* Asus N61JQ Owners Lounge *

[wishmaster.dj]

I just checked in Amazon.com, and FYI, the price for X1 is now $1,169.99 and the A1 is now $1,124.99. I think Amazon.com has already reflected the price increase that Justin @ XoticPC mentioned before.

But what confused me was why is it A1 is cheaper than X1? I thought A1 has 2 years warranty, which should make it more expensive, right? I don't know I might be wrong.

too bad, the price is up again. I think the price represents short-supply more than the price-hike.

Also, the A1 also has a 500 gb hard drive as opposed to the 320 in X1, apart from the warranty coverage difference. so it is definitely odd thatthe X1 is more expensive than the A1.

[Zzyzx85]

they're not from the same retailers like I said before. The X1 is being sold by Forrest Computer and the A1 is from Buy.com.

Just because it's on Amazon doesn't mean Amazon is the one selling it.

[GregW]

too bad, the price is up again. I think the price represents short-supply more than the price-hike.

Also, the A1 also has a 500 gb hard drive as opposed to the 320 in X1, apart from the warranty coverage difference. so it is definitely odd thatthe X1 is more expensive than the A1.

You can lead a wishmaster to water but you can't make him drink. You missed another good deal wish! Those are some harsh custom fees. Must be a whole lot of smuggling going on there.

[GregW]

Ok, back from building almost 100 ASUS G73JH, only two left with Intel® i7-920XM processors that the latest BIOS doesn't like.

Anyway, I digress.

I ordered the illuminated keyboard today as well. David, when you get yours let me know how you handle the ribbon going in the opposite direction for the ASUS N61JQ-A1 than for the ASUS G51JX-A1 and ASUS G73JH.

If we can get the keyboard working at all, we will have to load the ATK drivers from the ASUS G51JX-A1 or ASUS G73JH for illumination.

I see next week as a collaboration week to get this done.

Another feature we have added is the 2nd HDD in the Optical Bay. It is really a slick installation. It does look a bit funny since the bezel will still say DVD, but the 2nd HDD is really in there.

We have also added an external Blu-Ray reader option to make up for the lack of an internal Optical Drive when you get the 2nd HDD. We thought about adding just an external DVD drive option, but decided if anyone really wanted one of those they could get it most anywhere.

AND, we added a 1TB HDD option!

Welcome back Donald! Good luck with the G73's. I noticed on the N61 that you don't offer SSD in the optical bay but you do offer it in the 1st bay. Is that the best configuration for adding SSD?
If the backlit keyboard ends up being a go do you think you will offer that?
Can I steal your specs for The A1 on your site for the first page of this lounge?

[paladin44]

1. We can always add the SSD in the Optical Bay, but most people only want the SSD for the primary drive on which they install the OS and applications. The 2nd drive is for storage, and compensates for the primary SSD being smaller.
2. Sure, if we can get the illuminated to work, and ASUS has enough supply of them, we will add it as an option as well.
3. Sure

[GregW]

Got an excellent deal from XoticPC.com for my N61JQ-A1. It is already shipped and will be in New York on Tuesday 13th April. I will have it in my hands on 2nd May in the Middle East.

Paid $1112.30 and the got following extras with it.

1. Free shipping.
2. Intel N6200 wireless card.
3. IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU

Not bad at all. Compare the price of $1064.82 with shipping from Newegg.com for a lower model N61JQ-X1. The difference for all the above goodies is $47.18

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6&Tpk=n61jq-x1

Not bad at all!

Thanks - XopticPC.com

Good news my friend! Be sure and give us a complete review when you get it so I can post it on the first page.

[2MNY]

I think they don't support the latest version of xorg that comes with the beta.

Well, seems I spoke too soon. Koala Lets you install fglrx but displays a unsupported hardware and won't enable composing. I read a lot about Lynx and the 5xxx cards not having support in general figured I'd have the same problems. Guess what? After upgrading to Lynx the fglrx drivers automatically installed by Ubuntu work out of the box, composing, resolution selection, multiple monitors... the works. I tried installing the 10.3 drivers off of the ATI site, they broke hardware support so I uninstalled them and went back to the boxed drivers.

[GregW]

Here is some silly temp info for the thermal dorks here.

After 2 hours of SC2 play. The Zalman N2000 is used at all times.

LOL, Finally another " thermal dorks" hater has joined me on this thread!
Nihonjon- I love you man!

[GregW]

On another note.....I went to best buy and looked at a 1080p 15.6" laptop and now I regret all the ing I did about the N61 lcd. 1080p on a 15" is so freaking hard to see!

to all of those here that said so, you were right. sorry for all the ing.

however, 1080p on my 23" external is just beautiful, and the one game I play the most right now (unreal tournament 3) runs perfectly at high and 1080.

It's all good superjojo. We forgive you. Glad you finally saw the light.

[GregW]

I decided to be cheap and ended up getting what I paid for. Any chance you could send me a drive bezel so I can try and fix the current most glaring issue with the caddy?

2MNY, Thanks for the review. It's up on the first page. You don't have to edit it, if you have more reviews on the SSD I will add them.