Asus N73JQ Owners' Lounge

[getman]

Thank you, Cary. Too bad it's not a NEC... maybe I'll have to buy the N90 instead. I tried to ask ASUS directly to learn USB 3.0 controllers by model, but their site really suxx. To make a direct technical request, I must be the notebook owner, and to post a question on their BB, I had to fill out a giant reg form, only to find out there's no forum for notebooks. It's ridiculous.
After all, I'm not all that sure I want to be an Asus customer...

[Dan'l]

Carey, wanted to say how much I appreciate all the posts - I'm still in the waiting stage.

I have a question about the physical diminsions - the 42.0 x 28.7 x 3.7 cm or 16.53 x 11.3 x 1.5 inches seems right on the limit of most 17" bags/cases - as far as I can tell by reading specs, I'll need a bag for 18" notebooks - is that right?

[Cary Ader]

...I'll need a bag for 18" notebooks - is that right?

Yes. As noted in my review (separate thread), it wouldn't fit in a Swiss Gear 17" case. I picked up a Case Logic 18" case. It is a lightweight case, and while the padding is sufficient, you might find that the shoulder strap hooks seem too light. I don't mind putting it over my shoulder to stand in line, but as far as long distance carrying that way, I just don't feel confident enough.

Otherwise the bag is great. The handle is strong, and the front compartment design is great. Rather than a pocket, the bag has a front compatment that zips all the way open, so when I place the power brick, network cable, a couple of games in DVD cases, and some cleaning cloths in there, the front doesn't bulge out.

For quick packing and carrying into a Starbucks or other hotspot, the case is great. If I am bringing books, the Targus XL backpack is better.

No matter which way I carry the laptop, I put it first in a Case Logic neoprene sleeve for extra protection.

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I did install a new wireless adapter, the Intel Advanced-n 6200. With the laptop in the same little office as the D-Link DIR-655 router, I'm now getting a solid 10MB per second, a nice increase over the Atheros's 6MB - 7MB per second. I'm pretty sure I have everything set the same as it was with the Atheros. My settings are based on the optimum according to Intel:

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/sb/CS-030709.htm

I downloaded the newest drivers straight from Intel here: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support...less/6300-6200

Within a couple of days I'll report on range (based on the little strength bars--not scientific, but it's what I've got). I can tell you that I am seeing three or four networks in the neigborhood that were not visible on the Atheros.

((((((((((((!))))))))))))) Yes, the Intel Advanced-n is giving me 5 bars solid all over the house, even in places, like on the patio (outside a concrete block wall), where before I was getting only 3 - 4 bars. And in the public library, where I never got over 1.0 Mbps on speedtest.net, I'm now getting 1.6 Mbps. And I'm getting a solid 5 bars instead of 4 in the library. Nice and easy little boost for under $30.

[LastManOnThePlanet]

Again some news. ASUS offered me to "repair" the laptop to get the right resolution. Today my reseller called me and said that ASUS has wtten, that "just < 1% of the charge has the wrong resolution". Can't believe that but I will send the laptop back to me reseller to get a brand new one. But it's not sure that the new one has the right resolution, though. Let's hope so.

[Cary Ader]

The latest version of WinRAR shows a benchmark score of 2212.

Stitching together file segments: 301 segments, 4.5GB total, took 1 min 55 secs to form 12 .avi files of 350MB each.

Espresso video conversion takes 19 minutes to convert a 350MB .avi file to a .wmv file of the same quality. Converting the same file to an mpeg2 took only 7mins 40 secs. I'd like to get something faster than Espresso, which came with the Asus/Cyberlink BluRay suite.

Regarding the battery, I see it is now available on the UK Asus Shop site, but still nothing here in the USA, either from Asus or a reseller. Waiting...

In my review I said I was pretty sure the lid is real aluminum. My wife used the edge of her 10 karat (what can I say?) wedding band to scratch the surface near a corner, and the scratch sure looks like a scartch in metal! Very scientific, eh? (No, I'm not going to put drops of ammonia on it to see if it turns black!)

[cheers727]

Hi

@Lastmanontheplanet: hope you get the notebook with the right resolution.
can you tell me what`s the name of the reseller is?
and let`s know about the resolution of the new n73.

Thank you

Harald

[Cary Ader]

BATTERY LIFE UPDATE: I'm maxing out at two hours now; no matter how I set my Power4Gear, I can't get more. This is two hours with a little cspan.org streaming (about 20 minutes), five minutes of watching a low-rez .avi file, reading some newspapers, and playing online poker. No heavy use.

[Cary Ader]

CUSTOMER SUPPORT UPDATE: Asus support supervisor Kirk contacted me to let me know the battery for the N73Jq is now in stock at the U.S. Asus eStore! Part number: 07G016CQ1875.

Two instances now of excellent customer support from Asus.

[LastManOnThePlanet]

Hi

@Lastmanontheplanet: hope you get the notebook with the right resolution.
can you tell me what`s the name of the reseller is?
and let`s know about the resolution of the new n73.

Thank you

Harald

Now a new machine arrives... Once again the wrong resolution. It seems this is more than "< 1% wrong" here, ASUS (I know about three wrong ones and zero correct ones). Again, I called ASUS and now it will go definitely for repair... 10-15 working days :-/

My reseller offers me again to give back the money. redcoon is a very good reseller, thumbs up!

[BloodKain]

is the n73 able to play ff14 well?