ASUS N53SM Review: Not Enough Bang For Your Bucks Discussion

[Charles P. Jefferies]

This 15-inch desktop replacement packs a quad-core processor, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and a two-year warranty for under a grand. Find out why it doesn't make the cut in our review.

Read the full content of this Article: ASUS N53SM Review: Not Enough Bang For Your Bucks

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[Mr.Mischief]

The 1366x768 screen is the biggest flaw in my opinion. I can live without a backlit keyboard.

On the GPU. I had a GT 540M at the same res, and really anything more powerful is overkill for such a low res screen.

Thanks for the review Charles.

[flipfire]

Yeah the 1366x768 resolution for a 15" is just terrible.

[edit1754]

There is the N53SM-ES72, for $899 on Amazon, which does have the FHD screen: Amazon.com: ASUS N53SM-ES72 15.6-Inch Laptop (Silver Aluminum): Computers & Accessories

It's $50 cheaper than the N53SM-DS71 (1366x768 model) they're selling.

[Charles P. Jefferies]

If it had a better screen I wouldn't have an issue recommending it. As configured at its current price point, it's an example of failed potential. Nice find -didn't know there was a 1080p version available. ASUS' site does not indicate it.

[edit1754]

I've found ASUS' website to be confusing and overall unreliable. I never use it when trying to learn anything about their notebooks, I just search for the models on reseller websites.

[misft33333]

The one button for trackpad kills it for me.

[stephenju]

According to Asus website, the max RAM capacity is 16GB, not 8GB.
ASUS - Notebooks- ASUS N53SM

[mrgummage]

I don't know where you got your laptop, but my Asus N53SM-S1052V cost me €800 (Just shy of $1,050), I got it during a dip in prices, and it does come with a full HD display.

While the view angle from the top is disappointing, I find the horizontal viewing angle most satisfactory. My model had 3x USB2.0 and 1x USB3.0.

As was said by the poster before me, the motherboard has 4 RAM slots, and will take up to 16GB. My model also came with a 7200 RPM hard drive.

I do have to say they got the heat management and battery life down as pros correctly, I've never had a more comfortable laptop heat wise, and nVidia Optimus gives the best of both worlds between battery longevity and power.