NVIDIA Optimus-equipped ASUS N61JV-X2, N71JV-X1 hit the US

Well, we'd heard the first NVIDIA Optimus-enabled laptops would roll out at the end of the month, and lo and behold, the first NVIDIA Optimus-enabled laptops have rolled out at the end of the month. Right now, those include ASUS' N61JV-X2 and N71JV-X1 models, which are just the first of five laptops that will be available from the company, and each of which cost the same $900. That'll get you a 16-inch screen and Core i5-430M processor on the N61JV-X2, or a 17.3-inch screen and a Core i3-350M processor on the N71JV-X1, along with the same switchable GeForce GT 325M graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drive on each of them. Still unclear on what NVIDIA has brought to the table with Optimus? Check out our hands-on for some more details and a few benchmarks.

[Leindurstit Posted Feb 26th 2010 1:34PM]

Sure, Optimus may be convenient, but they need to pair it with a higher-end graphics card for it to be a knockout feature. These lower-mid-range parts don't cut it, especially not in a laptop as large as these.

[nickadaughtry Posted Mar 3rd 2010 2:39PM]

@Leindurstit The N61JV-X2 and N71JV-X1 are equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GT325M graphics card with 1GB of RAM and integrated Intel HD graphics. They both boast 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive and DVD SuperMulti burner. More: http://bit.ly/asus-n61jv-n71jv-updated

[MRCUR Posted Feb 26th 2010 1:41PM]

I actually owned the current N61 (without Optimus) for about a week. I ended up returning it to Buy.com because the screen sucked to much. It was a terribly low rez and was ridiculously washed out.

[alan7467 Posted Feb 26th 2010 2:00PM]

@MRCUR I experienced the same thing on a current UL80. One of the worst laptop screens I've seen.

[MRCUR Posted Feb 26th 2010 2:06PM]

@alan7467 - It was really bad. Like really, really bad. Sad too since I really loved everything else about it. I'm skeptical of Asus laptops now though...

[nomadewolf Posted Feb 27th 2010 6:22AM]

@MRCUR
Asus is not famous for their Laptop's screen quality. Their famous for their resistance, inteligent design, and cool litle features... I own an Asus and i'm more than satisfied with the screen.
If you need or want really good quality, you should go with toshiba or sony.

[MRCUR Posted Feb 27th 2010 7:17AM]

It's not that I need a high quality screen, but I'm not about to stare at washed out crap. I'm no pro in this area by a long shot, but my N61's screen was clearly a POS.

[thoth Posted Feb 26th 2010 1:44PM]

Superb !! Give me an UL30JT or UL50JT with Optimus and I'll happily buy 2 of them just to enjoy that "up to 12hrs battery".... and I'll add an intel SSD as soon as the 3rd gen is out next quarter.

[andysexton Posted Feb 26th 2010 7:00PM]

@thoth Agreed. I've been looking into the thin-light Asus since the UL30VT caught my eye. Supposedly the JT's are using the same 310 Nvidia chip that's just a renamed 210 from the UL30VT. Hopefully they'll go this route instead, and they'll likely get my money. I want more than the 310.

[KAL326 Posted Feb 26th 2010 1:54PM]

Where are the nicer models that aren't stripped to hit a price point of $900. Dropping the processor to absorb the cost of a larger screen seems a bit odd in my book.

[tehslax Posted Feb 26th 2010 2:14PM]

Screw convenience.
This thing ways 9LBS!!!
Its not even the best desktop replacement out there!

[DoctarPeppar Posted Feb 26th 2010 2:18PM]

What's with all those stickers on the palm rests?
Don't you just hate that? So tacky.
I know some of them come off easy, but some don't.

[LuckTR Posted Feb 26th 2010 2:27PM]

Well, it seems that green (NVidia) is slowly getting covered with bloody red (Ati) o_O. Looking at N61JQ-X1 equipped with ATI Mobility Radeon HD5730 currently selling for $1099 on NewEgg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220696 , it's not likely that green with sixteen inch size&weight laptop with excellent battery life is better than red in the same chasis with fps off the charts. Heck, there is always N900 whenever I am moving away from outlet anyway;)

[MRCUR Posted Feb 26th 2010 3:26PM]

@cwalters74 - Beware the low quality screens Asus seems to use. If you can get past washed out colors and all around low quality screens, then you'll love it.

[Caullen Posted Feb 26th 2010 4:25PM]

Is that USB 3.0 I see on the side?!? O.o

[Caullen Posted Feb 26th 2010 4:27PM]

@Caullen
4 x USB 2.0 ports (USB 2.0 x 3 ; USB 3.0 x1)