Need help with choosing an Asus(non-gaming) laptop a Sony Vaio

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>College is starting soon and I need a new laptop. I've been doing some research and I know Asus is a pretty good brand an Sony Vaio is apparently good as well. I know I'll probably be hauling my laptop around with me so I don't want something weighing like 7 pounds. The computer I'm using now is very old. An Acer Aspire 3000 series. It's time has come to retire. And I am quite use to Window's XP, but I don't mind Windows 7. I'm not sure what Sony Vaio laptop to get as some of them seem a bit pricey for what they offer. So if anyone can find one that's somewhat decent to what my requirements are I would very grateful!</p>

<p>Here are some of my requirements:
- 15" Screen or lower is what I'm going for
- Like I said earlier I prefer something weighing (less) than 7 Ibs.
- 320GB of memory is fine I don't need an extremely large amount of money since it will be a college computer
- A non-gaming type would be good. Although one day I may play RO (if anyone has heard of it it's called Ragnarok Online-it's pretty fun)
- a CD/DVD drive
- decent battery life (Like say 7 hours or more?) 6 cells is fine by me
- As far as operating systems I would prefer Windows 7 over Vista
- Price isn't an issue at this point since I've been saving up for one.
- of course I need USB ports.
- something that runs fast and not too laggy would be nice as well</p>

<p>I have a couple of Asus models that I like. I'm not quite sure which one to pick out of all of them, but here are the ones I chose:</p>

<p>1st one:</p>

<p>ASUSTeK</a> Computer Inc. - Notebooks - F6Ve</p>

<p>I know it has Windows Vista, but the other specs are good.</p>

<p>2nd:
ASUSTeK</a> Computer Inc. - Notebooks - M51A</p>

<p>3rd:</p>

<p>ASUSTeK</a> Computer Inc. - Notebooks - U30Jc</p>

<p>4th:</p>

<p>ASUSTeK</a> Computer Inc. - Notebooks - UL80Ag</p>

<p>I thought I might add that I do not need a laptop with a numeric keyboard. If anyone can voice their views on the models I have listed and can find a decent Sony Vaio that would be wonderful.</p>

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<p>Ops title should say, or a Sony Vaio*</p>

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<p>How about the Asus U45JC? It fits all your requirements yet outperforms the ones you listed.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your help. Although I realize that I might need something faster than the Intel Core i3-370 that comes with the Asus U45JC.</p>

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<p>Xotic allows you to customize your U45JC, including CPU upgrades, so you can snag a Core i5 or even i7 for it if you want to from there :)</p>

<p>Out of curiosity though, what will you be doing that requires more than an i3? They’re pretty powerful CPUs already, and definitely enough for most mainstream users.</p>

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<p>I’m reviving this thread because I’m curious about the answers as well.</p>

<p>On a few computer forums, I’ve been looking at comparisons between the U30JC and the U45JC. Anyone have thoughts on which one is better - and why?</p>

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<p>Not really a revival if the last post was made by me two hours ago :P</p>

<p>But I’ll answer your question:</p>

<p>The U30JC has shorter battery life and a heavier (and in my opinion, worse) body. The U45JC has a better battery life and is in a better (again, in my opinion) body than the U30JC. It also shares the same body as the UL80 series.</p>

<p>Personally, I’d go with the U45JC. As I said, better battery life and better/thinner body makes it worth the money.</p>

<p>If you don’t need a CD/DVD drive, consider the U35JC. It’s just like the U45JC only with a smaller/lighter 13.3" screen and body (shares the same body as the UL30A), and doesn’t have an optical drive. Because of its smaller screen, it also gets slightly better battery life (less screen to power).</p>

<p>And just to make my claims more valid: I’ve worked with my friends’ U45JC and U30JC laptops, and personally own a UL30A myself.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your response! It’s helped me clarify my choice; I was vacillating between those two laptops before.</p>

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<p>The gray circle, for me, indicates that a thread is dead. :)</p>

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<p>If it weren’t for the processor, I would buy the UL30A in a heartbeat. And even now, I am tempted.</p>

<p>Thanks for the explanation without the technological gobbledygook. :slight_smile: My eyes were starting to spin from all of the esoteric terms on those forums.</p>

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<p>Anytime :)</p>

<p>Personally, I still prefer my UL30A. It can’t game like the U45JC/U35JC can (weaker graphics chip), but its CPU is still powerful enough for me to multitask on Windows 7 (AIM + Office 2007 + Google Chome + GTalk + Winamp) or get some field photoshopping done on CS4.</p>

<p>Truthfully, the only use I see for an i3/i5 over a Core 2 Duo is if you’re a bit worried about futureproofing, do media editing regularly (photoshop/video editing/video rendering/CAD), or like to play casual or medium-intensity games (from Sims 3 to Modern Warfare 2).</p>

<p>If I had to break it down:</p>

<p>General use: UL30A (It’s only $550 in some places).
Casual-Medium gamers/Media editors: U35JC/U45JC</p>

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<p>Damn! That’s cheap.</p>

<p>I am a heavy Photoshop/InDesign user. No games, though.</p>

<p>Plus, my current (desktop) computer has an i5, and I am still annoyed by its speed, or lack thereof. :slight_smile: If I am peeved by that, then I do not think I will place my moods at the risk of being disturbed by a Core 2 Duo processor.</p>

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<p>That’s odd; a desktop i5 shouldn’t have an issue. What operating system are you running, which i5 model is it, and what brand is it? Or did you custom build it yourself?</p>

<p>Although InDesign I do see. I hated using that on the old PowerPC Macs…</p>

<p>But in either case, being a heavy media editor, definitely go for the U35JC/U45JC then :)</p>

<p>As mentioned above, if you feel you need more power than an i3, check out XoticPC. They allow you to customize your U35/U45s with i5s or i7s, if you’d like, as well as RAM and HDD upgrades (but if you know how to do that yourself, you should and save yourself some money)</p>

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<p>r31ncarnat3d:</p>

<p>Your info was really helpful to me, as I’m looking for a laptop too. I want something for college that I can play some casual games like SC2 or D3 on. Your info about the U45Jc is putting me in that direction because of the nice processor speed, Optimus, DvD/CD drive. Do you think the U45Jc would be a good laptop for this?</p>

<p>Also, do you think the 14" screen and 4.6 lbs dimensions would be tough for a short guy like myself to lug around? Previously I was looking around for a 13.3" for more portability.</p>

<p>For casual games like SC2 or D3, should I go for the i3 or i5? I’m guessing i7 is way more than enough.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

<p>EDIT:
I know the OP is looking for non-gaming, but I’m pretty sure those laptops can MORE than handle casual games. Right?</p>

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<p>Sorry to double post.</p>

<p>@ r31ncarnat3d:
I was just checking out what sort of customization I could have for the U45Jc. However, when I go to xoticpc and try to order the U45Jc it does not give me the option of picking the i5 or i7. The only option I’m given is the i3, which I’m not sure would handle SC2 or D3…</p>

<p>What are the places other than xoticpc that I can order the U45Jc if you recommend it based on my previous post? I would prefer to order it directly from Asus, if you happen to know the site/place I can do that?</p>

<p>Thank you again! Sorry for all my questions!</p>

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<p>@r31ncarnat3d:</p>

<p>I may be using it to compress video’s and possibly some form of gaming. And unless the i3 can handle all of that then I’ll probably be switching to i5.</p>

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<p>Sorry! Xotic had the customization a week ago, but I just checked back after reading your post and it looks like it’s no longer allowed. Sorry :(</p>

<p>But truthfully, your CPU should be able to play Starcraft II just fine. It’s not very CPU intensive (truthfully, GTA IV is the only CPU intensive game I know). It really depends on your graphics card, and I’ve confidence in the 310M.</p>

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<p>I still find 14" to be a bit small, so size isn’t the issue, but I’m not a fan of the weight. If you can give up the DVD drive or can live with an external optical drive, you should look at the U35JC as it weighs in at under 4 lbs. I’ve the Core 2 Duo version of it (UL30A), and it’s light enough that I hardly feel it in my messenger bag.</p>

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<p>Yep. I’d say the limit might be Modern Warfare 2 on lowest graphics settings @ native resolution. Here’s a link to help you gauge its performance (scroll down to see real game benchmarks):
[Notebookcheck:</a> NVIDIA GeForce 310M](<a href=“http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-310M.22439.0.html]Notebookcheck:”>http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-310M.22439.0.html)</p>

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<p>As I’ve said before, most games, including SCII, are more GPU intensive than CPU intensive. In fact, the minimum system requirements for the game, CPU wise, is a Pentium 4 @ 2.6 GHz. Despite its lower clock speed, the i3 can still beat the Pentium 4 (I’d go into technobabble, but I doubt anyone wants to hear it!).</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, I’ve been working with Asus laptops and motherboards long enough to know they never sell their products directly, and only do so through retailers. That said, Xotic and Amazon are the two sites I’d trust the most. Newegg is also a good site as well, but unfortunately, as of this post they do not carry the U45JC.</p>

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<p>No worries, it’s why I’m here :)</p>

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<p>As stated above, gaming won’t be an issue for the i3, as most games are GPU-intensive. For compressing videos, I’m actually fine with the performance of an i3; despite being branded as an “Entry-Level” CPU, it actually holds its own against desktop 45nm Core 2 Duos, which is an amazing accomplishment for a laptop CPU. However, if you want to get an i5, you might have to look elsewhere. As the above post stated, I just found out Xotic no longer does CPU upgrades. However, Asus still makes some great i5 laptops (just not as portable or with an 8 hour battery life). If you’re willing to sacrifice some portability for more muscle, let me know and I’ll link you to some laptops.</p>

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<p>Actually that would be fantastic! Portability isn’t much of an issue for me as long as it doesn’t weigh around two college [hardcover] text books. By the way, thank you so much for the help with my previous posts. :]</p>

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<p>@r31ncarnat3d:</p>

<p>Thanks for your help as well! I think I’ll be getting the U35Jc with an external optical drive. Seems like it’ll run SC2 fine and give me the good portability I like.</p>

<p>Do you have any particular pref in ordering from Amazon or Xoticpc?</p>

<p>I know Xoticpc has all the customization, but I really don’t know how to customize it best anyways and would pretty much just pick standards. Amazon seems more trustworthy to me, and it seems like xotic needs to update their initial U35Jc listing…</p>

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<p>Sure thing; what’s your budget? :slight_smile: And YW.</p>

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<p>XoticPC. They’re much more tech-oriented than Amazon, so their Customer Service is more knowledgable with issues/tech RMAs if the need ever arises, if that makes sense.</p>

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<p>Hmm the $1,500-2,000 amount is what I’m going for. And I like the 2 year Asus global warranty with the 1 year accidental warranty coverage. But if there is a warranty you recommend then I would glad to hear it!</p>

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<p>@r31ncarnat3d:</p>

<p>Sorry again, but it seems like the U35Jc and U45Jc are delayed till the end of Aug.? How do the people you know have one already? </p>

<p>And apparently Xotic is now allowing CPU upgrades again a day later?..I’m wary…</p>

<p>And now the U35Jc is apparently 4.19 lbs? Wth is going on? Lol</p>