Asus has always remained one of the key players in the PC (personal computer) market, filling all price segments: from the most affordable and boring gadgets to advanced multimedia systems, impressive in terms of features and interesting technological solutions. A turning point occurred in 2012, when the company introduced a completely updated series of computers based on Intel's Ivy Bridge processors. This is a series of Asus N56V computers.
The manufacturer did not easily “charge” his laptops to the fullest, installing the most modern hardware in the “car”, but also thought about the visual component and multimedia capabilities. So, aluminum appeared in the laptop, replacing the usual plastic, and an external subwoofer materialized nearby, perfectly complementing the powerful stereo system of the computer itself. Taking into account the criteria described above, it can no longer be said that this is just an Asus laptop, whose price is too high. A monitored computer is a truly premium product that works out its money and outperforms its competitors in many ways.
Equipment
- Mini subwoofer.
- Charger for power from the mains.
- Accumulator battery.
Asus N56VJ - Computer Features
For convenience, information is presented in tabular form.
CPU | Intel Core i7 3630QM, 4 cores, 2400 MHz |
Display | 15.6 inches, resolution 1920 x 1080 |
RAM | 8 gigabytes |
HDD | 1 terabyte, 5400 rpm |
Video card | GeForce GT 635M |
Battery | 5200 mAh |
ASUS N56VJ Operating System | Windows 7/8, 64 bit |
Dimensions / Weight | 380 x 255 x 34 millimeters / 2.7 kilograms |
Housing and communications
Following Apple and their successful MacBooks, many laptop makers began to use metal in their enclosures. Asus N56VJ, completely made of aluminum, was no exception. Thus, the manufacturer managed to achieve the highest build quality. There is no creaking and gaps between the details of the case. Also, this material is resistant to minor damage and easy to clean. The lid of the laptop is held on two compact hinges. There will be no problems with lifting it or fixing it in a closed state.
The laptop is equipped with a standard set of communication interfaces. On the front panel you can find a standard "card reader" that supports memory cards of various types. On the left side there are: VGA port, RJ-45 network port, HDMI and two USB-A 3.0 ports. On the right side are located: audio input, audio output, two more USB-A 3.0 ports, a drive and a jack for connecting a charger. As for wireless interfaces, it is worth noting Wi-Fi, which supports 802.11 b / n / g and Bluetooth 4.0.
Governing bodies
Asus has been criticized more than once for their experiments with the keyboard layout and its design. The Asus N56VJ laptop is equipped with a classic island-style keyboard with a separate numeric keypad. The keys are flat, between them there is a small gap of 4 millimeters (the design resembles that in the same MacBook). This position of the keys significantly reduces the number of invalid keystrokes.
The keyboard is ideal for blind typing. The key travel is medium, sharp, without hesitation. There is a backlight that provides comfortable work in dark rooms. Under the keyboard unit is a large touchpad. Distinctive features of the touch panel in the Asus N56VJ are: atypical large size and the ability to configure additional gestures.
Camera and sound
At the base of the display is a camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. A quite good camera for 2012, standard for all computers and smartphones of that time. Ideal for communicating on Skype in any environment.
The sound is controlled by a modified speaker system developed in collaboration with Bang & Ofulsen. It provides a bright and rich sound in the upper and middle frequencies. Bass and bass tighten the complete subwoofer.
Display
The laptop screen is made using TFT technology and has a resolution of Full HD (1920 × 1080 pixels). This permission is more than enough for comfortable work with several programs at the same time. There is no excessive graininess, the fine test looks like it is printed on paper (Retina effect).
The brightness is higher than that of most competitors, it is enough for comfortable work even in bright sunlight. Slightly spoils the impression of the TFT-matrix; because of it, you will have to forget about the maximum viewing angles, as well as rich and realistic color reproduction.
Performance and memory
The heart of the computer was a powerful Intel processor from the Ivy Bridge line. The processor has 4 cores, each of which reaches acceleration up to 2400 MHz. This chip ensures the smooth operation of the operating system and most demanding applications (even the most modern).
Processing of 3D-graphics will take over the video card - Nvidia GeForce GT 635M. This video chip supports all modern standards, including DirectX 11 graphics libraries, Shader 5.0 technology. Being mobile discrete graphics, it is unlikely to cope with the games of the latest generation, but many game products "simpler" will work without problems.
The processor and video card are supplemented by 8 gigabytes of RAM. This is the standard for any modern computer, allowing it to function normally even after upgrading to Windows 10.
Also on the laptop there was a place for a hard drive of 1 terabyte. Unfortunately, its speed reaches only 5400 rpm, which negatively affects the speed of data processing. The best option in this case is to replace the optical drive with an SSD drive.
Autonomy, heating and noise
The laptop is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 5200 mAh. Despite the large display, high resolution and powerful graphic performance, the computer is able to work on average about three hours. Yes, such an indicator can not be compared with any modern ultrabook, but autonomy will have to pay for such a serious "stuffing". Under load, the computer can survive no more than an hour. Naturally, you can play only by connecting the laptop to the mains.
The temperature of the working area of the laptop in a state of inactivity is predictably low, but under load it reaches 36 degrees Celsius. The hottest area is between the F6 and F7 keys. A little lower - on the right side of the keyboard. In general, such a temperature does not cause tolerance and discomfort.
The noise level at maximum load reaches only 40 decibels, which is almost not perceived by the human ear. With an average load, it falls even lower and does not bother the user at all. Here obviously serious work was done by the manufacturer.
Reviews
Asus N56VJ consistently holds a high rating among users. The laptop turned out to be surprisingly reliable and high-quality (which is not often found among laptops running on Windows). Users rated the computer as ideal as a work machine and home multimedia station. Absolutely all device parameters remain relevant to this day.
The only thing that has attracted the attention of many users is the lack of an SSD, which could greatly increase its performance and efficiency. The minus was also recorded a small battery life, coupled with the weight of the laptop, but these are quite obvious losses that you have to put up with due to the lack of technologies in 2012 that can fix this state of things.
Instead of a conclusion
So, we have before us an excellent Asus multimedia laptop, the price of which is $ 1000 (currently not available for sale, but can be found on the BU market). Many? Yes many. But to find something like this cheaper is simply impossible.
Pros:
- high-quality aluminum case;
- powerful iron;
- great stereo system.
Minuses:
- high price;
- short battery life.
This is one of the few manufacturer computers in which all the modern trends in this area are noticeable. Many aspects are clearly borrowed from Apple: aluminum case, large trackpad with gesture settings, keyboard design. All this goes to the device only as a plus, as it gives it the very premium that makes a laptop fall in love at first sight. Perhaps the most attractive gadget in its category, capable of equally competing with the decisions of such serious competitors as Apple.