Asus’ new line of laptops brings a number of the latest Core i3 and Core i5 processors. The Asus K42J is among them — a typical 14-inch laptop, running a Core i5 430M @ 2.26GHz.
The laptop feels a bit heavy and thick on the side — not something you’d prefer lugging around with. The unit has a black glossy finish (with a slight dark printed accent) from the lid right up to the palm rest (expect this to be messy with finger-prints).
The usual ports are found on both sides — 3 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, VGA and LAN. The SD/MMC card reader is slightly hidden smack in the bottom front, right below the trackpad.
The full-sized keyboard comes with chiclet-type keys, spaced generously for comfortable touch-typing. Keyboard orientation seems normal with no odd placement of keys or additional special keys although would have been nice to have a bigger Enter key in here.
The trackpad is a little flushed to the left and inherits the same design and polished surface as the palm rest but is a bit recessed. The trackpad area is a bit small considering the size of the laptop and the clickers are not separated between the left and right buttons.
The 14-inch display is bright and clear, with a basic resolution of 133×768 pixels (which is usually the standard resolution of most laptops nowadays).
For a summary of the laptop’s specifications, here’s a screenshot from Speccy:
Asus K42JR A1 specs:
14.1″ display @ 1366×768 pixel
Intel Core i5 430M @ 2.26GHz (2 Cores, 4 Threads)
3GB DDR3 RAM
500GB HDD
EG Park (ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB DDR3)
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.0
DVD+RW
Weight: 2.2kg
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
The processor is a dual-core 2.26GHz Core i5 with 4 threads and can go up to 2.53GHz on Turbo Boost.
On a related note, this is the second time I’ve encountered that “EG Park” in the specs but if my additional digging is correct, it looks like an ATI Radeon HD5450 with 1GB DDR3 RAM.
The Radeon HD5450 is an entry-level graphics card for laptops that supports DirectX 11. It should be able to perform just barely enough (low to medium detail settings) at its maximum resolution of 1366×768.
Windows Experience Index gives the Core i5 430M a sub-score of 6.7 and a base score of 4.9 due to the graphics performance.
PassMark Ratings:
CPU Mark: 2630.4
2D Graphics Mark: 281.9
3D Graphics Mark: 338.0
Memory Mark: 559.2
Disk Mark: 826.8
Passmark Rating: 1019.7
The laptop comes with only a 4400mAh Li-Ion battery, which is not really that much so it’s not a surprise that the unit can only do around 2 hours of battery life on a full single charge.
The unit also comes with a pre-installed facial recognition software that works using the built-in webcam so you can login to Windows by merely posing at the camera when prompted.
We’re not sure with the actual price of this specific model (there are like over a dozen different configurations) but if my guess is right, it’s between Php39k to Php42k.
K42J laptops are 35k in foxcom gilmore :)
got my ASUS K42Jk from PC LIVE for P 33,900 (originally P35,900, P2000 discount if cash based) with the ff specifications:
Intel Core i3 2.26 Ghz
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145 1GB DDR3
3GB RAM DDR3
No OS
and the other specifications mentioned in your review.
the only problems with it is teh touch pad, which feels like a bit rough, and the speakers which anytime just makes a crackling noise when it tries to produce a sound from any applications running (even system sounds). it only goes back to normal after rebooting. i don’t know if i was just unlucky with the purchase.
it still a good buy after all.
forgot the hard drive, it’s 320 GB :)
@Wakocoke – there are many model configurations – from Core i3 to Core i5. Price ranges from 33k to 45k.
i got my Asus kj42 laptop last week but not sure which kj42. here are the specs
Intel core i5 450M
2GB ddr3 ram(upgraded to 4GB)
320GB HD
no OS
Nvidia GeForce 310M
39,990k @ pc-gilmore, gilmore i.t. center
great laptop in terms of performance due to the fast processor and graphics card.
I had a few problems though. btw, it’s my 2nd unit since the first had a factory defect. There is only one socket for audio output and input. For my 2nd replaced unit, the audio output for headphones is choppy/muddy but fine with speakers. the first unit(with factory defect) did not have the same problem.
Since the laptop uses Nvidia Cuda-switchable graphics between the built in intel hd graphics and nvidia 310m, the W7 experience index gets the results of the intel built in graphics card. Same happens when i check if the laptop is compatible with a game in systemrequirementslab.com.
i tried installing crysis and it worked somewhat smoothly on medium graphics. nvidia cuda switched to the nvidia 310M graphics card. however, in warcraft, it is quite choppy.
as i know about nvidia cuda, it automatically switches when the application requires higher end graphics from the default intel graphics card which saves power. so i think in warcraft, the laptop still uses the intel graphics card, making it choppy. can someone tell me a way to manually switch the graphics card?
oops sorry, akala ko k42JC :)
too bad the battery don’t have a long-life knowing that it comes with only a 4400mAh Li-Ion battery.. so that means you need to take with you a charger ALL the time
@qwertio — right now the only thing you can do is to get the latest profiles for the optimus graphics switcher. Its those profiles which determine when Optimus switches from your integrated to discrete graphics solution. It’s like an antivirus dat file for your graphics chipset. you need updated ones. Puzzles me though, cuz Warcraft is a pretty old game, there should already be an Optimus profile for that in the default Nvidia driver install.. and some users have said that it does switch in WC. (second hand info lang tho).. Try getting the latest Nvidia Verde drivers?
i dont know if this can beat my k40in running for one week with no heat at the palm rest at all….
parang kamukha ng akin.wow daddy ikaw ba yan ——> http://www.neo.com.ph/products_basic_b4105.aspx
Twitter: peejhay
says:
i got my k42jr i bought it sa asianic 41k
i3-350m
360gb hdd
4gb ddr3
windows 7 home basic 64-bit
ati 5470 1GB gddr3
i upgraded the os to win7 ultimate but in 32-bit
kaso ang masama lang dito ung 3.5mm socket nya isa lang.. you need to choose kung mic o headset ang gagamitin mo
Twitter: peejhay
says:
oh and one more thing na gusto ko dito sa laptop..
hindi siya nainit :D.
@beef: thanks.. ill look into the profiles..
@Peejhay: as i know, there is a headset option when u plug a device. so i think you can use both.
@peejay
r u sure? 1 lang 3.5mm jack?
Pero ok na yung specs nya compared sa iba.
Yuga,
I’m planning to buy 1 laptop and 1 netbook by the end of October this year. Can you please have a review for the following units:
Asus A42/K42f
HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition
Samsung R430
Toshiba Satellite C650-18F
or do you have any recommendation/s which one is better.
Thanks!
Jay
I got my Asus K42J at Octagon SM Megamall with a free Brother Multifunction wireless printer (scanner/printer/photocopier) at 38K. Here are the specs:
Core I3 -350M 2.26ghz
ATI Radeon 512MB
14inch LED
HDD 500GB
Memory 2GB
OS Windows 7
I have not explored it that much yet but i like its keyboard,nice typing experience. In terms of appearance, do you think its attractive enough? Which is better Asus or Toshiba in terms of appearance and performance? Anyone give your opinion on this.
i have a kj42 laptop but i have a problem with the audio. When I use my X-mini speakers on it, it sounds fine. however, when i use ANY earphone, it sounds muddy, unclear.
ahm.. audio ngah Lng ang problema to be perfect.
hello, i want to how much there the asus a42/k42f? is is good to buy?
thanks..
hello, i want to know how much there the asus a42/k42f? is is good to buy?
thanks..
@Mrie, according to my friends Asus A42/K42f is good (it’s within my budget also..hahaha). Current selling price here in KSA is around SAR2,200.00 (Php26,400.00), expect it to be higher there due to taxes. I planning to buy nxt week.
I bought the 15 in version, K52JC last week for 35K.
Specs:
15.6in. LED
Intel® Core™i5-450
2.0Gb DDR3
320Gb
nVidia® GeForce® 310M 1.0Gb
No OS.
Will you recommend installing Windows 7 64 bit over 32 bit version given these specs?
@alvin, san mo bnili na 35k? cash ba kya 35k lng?
thanks jay..i will buy tommorow, is there a big difference without the nvidia ge force??
Yep cash and after haggling hehe. I bought it at pc corner gilmore