K53TA.. The best deal ever... could be!

[link626]

Its probably misleading, but the WEI scores are actually very close between the two -

ignore the WEI. it doesn't bench the 6650m.

[link626]

Can you guys please help me remove the hotkey animations, I don't want any. Atk package uninstall? Then error pops up when I restart. Help please!

you have to live with it.

the ATK is required for proper function of the hotkeys. atk is also required for other asus software to work.

[ryanlecocq]

Does this laptop have bluetooth? There's a driver on the site and some retailers say it does, but I can't find a way to turn it on. Doesn't show it in wireless tray either.

Also I rolled back my drivers (only) to 11.6 and they read correctly, but I still can't overclock even when ULPS is disabled, just like when I had the 11.8s installed. I am certain I have the correct 11.6 drivers and the 11.8 CCC and CAP2s. I've seen several others report the same after having upgraded to 11.8 and then rolling back. ?

While I research these two issues I'm installing the RIFT client, haven't tested at all on this lappy yet. RIFT is really good at testing different setups under DX11 because it has a lot of different options that clearly state whether they are CPU, GPU or RAM dependent.

[Deadbolt360]

This looks like a great deal. Wish 2 things though, better screen res and slightly smaller (14")

I wanted something semi portable with decent gaming capability.

[OdU_Geek]

This looks like a great deal. Wish 2 things though, better screen res and slightly smaller (14")

I wanted something semi portable with decent gaming capability.

Then wait for the K43TA

[Kukri]

I'm a big guy and I like a decently sized screen to set a laptop apart from a phone or tablet :P. The size and weight of this notebook seem perfect to me, being a student and also using this as a desktop replacement. It fits perfectly into a string backpack/sack, better than some of my textbooks. Looks sorta large if I compare it to some of the other little laptops and notebooks in the class, but I'm a big guy, so I wouldn't look right carrying around a puny little macbook anyway .

[ryanlecocq]

As far as build quality and size go, I'm happy with this laptop. I almost bought a 17" notebook with a Phenom II and an hd6470 and saw this one at the last minute. Now I'm glad I got a 15.6" instead of the 17."

The screen really isn't as bad as a lot of people have said. The bios update that fixed the banding (206) created a black contrast issue that makes it a bit ugly compared to other screens, but that can supposedly be fixed by further bios updates. Personally I don't find it to be too bad as I've used worse.

Some people have said the laptop feels cheap and flimsy. Maybe that's based on their idea of what is a "classy" design. I'm basing my opinion on how much physical "wobble" or "shimmy" the hinges have, which is not much, the durability of the surface and the heat and power use. When considered on those terms, it's a great design.

The only issue I can really raise with the construction is that it's really difficult to remove the back panel, because the plastic could easily be cracked. Since many owners of this laptop could be interested in re-pasting, access to the cpu heatsink without high chance of warranty loss would be nice.

[Disgustipated]

As far as build quality and size go, I'm happy with this laptop. I almost bought a 17" notebook with a Phenom II and an hd6470 and saw this one at the last minute. Now I'm glad I got a 15.6" instead of the 17."

The screen really isn't as bad as a lot of people have said. The bios update that fixed the banding (206) created a black contrast issue that makes it a bit ugly compared to other screens, but that can supposedly be fixed by further bios updates. Personally I don't find it to be too bad as I've used worse.

Some people have said the laptop feels cheap and flimsy. Maybe that's based on their idea of what is a "classy" design. I'm basing my opinion on how much physical "wobble" or "shimmy" the hinges have, which is not much, the durability of the surface and the heat and power use. When considered on those terms, it's a great design.

The only issue I can really raise with the construction is that it's really difficult to remove the back panel, because the plastic could easily be cracked. Since many owners of this laptop could be interested in re-pasting, access to the cpu heatsink without high chance of warranty loss would be nice.

The build quality on this laptop rivals and exceeds many $800+ laptops. It does not feel cheap in any single way, other than the 'OK' screen quality (which is still pretty decent). The design is excellent and extremely classy as well. It's a very solid machine. Most people would think it has a pricetag approaching $1000+ if they didn't know any better.

I base this on my experiences with many laptops, and the last 2 laptops I owned were very expensive and high end. While the K53TA doesn't have the build quality of my M17x R3, it's not very far off either. It compares favorably with the G73, which is an extremely well built laptop.

[Disgustipated]

Performance update: 1600 Mhz RAM does not work in this laptop. Disappointing. I will be selling this set to my friend and getting 7-7-7 1333 Mhz 2x 4GB sticks.

Second, I went back to 11.6 drivers... bad idea. Even with the GPU @ 700/1020, the 11.8's wih stock clocks were 5-10 FPS faster in Deus Ex HR. Also, after testing, now that I have dual channel RAM, Crossfire is 10-15 FPS faster in Deus Ex vs using just the 6650m, whereas before it used to be 2-3 FPS slower. That's a pretty big increase just for switching to dual channel!

So I highly advise anyone using this for gaming, Crossfire or not, to switch to Dual channel. It makes a big difference.

[ryanlecocq]

Performance update: 1600 Mhz RAM does not work in this laptop. Disappointing. I will be selling this set to my friend and getting 7-7-7 1333 Mhz 2x 4GB sticks.

Second, I went back to 11.6 drivers... bad idea. Even with the GPU @ 700/1020, the 11.8's wih stock clocks were 5-10 FPS faster in Deus Ex HR. Also, after testing, now that I have dual channel RAM, Crossfire is 10-15 FPS faster in Deus Ex vs using just the 6650m, whereas before it used to be 2-3 FPS slower. That's a pretty big increase just for switching to dual channel!

So I highly advise anyone using this for gaming, Crossfire or not, to switch to Dual channel. It makes a big difference.

Haha yeah. I just came to those same conclusions 5 minutes after you posted after a couple of hours of tweaking and frustration. I should just wait a day every time I have a problem and read your post about it. Rep to you.

Back to the 11.8s. Can I just upgrade them through the installer or do I need to uninstall and sweep again?

I love DX:HR. My AR bullets track people around corners now. It's like the 5th Element gun.