Asus N56 Series. reasons to buy ASUS N56D

Several models included. What they have in common is a good sound system with a large speaker surface and the presence of a special external subwoofer, which adds volume to the sound due to low frequencies. All models have the same body, but the inside may differ significantly. So, we got a version of the laptop with an AMD Trinity A10-4600M processor, a discrete video card and a matrix with FullHD resolution. The best part is that there is enough of this powerful computer, and also musically gifted, is worth reasonable money.

ASUS N56D
Display	15.6 inches, 1920x1080 pixels, TN, matte
Dimensions	380x255x27-32 mm
Weight	2.7 kg
operating system	Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU	AMD A10-4600M, 2.3 GHz
RAM	4 GB DDR3
Graphics	AMD Radeon HD 7730M, 2 GB
Storage	1 TB
Communications	IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Connectors	RJ45, HDMI, card reader, 4xUSB 3.0, audio connectors for microphone and headphones, subwoofer connector, power socket
Camera	1.3 MP;
Battery	6 cells, 5200 mAh
Additionally	optical drive

Design and ergonomics

If you've seen "thick" (in the sense that they are not ultrabooks) portable PCs and new generation ASUS "transformers", the appearance of the N56 will seem familiar to you. Rounded corners, somewhat plump shape, dark brown metal lid with a large shiny logo and a plastic strip on the top edge. Fingerprints on the lid are visible, but not as noticeably as, say, on representatives of the previous generation of music laptops - the glossy N55/75. The base of the N56D is the usual rough dark plastic, ventilation holes, rubberized feet, removable battery.

The laptop is more stationary than portable, this is indicated by its weight (2.7 kilograms) and thickness, varying from 27 to 32 millimeters. When you press the lid, it flexes somewhat, and the frame around the screen lags a little and creaks on one side (perhaps a feature of the test sample). But I liked the inner surface of the bottom of the laptop both from an aesthetic and practical point of view. Its silver coating is made of aluminum, and is quite pleasant to the tactile sensation.

On the flat surface you can see black island-type keys, a touchpad, as well as speaker grids, made in the form of concentric circles, occupying a significant area. The opening angle is greater than average, the hinges are strong. In a word, I liked the assembly and design (especially the keyboard part).

Ports and connectors

There was a card reader hidden on the bevel of the front edge; we didn’t find it right away. The right end is reserved for a subwoofer connector, VGA, RJ-45 with a retractable bottom wall, HDMI and a pair of USB 3.0. Here is the main grid of the heat removal system. On the left side there are two more USB 3.0, a power socket, audio jacks, and a drive laser discs. The layout of the connectors is acceptable, although thick USB devices may interfere with each other.

Screen

The 15.6-inch screen in our case has FullHD resolution, which is extremely rare in the middle and mid-budget segments. By at least, Bye. There is, however, an option with a 1366x768 pixel matrix, naturally, at an even more attractive price, but for a 15-inch laptop in 2013 this no longer looks interesting. Here the image is contrasty, with good brightness, and quite rich in colors. True, the screen is made using TN technology, so colors are inverted depending on the viewing angle. Horizontally, just a little bit, a little more if you look from bottom to top or vice versa. But the display coating is matte, which suits the vast majority of users.

On the street the image fades, but is somehow visible (in the picture the sun is in the west, to the right of the laptop)

Keyboard and touchpad

The island-type keyboard is made much better than most inexpensive counterparts from the manufacturer: the keys are pleasant to the touch, with excellent responsiveness and clear action. The keyboard is great for quick typing, including touch typing. And those who like to work in the dark will appreciate the uniform white illumination with five gradations of brightness. Digital panel as well top line the keys are half-sized, the remaining input elements are large. The touchpad is slightly recessed into the body, smooth and large. Quite convenient.

System and performance

The test laptop is made on modern platform AMD A10 2.3 GHz 4 GB RAM, terabyte hard drive and two graphics cards - built-in Radeon 7640G for simple tasks and the slightly more powerful 7730M, suitable for gaming and graphics processing. This is a mid-class laptop video card for the most quick games in a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels it turns out to be not enough, you have to switch to the mode 1280x720, or even 1366x768 pixels and set not the highest settings (for example, in Battlefield 3 I had to set low settings and resolution so that the game would not slow down). However, you can run most games, especially those that are not so demanding on graphics performance. While working subjectively, the computer performed well in multitasking, and switched well between simultaneously running Photoshop, a video player, a flight simulator and a web browser.

At the same time, the laptop was also connected external monitor. Although sometimes it felt like if here instead of a terabyte hard drive SSD, and twice as much memory, the computer would significantly benefit. This is also evidenced by the low result in the PCMark7 overall system performance test.

However, don't be greedy. Still, the price of the laptop is more than reasonable for such characteristics.

Sound

To help the speakers reproduce low frequencies, a small tabletop subwoofer with a specific connector is offered. As usual in the series, Sonic Master technology is used here, and the acoustics themselves bear the proud name of Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. I won’t say that the speakers in a laptop can replace a full-fledged large speaker system, but what the N series devices are equipped with is definitely the best acoustic solution built into a laptop PC that I’ve heard. The speakers are capable of reproducing mid frequencies and even expressive high frequencies clearly and in detail, and the subwoofer confidently adds volume to the bass. True, to feel them, you need to be close to the laptop; after all, it is very small. Problems start only at the highest volume, but before that everything is fine. In addition, compared to the N55/75 generation, the cabinet resonates much less.

Autonomy, noise, heating

You don't expect any special battery life from replacing a home PC. A miracle did not happen: the reading mode gives about 4 hours of continuous operation, but usually, with average screen brightness with the laptop’s Wi-Fi turned on, it will last you two to two and a half hours. The machine is not too noisy even during heavy tasks, but the heating of the left side of the laptop, where the heat exhaust grille is, is quite noticeable: I constantly wanted to pull back my hand that was lying there.

Competitors

Bottom line

If you have been thinking about purchasing a powerful multimedia laptop that can replace your desktop PC, with good sound and a decent screen, but at a reasonable price, you should take a closer look at the ASUS N56D. Especially if you are not an avid gamer, but decent sound is important to you always and everywhere, even when it is not possible to connect external speakers or good headphones.

4 reasons to buy ASUS N56D:

• Excellent sound, presence of a subwoofer;
• Inexpensive;
• Screen with FullHD resolution;
• Comfortable keyboard and touchpad.

1 reason not to buy ASUS N56D:

• Strong heating of the case.

CPU: Intel Core i5 3230M, Intel Core i7 3630QM, Intel Core i7 4700HQ, Intel Core i7 4700MQ
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
Display: 15.6 "
Weight: 2.7Kg., 3.2Kg.

Average rating: 86.67% - Good
Average of 3 ratings (out of 7 reviews)

: - %, Performance: - %, Equipment: - %, Screen quality: - %
Portability: - %, Appearance: - %, Ergonomics: - %, Heat and noise: - %

Specifications

Laptop:
CPU: Intel Core i7 4700MQ
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
Display:
Weight: 2.7Kg.
Links: Asus - manufacturer's website
Asus (manufacturer's website)

Pricecompare

Reviews in other languages

Review of ASUS N56 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M – great offer for gamers
Source: Laptop.bg BU→RU
classic review, available online, very detailed, Date: 11/25/2013

Specifications

Laptop:
CPU: Intel Core i7 4700HQ
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
Display: 15.6", 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Weight: 2.7Kg.
Links: Asus - manufacturer's website
Asus (manufacturer's website)

Pricecompare

Average rating: 80% - Good

Average of 2 ratings (from 2 reviews)

Reviews in other languages

80% Avec le N56JR, Asus propose un bon portable multimedia 15.6 pouces à moins de 1000 euros
Source: 01Net FR→RU
classic review, available online, brief, Date: 01/02/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%

80% Asus N56JR: un bon PC portable taillé pour le multimedia à moins de 1000 euros
Source: 01Net FR→RU
classic review, available online, brief, Date: 12/18/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

Specifications

Laptop:
CPU: Intel Core i5 3230M
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
Display: 15.6", 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixels.
Weight: 3.2Kg.
Links: Asus - manufacturer's website
Asus (manufacturer's website)

Pricecompare

Reviews in other languages

Specifications

Laptop:
CPU: Intel Core i7 4700HQ
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
Display: 15.6", 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Weight: 2.7Kg.
Links: Asus - manufacturer's website
Asus (manufacturer's website)

Pricecompare

Multimedia laptop Asus N56JR-CN181H
Source: Ixbt
So after Asus testing N56JR-CN181H the following conclusions can be drawn. This laptop is equipped with a very powerful processor, a fairly powerful graphics card and a large amount of RAM. Asus N56JR-CN181H is positioned as a multimedia solution, but it can also be used as gaming laptop middle level. The advantages of this laptop include a very high-quality screen, low noise level, good clickpad and keyboard, and a good sound subsystem. In a word, it's really worthy, universal solution, which can be used as a “workhorse”.
classic review, available online, moderately detailed, Date: 04/10/2014

Specifications

Laptop:
CPU: Intel Core i7 3630QM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
Display: 15.6", 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Weight: 2.7Kg.
Links: Asus - manufacturer's website
Asus (manufacturer's website)

Pricecompare

Average rating: 100% - Very good

Average of 1 ratings (from 1 reviews)

Reviews in other languages

_______________

Asus: These video adapters cope with most modern games and demonstrate more or less comfortable frame rates in them. However, especially demanding products of the gaming industry will have to be run on them with medium or low detail. The advantage of such video cards is that they can be used in not very large laptops with decent time battery life.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M: Video card of the GeForce GTX 700M series "performance" class. Based on the Kepler architecture and manufactured at TSMC's factories on a 28nm process technology, these low-end graphics cards are designed for budget-conscious users who still don't mind playing games. They allow you to do this at low detail and medium resolution. The comparatively low power consumption (of modern representatives of this class) ensures good battery life for the corresponding laptops. NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M: Mid-class video card GeForce 700M series. Based on the Kepler architecture and manufactured on a 28nm process technology.
>>More details: Comparison of GPUs. Intel Core i7:4700MQ4700HQ: Quad-core processor based on Haswell architecture, with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and boost speed up to 3.4 GHz. Turbo Boost. Equipped with a built-in HD Graphics 4600 video card and a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller. 3630QM: Quad-core processor architecture Ivy Bridge with a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and the ability to accelerate up to 3.4 GHz in Turbo Boost mode. Equipped with a built-in HD Graphics 4000 video card and a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller. Intel Core i5:3230M: Dual-core processor of the Ivy Bridge family, operating at a frequency of 2.6 to 3.2 GHz and equipped with an integrated HD 4000 graphics card.
>> Some manufacturers offer various screens for the same model.

No weight comment found (one expected)!

86.67% : No rating comment found (one expected)!General recommendations for choosing electronics: Buyer's Guide.

ASUS N series laptops, which stands for “New Generation”, are versatile, multi-functional systems that focus on delivering high performance and high-quality multimedia features. new level. And this is facilitated by equipping all laptops with proprietary ASUS SonicMaster Premium technology, which was developed by the ASUS Golden Ear division in close collaboration with specialists from Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. By the way, it is worth noting that B&O, led by chief designer David Lewis, also designed the appearance of one of the most extraordinary laptops on the market - ASUS NX90, which has earned a lot of flattering reviews, as well as a number of authoritative design awards.

In the summer of 2012, ASUS introduced to the public the new, seventh generation of N series laptops, which received an updated and more premium design, which immediately received the Red Dot Design Award. The line traditionally includes three models: N46, N56, and N76, differing in display diagonal and maximum resolution.

In this material we will focus on the most universal version, namely “tag”, which is built on a productive platform from AMD, is equipped with a high-quality Full HD display with wide viewing angles and offers several other goodies.

Specifications

Manufacturer
CPU	AMD A10-4600M APU: 4 cores, 2300 MHz (up to 3200 MHz in Turbo Core mode), UMI - 2.5 GT/s, L2 cache - 4 MB
	AMD Hudson-M3 (AMD A70M)
RAM	4 (4+0) GB, DDR3-1600 SDRAM SK Hynix HMT351S6CFR8C-PB
	LG Philips LP156WF1: 15.6", 1920x1080, TN technology, LED backlight, matte finish
Graphics adapter	AMD Radeon HD 7660G: 497 MHz (up to 686 MHz in Turbo Core mode); effective frequency system memory– 1600 MHz; video memory capacity – 512 MB (allocated from RAM) AMD Radeon HD 7730M: 575 MHz; effective video memory frequency – 1800 MHz; video memory capacity – 2 GB
Drives	Seagate Momentus ST1000LM024HN (1 TB, 16 MB buffer, 5400 rpm, SATA 2.0)
Optical drive	Slimtype BD E DS6E2SH
Card reader	SD/MS/MS Pro/MMC
Expansion cards
Interfaces	1 x audio output / mini-S/PDIF 1 x audio input 1 x power connector
Multimedia	Acoustics	Stereo (ASUS SonicMaster Premium / Bang & Olufsen ICEpower) + external subwoofer
	Audio processing	Waves MAXX Audio 3
	Sound adapters
	Microphone	Mono, directional
	Webcam
Communication capabilities	Network adapter	10/100/1000 Mbps (Realtek RTL8168/8111)
		802.11b/g/n 2x2 HMC (Atheros AR9485-EG)
		V4.0+HS (Atheros AR9485-EG)
Safety	BIOS and HDD boot password Kensington lock
Battery	6-element Li-Ion battery: 10.8 V, 5200 mAh, 56 Wh
power unit	Output parameters: 19 V DC e.g. 4.74 A, 90 W. Input parameters: 100~240V AC eg at 50/60 Hz.
	Fully matte body, metal display unit cover
	Silver/Black
Dimensions, mm	380 x 255 x 27.2~32.4
Weight, kg
operating system	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Official guarantee	24 months
Manufacturer's website

Hardware platform

Processor information

RAM information

Chipset and motherboard information

Graphics adapter information

Delivery and configuration

The laptop comes in a large and fairly heavy black cardboard box, which, together with the complete bag, is packed in an even larger shipping box. The design of the main box is minimalistic and includes only a few images that allow you to familiarize yourself with the appearance of the supplied device, and a number of logos located on all sides. There is also a sticker with full technical information on one of the sides.

In addition to the laptop and the already mentioned bag, the package includes the following utilities:

user manual;

guide to quick setup devices;

wireless information brochure;

brochure with instructions for creation backup copy systems;

warranty card;

cloth for wiping the display;

cable tie;

DVD with drivers for Windows 7;

battery;

network cable;

power unit;

compact wired mouse;

external subwoofer.

Utilities

The wired USB mouse ASUS Yacht Black Mouse has compact and convenient dimensions for everyday work. However, the use of gloss for the upper part of the body will be somewhat disappointing, because... It will be very difficult to keep the mouse tidy. The functions performed are minimal: only two main buttons and a push-button scroll wheel. An optical sensor with a resolution of 800 dpi is responsible for moving the manipulator over surfaces, which is quite enough for office tasks.

The ease and convenience of transporting your laptop is ensured by the complete ASUS Slim Carry Bag, designed for devices with a display diagonal of up to 16" and other things. The bag has a discreet appearance and is made of durable waterproof black polyester, complemented by leather inserts. The kit includes a strap through shoulder, as well as a strap for attaching to a luggage bag.

Appearance

The design of the ASUS N56DP, compared to the previous generation, has undergone several noticeable changes, as a result of which the appearance of the laptop bears a significant influence from the successful series Zenbook ultrabooks. However, practically all model range ASUS, which is not surprising.

The laptop looks very stylish and evokes only pleasant associations; moreover, it is perceived as much thinner than it actually is. The outer part of the display cover is made of dark brown, almost black, vertically ground metal. Almost in its center is a cut-out ASUS logo, illuminated by the matrix backlight. The entire upper edge of the cover is occupied by a plastic insert, under which there are wireless network antennas. The inside of the lid is made of ordinary matte black plastic.

The working panel of the laptop has a light silver color with a practical matte surface and creates a pleasant contrast in the appearance of the device. The material is plastic with a very slightly rough texture, although visually and tactilely it is very reminiscent of anodized aluminum. There is an interesting design solution above the keyboard block – a dotted circular pattern.

The edges of the laptop are divided into two parts: the top is part working panel, and the bottom refers to the base, made of black rough plastic, and has a smooth rounding at the edges, which has a positive effect on the convenience of carrying the ASUS N56DP from place to place. True, you won’t be able to wear it that often; after all, the large weight of 2.7 kg poses certain limitations.

The build quality is excellent, all elements of the case are of high quality and fit together perfectly. There are no gaps or manufacturing defects observed. The rigidity of the structure is also not satisfactory. The laptop body feels solid and perfectly resists attempts to twist, without making a single sound. The only place subject to deformation is the display cover, namely its metal part, on which, if you are careless, you can easily leave dents. In addition, it bends slightly at the center, which, however, is typical of all laptops.

To secure the display unit, two very tight hinges are used, hidden in silver plastic casings, which ensure reliable fixation of the lid position. However, it is quite difficult to open the laptop with one hand, even despite the presence of a special stop in the center of the top edge. The maximum possible opening angle is about 135°, which should be more than enough.

Arrangement of elements

Almost in the center of the front side there is a block of indicators, the symbols for which are placed on the under-palm area. Closer to the left side there is a not very convenient card reader, which requires lifting the front of the laptop to install memory cards.

Almost the entire back side is given over to the battery compartment and display unit hinges.

On the left are: two USB port 3.0, HDMI and VGA ports, foldable RJ-45 network jack and 2.5mm external subwoofer jack. There is also a large ventilation hole here.

The right side is occupied by: two audio jacks with a diameter of 3.5 mm, two USB 3.0 ports, an optical Blu-Ray/DVD drive with a retractable disc tray, a power connector and a Kensington lock slot.

The base of the laptop is mostly flat with smooth curves at the edges. The only protrusion is present only on the front left, where the storage compartment is located. In the corner areas there are four small square-shaped rubber feet that provide good grip on surfaces, especially considering the weight of the laptop. A single spring clip is used to hold the battery in the compartment.

There are not many ventilation grilles on the base and they are all located on a removable panel in the front part. It is secured with a series of latches and a single screw and provides access to a metal-plate-reinforced drive bay, a PCI-e slot that houses the half-form factor wireless module, and two RAM slots (maximum supported capacity is 16 GB).

Input devices

ASUS N56DP has a full-size island-type keyboard with additional digital block, which quite often turns out to be useful. The key layout is made in accordance with the ANSI standard, as evidenced by the presence of a single-level key and a long left one.

An important feature of the keyboard is the presence LED backlight keys It is uniform, very bright and very helpful when working in a dim room or at night. There is no automatic brightness adjustment, but it can be adjusted manually within three settings.

The keyboard is comfortable to use; the keys have a short and very quiet stroke with a clearly felt actuation moment. Their dimensions are the usual for ASUS 15x15 mm for the main part and 12x15 mm for the arrow block and digital block, which, although somewhat smaller than those of competitors, has practically no effect on the comfort of use. The application of symbols, due to the presence of backlighting, is made in a single white color.

Above the keyboard on the left and right, in the central dot pattern zones, is a pair of metal keys with a concentric pattern. On the left is the ASUS Instant Key, to which you can assign some action or launch a specified application, and on the right is the power key, equipped with a white backlight.

Cursor control is provided by the ELAN Smart-Pad clickpad, which is represented by a single touch panel without dedicated physical buttons. The area of ​​the sensitive area is huge and amounts to 115x72 mm, and its surface has a tiny concentric texture, ensuring smooth and quite pleasant sliding of the finger. There is only one mechanical button, so the division into left and right keys occurs virtually, depending on which half is pressed. The driver used correctly handles both clicks and tapping, as well as several standard multi-touch gestures.

Display, webcam, sound

The display uses a high-quality 15.6" LG Philips LP156WF panel, the matrix of which is made using TN+Film technology and boasts increased viewing angles - up to 150° horizontally and up to 120° vertically. At the same time, the display provides excellent picture detail thanks to the support Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) resolution, which is equivalent to 141 ppi, and has a matte finish that actively prevents glare from bright light sources.

In addition, the display provides very pleasant color reproduction with correct, rich colors. The contrast level is also good. The brightness of the display backlight is quite high, but when working in direct sunlight it may not be enough due to significant “burn-in” of the matrix. The backlight adjustment range includes 11 positions, which is quite enough to adjust a comfortable brightness level.

The webcam, located on the edge above the display, is a 1.3-megapixel module and provides the ability to record video in 720p format. Next to the camera there is an indicator of its activity and one directional microphone.

The sound subsystem of the ASUS N56DP laptop is based on ASUS SonicMaster Premium technology, which was developed by the ASUS Golden Ear division in close collaboration with specialists from Bang & Olufsen ICEpower. It is represented by two very loud speakers located above the keyboard and an external 5 W subwoofer, which significantly expands the reproduced frequency range, resulting in very high-quality sound. It’s nice to watch movies and TV series on a laptop, as well as listen to music. various styles without resorting to thoughts about always connected external speaker systems.

A nice addition to the hardware of the sound subsystem is the presence of a functional set software for sound processing Waves MaxxAudio 3, which allows you to significantly improve the quality and richness of the sound by intelligently “tweaking” certain parameters.

Power supply and battery

A very large unit is used to operate from the mains and charge the battery. ASUS power supply EXA0904YH, whose power is 90 W. The maximum output parameters are 19 V at 4.74 A. V passive mode When the laptop is running, the power supply practically does not heat up. Under load, its temperature is about 55-65°C, which is quite a lot and requires additional measures precautions.

Autonomous operation is supported by a removable 6-cell lithium-ion ASUS battery A32-N56. Its capacity is 5200 mAh (56 Wh), and the voltage it produces is 10.8 V.

Performance testing

The following laptop models took part in comparative testing:

Model	Display	CPU	Chipset	Graphics core	Memory	Disk subsystem	Battery
		AMD A10-4600M APU @ 2300 MHz		AMD Radeon HD 7660G + AMD Radeon HD 7730M 2 GB	4 (4+0) GB, DDR3-1600	Seagate Momentus ST1000LM024HN (1000 GB, 16 MB buffer, 5400 rpm, SATA 2.0)	5200 mAh, 56 Wh
HP Pavilion g6-2209sr		AMD A10-4600M APU @ 2300 MHz		AMD Radeon HD 7660G + AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1 GB	8 (4+4) GB, DDR3-1600	TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100 (1 TB, 8 MB buffer, 5400 rpm, SATA 2.0)	4200 mAh, 47 Wh
HP Pavilion m6-1061er			Intel HM77 Express	Intel HD Graphics 4000 + AMD Radeon HD 7670M 2 GB	6 (4+2) GB, DDR3-1600	TOSHIBA MK7575GSX (750 GB, 8 MB buffer, 5400 rpm, SATA 2.0)	5225 mAh, 62 Wh
Dell XPS 15		Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2500 MHz	Intel HM77 Express	Intel HD Graphics 4000 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M 1 GB	6 (4+2) GB, DDR3-1600	Seagate Momentus ST9500423AS (500 GB, 16 MB buffer, 7200 rpm, SATA 2.0) + SAMSUNG SSD PM830 (32 GB, mSATA (SATA 3.0))	5640 mAh, 65 Wh
Dell Vostro 3560		Intel Core i7-3612QM @ 2300 MHz	Intel HM77 Express	Intel HD Graphics 4000 + AMD Radeon HD 7670M 1 GB	4 (2+2) GB, DDR3-1333	WD Scorpio Black WD5000BPKT (500 GB, 16 MB buffer, 7200 rpm, SATA 2.0) + SAMSUNG SSD PM830 (32 GB, mSATA)	4400 mAh, 48 Wh

The bulk of performance testing was carried out using several popular packages and modern games, which allow you to fully evaluate the capabilities of the reviewed laptop.

We can say with confidence that the ASUS N56DP is one of the most productive laptops that we tested, although it is still far from reaching the level of gaming systems. However, the use of a combination of the “top” mobile accelerated processor AMD A10-4600M APU with a dynamically variable clock frequency of up to 3200 MHz in Turbo Core mode and a dual graphics subsystem, including an integrated AMD graphics Radeon HD 7660G, which is complemented by a discrete graphics adapter AMD Radeon HD 7730M with 2 GB of its own video memory, supporting the technology AMD Dual Graphics offers very wide opportunities for both work and entertainment. Thanks to this, the ASUS N56D is perfect for replacing a home PC, and one of its main purposes, given the wonderful Full HD display, can be photo and video processing.

The graphs above show the results of gaming tests at the native (“native”) display resolution and minimum / medium / maximum graphics settings, which allows you to more accurately assess the possibility of gaming use of the laptop.

Index Windows performance I gave almost all components of the laptop fairly high ratings on a scale from 1.0 to 7.9. The system especially liked the accelerated AMD processor A10-4600M, which received the highest score of 6.9 points, as well as the AMD Radeon HD 7660G + AMD Radeon HD 7670M graphics subsystem, which received a score of 6.8 points. The lowest score of 5.9 points, according to which the final result was derived, went to the source memory, due to its small size, and the drive.

Storage

The laptop's disk subsystem is built on a slow 2.5-inch Seagate Momentus ST1000LM024HN 1 TB hard drive. The data buffer is 16 MB, the spindle speed is 5400 rpm. The drive is connected via the SATA 2.0 interface.

To determine the detailed characteristics of the hard drive, as well as test the speed of writing and reading information, the HD-Tune Pro program was used.

The optical drive used is Slimtype BD E DS6E2SH, which is capable of not only reading and writing almost all types of CD and DVD discs, but also provides the ability to read Blu-Ray discs. To obtain detailed characteristics, the Nero InfoTool 11 utility was used.

Cooling system, noise level and temperature conditions

Determination of the efficiency of the cooling system and temperature conditions of the laptop was carried out after an hour-long run of the Unigine Heaven Benchmark v4.0 test package in DirectX 11 mode with tessellation enabled. Temperature environment at the same time it was 26°C. Next, using the Scythe Kama Thermo Wireless electronic thermometer, the following readings were collected:

At the end of the allotted time, the temperature of the working area, depending on the measurement location, ranged from 31.8 to 44.3°C, and the lower part - from 29.2 to 47.3°C.

Temperature internal components at idle or minimal load it is at the level of 50-55°C depending on the ambient temperature. Under active load, their temperature rises by approximately 25°C and amounts to 75-80°C, which indicates quite good performance of the cooling system used. At the same time, it is worth noting that the CO remains relatively quiet even during high and prolonged loads.

Autonomous operation

Determination of battery life was carried out using Battery programs Eater Pro 2.70 in several modes: “classic” at maximum display brightness, viewing Full HD video in hardware decoding mode at maximum display brightness, and also idle at minimum brightness display.

In “classic” mode, the battery is drained in just an hour (67 minutes). At viewing Full HD video laptop turned off after two hours (121 minutes). In idle mode, i.e. without performing any actions, the laptop lived for just over four hours (254 minutes). For full recovery The battery requires about two and a half hours (155 minutes).

Results

is a universal multimedia laptop that can attract attention with its excellent appearance, high-quality assembly and the use of practical materials that almost do not collect fingerprints, however, with the exception of the metal cover of the display unit. In addition, the laptop boasts the use of a productive platform from AMD, which includes a “top” mobile accelerated processor AMD A10-4600M APU and two graphics adapters that can combine their powers using AMD Dual Graphics technology, and, as a result, very quickly process many graphic tasks, including modern games, including at maximum graphics settings. We especially note the wonderful 15.6" Full HD display with a matte finish, high backlight brightness, colorful images and wide viewing angles, as well as the high-quality Bang & Olufsen ICEpower sound subsystem with an external subwoofer.

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Asus has always remained one of the key players in the PC market ( personal computers), filling in everything price segments: from the most accessible and boring gadgets to advanced multimedia systems with an impressive set of characteristics and interesting technological solutions. The turning point occurred in 2012, when the company introduced a completely updated series computers based on Ivy Bridge processors from Intel. This is a series Asus computers N56V.

The manufacturer did not easily “charge” its laptops to the fullest by installing the most modern hardware into the “machine”, but also thought about the visual component and multimedia capabilities. Thus, aluminum appeared in the laptop, replacing the usual plastic, and an external subwoofer materialized nearby, perfectly complementing the powerful stereo system of the computer itself. Taking into account the criteria described above, we can no longer say that this is just an Asus laptop whose price is too high. The computer under review is a truly premium product, earning its money’s worth and outperforming its competitors in many ways.

Equipment

• Mini subwoofer.
• Charger for mains power supply.
• Rechargeable battery.

Asus N56VJ - Computer Specifications

For ease of perception, the information is presented in table form

CPU	3630QM, 4 cores, 2400 MHz
	15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 resolution
RAM	8 gigabytes
Hard drive	1 terabyte, speed 5400 rpm
Video card
operating room ASUS system N56VJ	Windows 7/8, 64 bit
Dimensions/Weight	380 x 255 x 34 millimeters/2.7 kilograms

Housing and communications

Following Apple and their successful MacBook, many laptop manufacturers began to use metal in the manufacture of cases. Made entirely of aluminum, it was no exception. Thus, the manufacturer managed to achieve the highest build quality. There are no creaks or gaps between body parts. Also, this material is resistant to minor damage and is easy to clean. The laptop lid is held on by two compact hinges. There will be no problems with raising it or fixing it in the closed state.

The laptop is equipped standard set communication interfaces. On the front panel you can find a standard “card reader” that supports memory cards different types. On the left side there are: VGA port, network port RJ-45, HDMI and two USB-A 3.0 ports. On the right side there are: audio input, audio output, two more USB-A 3.0 ports, a disk drive and a connection jack charger. Regarding wireless interfaces, then it’s worth noting Wi-Fi, which supports 802.11 b/n/g frequencies and Bluetooth 4.0.

Controls

Asus has been criticized more than once for their experiments with keyboard layout and design. A classic island-type keyboard with a separate numeric keypad is installed. The keys are flat, there is a small gap of 4 millimeters between them (the design is reminiscent of that in the same MacBook). This position of the keys significantly reduces the number of incorrect keystrokes.

The keyboard is ideal for touch typing. The key travel is medium, sharp, without hesitation. There is a backlight for comfortable work in dark rooms. Under the keyboard block there is a large touchpad. Distinctive features touchpad In the Asus N56VJ are: an atypical large size and the ability to configure additional gestures.

Camera and sound

At the base of the display there is a camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. Quite a good camera for 2012, standard for all computers and smartphones of that time. Ideal for communicating via Skype in any conditions.

The sound is provided by a modified acoustic system developed in collaboration with Bang & Ofulsen. It provides bright and rich sound in the upper and mid frequencies. The low frequencies and bass are enhanced by the included subwoofer.

Display

The laptop screen is made according to TFT technology and has a Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels). This resolution is more than enough for comfortable work with several programs at the same time. There is no excessive graininess, the fine test looks as if it was printed on paper (Retina effect).

The brightness is higher than most competitors, it is enough for comfortable work even in bright conditions sunlight. The TFT matrix spoils the impression slightly; because of it you will have to forget about maximum viewing angles, as well as rich and realistic color rendition.

Performance and memory

The heart of the computer is a powerful processor from Intel from the Ivy Bridge line. The processor has 4 cores, each of which achieves acceleration up to 2400 MHz. This chip ensures smooth operation of the operating system and most resource-intensive applications (even the most modern ones).

The processing of 3D graphics will be handled by the video card - Nvidia GeForce GT 635M. This video chip supports all modern standards, including graphics DirectX libraries 11, Shader 5.0 technology. Being a mobile discrete graphics, it can hardly handle games latest generation, but many “simpler” gaming products will work without problems.

The processor and video card are complemented by 8 gigabytes of RAM. This is a standard for any modern computer, allowing it to function normally even after upgrading to Windows 10.

There was also room on the laptop for a 1 terabyte hard drive. Unfortunately, its speed reaches only 5400 rpm, which negatively affects the data processing speed. The best option in this case is to replace the optical drive with an SSD drive.

Autonomy, heating and noise

The laptop is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 5200 mAh. Despite the large display, high resolution and powerful graphics performance, the computer can work on average for about three hours. Yes, this figure cannot be compared with any modern ultrabook, but for such a serious “stuffing” you will have to pay with autonomy. Under load, the computer can survive no more than an hour. Naturally, you can only play by connecting the laptop to the mains.

The temperature of the laptop's work area when idle is predictably low, but under load it reaches 36 degrees Celsius. The hottest area is between the F6 and F7 keys. A little lower - on the right side of the keyboard. In general, this temperature is tolerable and does not cause discomfort.

The noise level at maximum load reaches only 40 decibels, which is almost not perceived by the human ear. At average load it drops even lower and does not bother the user at all. There was clearly some serious work done here by the manufacturer.