We had the predecessor to P43SJ Asus laptop, the Asus P42JC, review some time ago. Even then, the laptop was able to make a good impression.
Some changes were made in the new version of the notebook. The material has been revised. Thus, Intel Sandy Bridge are now also found its way into the business of Asus laptops. Even a new graphics card was included in the case of 14 inches.
We will put the laptop through its paces in the following analysis, in particular, to determine to what extent the impact of new model updates.
Specifications Asus P43SJ-VO006X :
- Processor : Intel Core i5 2410M 2.3 GHz
- Mainboard : Intel HM65
- Memory : 4096 MB, MByte Samsung, DDR3, 1333 MHz, max. 8 GB, 2 banks
- Graphics adapter : NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M, Core: 405 MHz, DDR3, 8.17.12.6721
- Display : 14 inch 16:9, 1366x768 pixel, BT140GW02V9, LED backlight, glossy: no
- Harddisk : WDC WD3200BPVT-80ZEST0, 320GB 5.400rpm
- Soundcard : Realtek ALC269
- Connections : 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: microphone in, headphone out, Card Reader: 4in1 card reader (SD/ MS/ MMC),
- Networking : Realtek RTL8168/8111 Gigabit-LAN (10/100/1000MBit), Atheros AR9002WB-1NG Wireless Network Adapter (bgn), V2.1+EDR (Optional) Bluetooth
- Optical drive : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GT34N
- Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 34 x 349 x 235
- Weight : 2.3 kg Power Supply: 0.34 kg
- Battery : 56 Wh Lithium-Ion, 6 cell, 10.8 volt
- Price : 749 Euro
- Operating System : Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
- Additional features : Webcam: 0.4 Megapixel, Microsoft Office 2010 Starter - purchasing a license is mandatory for full version, various ASUS user tools, 24 Months Warranty, notebook, battery, power adapter, documentation, driver DVD
Not much has changed in the Asus P43JC compared with P42JC model. The predecessor seems to have been maintained. There are slight variations in dimensions, but mentions nothing. Therefore, we refer to the revision of the Asus P42JC in design.
In terms of production quality, the Asus P43SJ impressive. The finish is very solid throughout. Our tests also show pressure. No matter where pressure is applied to the base, do not surface. Even the keyboard does not give under pressure. Only the display may have a greater torsional rigidity and hinges that are supposed to hold the screen in place, could have been pulled a little tighter.
Connectivity
Unfortunately we can not say that extensive P43SJ has a range of interfaces. As in the P42JC, Asus cuts back on connectivity and P43SJ team with the most important ports. Because USB 3.0 is still fairly new and not so widespread P42JC was released, it was easy to overlook the fact that the harbor.
Meanwhile, the USB 3.0 is much wider so that at least one USB 3.0 port to expect in business laptops. At least Asus has updated the microphone of the deceased, who was on the Asus P42JC. However, the scope is disappointing early interfaces.
We would also like to see the placement interface changed. All interfaces are always in the area before the sides of the notebook. Can quickly become crowded, especially when there are multiple devices connected to the laptop. Therefore, a jumble of cables belonging to the Asus P43SJ.
Delivery
Asus P43SJ scope of supply is not exactly abundant, but nevertheless characterized the included supplies from other manufacturers. In addition to the usual documentation regarding warranty and fast start, there is also a DVD with all drivers phones. Installation is simple, but very long and tedious.
Security
As for the laptop computer has security features include Asus LoJack, protecting user to start the BIOS, HDD User Password Protection and security and Intel Anti-Theft immediately. It is software that works quietly in the background, periodically send information about the location of the laptop to the Observatory absolute when activated.
When the computer is reported stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team intervenes and uses the data sent from the laptop to restore the device. But a subscription to Absolute software is required to use this service. An annual subscription is available for € 39.95 and a subscription costs € 79.95 for four years. Asus P43SJ not a fingerprint reader, as was the case in the previous version.
Warranty
Asus P43SJ book a year in connection with two up and return service.
Input Devices
Keyboard
A number of separate keys are not used to the keyboard (chiclet), but the layout of "traditional" keyboard. One of the keys have been shown to be very large, measuring 17 x 16 mm. Spelling errors are due to too small keys can be virtually excluded. The numeric keypad is not integrated, which is not surprising, given the size of the unit compact. However, Asus includes a keyboard very good feasible.
The typing feel, set up signs on the keyboard are also impressive. Pressure point and stroke have been insufficiently chose to write without fatigue or pain over time. He writes of noise are also acceptable and are not intrusive or disruptive in a quiet environment. There are not many shortcuts. The keyboard is simply reacts to the image up and down keys, key Delete key at home and at the end.
Touchpad
Asus touchpad was absolutely remarkable. It looks like the surface of aluminum palm rest, and would hardly be noticed if it was not defined. Navigation is very comfortable on the slippery surface. The touchpad offers a space with a diagonal of about 94 millimeters. This is also gratefully accepted, because the multi-touch. You need more space if you use logic more fingers to navigate.
However, the two buttons on the mouse was very close. At first, your finger often ends on the trackpad and not the key. After a few welcoming, is the key to close are not a problem and can be fully used due to a pressure point and good race clear.
Display
Asus installs, as appropriate for a business laptop, a matte screen in P43SJ. The diagonal is equivalent to the previous, not much has changed here either. The resolution of 1366x768 pixels is again a good level and ensure that sufficient content can be displayed on the screen.
Display built on Asus P43SJ not prove to be very bright. When the average brightness of 193.3 cd/m2 is pretty average for the sector. In return, the results on the screen in a very even lighting 92 percent. The fact that the brightness is automatically deducted from the battery status is another factor speaks Asus laptop.
Unfortunately, the value of the black and the contrast is seen negatively. Only the black value of 1.37 cd/m2, has proven to be quite high, and a mediocre brightness, contrast suffers significantly. Thus, the contrast is only 147:1 bad.
Interesting graphics professionals: the screen does not Asus P43SJ just happens to excel in color reproduction, either. SRGB color range is to be made completely P43SJ and Asus is also a disadvantage of direct comparison between the Asus P42JC.
Outdoor work should not be a problem for Asus P43SJ screen. Unfortunately, the weather does not permit testing outside. However, the data show a great similarity determined in P42JC screen. Therefore, we assume that the two screens act even in bright sunlight.
The screen is evident in the poor viewing angles. Falsifies the image fast enough. When several people sitting in front of the laptop, or if any, must be aligned to the whole world is watching the screen as far forward as possible.
Performance
The processor, an Intel Core i5-2410M is a mid-range dual processor architecture based on Sandy Bridge. The processor provides a good measure of the standard power 2.3 GHz But sometimes tense, the processor can be overclocked to 2.6 GHz and 2.9 GHz, even dynamically using the Turbo Boost.
This is determined by the number of cores are loaded and if the processor has sufficiently cooled. Thanks to Sandy Bridge architecture, the Core i5-2410M is about the same level as the Core i5-520M (2.4 to 2.9 GHz) in our benchmarks. The TDP of 35 watts corresponds to most other processors Sandy Bridge. The processor recommended 14 inches or more laptops.
Installing Nvidia GeForce GT 520M graphics card is an entry-level laptop. Performance chart is slightly higher than the Intel HD Graphics 3000. The graphics card is intended primarily for office tasks on the laptop and surf the Internet and are able to extend the workload for the integrated Intel GPU, thanks to a number of functions.
Games with high requirements can usually be done by a low level of detail and / or resolution. The model is built in Asus P43SJ only GDDR3 memory. It should also be models with GDDR5 memory, but they are the exception, a GDDR5 memory can skyrocket the price of the graphics card.
Graphics can score in exchange for energy consumption compared to the stronger models. But it consumes more than the solutions directly into the processor. In theory, the P43SJ Asus could also be the Optimus technology from Nvidia. Unfortunately, not use our test unit so that the user, then, lose some 'battery life.
To evaluate the performance of the processor is installed, use the trial versions Cinebench program. The Asus P43SJ scored 4510 points in the first benchmark, Cinebench R10 single benefit (64 bits) of reference. P43SJ The first is in the lower third compared with other notebooks that have the same processor model. A similar picture is observed in the following test, which makes Cinebench R10 Multi (64 bits).
The laptop scores a little better with 9568 points here, but always in the lower midfield. Turbo Boost function works perfectly. First, it seems likely that the Turbo Boost does not work properly when the test performance is not good. But it was not the case here (up to 2.9 GHz with a core charge).
Compared to its predecessor, the laptop is clear, however, record a higher score. Asus P42JC reached 3561 points in Cinebench R10 Rendering Single (64 bit) and 7964 points in Cinebench R10 rendering multi (64 bits).
We determine the system performance Asus P43SJ programs PCMark Vantage PCMark and seventh Asus P43SJ scored 5452 points in PCMark Vantage. The old model has achieved a score of 4115 points. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E320 (2310M, Intel HD 3000) is in the immediate vicinity of the Asus laptop with 5427 points.
Despite the weakness of the processor (Core i5-2310M) and a lower graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) Lenovo has a slight advantage. The fast hard disk of the laptop Lenovo will probably receive some ground here.
Overall, Asus laptop P43SJ is practically the center of our reference chart. Asus laptop scores with just under 1699 points in a little later PCMark benchmark 7. Again, it is clear that the laptop with a 2410M processor is usually better than the Asus laptop.
We use to evaluate the 3DMark06 graphics performance. Asus NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 with P43SJ graphics card, administered by the score 5353 points. Again, the previous model, P42JC, for comparison. P42JC with Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card (including the Intel HD Graphics, through Optimus) to reach a score of 3001 points in 3DMark06.
It 'surprising when compared with other notebooks that use the GT 520 Even if the processor is generally slower than other laptops, installed the Nvidia GeForce GT 520 is the fastest among the GT 520 cards up to our table reference. Secondly, the fastest GT 520 card was installed in our chart the Asus U30SD-XA1 (2410, GT 520) and has reached 4754 points.
The built-in hard drive Western Digital could not stand in our test. The hard drive is a 2.5-inch model with a GB capacity (gross) 320 and 5400 rpm. The WD3200BPVT-80ZEST0 only managed an average transfer rate of 66.9 MB / s in the HDTune benchmark. The access time is always an acceptable 19.8 milliseconds. The P43SJ a model could benefit from faster hard drive in the system of reference points, for example.
Verdict of the game
Like its predecessor, we used real-time strategy StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty for the testing of the game. Here it becomes very clear that the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 is a bit 'more power than the Intel Graphics HD 3000, but is not strong enough to play at the highest resolution and detail.
While everything was still working perfectly with the low of 113 fps (P42JC with the GeForce 310 million under management by 77 fps), it begins to strain at higher levels. The graphics card only supports 24 fps on medium settings, and the tribe has already been noted (the P42JC reached only 15 fps here).
The trunk is very evident in the highest settings. The frame rate drops to 19 fps here (P42JC up to 10 fps). For comparison: Intel Graphics HD 3000 reached 13.0 fps in the Toshiba L755-14P (i5-2410M) high graphics settings, for example.
Emissions
System Noise
Asus P43SJ turns out to be a work laptop pretty quiet most of the time. The laptop is the noise level is 31.5 dB (A) - 32.1 dB (A) at idle and low load. The fan is still running, but only heard a noise very quiet. The noise level increases when the laptop is loaded.
However, the laptop is not particularly intrusive, as evidenced by the average rate of 33.1 dB (A). The laptop is very audible to the maximum load to 40.8 dB (A). DVD playback attracts attention with a noise level of 33.7 dB (A) and, if at all, just annoying during quiet movie scenes.
Temperature
Asus P43SJ is generally cool. The notebook reached a maximum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius on the top in slow motion. The wrist rest when temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius (left) and 28.2 degrees C (right) and thus remain pleasantly cool. The touchpad is also worth mentioning with a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius. The lowest maximum temperature is also below the threshold of 30 degrees to 29.3 degrees.
Temperatures are in charge, but they are all still safe. The maximum temperature the highest increases of only 5 degrees Celsius to 35.6 degrees Celsius. The palm rest also gets slightly warmer. The temperature is now 29.7 degrees C (left) and 28 degrees C (right). Ice Cool technology, Asus built-in palm rest seems to work fine.
The touchpad heated to 32 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature at the bottom rises to 36.5 degrees Celsius, and is only lukewarm. Use the laptop on your lap is not a problem. Even at full load does not need to worry, while the use lap top at full load will probably be the exception.
The notebook will be revealed as harmless as before during the entire load. You can download the portable as possible, we use the software Prime95 and FurMark. But even in the simultaneous use of both programs have not bothered much of the Asus.
The CPU temperature never exceeded 85 degrees Celsius mark and GPU temperature does not go beyond 71 degrees, either. The figures were software, PC Wizard. 3DMark06 next milestone offers almost the same results of benchmark tests in the "cold".
Speakers
Like P42JC speakers, Altec Lansing small newcomer. Unfortunately, the sound quality P43SJ is as unconvincing as it was in the P42JC. The maximum volume is not very high and, unfortunately, common to portable speakers, the bass does not exist at all.
Battery Life
Execution times are long in the notebook main criterion for many users. Low power consumption is necessary to achieve the objective. But the power that already shows P43SJ Asus not a permanent partner. The notebook uses 15.0 watts - only 18.1 watts in standby mode. This can probably be considered as always active Nvidia GeForce. Energy consumption will increase 47.0 Watts - 78.1 watts under load. Includes 90 watt adapter is easy to deal with this power requirement.
Since consumer prices already announced, the battery is not one of the strengths of a laptop computer. BatteryEater Pro software was used for testing. Asus P43SJ manages only the battery life of 3 hours and 49 minute test of the player (idle). Interest in surfing the Internet should be a little 'closer to reality. The notebook runs the battery life of approximately 3 hours. When it is loaded P43SJ more battery power, autonomy sinks to 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Verdict
Successor P42JC laptop model leaves us with mixed feelings. On the other hand, we would have appreciated more far-reaching upgrades in some areas. On the other hand, the book of memory was convincing other things, anyway.
Poor connection is still in a harmful way. It would have been time for an update USB 3.0. And a new screen can fully convince us, either. Low contrast is annoying even if the user can benefit from ergonomic and anti-glare surface.
Of course, the upgrade of its benefits. The new processor of the laptop offers a good dose of (more) power and the new graphics card also noted in many areas. But unfortunately failed Nvidia Optimus feature also noticed.
We must also mention that the graphics card is currently used fastest GeForce GT 520M in our database. We find the continued use of very attractive design and excellent input devices inherited from his predecessor at ease.
With P43SJ, Asus offers a solid laptop with a row of offices and a sleek look to customers. However, it is completely free of weaknesses simple.