Showing posts with label esata. Show all posts
Showing posts with label esata. Show all posts

5/20/2012

Gateway SX2802-03 Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

Gateway SX2802-03 Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pros:
-Quiet
-Fast boot up into Win7
-Plenty of RAM for OS Requirements
-Plenty Big Hard Drive for anything
-Does not include a ton of worthless software
Cons:
-On board integrated graphics
-Button to eject DVD tray must be pressed HARD
-Does not include hard copies of OS or system recovery disks (these must be burned at your $$)
It is a nice quiet compact system. Boot time is noticeably faster (about a minute) over my previous Vista computers. Moreover, there is not a lot of preinstalled worthless junk ware. Although, the optional software (MS Office, Norton, etc) that is there are trail versions only. There is not any good tactile feel to the DVD eject button and must be pressed rather hard. I was very surprised to find no hard copies of Windows 7 or any recovery disks. For these, the system prompted me to insert my own DVDs and burn copies on my own (something EVERYONE SHOULD DO). The on-board integrated video is the weakest link in performance.Windows performance score is 3.6 due to graphics. There is a PCI-expresssx16 slot open. I ordered a video card (which MUST be a LOW PROFILE card) and will update this review on how it affects performance. Over all so far it seems to be a solid computer and a good experience. Time will tell more!
Edit:
I received, installed and tested HIS H435F512HDLP Radeon HD 4350 HDMI Dual Link DVI (HDCP) 512MB (64 bit) DDR2 PCIe 16x 2.0 Low Profile Video Card Retail (RoHS)
It brought up my gaming graphics score from a 3.4 to a 5.8! You may have to fiddle around with Aero and tone down some of the bells and whistles to gain improvements within windows 7 environment. Also this card has a fan. The fan adds a little more air flow within the case but also adds noticeable fan noise. So to maintain the stealthy quiet of the original system...get a card with no fan.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gateway SX2802-03 Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)

Gateway SX2802-03 Desktop PC comes with these specs: Intel Core2 Quad Processor Q8300, Windows 7 Home Premium, Intel G43 Express Chipset, 6144MB DDR2 Memory, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Graphics, 1TB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, High-Definition Audio Support with 5.1-channel Audio Support, 9 - USB 2.0, Keyboard and Mouse, 12.0 lbs. | 5.4 kg (system unit only), 1 Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty with Toll-Free Tech Support, Registration/ Limited Warranty Card, Norton Internet Security Suite 2009 Trial

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3/18/2012

Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4036 LED TruBrite 14-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4036 LED TruBrite 14-Inch Laptop (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The triple core 1.8ghz Phenom II is a strong and economical processor choice for a desktop replacement-type laptop. This computer regularly gets 3.5 hours on the battery with only the screen brightness turned down a bit. I really enjoy this.
The video card is listed as an ATI Radeon 4250, which it is, but the M880 chipset for it gives it power way beyond the Radeon 4250's power in itself. When I checked the GPU benchmarks, the M880 chipset Radeon 4250 was consistently ranked middle of the pack, above such GPUs as the ATI Radeon HD 5145.
This computer is nice and portable, and the size is perfect for carrying with me. The screen isn't small to where it creates any issues with seeing for me; I'm actually enjoying the fact that it is shorter and I can cradle it in my lap perfectly and totally comfortably.
The keyboard is not one with a full NumPad, but that doesn't bother me much. The keys don't have a loose sensation at all, which I really enjoy. I am still getting used to the location of a few of my keys, especially the backspace, but I'll certainly get used to it soon enough. The trackpad isn't bad; you can tweak it however you like. One major issue I noticed right away is that the Webcam drivers were so out of date that the webcam wouldn't work when I first got the computer. I tried to update it and was told that this was already the newest available driver, but it still didn't work. I ended up taking it off altogether and restarting the computer and it works just fine now. Just a word of warning for those who are looking at this one: The webcam may take a second of fiddling with to get it set up correctly. IT is nothing too bad, and there are guides all over the internet explaining how to do this.
Other minor gripes, the touchpad can be seems a bit insensitive at times, even with it turned up almost all the way... The two finger scrolling also isn't as intuitive as it was with my last ASUS. I also have to press the power button to get it out of sleep... All minor gripes that I will come to terms with soon, after which I will be completely satisfied with my purchace. ;)
These are my impressions after a few days with this computer... Great specs and performance for the money! I'll be sure to update this review if anything else comes to mind.
EDIT- I want to add that the sound quality that comes out of these speakers is not too bad. Look in the Control Panel for a utility called SmartAudio. It controls all the sound output for the computer and will give you much greater control over your desired sound. You can go into the SmartAudio settings and have it appear in the System Tray if you're going to be listening to a lot of music! I'm not claiming that the speakers are perfect; you're still going to need good external speakers or headphones if you want an excellent and LOUD audio experience. Basically, these are good for stock speakers, mainly because of the SmartAudio software (found in Control Panel)...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4036 LED TruBrite 14-Inch Laptop (Black)


Toshiba Satellite L645D: Fashionable, Affordable and Portable with 14-Inch Screen
Offering a redesigned chassis with a sleeker body, the nicely affordable Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4036 notebook PC makes it easy to handle computing essentials at home, school or work--from surfing the web and downloading video to managing household finances or studying for finals. And its high-gloss Fusion Finish in Helios Black will be sure to raise a few eyebrows while you're on the go.

You'll also be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming thanks to the triple-core AMD Phenom II Mobile Processor P820.

This all-purpose, eco-smart machine features a stunning 14-inch LED-backlit display with 720p native high-definition resolution. Thanks to the built-in webcam and Toshiba Face Recognition software on this machine, you'll enjoy a more convenient way to communicate, log on or share your laptop among the family. Other high-tech features include a power-saving Eco Utility to help reduce power consumption based on your needs and one USB/eSATA combo port.

This Satellite comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).



Key Features
14-inch widescreen HD TruBrite LED-Backlit display not only renders stunning visuals, but it's more environmentally friendly as it uses less power (1366 x 768 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio).


1.8 GHz AMD Phenom II P820 triple-core processor (with AMD M880G Chipset and 1.5 MB L2 cache) lets you enjoy movies, music and games like you never have before, with amazing detail, clarity and color. Plus, you can experience Microsoft Windows 7 the way it was intended. All this with the freedom to do more on the go with long battery life rating.


320 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)


4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (expandable to 8 GB)


ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics card provides exceptional features, performance and power-efficiencies that enrich what you see and do (256 MB - 1917 MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory).


8x SuperMulti DVD drive with double layer support.


Wireless Connectivity
With its integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers.



Built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Advanced Audio blends a suite of technologies to deliver a stunning audio experience from headphones or your laptop speakers. It analyzes audio signals and restores tones often lost in encoding, mimicking the same optimization techniques that go into tuning movie theaters and mixing rooms, resulting in brighter highs and deep, thumping bass tones. It also expands stereo signals to 6.1- or 7.1-channel playback for a listening experience that will have you talking long after the performance.


Included Toshiba Software:
Toshiba Media Controller offers simplified media sharing. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it lets you share videos, music and pictures from the media library on your laptop with compatible devices in your home entertainment network, or with other compatible laptops and devices, like an Xbox 360 game console. And you can do it all without moving equipment, burning discs or fumbling with cables.
Toshiba Bulletin Board is an easy-to-use organizational and productivity app that lets you build your own personalized space on your desktop. With Toshiba Bulletin Board, you can quickly and easily manage your to-do lists and calendars, plus create your own custom work area by pinning your favorite photos, documents, links and more.
Toshiba ReelTime helps you cut down the time it takes to search for files. The easy-to-use app takes traditional text-based file structures one step further to help you find what you're looking for more quickly. Accessible from your taskbar, it shows you a visual timeline of your recently accessed files--using graphical thumbnails--so you can easily identify and get to your files faster.



Included Toshiba Utilities:
Toshiba eco Utility makes it easy to go green as you go mobile. Hit the Eco Button and you'll launch the Toshiba Eco Utility, which puts all sorts of easy-to-read information on your screen, and gives you the ability to adjust the power settings on your laptop. It also activates a light showing you're in the Eco Mode. The Toshiba Eco Utility lets you pick the optimal power plan for your situation. Choose High-Performance when you need every watt you can get, Power Saver for the least energy consumption, or Balanced as a perfect blend of the two.
Hard Drive Impact Sensor takes the worry out of taking your most important files and multimedia on the go. Able to detect sudden movement along three different dimensions, the impact sensor (a complex system of hardware and software) helps safeguard your data by "parking" the hard drive heads in the event of a drop or sudden movement. And it works faster than you can blink to help protect your laptop and all-important data.



Up to 3.8 hours of battery life (6-cell battery; 48 Wh)


Dimensions & Weight: 13.3 x 9.13 x 1.5 inches (WxDxH); 4.98 pounds



Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings



Environmental Specifications
Energy Star 5.0 certified
Gold EPEAT designation for meeting standards to help reduce its environmental impact.
RoHS compliant effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances

Learn more about Toshiba's environmental commitment.

Learn More


25th Anniversary of Toshiba Laptops
This year, Toshiba celebrates its 25th anniversary of innovations and quality in the notebook PC business. Beginning with the launch of the Toshiba T1100, the world's first clamshell-type, fully functional laptop PC, Toshiba has led the with such innovations as the first laptop with a color monitor in 1991 and a laptop with integrated CD-ROM drive in 1995 (followed by the addition of a DVD drive in 1998). And in 2009, Toshiba unveiled the world's first ultraportable laptop with 512GB solid state drive.

Today, Toshiba continues to be a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing, with virtually all of its consumer laptops earning EPEAT Gold status for meeting standards that help reduce overall environmental impact.


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Click here for more information about Toshiba Satellite L645D-S4036 LED TruBrite 14-Inch Laptop (Black)

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2/12/2012

ASUS N53JF-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum) Review

ASUS N53JF-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I couldn't pass up this notebook when I read the specs. This is simply the best notebook that you can get for the price.
I've built around 8 desktops for myself and family members over the past several years and have used Asus motherboards exclusively. The only issue I've run into was a NIC failure on one of them, around 4 years into the life of the computer. It was probably due to a surge, either through the cable line or a faulty modem, so I can't necessarily blame it on the board. That problem was easily and inexpensively solved with a PCI-based NIC.
Choosing an Asus notebook seemed like a logical step.
What this computer has that others in the same price range don't:
- Full HD (1920x1080) display
- Blu-ray drive with DVD burning capabilities
- USB 3.0
- Dedicated graphics with 1GB dedicated VRAM
- a relatively large 7200rpm hard drive
- 1-year warranty INCLUDING accidental damage
Other nice-to-haves:
- Core i5 processor
- 64-bit OS
- 4GB Memory
- Wireless N
- Gigabit LAN
- HDMI port
- eSATA
- a number pad
- webcam lens cover
Please note, at the time of this review, there are a couple things in the "Product Description" that are incorrect:
- The display is indeed 1920x1080 as stated in the "Technical Details" section, not 1366x768.
- There is no ExpressCard 34 port.
Some not-so-great things:
- No FireWire
- No ExpressCard slot
- Comes with Home Premium and not Professional or Ultimate
- LOTS of pre-installed applications and trialware
Thoughts:
I consider myself well-versed in computers. For all of the facets of life, it seems like I always needed a different computer for different things: a notebook for travel, a basic web/email workstation, a media center for home theater use, and yet another computer for audio production (a hobby of mine). Just in the past couple of years, computers have finally become powerful enough to where I can start consolidating all of these different functions into fewer machines without worrying about performance or resource issues. That's where the N53JF-XE1 comes in. It's essentially a desktop replacement. The high-res screen and number pad ensure that you're not sacrificing ergonomics for portability, but the computer is not unweildy. Don't get me wrong, this thing is pretty big, even for a 15" notebook. My work-issued notebook has the same screen size, but it's at least 1" narrower than the N53. Yet, the weight is well-distributed and the shape doesn't make you feel like you're holding a cinder block.
This isn't my first Windows 7 computer, so I was familiar with the changes that MS has made to Windows since XP (I stayed faaaaar away from Vista). There's a couple steps that I would recommend when setting up this computer:
- MAKE THE RESTORE DISCS. You will want to do this. You will get prompted on startup until you create them. It will take 5 DVDs. Unless you have a Windows 7 x64 (any version) disc laying around, you will be SOL if your HDD dies without the restore discs.
- Install all Windows updates.
- Uninstall some of the bloatware/trialware. It's hard to wade through what you'll need and what you don't need. There are games, 3rd party apps like New York Times Reader and Kindle, and some Asus-branded utilities. My best advice is to run these apps and figure out what they do. If you think you'll use them, keep them. If not, uninstall. If you're a month in and you still haven't used the app, you can probably uninstall it.
As I mentioned, this notebook has no firewire or express card port. A firewire port would have been helpful since there's still a lot of A/V equipment that uses FireWire. Since there's also no ExpressCard port, I can't add FireWire ports.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS N53JF-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum)

Feel the Power. Hear the Power. Turn up the volume on the 15.6-inch N53Jf-XE1 notebook and prepare to be impressed. Featuring ASUS SonicMaster technology—co-developed by world-renowned audio experts at Bang and Olufsen ICEpower—and a unique top-mounted speaker design, this multimedia powerhouse combines hardware and audio for an unsurpassed, ear-pleasing experience. Boasting new NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics with battery-boosting NVIDIA Optimus technology, the N53Jf-XE1 excels when performing graphic-intensive tasks like video editing, DirectX 11-enabled gaming, and graphic rendering. And with ASUS VideoMagic 3-in-1 software package, you get image-enhancing programs like PowerDVD 9 with True Theatre that instantly scales DVD-quality to Full 1080p HD with smoother frame rates so you can enjoy videos and movies in the quality they deserve. Powered by the Intel Core i5-460M processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, the N53Jf-XE1 delivers the multitasking muscle and smart performance that senses the tasks at hand and dynamically boosts the processor for a stutter-free experience. Specially built into the N53Jf-XE1, the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine extends battery life via the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility. The N53Jf-XE1 also comes with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 that charges USB 3.0-enabled devices quickly and transfer files from USB storage devices to your notebook up to 10 times faster than previous generation USB 2.0 speeds.1 The N53Jf-XE1 features a 2.0 megapixel webcam with security lens cover, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, ASUS Splendid technology, multi-touch trackpad, Express Gate, new wave keyboard, and a brushed aluminum design.

Key Features
15.6-inch LED-backlit Full HD disdplay with ASUS Splendid Technology for razor-sharp Full HD visual quality (Learn more)
ASUS SonicMaster Technology co-developed by world-renowned audio experts at Bang & Olufsen ICEpower delivers improved clarity, volume, and resonance, and more detailed sound. (Learn more)
Intel Core i5-460M processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology for smart multitasking that automatically boosts performance (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine and ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid optimizes the system to extend battery life for the task at hand (Learn more)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker devi ce charging and up to 10x faster transfers than USB 2.01(Learn more)
New wave keyboard features larger-sized keys for an enhanced typing experience
NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM and battery-boosting NVIDIA Optimus technology delivers fast performance for Full HD playback and gaming (Learn more)
ASUS VideoMagic Software for clearer images and smoother visuals (Learn more)
Express Gate mini-operating system grants instant access to internet, music, Skype, and more in seconds

Learn More
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources2, readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. ASUS relentlessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUS Global Warranty3 Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing laptops:
1 year global warranty
30 day Flawless Display Guarantee
2-way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support

1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty (ADW)3 Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year after purchase.
Covers accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
Target 3 business day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
1-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
24/7 toll-free phone support

What's in the Box
N53Jf-XE1 Notebook
AC Adapter
6 cell Battery Pack
Warranty Information Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Display: 15.6-inch LED-backlit Full HD display (1920 x 1080)
Processor: Intel Core i5-460M processor (2.53 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.80 GHz)
Chipset: Intel HM55
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM
WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz)
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 2 x SODIMM socket (expandable to 8GB)
Storage: 500GB 7200RPM hard drive
Optical Drive: Blu-ray combo drive
Camera: 2.0 megapixel with security lens cover
Speakers: Built-in speakers with SonicMaster Technology
Microphone: Digital Array Microphone
Card Reader: 1x 5-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS-PRO/MS Duo)
Input / Output:1x Headphone-out jack (SPDF support), 1x Microphone-in jack, 1x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 3x USB 3.0 ports, 1x E-SATA
Battery: 6 cell
Dimensions: 15.6 x 10.6 x 1.2 ~ 1.6 (W x D x H)
Weight: 6.4 lbs (with 6 cell)
Color: Silver

© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications are subject to change without notice and features are only in select models. Products may not be available in all markets. Brand and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies. © 2010, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology information: http://www.intel.com/technology/turboboost 1All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status. 2Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com\'s Service & Reliability Report 2009. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Spring 2009\'s RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/RESCUECOM269.html 3For notebooks purchased on or after Sept. 10, 2007. The ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty covers "ASUS" brand notebooks only, and does NOT extend to: "Built on ASUS", "ASMobile", "Powered by ASUS", the Eee PC, or some other models. These retailers are currently among the companies that do NOT participate in the ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty: Best Buy, MicroCenter, and The Source by Circuit City in Canada. Limit of one claim per notebook for Accidental Damage Warranty. ASUS reserves the right to discontinue this program and to modify the terms and conditions thereof at any time. ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty Program starts from the date of your ASUS notebook purchase, when all the requirements are met. Check your retailer for specific warranty information. One incident covered per notebook.


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11/09/2011

HP Pavilion dv6-3010us 15.6-Inch Laptop Review

HP Pavilion dv6-3010us 15.6-Inch Laptop
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I saw this model at one of the Office Superstores (it was WAAAY cheaper)...not sure if I am able to say the name but it's the one that sponsors the arena where the Lakers play. Overall, this is a great computer. I purchased it as a replacement to a 5 year old Dell XPS notebook. I already own a quad-core version of this notebook (HP DV6) and was so impressed with the performance, quietness, and coolness, I bought this one too! (It's not for me.) The aspects of this computer that I like the most: it's thin, light, quiet, doesn't get too hot, the graphics, the LCD screen (LED backlit), and the 7200rpm hard drive. My only gripe with this model is that the touchpad is picky. I had to go into the touchpad properties and turn on/off a few features.
Oh, and another plus, press F11 when the system starts up and do a "minimal" system restore. It wipes out a huge majority of HP bloatware! After I did that, the computer beat my expectations! I highly recommend this to any user who is looking for a good, mid-range laptop that is good for HD-quality video, light gaming, and powerful with productivity applications. (ex. MS Office, Adobe, iTunes, etc.)
The battery issue in a previous post didn't happen to me. However, I will say that two of the USB ports are very tight...but I have yet to break anything...
I've owned HP computers in the past and this is my first one since 2002. I'm glad I switched back.


Click Here to see more reviews about: HP Pavilion dv6-3010us 15.6-Inch Laptop

Now there's a notebook PC made for the way you play. In fact, the HP Pavilion dv6 comes with software that lets you start playing right out of the box. With amazing graphics, audio, and video, plus a wide array of options, the HP Pavilion dv6 Entertainment series notebook delivers power and performance to match your fast-paced lifestyle. Exclusive HP MediaSmart software gives you instant access to the music and movies you love. Immerse yourself in videos, games and 3D graphics on the high-definition 15.6" diagonal HP BrightView LED display. Look your best in any light with the HP TrueVision Webcam and sound great with integrated dual-array digital microphones for improved noise reduction. With the large hard drive, you can store volumes of data, movies, and music.

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10/25/2011

ASUS N53JQ-A1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum) Review

ASUS N53JQ-A1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pros: Memory capacity, price for specs, sound, usb 3.0, eSATA, webcam privacy guard, NVidia Graphics card with 1GB memory.
Cons: Screen resolution for "entertainment PC", installed bloatware, weight, battery life, lack of decent user manual, memory and HDD area access
Finally, a well built laptop that has the capacity for 16GB of memory, especially useful with a 64-bit operating system. This is one of very few laptops on the market that has the capacity for 16GB of RAM. The solidness of the build along with the brush aluminum in key spots makes this aesthetically a nice laptop. The heat dissipation seems decent and the single internal cooling fan is fairly quiet. The sound, deigned by B&O is one of the better sounding laptops out there, and I've tried quite a few of them. Bootup time is respectable, but after removing a lot of the blaotware, the bootup time becomes awesome. Internal design of components is what you'd expect from Asus.
On the negative side, weight, size (not as slim as others), lack of a Blu-ray player, poor battery life (kind of expected for a Core i7), screen resolution for an entertainment PC (on the low side and not natively HD), bloatware, poor user manual (for technies wanting to modify) made me subtract one star from this otherwise stellar laptop. The 8 second bootup to the Express Gate, which is supposed to allow you to surf your favorite websites, play games, view photos & videos and visit social media sites doesn't work. Hence, you have to bypass and wait approx another 35-40 seconds to boot into the actual Windows OS. One other detraction for some is the glossy screen which reflects EVERYTHING.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS N53JQ-A1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum)

Feel the Power. Hear the Power. Turn up the volume on the 15.6-inch N53Jq-A1 notebook and prepare to be impressed. Featuring ASUS SonicMaster Technology – co-developed by world-renowned audio experts at Bang and Olufsen ICEpower – and a unique top-mounted speaker design, this multimedia powerhouse combines hardware and audio for an unsurpassed, ear-pleasing experience. Boasting new NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics, the N53Jq-A1 excels when performing graphic-intensive tasks like video editing, DirectX 11-enabled gaming, and graphic rendering. And with ASUS VideoMagic 3-in-1 software package, you get image-enhancing programs like PowerDVD 9 with True Theatre that instantly scales DVD-quality to Full 1080p HD with smoother frame rates so you can enjoy videos and movies in the quality they deserve. Powered by the quad-core Intel Core i7-740QM processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, the N53Jq-A1 delivers the multitasking muscle and smart performance that senses the tasks at hand and dynamically boosts the processor for a stutter-free experience. Specially built into the N53Jq-A1, the ASUS Super Hybrid Engine extends battery life via the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility. The N53Jq-A1 also comes with Super Speed USB 3.0 that charges USB 3.0-enabled devices quickly and transfer files from USB storage devices to your notebook up to 10 times faster than previous generation USB 2.0 speeds.1 The N53Jq-A1 features a 2.0 megapixel webcam with security lens cover, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, ASUS Splendid Technology, multi-touch trackpad, Express Gate, new wave keyboard, and a brushed aluminum design.

Key Features
15.6-inchLED-backlit HD display with ASUS Splendid Technology for crisp HD visualquality (Learn more)
ASUSSonicMaster Technology co-developed by world-renowned audio experts at Bang& Olufsen ICEpower delivers improved clarity, volume, and resonance,and more detailed sound (Learn more)
IntelCore i7-740QM quad-core processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology for smartmultitasking that automatically senses what you\'re doing and boostsperformance (Learn more)
ASUSSuper Hybrid Engine and ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid optimizes the system toextend battery life for the task at hand (Learn more)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfersthan USB 2.01 (Learn more)
New wavekeyboard features larger-sized keys for an enhanced typing experience (Learn more)
NVIDIAGeForce GT 425M graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM delivers fast performance forFull HD playback and gaming (Learn more)
ASUS VideoMagicSoftware for clearer images and smoother visuals (Learn more)
Express Gatemini-operating system grants instant access to internet, music, Skype, and more in seconds

Learn More
Notebook Audio, Redefined
Mesmerizing Visuals
Ingenious Multitasking
Enhanced Connectivity
Striking Style and Intelligent Control
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources,2 readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. We tirelessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
2 Year ASUS 360 Global Warranty3
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars tothe price of competing laptops:

2 year global warranty
30 day Flawless Display Guarantee
2-way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support

1 YearAccidental Damage Warranty (ADW)3 Whetheryour notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, orfire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year afterpurchase.

Covers accidental drops, spills, power surges,and fire damage
Target 3 business day turnaround time forrepair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
1-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at noadditional cost
24/7 toll-free phone support

What's in the Box
N53Jq-A1 Notebook
AC Adapter
6 cell BatteryPack
WarrantyInformation Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Display: 15.6-inch LED-backlit HD display (1366 x 768)
CPU: Intel Core i7-740QM processor (1.73 GHz withTurbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
Chipset: Intel HM55
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics with 1GB DDR3VRAM
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz) , Bluetooth v2.1
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 4 x SODIMM socket (expandableto 16GB)
Storage: 500GB 7200RPM hard drive
Optical Drive: Super Multi DVD
Camera: 2.0 Megapixel with security lens cover
Speakers: Built-in speakers with SonicMaster Technology
Microphone: Digital ArrayMicrophone
Card Reader: 1x 8-in- card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MSDuo/MS-Pro-Duo)
Input/ Output: 1x Headphone-out jack, 1x Microphone-injack, 1x VGA port, 1x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB3.0 port, 1x E-SATA, 1x HDMI port
Battery Pack: 6 cell
Dimensions: 15.6 x 10.6 x 1.2 ~ 1.6 (W x D x H)
Weight: 6.4 lbs (with 6 cell)
Color: Silver

© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications are subject to change without notice and features are only in select models. Products may not be available in all markets. Brand and product names mentioned are trademarks of their respective companies. 1 All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status. 2 Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2009. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Spring 2009's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/RESCUECOM269.html 3 For notebooks purchased on or after Sept. 10, 2007. The ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty covers "ASUS" brand notebooks only, and does NOT extend to: "Built on ASUS", "ASMobile", "Powered by ASUS", the Eee PC, or some other models. These retailers are currently among the companies that do NOT participate in the ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty: Best Buy, MicroCenter, and The Source by Circuit City in Canada. Limit of one claim per notebook for Accidental Damage Warranty. ASUS reserves the right to discontinue this program and to modify the terms and conditions thereof at any time. ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty Program starts from the date of your ASUS notebook purchase, when all the requirements are met. Check your retailer for specific warranty information. One incident covered per notebook.


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