ASUS L50VN Notebook

[Jeffrey]

ASUS launches L50VN Notebook with the revolutionary Infusion technology. Asus L50Vn constitutes, together with complementary M50Vn Series M50, the supply of high-end consumer notebooks from Asus 15.4 inches. The powerful hardware is enhanced by the presence of a video card Nvidia GeForce 9650M GT with 1024MB of dedicated DDR2 memory, which is essentially the main difference, apart from the appearance and materials, as compared to models of the M50.

For a comfortable viewing experience, ASUS AI Light feature intelligently adjusts panel brightness according to ambient lighting. Whether you are indoors or on the go, the notebook LCD monitor will present images with the best lighting effects without adding strain on the eye.

Technically it is a multimedia notebook dual-spindle, that is, with hard drives and integrated optical drive that can read media Blu-Ray High Definition.


Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9400, 2:53 GHz, 6MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB
• Chipset: Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset + ICH9M
• Memory: 4096 MB DDR2 800MHz (2 x 2GB), max 4GB
• Display: 15.4 inch WSXGA + (1680 x 1050) Asus Splendid - Glare Type
• Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GT, 1024MB dedicated
• Hard Disk: 500 GB SATA 5400 rpm
• Optical Drive: Combo DVD-RW/Blu Ray Super Multi
• Ports: 1 x VGA D-Sub 15 pin, 1 x HDMI, 1 x IEEE 1394 Firewire, 1 x eSATA, 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x Headphone Out, 1 x S / PDIF, 1 x Microphone jack, 1 x RJ - 11, 1 x RJ-45, 1 x RF-in, 1 x Kensington Lock, 1 x CIR
• Expansion: 1 x Express Card, memory card reader 8in1, 1 x SD Slot
• Networking: Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, Modem V.92/56Kb, Wireless USB 2.0
• Operating System: Vista Home Premium Winodws
• Battery: Li-Ion 9 cell 7200 mAh
• Dimensions: 375 x 269 mm x 32.24/41.01
• Weight: 3 Kg
• Warranty: 2 years + 1 years Kasko
• Others: 1.3MP Webcam, Fingerprint, TPM, Light Sensor, Switch BT / WiFi, Dolby Speaker System, TV Tuner, finishing with special inserts in leather

[Jeffrey]

General Impressions
L50Vn Asus is a notebook that is very familiar to those who have already had occasion to try a series of laptop Asus M50. Although the finish is completely different, the size, weight and structure of the chassis are identical to those of models Asus M50Vm, M50Vn and M50Vc.

Similarly we see that the same is also the provision of interfaces along the sides of the notebook panel to access the Hard disk and motherboard, and so forth. Therefore, for the body Asus L50 is much like the repeat of Asus M50: the body of the notebook is sturdy and assembled with precision and skill, the keyboard and finish are of good quality.

What makes it special is the family L50, however the use of precious leather inserts that surround the palm rest, and decorate the top of the cover. The latter is crossed longitudinally by a chrome strip that divides it into two parts: the upper clad in leather and the bottom shows that the surface of magnesium alloy.

[Jeffrey]

Interfaces

The allocation of interfaces of Asus L50Vn faithfully reflects that of the portable computer of the family M50. Asus provides broad support for any type of device, without sacrificing the standards being flat like the mini 4-pin Firewire, nor the most modern ports, like eSATA high speed.

To add new features quickly and easily it has the convenient expansion slots Express Card on PCI Express 1x.
Right From the side closest to the user interfaces, we find the three jacks for audio (microphone input, headphone output and S / PDIF Sony / Philips Digital Interface Format), two USB 2.0 ports, the drawer of the Double Layer DVD recorder / Blu-Ray player included, and even a USB 2.0 port.

Left hand side of the notebook is more "populated". Proceeding from the bottom, you can see the output VGA D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, a large ventilation gate, a USB 2.0 port, the entry for the TV antenna, port IEEE 1394 Firewire (Mini 4 pin with maximum speed of 400Mbps), a combined eSATA USB port, HDMI port, a 8in1 card reader (MMC / SD / Mini-SD / XDMemory Stick / MS Pro / MS-Duo / MS-Pro-Duo), and expansion slots Express Card with plastic placeholder.

On the back side look at the hole for Kensington security lock, the battery compartment, the RJ-11 port for modem / fax port RJ-45 LAN network, and the DC-IN connector on the adapter. It should be noted that the 9-cell battery protrudes in an absolutely clear (say about a few centimeters) from the back of the notebook, while the 6-cell battery is perfectly all inside of the case. On the bottom of the battery is easily identifiable small slot for the insertion of the SIM cards, although in reality it is only a preparation for a possible 3G modem, not on sheet on a trial basis.

[Jeffrey]

Processor and chipset
Asus L50Vn platform is based on Intel Centrino 2 of last-generation successor to Intel Santa Rosa in mid-July 2008. The chipset used is the classic Intel Cantiga PM45 Express, Southbridge Intel ICH9-M 82801IM and dedicated graphics, so devoid of video controller Intel GMA X4500HD IGP that would be redundant.

The model in question is with DDR2 memories up to 800MHz for a total of 4GB, divided into two slots to be 2GB. The presence of connectors for DDR2 memory 200 pin preclude installing memory modules of DDR3 RAM, due to the different form, despite support from the chipset (as well as the M50).

Using 4GB 800MHz seems to be the ideal choice, given that the 4GB modules yet cost prohibitive and that the DDR3 RAM memories for the moment have a performance / price competitive at low pace. We believe that the transition to DDR3 memory will be strengthened with the launch of Intel Calpella platform, which expected with Centrino 2 after mid-2009.

The Asus L50 test in a high-end processor Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 at 2.53GHz socket from P, with 6MB of L2 cache and a 1066MHz FSB, which can deliver the best of all its computational power.

This is a processor in the "Performance" with TDP (Thermal Design Power) of up to 35W. Although there are equivalent (see Intel Core 2 Duo P9500) to TDP reduced, special technologies for energy savings will help to keep consumption low. Recall that Asus provides a software for managing the energy profiles of the notebook, Asus Power4Gear Extreme, which allows you to prolong battery life by acting on the voltage of the CPU.

Like all the family of processors, Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 supports MMX instructions, EMT64, SSE, SSE2, SSE3 and SSE4.1. Asus has a lot on the power of their notebook: L50Vn series models, and M50Vn Montino M50Vm that less than one processor Intel T9400, which always shows up to, in any scenario of use.

[Jeffrey]

Memories

As we have seen, the sample included L50Vn Asus uses two memory RAM modules DDR2 PC2-6400 from 800MHz configured in dual-channel, with timing CL5 (5-6-6-18):
CAS Latency (CL) 5T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 6T
RAS Precharge (TRP): 6T
RAS Active Time (TRAS): 18T
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 51T
RAS To RAS Delay (tRRD): 3T
Read To Precharge Delay (tRTP): 5T
Four Activate Window Delay (tFAW): 15T
Write CAS Latency (tWCL): 4T
Refresh Period (TREF): 7.8 us

This is a module with Apacer memory chips Elpyda E1108ACBG-8E-E DDR2-800 ECC / UNB, and a chip module with Nany NT5TU128M8DE-AD with the same specifications, or 8 chip of 128MB per side, 16 in all, a amount of 2GB or 2048MB.

Since the operating system is preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, you can take full advantage of only the 3 out of 4GB installed, despite the obvious benefits of 4GB to 3GB of the symmetric dual-channel. With the arrival of Windows 7 and the decrease in the price of memory modules for 4GB, you can think of a future upgrade (the MCH chipset Cantiga supports up to 8GB of RAM) to move to 64-bit version of the new operating system of Microsoft.

[Jeffrey]

Audio
As with most notebooks based on PM45 chipset, the audio chip is supplied with a Realtek ALC663 High Definition Audio Controller, which supports multi-channel audio output via HDMI or digital output S/PDIF 7.1 dedicated.

Asus L50Vn has a pair of Altec Lansing speakers, whose design is one of very few differences from the M50 family. While the M50 notebook speakers get circular effect with a metal grate, in fact, the luxury L50Vn endeavor of speakers with rectangular dark gray color and rounded corners, which help to emphasize the elegant appearance of the new leader of the Premium Technology category of Asus.

Video
The screen used by Asus on L50Vn notebook is the same which is mounted on the models and M50Vn Series M50Vm. This is a 15.4-inch panel with WSXGA + resolution of 1680x1050 pixels and a very good color rendition thanks to special treatment "high-gloss" Surface:
Screen Name: AU OPTRONICS B154SW01 VB
Monitor ID: AUO1B7B
Manufacturer: B154SW01 VB
Monitor Type: 15.4 "LCD (WSXGA +)
Date of manufacture: Week 1 / 2007
Serial Number: None
Maximum viewable area: 33 cm x 21 cm (15.4 ")
Video mode: 16:10
Horizontal Frequency: 30 - 83 kHz
Vertical Frequency: 56 - 75 Hz
Maximum Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Gamma: 2.20

This is a 200 nit display, which offers a very convincing visual sensation as compared with panels that are common to equip the most popular consumer notebook from the shelf.

The screen resolution is particularly within the landscape of mainstream notebooks, and allows the user to a multi-use not permitted by classical WXGA laptop screen with 1280x800 pixels. To have a resolution of 1680x1050 pixels it not only ensures optimal viewing of video content and high-definition gaming experience possible in quality, but also provides a more extensive work, ideal for video editing or 2D graphics.