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(More customer reviews)ASUS NX90Jq-B1 Review
Summary: This high-performance flagship notebook is very powerful, loaded with great audio-visual features, and exquisitely crafted with a gorgeous finish - all this in a relatively large package that encompasses contemporary product design throughout. Asus along with Bang & Olufsen have crafted a simply stunning machine at a great price for this level of performance, fit and finish. Although well appointed, even with a perceived thin profile, its sheer mass and "super-wide" closed footprint make it difficult to carry around. In fact, it will likely require a specialty/custom carrying case to make it truly mobile. One might consider a micro keyboard gig-bag or mixing-board case to transport this. In fact, the sheer size and beauty of this product warrants keeping it mostly in one place - maybe moving it from your home (executive) office desk to your living room coffee table or music studio counter at best. I like to think of it as "domestically mobile" - it could definitely act as a desktop replacement. I would not call it a "Laptop" in the literal sense as it may be too big to be used in one's lap - it's better on a table/desk. This beautiful beast of a machine could very well be the largest and nicest notebook on the market; but make no mistake. - It's one of the least portable machines out there. But then again, when something is this precious, maybe you don't want to risk taking it out much.
In-Depth Discussion:
Just some background... I am a senior product designer by profession and somewhat of a computer geek and amateur music/multimedia producer. I fell in love with computers at the tender age of 8 and have been a lover of both MACs and PCs for the last 30 years. I am privileged to perform my daily business duties on some of the best PCs and MACs in the business. That said, I was looking for a nice notebook (16" or larger) and multi-media machine to have for the home. After several months of research, I finally found what I've been looking for - The ASUS NX90Jq-B1...
I've been tired of researching notebooks sold everywhere that are designed for home multimedia/gaming functions but are actually really high performance machines that are poorly built with flimsy screens and cheap "plasticky" materials. Most of what's out there at under $1500 is great for gaming/CAD performance and multi-media entertainment but still leaves a lot to be desired for quality materials and robust feel. Yes, there are some MacBookPros that are beautifully made and robust inside and out; however, when you spec a new 17" MacBookPro out with a good i7 processor and top out the RAM to 8GB with only a ~500GB drive, you could end up paying over $3,000. Hmmm, a very nice, beautifully made machine; but nowhere near the awesome performance specs and features of the also beautiful, more competitively priced ASUS NX90Jq-B1.
So let's talk about the ASUS NX90Jq-B1. The thing that really caught my attention about this product was the involvement of Bang & Olufsen and David Lewis. For those who are unaware of Bang and Olufsen, they have been on the high-end of audio-product design for decades. As a teenager, I used to dream of owning B&O audio equipment. Well, finally, 20 years later, the chance is here. Also, it's not just about the sound of the speakers on the device itself (which is pretty good for a notebook by the way), but also the high quality of circuitry and ASUS's renown motherboard construction which is great for good audio reproduction. My primary purpose for this machine is multi-media including music production. So having B&O involved in the development of this machine is like icing on the cake. The other thing that was important to me was the fact that this unit ships with Windows7 Ultimate which is great for managing the compatibility of most older XP/Vista/ 32 and 64-bit software applications. As an example, my older version of music production software, Cakewalk Sonar (6XL), installed perfectly in a 64-bit or 32-bit set-up. What a treat! In the end, the 32-bit Cakewalk 6XL installation allowed for more audio effects non-existent in the 64-bit set-up. These, technically, are non-issues with the latest Cakewalk software; however, it's nice for users to have such options with older software.
Going back to the initial ownership experience, ASUS really did a great job of making the first impressions amazing. The large notebook was very well packaged in a few layers of boxes. The inner-most carton is like a very large "jewel-box" made of cosmetically-skinned cardboard. This box is not really a carrying case but a really nice package design. However, I did get a bit of a scare when I first opened the box. I had noticed what looked like blemishes and scratches on the surface of the computer- but there was no need to worry; it was only the air-bubbles and wrinkles in the protective, removable film over the aluminum casing. Peeling back the film revealed the flawless polished aluminum surface of the ASUS NX90Jq-B1. Simply - Wow! They also included a useful, nicely branded, microfiber dust-cloth to wipe away the inevitable fingerprints. The feeling you get from opening the packaging is as if you're unpacking a formidable instrument. Well done, package designers!
Upon opening the screen, one realizes how massive this shiny machine is. It's like opening the hood of a DeLorean. Be careful where you grasp the screen to open because there is a camera lens in the center of the top of the screen. At first power-up, you'll go through a first time configuration which takes about 15 minutes. If you choose to make your own System Recovery DVDs, then it will take about 2.5 hours. Alternatively, there is a recovery partition in the hard-drive space of the computer. But it's always good to make your own set of disks.
As far as the design details go, the keyboard keys are more of a design statement than the typical ergonomic solution you see on most other keyboards. The keys have good travel and efforts but they are completely flat (not concave like a typical keyboard). The look is well aligned and great for a flush surface with the surrounds; but it's not as comfortable as concave keys. The dual track-pads take a little getting used to; but after a short while and with the multi-finger functions, they become quite practical. This is an excellent feature if you have ambidextrous tendencies. Having the palm surface smooth and uninterrupted feels really nice.
The quality and resolution of the HD LED screen is fantastic; brilliant with its color saturation, sharpness, and clarity. With the built-in TV tuner (along with antenna / cable) one can enjoy live TV broadcasts and use the internal DVR functions. This was a real surprise and delight feature.
To recap... I wanted a machine that could handle gaming, 3D CAD and animation. I wanted a machine good for music production, video editing and entertainment. I wanted a machine that would be full HD with the ability to play Blu-ray Discs. I wanted a machine that would not be ridiculously expensive. I wanted a machine that would run my older Xp/Vista applications. I wanted a machine that embodies what I can appreciate as a product designer; designed and built by a reputable manufacturer with a great warranty. I wanted a machine that would not compromise ANYTHING. Well, I got everything I've always wanted. I got the ASUS NX90Jq-B1. Thank you, ASUS, David Lewis , Bang & Olufsen, and Amazon for providing this extraordinary, award-winning multi-media powerhouse.
- R. Bee
Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS NX90JQ-B1 18.4-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Silver Aluminum)
A true revolution in mobile computing, the NX90 is the ultimate fusion of sound technology and high-speed performance. It exudes sophisticated elegance with a striking aluminum exterior and unique twin trackpads that frame the keyboard for interchangeable navigation. The first notebook dedicated to exact audio reproduction, the NX90 features side-mounted external speakers and ASUS SonicMaster Technology developed by sound engineers at ASUS and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. The result is audio unlike anything you've ever heard from notebook speakers. Plus, with an impressive 18.4-inch Full 1080p HD display and Blu-ray combo drive, you can enjoy your favorite music genres and multimedia in the quality it deserves.
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