What's an ASUS and should I get one?
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Jig Chippewa
Fine Young Cannibal
Join date: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 5,150
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11-27-2009 20:07
From: Tod69 Talamasca I cant dis Dell considering I replace their parts for a living  (hint: Problem with a dell laptop? Press FN + Power when you turn it on to run the diagnostics)  As for Asus..... I have their 22" LCD and LOVE IT!!! I have their EEE PC 1000HA Netbook and LOVE IT!!!! Asus, A-zoos, a-sus, Azus.... however you pronounce it. A - sooos 
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Fine Young Cannibal
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Pserendipity Daniels
Assume sarcasm as default
Join date: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 8,839
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11-28-2009 01:28
From: Rafe Phoenix You can disable it in "Start Up." By streamlining your boot services and programs you can cut a lot of time off of your system boot. Your computer will also run faster and more smoothly.
An easy way to disable crapware on start up is Start > RUN > type in "msconfig" > Startup tab. Simply uncheck all the stuff you would rather not have running at startup. Once your computer is up and running any programs you need will start when you call upon them. The only programs I have running at startup are my anti virus and OC manager.
You can also disable services through "msconfig" but I only recommend doing so if you know exactly what each service does and what other services depend on the ones you are shutting down. HiJack This! (Despite a confusing name) gives you all the information you need (and more!) about what is going on with your PC at startup. http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/Pep (Invaluable)
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Hypocrite lecteur, — mon semblable, — mon frère!
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Deira Llanfair
Deira to rhyme with Myra
Join date: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,315
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11-28-2009 03:36
From: Dnali Anabuki btw love you animations! Thank you I'm very pleased you enjoy them.
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Deira Must create animations for head-desk and palm-face!.
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Deira Llanfair
Deira to rhyme with Myra
Join date: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,315
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11-28-2009 03:44
From: Rafe Phoenix I agree with the RAM speed and PSU being a bit dodgy. Deira, if you ever upgrade anything on this computer goto a more beefy PSU. Even upgrading the RAM may cause issues, possibly burning out the PSU a couple of months after the upgrade. All in all not a bad computer judging by the specs.
The graphics card is the GeForce GTS 250 SLI 1024MB, its a step up from the GeForce 9800 GTX+. You'll have no problems running SL on ultra but enabling antialiasing beyond 2Xs might not be an option if high FPS are a must. Thanks Rafe and Dnali - I'll remember that - I think it will suit my kids need ok. It's mainly homework, photoshop and some games - but not SL with them.
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Deira Must create animations for head-desk and palm-face!.
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Pserendipity Daniels
Assume sarcasm as default
Join date: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 8,839
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11-28-2009 04:33
From: Deira Llanfair Thanks Rafe and Dnali - I'll remember that - I think it will suit my kids need ok. It's mainly homework, photoshop and some games - but not SL with them. Are you sure about that . . . Pep ( . . . Mum?)
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Hypocrite lecteur, — mon semblable, — mon frère!
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Rafe Phoenix
AKA Rafe Zessinthal
Join date: 15 Nov 2004
Posts: 490
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11-28-2009 04:43
From: Pserendipity Daniels HiJack This! (Despite a confusing name) gives you all the information you need (and more!) about what is going on with your PC at startup. http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/Pep (Invaluable) HiJack This! is highly recommended by a lot of people for diagnosing problems. I've never used it. I do use Rootkit Buster, another "invaluable" which is also made by Trend Micro. Since we're sharing handy applications Ashampoo's "Magic Uninstaller" is one of my favorite programs for keeping my system clean. It was the very first program I installed after the OS. In theory I can uninstall every program and windows update from my computer and end up with a clean OS. Window's own uninstaller and system restore suck ass. You can get the free version here... http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/product_2_0803___USD.htm |
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Deira Llanfair
Deira to rhyme with Myra
Join date: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,315
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11-28-2009 07:36
From: Pserendipity Daniels Are you sure about that . . .
Pep ( . . . Mum?) About 98% sure. We did have a spot of bother last year about music downloads - but if I get any trouble there will be no driving lessons.
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Deira Must create animations for head-desk and palm-face!.
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Brenda Connolly
Un United Avatar
Join date: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 25,000
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11-28-2009 08:19
From: Rafe Phoenix HiJack This! is highly recommended by a lot of people for diagnosing problems. I've never used it. I do use Rootkit Buster, another "invaluable" which is also made by Trend Micro. Since we're sharing handy applications Ashampoo's "Magic Uninstaller" is one of my favorite programs for keeping my system clean. It was the very first program I installed after the OS. In theory I can uninstall every program and windows update from my computer and end up with a clean OS. Window's own uninstaller and system restore suck ass. You can get the free version here... http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/product_2_0803___USD.htmThis Luddite highly recommends Revo Uninstaller http://www.revouninstaller.com/
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Veritable Quandry
Meddling kid.
Join date: 23 May 2008
Posts: 519
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11-29-2009 11:30
There's a program called PC Decrapifier that removes most of the pre-installed software that comes with new PCs. http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/ |
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Amaranthim Talon
Voyager, Seeker, Curious
Join date: 14 Nov 2006
Posts: 12,032
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12-03-2009 15:54
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"Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again. " Robert A. Heinlein  http://talonfaire.blogspot.com/ Visit Talon Faire Main: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Misto%20Presto/216/21/155- Main Store XStreets: http://tinyurl.com/6r7ayn
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Veritable Quandry
Meddling kid.
Join date: 23 May 2008
Posts: 519
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12-03-2009 18:35
The Best Buy model has a better graphics card. The GTX 260m is one of the best mobile GPUs for second life. It will run at ultra settings and have power to spare. The CPU is OK in that model, and with a little tweaking it will run at 2.4-2.6 GHz. It also has a second hard drive bay, so you can add an SSD for the OS, or add more storage (even run in RAID 0 for a speed boost). The downside is that Best Buy sells Asus laptops with a 1-year Best Buy warranty, instead of the 2-year warranty that usually comes from Asus (and you have to take it to Best Buy for service). The model at ExcaliberPC has a slightly better processor, but the graphics card will only run medium-high settings (it's the same spec as a 9600M GT card). It will run cooler as a result, and it will give you all of the shiny/water effects, but not the level of detail that the G51 can deliver. It does come with the full Asus warranty, and service will be through Asus' network. So that's the choice...the processor is not that different, but the graphics card is far better on the G51. But you have to use Best Buy for the warranty. As a third option, take a look at  . It combines the two models, and has a couple of other features to recommend it. This model has the same CPU as the 17" notebook, and still has an empty HDD bay for a second drive. The Newegg model includes Bluetooth (not included on the Best Buy version) and has a full HD screen at 1920x1080. It is more expensive than the other two, but it is cheaper than buying the lower-spec version at Best Buy and getting a two-year warranty (as well as 1 year accidental damage coverage) that comes included with the Newegg model. If you sign up for Bing Cashback, you can get a rebate to bring the final cost down. Add that to the fact that Newegg does not charge sales tax, and you're looking at very similar cost for better hardware and warranty. |
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Amaranthim Talon
Voyager, Seeker, Curious
Join date: 14 Nov 2006
Posts: 12,032
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12-03-2009 20:10
Thank you most kindly, Sir- you have been a great deal of help- for further consideration I will take this last suggestion under advisement.
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"Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again. " Robert A. Heinlein http://talonfaire.blogspot.com/ Visit Talon Faire Main: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Misto%20Presto/216/21/155- Main Store XStreets: http://tinyurl.com/6r7ayn
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Jig Chippewa
Fine Young Cannibal
Join date: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 5,150
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12-03-2009 21:37
Still reading all this - my computer has been held up in shipping. Ah well.
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Fine Young Cannibal
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Lindal Kidd
Dances With Noobs
Join date: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 8,371
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12-04-2009 07:07
Jig, that's the model that replaced the ASUS laptop I bought last year. Mine runs SL just fine. That processor and video card are the laptop versions of the ones in my current desktop powerhouse (thanks, Geek, you're a sweetie!)
ASUS is noted for making excellent laptops, partly beccause they make all of the components themselves. They are one of the top two or three manufacturers of motherboards for PCs, and also have a great line of graphics cards.
The only complaint I have about mine is that the battery life is short (a common failing for laptops).
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Lindal Kidd
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