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    ASUS K42J Review Discussion

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by Jerry Jackson, Jul 26, 2010.

  1. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    The ASUS K42J is the latest in the K series of affordable laptops. This 14-inch notebook features a high-performance Intel Core i5 processor, discrete graphics with Nvidia Optimus technology, and a starting price below $900. Is this the ideal back-to-school laptop? Read on to find out.



    Read the full content of this Article: ASUS K42J Review

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    Jerry Jackson, Jul 26, 2010
    #1
  2. abaddon4180

    abaddon4180 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You would think that they would put a more powerful GFX card in this. It has basically the same price and specs as the U45JC but is thicker, heavier, and has significantly worse battery life.
     
    abaddon4180, Jul 26, 2010
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  3. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

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    I guess $899.99 is under $900. :rolleyes: :p
     
    talin, Jul 26, 2010
    #3
  4. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    I tend to focus on the street price rather than the MSRP. The street prices I found were consistently in the $880-$890 range ... some with additional rebates.

    That said, I did find a few online retailers via Google that are selling this notebook for more than MSRP along with an ASUS mail-in rebate for $50 ... which brings the price back down to the $880 range.
     
    Jerry Jackson, Jul 26, 2010
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  5. Taeil2

    Taeil2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How is it possible for the battery life on this laptop to be so drastically worse than the U45JC and the U43JC? Those two are supposed to have battery lives of about 10 hours, right? The specs of all three are pretty similar (processor and optimus). The only things I can think of that would affect the battery life are the 6 cell battery vs. their 8 cell batteries and the 7200rpm hard drive vs. their 5400rpm ones. Is that really enough to make the difference between a 4 hr and a 10 hr battery life?
     
    Taeil2, Jul 26, 2010
    #5
  6. Soulsaber

    Soulsaber Notebook Evangelist

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    yes

    10char
     
    Soulsaber, Jul 27, 2010
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  7. damian5000

    damian5000 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm very surprised the K42JV wasn't reviewed. It's the same price ($919) at newegg and has the 335m...It's Asus' direct competitor (gaming performance wise and price wise) to the Envy 14, Lenovo y460, Acer 4820TG..

    Would of been a much more useful review..And I think not only to me...Just looking at the threads here..
     
    damian5000, Jul 27, 2010
    #7
  8. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    We review the models that the manufacturers or retailers send us (on loan) for review.

    In some cases we purchase notebooks on our own if a particular model looks popular and the manufacturer has informed us that a review sample won't be available for quite some time.

    We can request specific models and configurations, but at the end of the day it's up to the manufacturer to decide what models they will or will not send us.
     
    Jerry Jackson, Jul 27, 2010
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  9. Mongusa

    Mongusa Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has anyone noticed that the K42JC and K42JV list a combination port for microphone and headphone - "1 x Headphone-out & Audio-in Combo jack." Do you really have to choose between headphone out and audio in or is there something I am missing?
     
    Mongusa, Jul 27, 2010
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  10. Icelox18

    Icelox18 Notebook Geek

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    @mongusa, There is only one port which can be used as either line in or audio out. However most apps and games will use the webcam's 'usb' microphone.
     
    Icelox18, Aug 27, 2010
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  11. pcastel

    pcastel Newbie

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    Oh wow! Just by the comments I'm reading here, and by looking at this laptop specs, I can tell I won't be buying it for sure!
     
    pcastel, Aug 29, 2010
    #11
  12. thundernet

    thundernet Notebook Deity

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    ha ha ha :) ..Look specification wise is a solid notebook. For it's price and warranty too.I just don't care for it's looks.If I was out buying a notebook in that category I would first look the HP dm4,or the Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 or the acer4820TG.
     
    thundernet, Aug 29, 2010
    #12