Please tell me, I didnt waste my money on this laptop

[ShakenBake]

I just bought an ASUS laptop 2 weeks ago, brand new "built on ASUS". I paid $1870 for it with taxes and ship. Im asking myself, everytime when I use it...do I really need all these fancy things? Am I ever going to be able to make full use of it?

Here are the specs;
1.73P-M, 533FSB, 2MB L2 cache
1.5GB DDR2 Ram
80GB 5400rpm HD
128 Dedicated ATI Radeon X700
17'' LCD with gloss shine
Built in TV Tuner

Ok, now here is the thing...

1) 1.73 is the slowest, cheapest P-M you can buy today, so I did good on this, by not getting a 2.0 for say.
2) 1.5GB - I accidentally forgot I had an extra 512 stick, so Im most likely going to sell one of them. 1GB will get a lot more $.
3) Did I really need 80GB? Probably could have lived with 60, but it was only $10 more to get 20 more gigs. The 4200--->5400rpm was worth it though. 4200rpm is horrible.
4) Here is the biggest Q' mark. I dont play games, but I do run graphic programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, multitask etc. I probably should have lived with onboard and saved $200-$400
5) I know i didnt need the 17'', but it is rarely going to be moved aruond and weight wasnt an issue for me. Im a big strong boy, 8.8lbs is nothing for me. I got it since I thought it would benefit me when running the graphic apps. WHen I had a 15.4'' before, I wish I had a larger LCD.
6) I know I really dont need this but it came with it. It is a nice luxury though. However, seeing from how it was installed...(just like a wifi card), if I wanted to cut costs I could sell it.

[randomdef]

thats a personal question. sounds like you just have buyers remorse.

[7jaii]

Nothing wrong with your laptop. You pay for quality, not junk like Acer. if all laptops were $700 then IBM & others would be out of business. Even Dell has highend laptops with better components. You have a very good one, and 1.7GB isn't slow compared to CeleronM for entry-level laptops.

[itsmypostoffice]

ASUS is a dependable company especially if you purchase directly online. there are too many "pacific mall" style stores out there so be careful. some are grey-market or the repairs are done in-house and may void your warranty (or cause RMA hassles). i recently purchased one and i'm happy with its build. much better than HP & Gateway and on-par with Latitude & Thinkpads...mine is wrapped in a Carbon Fibre casing ;)

[ShadowVlican]

i see nothing wrong

it's a powerful DTR notebook

[ShakenBake]

thats a personal question. sounds like you just have buyers remorse.

Well not sure if I have buyers remorse, but I guess its just a lot of hard earned money spent and wanting to make sure its not gone to waste. I try to buy what i only need right now in life. Like my father always told me "if you dont need it, dont get it"

[ShakenBake]

Nothing wrong with your laptop. You pay for quality, not junk like Acer. if all laptops were $700 then IBM & others would be out of business. Even Dell has highend laptops with better components. You have a very good one, and 1.7GB isn't slow compared to CeleronM for entry-level laptops.

Actually, from what I have read a C-M will perform just as fast as a P-M minus the extra 1MB cache and slower FSB.

[7jaii]

Actually, from what I have read a C-M will perform just as fast as a P-M minus the extra 1MB cache and slower FSB.
If that were true we'd all buy CeleronM -- The CelyM is good and equal to P4 cpu but it's missing Speedstep instructions so it can't be undervolted or regulated with 3rd party software. PentiumM laptops will always run cooler & longer than CelyM so you made the right choice.

[ShakenBake]

If that were true we'd all buy CeleronM -- The CelyM is good and equal to P4 cpu but it's missing Speedstep instructions so it can't be undervolted or regulated with 3rd party software. PentiumM laptops will always run cooler & longer than CelyM so you made the right choice.

I see, well thanks for clearing that up. The $400 difference to go from C-M to P-M was well worth it then :)

Now, the $200-$400 difference to go from onboard to dedicated is still up in the air. ASUS, didnt have any 17'' models with onboard so I had no choice.

I figure Im going to sell one of the RAM sticks and maybe the video card.

[700mb80min]

you have a system that for the most part is up-gradeable if so desired....obviously you researched before you bought ....you can second guess yourself til the cows come home . if you are happy , great . you have a nice system , enjoy it .

[ShakenBake]

you have a system that for the most part is up-gradeable if so desired....obviously you researched before you bought ....you can second guess yourself til the cows come home . if you are happy , great . you have a nice system , enjoy it .

upgradeable as in the cpu chip right? You are correct, I did do quite a bit of research on this prior to buying. I learned from the first time around, by buying a piece of crap.

[subliminal]

Just to be clear, you bought an Asus Z83V, right?

[x86asm]

Definitely buyers remorse. Thats an upper tier laptop for sure.

[Kakarot]

Well not sure if I have buyers remorse, but I guess its just a lot of hard earned money spent and wanting to make sure its not gone to waste. I try to buy what i only need right now in life. Like my father always told me "if you dont need it, dont get it"

Only you can decide if its not gone to waste... who cares what I think....

however, to me laptops are silly but I love my desktop.

Nice laptop and the dont drop in price as bad as desktops.

I always rather spend a few bucks more for a killer machine, then to save some doh for junk

[Flyin18T]

Maybe it's me, but that's the most money I've ever seen someone pay for either a laptop or desktop that only has a 533mhz FSB. The x700 vid card and DDR2 memory should help overcome this, but I'm sure you could have upgraded to a mobo with an 800mhz FSB for a small fee. Everything else sems nice, but that FSB is your bottleneck as it stands now.

[Anessa]

Buyers remorse. Everybody second guesses themselves when they make a big purchase but it'll pass. I know I always think twice after making big purchases but in the end, the product comes through and I'm happy =)

[sfu_engineer]

Maybe it's me, but that's the most money I've ever seen someone pay for either a laptop or desktop that only has a 533mhz FSB. The x700 vid card and DDR2 memory should help overcome this, but I'm sure you could have upgraded to a mobo with an 800mhz FSB for a small fee. Everything else sems nice, but that FSB is your bottleneck as it stands now.

This is a laptop. What laptops have over 533MHZ FSB? I am pretty sure the older Pentium M's only got up to 533MHZ max. Although I haven't looked at the new Core Duo's specs before.

[ShakenBake]

Just to be clear, you bought an Asus Z83V, right?

How'd ya know? Z83VB (B for bluetooth), it was free, though I would never pay extra for it since ill never use it.

[ShakenBake]

Buyers remorse. Everybody second guesses themselves when they make a big purchase but it'll pass. I know I always think twice after making big purchases but in the end, the product comes through and I'm happy =)

You bring up a good point. Maybe i ought to run some games on this baby and test out the highly regarded X700 :lol: I guess its just bit hard to believe I spent this much on one, since I had my budget set at $1300 before. And for $1000-1300 you can still get a very good laptop today. So I basically spent an extra $600+.

[Kakarot]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I am running 2 x 7800gtx 512s, raptor x, and an fx-60 just to type this!

:lol:

[sfu_engineer]

How'd ya know? Z83VB (B for bluetooth), it was free, though I would never pay extra for it since ill never use it.

He knew it was the Z83V because Asus only makes one laptop with a built in tuner. :)

[ShakenBake]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I am running 2 x 7800gtx 512s, raptor x, and an fx-60 just to type this!

:lol:
:lol: :D

[ShakenBake]

He knew it was the Z83V because Asus only makes one laptop with a built in tuner. :)
:-0 oh :lol:

Its cool, I have to admit, but I dont NEED it. It came with it...I suppose you cant just stick this card into any laptop eh

[sfu_engineer]

:-0 oh :lol:

Its cool, I have to admit, but I dont NEED it. It came with it...I suppose you cant just stick this card into any laptop eh

It seems like you got something you don't really NEED. But alot of people, myself included, suffer from the same thing. Great laptop though! You will just have to make yourself use it to the full potential more. I got the ASUS Z63a myself. Just got the barebones and looked for and purchased my own parts. ASUS looks much better than DELL, Toshiba, IMHO.

[ShakenBake]

It seems like you got something you don't really NEED. But alot of people, myself included, suffer from the same thing. Great laptop though! You will just have to make yourself use it to the full potential more. I got the ASUS Z63a myself. Just got the barebones and looked for and purchased my own parts. ASUS looks much better than DELL, Toshiba, IMHO.

Are you refering to the tv tuner? or just the laptop in general? If this tv card can run in any laptop, i would consider selling it to cut costs. Im going to sell off one of my RAM sticks anyways.

ASUS is pretty good, only thing is that it runs louder than other brands.

[sfu_engineer]

Sorry, I meant the laptop in general. I don't think you neccessarily need the video card and tv tuner capabilities but they're both very good to have. Also, all laptops run hot as they're in such confined cases. Unfortunately, the more powerful the laptop, the hotter and louder it will be.

I have a Pentium-M 1.73GHz too, and I just run it at around 800Mhz (adjust your POWER PROPERTIES to "Presentation") and its nice and quiet. Although it runs slower I can just change the power settings on the go when I need more CPU strength. Also, I believe that your dedicated video card needs a dedicated fan to cool it down which will contribute to the noise. With such a big and powerful desktop replacement laptop you will be generating quite a lot of heat. Have you considered a laptop cooler?

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007414&cid=896.276

It will help dissipate the heat of your laptop and the large fans in the unit are very quiet compared to the smaller fans of your laptop.

[ShakenBake]

Sorry, I meant the laptop in general. I don't think you neccessarily need the video card and tv tuner capabilities but they're both very good to have. Also, all laptops run hot as they're in such confined cases. Unfortunately, the more powerful the laptop, the hotter and louder it will be.

I have a Pentium-M 1.73GHz too, and I just run it at around 800Mhz (adjust your POWER PROPERTIES to "Presentation") and its nice and quiet. Although it runs slower I can just change the power settings on the go when I need more CPU strength. Also, I believe that your dedicated video card needs a dedicated fan to cool it down which will contribute to the noise. With such a big and powerful desktop replacement laptop you will be generating quite a lot of heat. Have you considered a laptop cooler?

http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007414&cid=896.276

It will help dissipate the heat of your laptop and the large fans in the unit are very quiet compared to the smaller fans of your laptop.


Actually it does run noticeably louder than other brands, but that is only when they fans are on. I did undervolt the unit which just like you, it runs at 800mhz most of the time in idle. I touch the thing and it runs very cool for the most part.

[itsmypostoffice]

Actually it does run noticeably louder than other brands, but that is only when they fans are on. I did undervolt the unit which just like you, it runs at 800mhz most of the time in idle. I touch the thing and it runs very cool for the most part.
you can perform several tasks to reduce fan noise without physically modding them. you can apply desktop tweaks because asus chassis can be opened easily: carefully remove your HSF & apply some thermal paste. keep your vents clean to avoid heat buildup. if you're already using NHC1.9 then you already understand the merits in undervolting your rig (you should also find a fan control app for your video card).

pretest acceptable settings and i guarantee your fans won't come on as often even if you're watching your tv tuner. get rid of any bloatware and your laptop will be very efficient -- 1.7Ghz Centrino is more than enough power (not enough apps to take advantage of Dual Core). PM me your TV tuner specs & your ram manufacturer/serials because i'm interested -- we can even swap when my 700Muser group meets in toronto.

[ShakenBake]

you can perform several tasks to reduce fan noise without physically modding them. you can apply desktop tweaks because asus chassis can be opened easily: carefully remove your HSF & apply some thermal paste. keep your vents clean to avoid heat buildup. if you're already using NHC1.9 then you already understand the merits in undervolting your rig (you should also find a fan control app for your video card).

pretest acceptable settings and i guarantee your fans won't come on as often even if you're watching your tv tuner. get rid of any bloatware and your laptop will be very efficient -- 1.7Ghz Centrino is more than enough power (not enough apps to take advantage of Dual Core). PM me your TV tuner specs & your ram manufacturer/serials because i'm interested -- we can even swap when my 700Muser group meets in toronto.

Actually, Im using rightmark because i was told it does a better "more in detail" job of undervolting. It seems to be working well. When I first got it, the fan was on 24/7, now its one rarely. I love it.

I would be interested in how to undervolt the video card though. It wouldnt put any risk in making it overheat would it?

Also, clear you inbox its full.

Id be willing to sell the Bluetooth as well.