Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)(Re-wrote this review 12/6/09)
This is an excellent budget notebook with a 15.6" screen that's only 5.8 lbs. We just bought two for my wife's parents (don't buy it for 3D games, as it has integrated graphics, but office apps and browsing are fine).
Pros:
- T6600 Core 2 Duo (not the Pentium Dual Core, lower-end C2D, ULVs, or Atoms)
- Relatively quiet and light (5.8 lbs)
- Big hard drive (mine had a Seagate Momentus 5400.6)
- Screen has relatively good viewing angles, horizontal and vertical
- Pretty good fit and finish for a plastic casing (although there's a somewhat flimsy lid that is separate from the battery)
- 4 USB ports
- VGA output is crisp (to 1280x1024, didn't try bigger)
- I haven't noticed the palm rest getting warm at all ... but you're not playing 3D games are you?
- You can select one language during boot up that's set forever, that is, until you restore from the recovery partition. The first time I chose Traditional Chinese. Works great. I restored (press F9 at boot) and selected English. Works great, didn't need to put in DVDs, and all the software reappeared. I even choose the option to use one C:\ drive, instead of the default 60% C:, 40% D:.
- Opening the notebook casing is easy -- find the "electronic - hardware" version (not the "hardware" version) of the manual on Asus's web site (search for K50, then click Download, then Manuals). The hard drive is easily replaceable. Relatively clean layout so I can imagine blowing out dust bunnies will be easy.
- Includes Office Home & Student 2007 (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/OneNote) pre-installed WITHOUT a product key. It asks for that so I assume you just punch one in and everything's great.
- Includes a trial of Trend Micro Internet Security for antivirus protection pre-installed.
- Aside from the Asus utilities, relatively little bloatware
- Turned off all of Win7's eye candy. Don't need that.
- 1-year international warranty. Includes accident protection (register for this within 60 days on the Asus U.S. web site, and it's non-transferrable from the original owner). No paperwork on extending the warranty. We're trying our luck in case the computer breaks down in < 1 year and they give us a hassle about it being a gift and the warranty being valid.
Cons:
- A bit fat
- The screen has a blue tinge, just like with Asus's TN LCD displays. You get used to it though.
- Glossy screen (reflections), not matte
- Two-finger touchpad scrolling is too sensitive out of the box with Firefox (although it might be okay with IE). Turning it all the way down, it's fine.
- The numeric keypad uses smaller keys! Difficult to use for folks with big hands.
- The arrow keys don't have space around them (and actually the right arrow key is bumped into the numeric keypad section), so you need to learn where they are.
- The keyboard and touchpad are on the left side of the computer because of the numeric keypad. You quickly get used to that, though, so no biggie.
- The touchpad buttons require some pressure to click, but you get used to it.
- 4 GB maximum memory. Just 1 user-accessible memory slot which contains 2GB. No biggie.
- No DVI. No port replicator option with that option.
- No Bluetooth, FireWire, eSATA, ExpressCard/PCI Express slot
- Integrated Intel graphics (not for 3D gaming, but great for 2D apps)
- The T6600 doesn't support Windows 7's XP compatibility mode. Most of the Win7 Home Premium notebooks I've seen have a CPU which doesn't support XP mode. Only Win7 Professional and higher supports VT mode anyway. Does XP mode matter at all? I have no idea. Search the Internet for that.
- It doesn't wake up when you open the lid. It does sleep when you close the lid. Yes, I checked the settings. Tip: Change the close-lid behavior to Sleep instead of Hibernate for a faster sleep, but battery will drain faster.
Edit 12/10/09:
A few cons I've noticed:
- The two speakers are on the bottom of the notebook, at the front lip. You really need a hard surface to reflect the sound up to you. Definitely below average compared with other notebooks IMO.
- The Page Up / Down keys are above the numeric keypad -- way out of reach. It's an incredible hassle with Internet browsing.
- Remember how I wrote the graphics are good enough for 2D? If you watch a Yahoo! music video in full screen mode, that sucker will tear during fast motion. It's fine at the normal zoom level and with computers with discrete graphics.
- I'm always accidentally hitting the DVD eject button. Other notebooks I've used recess this button.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS K50IJ-X8 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Black)
The ASUS K50IJ-X8 versatile performance notebook - more notebook for your money The powerful, stylish and durable ASUS K50IJ-X8 delivers true multitasking performance at a bargain price. With the new ASUS K50IJ-X8, you get the exclusive ASUS Color Shine 15.6-inch LED HD widescreen, a rich media experience, Intel® Core™2 Duo speed, longer battery life, and an integrated suite of effortless mobile computing technologies. Plus, you are also covered by the most thoughtful notebook warranty package in the industry. The K50IJ-X8 is quintessentially practical and trendy. It is designed with Infusion styling that sets it apart from conventional notebook design, while a suite of innovative technologies provides effortless mobile computing capabilities from day to day. ASUS' 360 notebook warranty and Accidental Damage Warranty is icing on the cake. ASUS K50IJ-X8 notebooks come standard with a 1-Year Global Warranty and more*:
Thirty-days flawless display guarantee
Free two-way standard shipping
24-hour tech support seven days a week Plus ASUS Accidental Damage Protection: ASUS notebooks also come with a One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting the notebook from drops, fire, spills, and surge.**
Key Features
Powered by an Intel Core2 Duo Processor T6600 for versatile productivity
Extra bright 15.6-inch HD Color Shine LED-backlit widescreen (16:9) for immersive cinematic experience
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine for extended battery life1
4GB of DDR2 system memory for smooth computing with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit installed
500GB, 5,400rpm hard drive for fast, convenient storage and access to all your documents and multimedia
Built-in 802.11n wireless connectivity that enables 'real-time' video conferencing and Internet browsing
Integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam for connecting with your friends and family
Numeric Keyboard for easy number input of numbers
ASUS IceCool Technology provides a cool-to-the-touch palm rest
ASUS 360: 1 year global warranty and ASUS ADW: 1 year accidental damage warranty*
Learn More
Long Lasting HD Entertainment
Infusion of Beauty and Practicality
Extended Battery Life with ASUS Super Hybrid Engine
Connectivity, Communication, and Storage On The Move
More Multitasking Power with Less Power Consumption
ASUS Exclusive Windows 7 Features
ASUS 360* -- 1 Year Global Warranty
ASUS ADW* -- 1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty**
For PC's running Windows 7 Home Premium
Warranty
ASUS 360* (1 Years Global Warranty) + ASUS ADW* (1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty**) + Flawless Display Guarantee ASUS K50IJ-X8 comes with ASUS 360 (1 years global warranty), ADW (1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty*) and Flawless Display Guarantee. If the purchaser discovers one defective bright dot within 30 days of purchase, ASUS will replace the panel without cost to the purchaser.
What's in the Box
ASUS K50IJ-X8
AC Adapter
6 cell Battery Pack
Warranty Information Cards
Specifications
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Display: 15.6-inch 16:9 Wide Format 1366x768 HD LED backlit Display
Intel Platform: Intel Core2 Duo T6600 Processor (2.2GHz)
Graphics: Embedded Intel GL40
Wireless: 802.11 B/G/N Wireless LAN
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Memory: 4GB DDR2-800
Storage: 500GB HDD (5400rpm drive)
Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi Double Layer
Camera: 1.3M Pixels with Auto-Focus
Audio: Built-in Azalia compliant audio chip, with 3D effect & full duplex
Speakers: Altec Lansing co-brand speakers featuring SRS Premium Sound
Microphone Built-in microphone
Card Reader: 3 in 1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS)
Input/Output: 1 x Microphone-in jack, 1 x Headphone-out jack(S/PDIF) 4 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x RJ45 LAN jack for LAN
Video Output: 1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin
Keyboard: 19mm full size 88 Key with MS Windows function keys
Battery Pack: 6 cells (2900mAh)
Power Supply: Output: 16 V DC, 4.7 A, 90W / Input: 100~240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal
Dimensions: 14.57 (W) x 10.08 (L) x 1.22~1.40 (H) inches
Weight: 5.73 lbs (with 6 cell battery pack) 1Subject to system configuration and user scenario *For notebooks purchased on or after Sept. 10, 2007. The ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty covers "ASUS" brand notebooks only, and does NOT extend to: "Built on ASUS," "ASMobile," "Powered by ASUS," the Eee PC, or some other models. These retailers are currently among the companies that do NOT participate in the ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty: Best Buy, MicroCenter, and The Source by CircuitCity in Canada. Limited of one claim per notebook for Accidental Damage Warranty. ASUS reserves the right to discontinue this program and to modify the terms and conditions thereof at any time. ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty Program starts from the date of your ASUS notebook purchase, when all the requirements are met. **One incident covered per notebook All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Viiv Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
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