Opinions on Asus?

Tiffy6666

Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying this laptop very soon -> http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1451115/Trail/searchtext%3EASUS+X550CA/gotoTab/reviews.htm

I'm on a budget and this seems to have everything I'll need, (the specs seem a little too good) but I'm not too sure if Asus is a good brand? Also, I treat my laptops exceedingly well but would anyone have any idea how long it'll be before I'd need a new one? I don't know anyone with an Asus laptop so I thought I'd turn to boards

mordeith

Tiffy6666 wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying this laptop very soon -> http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1451115/Trail/searchtext%3EASUS+X550CA/gotoTab/reviews.htm

I'm on a budget and this seems to have everything I'll need, (the specs seem a little too good) but I'm not too sure if Asus is a good brand? Also, I treat my laptops exceedingly well but would anyone have any idea how long it'll be before I'd need a new one? I don't know anyone with an Asus laptop so I thought I'd turn to boards

Asus are pretty reliable in general and the build quality for the bodies is very nice. The only thing is on their lower end laptops, such as the one in your link, the keybaord can feel a but flimsy. Not saying that it would fall apart or anything but personally I like good solid keys.

celticcrash

I had an asus laptop. 5 times I had to bring it back to the shop. Battery, motherboard, speakers all had to be replaced at different times.
Never again.

mordeith

celticcrash wrote: »

I had an asus laptop. 5 times I had to bring it back to the shop. Battery, motherboard, speakers all had to be replaced at different times.
Never again.

Speakers? Really? Must say I've never heard of that being an issue in any laptop.

celticcrash

mordeith wrote: »

Speakers? Really? Must say I've never heard of that being an issue in any laptop.

Oh no I came on here and lied for nothing.:rolleyes:

Coyote

you must have been unlucky, they top the laptop reliabilty chart
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

celticcrash

Coyote wrote: »

you must have been unlucky, they top the laptop reliabilty chart
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

Yea it looks like I was. The big problem was the motherboard, it caused all the other problems.

mordeith

celticcrash wrote: »

Oh no I came on here and lied for nothing.:rolleyes:

It was a genuine question. No need for the sarcasm. I asked because you rarely hear of hardware reasons for speakers ceasing to work.

celticcrash

mordeith wrote: »

It was a genuine question. No need for the sarcasm. I asked because you rarely hear of hardware reasons for speakers ceasing to work.

Sorry, a bit sensitive this afternoon. They replaced the speakers that were in perfect working order, the cause was coming from the motherboard.

The_Honeybadger

Asus are a good brand generally, but like any other manufacturer the quality varies enormously between their budget and higher end laptops. You could have build quality problems with anything in that pricerange.

Like yourself I treat my laptops with great care, (ie regularly clear the dust, never block the fan, defrag monthly etc). I have a dell Inspiron that has just celebrated it's sixth birthday and a toshiba that I bought used 3 years ago. Both are still flying, laptops can last ages if they are not abused.

gugleguy

I am using a SONY VIAO i7, over 3 years old. I used the play/stop/reverse/fastfoward buttons above the keyboard to the right just the other day for the first time. Oh, and I recently upgraded the memory on it from 4 to 8GB. Again, I don't throw it about. Also it can run blueray dvd. My newer Lenovo Z500 only has first generation dvd drive.

Overheal

ASUS X-series chassis feel fairly cheap, but in the hands of an adult user I don't see a problem with them. If you are going to travel frequently with them though I'd advise something sturdier, I've gotten numerous direct feedback issues with them in the past, hinges, battery covers, etc. granted those were kids but cases where families bought multiple units and had the same problems arise on 2 or 3 of them, it becomes a design issue not a user issue at a certain point. Generally in Asus I don't fancy owning one in their lower range - and their ROG range is iffy too, the amount of overheating issues I've had to field on those motherships is ridiculous, in 3 years I probably sold less than a dozen but had half of those get returned because of problems.

My own experience right now is I have the 1st generation lenovo yoga 13, and I think it's been abused by the constant lugging in a bookbag, daily basis. Whatever little bits of shear and opening/closing etc. its got issues, probably the motion detector has gone wonky for its tablet mode hell I don't know but it also takes forever to sleep or shut down. Not a bad chassis, but if this wasn't free and I had my way I'd have opted for something with an alloy frame like a zenbook: im careful with my things, but my routine is a slog.

Brasso

I have an Asus 1215n since December 2010 and it's still going good. Needs a fresh install of Windows at this stage and a new battery, but I'd rate the build quality quite highly and I've brought it with me on 15km bus journey across Dublin pretty much five days a week during college time since I got it. A good case is essential though of course.

Tiffy6666

Hey guys I went with it in the end and have to say I'm really pleased with it! it feels like it'll last me a good few years(I know that sounds kind of crazy but it does) it's ultra thin and light and there doesn't seem to be any problems so far. Fingers crossed that with good care it'll stay like that! Anyway thanks for all your help!