In How to Choose a Laptop, we reviewed what you should consider when looking for your next laptop: graphics, processor, memory, and storage. Having reviewed my needs in these categories, I selected my laptop of choice, the ASUS F3SV-B1.
F3SV-B1 Specs
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2G
- Screen: 15.4″ WSXGA+
- Memory: 2GB DDR2 PC6400
- Hard disk: 160GB 7200RPM
- DVD Super Multi
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
- Video memory: 256MB
- Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
- Card slots: 1 x Express Card
- Battery life: 4 hours
- 14.2″ x 10.5″ x 1.1-1.6″
- 6.5 lbs.
- Fingerprint scanner, mic and camera
Shipping and package contents
ASUS ships the F3SV-B1 in a nice package, double-boxed and padded with foam. You could probably drop this box from a five-story building and the system would survive. The system came with a slew of extras, including the travel bag, telephone cable, S-video to composite adapter, dust cloth, Velcro cable tie, battery, ASUS mouse and power cables. Also included are a system restore disc, driver disc, Nero’s OEM suite, and a system manual. ASUS included more than most companies, and I took a liking to the small ASUS mouse; it isn’t wireless, but I just like how small it is.
The Asus F3SV-B1 is a very sleek laptop. It offers more than what I was looking for, including a built-in webcam and fingerprint scanner. These items are becoming pretty standard, but they are significant perks while on the road. ASUS also ships their laptops with a two-year warranty on parts and labor, which includes free two-way overnight shipping. Most companies will charge you $200 or more to add these services, so I applaud them; it shows they stand by their products.
Configuration and components
The F3SV-B1’s plug layout is very well-oriented. The power plug and two USB ports are mounted on the back of the system, which is a huge improvement for me over the HP dv8000t that I previously owned; the power cable frequently got in the way.
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The F3SV-B1 comes with three video-out ports (DVI, VGA, S-Video) and a TV RF input on the right side. Behind them is the ports for a modem and Ethernet cables. Also on the right side are another USB port, a firewire port, and the express slot.
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Wrapping around the front are another USB port, a SD card slot and a small panel for headphones and an external microphone (just incase you don’t like the built in one). The front also holds the wireless and Bluetooth on/off switches.
The left side of the F3SV-B1 only sports the DVD drive.
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The keyboard keys are very soft to press with the perfect amount of recoil. The layout is complimented by two speakers right below the screen and a few buttons for instant access to Windows Media Center, laptop power modes, touchpad on/off, screen adjustments, Internet, and the power button. The touchpad is located conveniently offset to the left, and the fingerprint scanner is just below it.
The bezel around the system is perfect – it doesn’t seem too big. I do have one small gripe with it, however. The top of the laptop has a huge silver rectangle that houses the 1.3 megapixel webcam, which swivels around (allowing you to point the cam away from you). While some people may like this option, the bright color throws off the layout, in my opinion.
Next to the webcam is the small spec of a hole which is the built-in microphone. If it wasn’t for the microphone logo, I don’t think I would ever notice it to be there.
ASUS’s 15.4″ WSXGA+ panel running at 1680 x 1050 is just stunning. My 17” HP laptop was nice, but man this ASUS system is so much crisper and clear (which I never thought possible). Glare isn’t as much of an issue, even out in sunlight. I can do my work and not squint on a sunny day.
Battery life and size
Battery life on this beast is something to take note of, both positively and negatively. I find myself running the system in High Performance mode almost constantly, but for the sake of this review I did give the Entertainment Mode, Quiet Office, and Battery Saving modes a try.
Battery Saving mode, of course, gave me the longest run time of around 4 hours and 18 minutes. ASUS promised 4 hours of battery time, and I am assuming that number was based on Battery Savings mode. While running High Performance mode (giving juice to all the components running at 100%), my batter life dropped to just 1 hour a 43 minutes. That is a HUGE drop in battery life. However, the components I chose are not really battery-friendly. Between the graphics card, hard drive, WSXGA+ panel and the memory, this system needs a bit of power to keep it going. The 1 hour and 43 minutes included me running Folding@Home on both cores of my CPU.
Entertainment Mode allowed me to watch 3 ½ hours of movies, and the Quiet Office mode gave me 3 hours and 17 minutes for my basic office needs while listening to music from my iTunes player. The battery life on my HP 17” notebook was a bit better in most cases, but this system is packed with more power hungry devices, so I am not too shocked with these results.
The size of this laptop is pretty standard today: 14.2″ x 10.5″ x 1.1-1.6″. It’s pretty thin and, weighing in at 6.5 lbs, it is compact enough for a small backpack. The system shipped with a generic ASUS bag that I found quite useful. It holds everything needed (power cable, mouse, documents, and mouse pad) so I replaced my huge backpack with this smaller alternative. The system also sports a nice set of rubberized legs that allow proper air circulation; the entire system stays pretty cool.
Performance
The F3SV-B1 can run anything I have thrown at it. Games like BF2, Counter Strike: Source, Company of Heroes, Command & Conquer 3, War in Conflict Beta, Lineage 2, and BFME Series can all be played on high settings with the Nvidia 8600GS. I set the GPU to use more physical memory as well as the dedicated memory, so my system has access to 1022MB of memory for the video card which allows a nice performance increase. Along with being able to game well, the system has also shown that it can run 3D Studio Max 9, AutoCAD 2007 and programs like Dreamweaver and Microsoft Office flawlessly. The programs open in a snap. While this laptop’s main purpose isn’t for stressful work within 3D Studio Max, I primarily use it for my business needs, which include website development and Microsoft Office applications. Current applications and games, including upcoming titles, will be very playable on this system for years to come.
Now it seems I have been praising this system to much, but hey I set out to build a system for my needs and it is fulfilling them. But… yes there is a But statement. There is always one thing I hate about almost any laptop sold on the market, and that is 3rd party pre-installed crap software. Now ASUS wasn’t nearly as bad as my HP laptop but it did come with the generic junk that was easily removed. The first program to go was of course Norton Antivirus which is the devil among all virus software. I also removed a few of the basic things ASUS offers like animated desktop screensavers, iframe which is a generic program for their built on camera and the fingerprint scan software. Once that was all removed the system actually booted much faster. I suspect not having Norton is the reason for this. But in general the 3rd party applications were not as bad as most and only took a good 25 minutes to clear out.
Connectivity
I need the internet anytime I am on my laptop. Of course, it has an Ethernet port to start, mounted in the back on the right side, so its cable stays clear of my mouse. Since it sports the new Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN, I can connect to wireless routers running on A, G, and the new wireless N standard, which covers just about any router currently in service. I have also setup wireless through my Sprint Pocket PC, so I can quickly log online with my cell phone and get things done as a last resort.
I have always been a fan of hooking my laptop up to my giant plasma screen TV to play games or show videos to my family. My Xbox 360 made hooking up a laptop to the TV an ancient way of doing things, but for many it still holds appeal. The ASUS F3SV-B1 offers a TV RF input, but doesn’t have the actual chip in the laptop. I called ASUS: they won’t sell the chip needed aftermarket and I have yet to find a site that offers the item for this laptop. A built-in turner is always a plus, but this laptop doesn’t have that upgrade in it.
Conclusion
The performance of the F3SV-B1 has gone above and beyond my expectations and has made daily work flow easier. I set out to get a laptop to fit my needs and I was able to do that, and the performance I am getting for my desired applications is on par with what I was aiming for. ASUS has a solid product on its hands that it is reasonably priced for what you get.
Design Layout: ASUS took functionality and work flow into mind when laying this system out. The look of the system is sleek and the location of every component is right.
Documentation: The system shipped with every bit of information you would need to turn on this system and get it operating.
Features: Your options will vary by vendor, but the standard equipment exceeds other system manufacturers’ offerings.
Bonus items and Software: The system shipped with far more goodies than my HP system so I felt a bit spoiled. With a carrying bag, mouse and the Nero software suite, little is left to be had.
Fine Tuning Features: The laptop was 100% ready and only took me a little time to remove the things I didn’t want. ASUS had far less third-party applications than other laptops I’ve encountered.
Overall Performance: I set this system up to be packed with all sorts of goodies, and with that it is able to run anything I throw its way.
Portability: 6.5 lbs is two pounds less than my 17” monster was, but it is still heavy for backpacking around all day. The ASUS shoulder bag is nice, but isn’t as high quality as aftermarket products. If you travel a lot, get a better carrying case.
Presentation/Packaging: ASUS took packaging to the next level and shipped a product that could get hit by a forklift and survive.
Support/Warranty: I haven’t had to call ASUS’s support teams as I haven’t had any issues with my laptop. But with a two year parts and labor warranty and free two-day air service (both ways), they show us upfront they care about their product.
Cost: With a current internet price of $1,548.00 plus tax and shipping, this system is not priced at entry level, but than again this system’s specs are far from entry level. A comparable system from Dell and HP both cost $300 more and lack the same warranty offered by ASUS unless you want to pay an additional $249.
Strengths
- Sleek and light weight design
- Runs cutting edge technology
- Price is affordable
- Offers a slew of external ports of TV’s and extra monitors
- Runs dead quite
Weaknesses
- Lacks a HDMI port
- Needs a small camera package
- Longer battery life
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