (C90S specific) (Some places say 8600 256mb, iffy on GS/GT status)
8600M GT 512mb (C90S specific)
WiFi
Analog/Digital HD/TV-Tuner (C90S specific) (Antenna may come with the notebook; I'm not sure)


I think WiFi should come standard where Bluetooth shouldn't, but what ya gonna do? I love the idea of not getting a TV-Tuner now, but if I decide to later, I can get the nice internal one.

Jeese, I just realized this thing is going to come with at least two open PCIe slots on the inside. Wouldn't it be neat if you could install an internal sound card as well? Or maybe PhysX if it becomes more popular!

I also read somehwere they're planning to sell screen upgrades? I doubt we'll need anything better than the standard WSXGA for a while, especially if they don't get some schweet graphics cards out for it.

Man I hope all these parts catch on with other manufacturers too.

 

I'm almost 90 percent positive bluetooth is standard.

 

Yeah, so am I. All the sites that let you configure it have it standard, and many places that list the C90S without a desciption have it in the product title. And, I don't think you can buy internal Bluetooth modules for notebooks, where as you can for WiFi.

 

If you order from btotech.com or gentech.com it says what your getting.

the bluetooth 2.0 +EDR is standard.

As for video card upgrades, optical drive upgrades and screen upgrades.

Those are just a few of the things that people that wait to buy can take advantage of since they will be able to buy them as part of there initial setup instead of having to buy it after and pay more.

I am sure I will be happy with the screen its a very high res for 15", infact most of the part#'s for the C90S have lower res screens if I remember correctly so I think the default one we are getting that preordered it is already the best screen or 2nd to best.

Somebody posted a link to a PDF with all the C90S part numbers it had like 5 different screens.

Id love a blueray/hddvd drive but its not worth the cost, plus id much rather have a dual drive that does both over one vs the other.

out of all the options the one I miss the most is the ability to have it come with a HD 2600XT instead of the 8600gt.

Im a Nvidia fan, but my gut tells me the 2600 is a better card, and has alot more potential when overclocked.

 

I agree with the 2600xt comment. Maybe I'm just out of the loop, but has there been any word on when ATi plans on releasing this card?

 

yea, and there is talk of it being available in MXM-II format. (In other words, the card will be released)

 

I'm the one who found the part list pdf.
http://www.asus.com/999/download/products/1641/1641_10.pdf

Yeah, the one it comes with is the best screen. This is an old document, though, so maybe they didn't know how they were going to redistribute screens, and just listed all the ones they tested. It also doesn't list Intel's Wireless N module, and I've seen it as an option form resellers.

I also strongly believe the ATI card listed is the Radeon Mobility HD 2900 XT, or whatever its full name is.

 

wow that card is better than the 8600 by far....

 

Well I have not found any hardcore proof that its better, just some leaked 3dmark scores that show just abit higher than the 8600gt, but I just know based on its design it can be much stronger.

The arciteture has more power with its super scaler but to use it correctly requires good drivers, wich they have yet to really get even for the desktop cards, so once drivers improve so should performance.

Then its based on the 65nm process instead of the 80nm the 8600gt uses, wich means it should use less power and produce less heat at the same given performance level, wich also means really good performance for overclocking.

So the HD 2600XT to me has major potential, its just a matter of finding out if it was used.

You can already buy a few notebooks with this card if I am not mistaken, so I wonder why benchmarks are so hard t find.

 

Here's something that might be interesting...

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-2600-XT.3770.0.html

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-8600M-GT.3986.0.html

Looks like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT out performs the GeForce 8600M GT by about 500 points in the 3dmark 06 benchmark.

Vicious, just curious as to what notebooks carry the 2600 XT.

-David

 

I've only seen it advertised in the big 20'' HDX or whatever it's called.

 

I'd be stoked about the 2600XT -- BUT -- ATI's drivers have been notoriously bad for years at this point. And that scares me.

 

Yes those are the 3dmark scores I was refering too. However dont take it to heart much because 3dmark is a way different story than games. Since it uses a super scaler they pretty much have to optimize the drivers for each game to get the max power out of the card. You know that 3dmark was one of the first things they did this for.

Also notebookcheck has a bad rep on the forums here for having un-standardized testing for benchmarks. So maybe they tested at a different resolution ect...

Its not like I have a choice im getting the 8600gt with my c90 but I will keep my eyes peeled and see how the 2600xt devolops

 

1) Just how loud are all those fans?

Yes, they are loud, especially in the Turbo Gear Game mode

2) Is this going to roast in my lap?

It may, I actually never put it on my laps, always on the table.
This machine is basically mobile desktop (Intel Core Duo 2 - 2.6GHz/ 3Gb
Kingston RAM/ nVidia GeForce 8600M GT 512Mb/ etc.) It does generate a lot
of heat.
3) How much air comes blasting out of the back?

Not too much, but again it depends how much resources you use.
I have played "FEAR" on very high settings and air did get really hot.

 

Fans are only loud in CPU intensive tasks....

 

fenantren

you are over-reacting, you seem to be 1 unhappy user out of 1000 happy C90s users

neither heat or fan's have ever bothered me, i own this babe for 2 months now

there are older notebooks released 2 years ago that produce almost twice the heat than this one... if you try do deny it, you don't know what you are talking about...if you wish to have a cold notebook, get yourself a crapobook

 

only time fans have spooled up on me is with 3dmark or a cpu benchmark. In a game they barly come on.

Overclock mode can make them louder. This is with my e6600 that runs cool. With my old e6700 the fans were on alot more often and much louder.

When I get my cooling pad in 2 weeks I bet the fans almost never become even audible.

Its very very cpu dependant on how loud/hot your notebook will be, some run hotter than others, also make sure to take the time to put better thermal compound on it helps alot. I use a metal pad, its nearly 4 or 5c better than the stock stuff.

 

I'd like them to run like a 747 during games though. My VGA is making my CPU heat too I guess (well, the turbo engines get so hot that the CPU heatsink is heatsinking it >-< )

 

I was reading before I bought my c90 that with a 5400 rpm HD the left palm rest would be warm but unless I have a fan blowing across it it's actually uncomfortable to rest it on there. HD is 54C right now according to PC wizard, are those normal temps?

 

HDD temp is normal, the left palm is not. Same here.

 

I have a Fujitsu MHW2160BH 160GB 5400 rpm and the heat doesn't bother me

 

The fans kick in a lot when I play BF2142 at our lan aprties but that's because my laptop is parked next to a desktop pumping out almost as much heat (but not as much performance )

 

There is no reason to be hostile. FREELANCE please learn some manners.

 

Anyone mind taking a picture of the box that the C90 came in?