ASUS K53 Series K53E-BBR17 Notebook Intel Core i5 2450M(2.50GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics 3000

Pros: Dual Core 4 threads.
USB 3

Cons: Only one USB port.
Screen could be better, So could my Eyes.

Other Thoughts: Got it for $400. A good value.

Pros: Overall form size and weight. Good keyboard.

Cons: 1. The Synaptics pointing device! Way too sensitive for a hamfisted Neanderthal like me! Usually I can turn off the features that bother me, but I could find no way to do that with this device! I wound up duct taping a thick piece of cardboard over the trackpad and buying a trackball to use in its place. Which made me hate this purchase aabout 90% less.
2. Preinstalled with Trend Micro antivirus software. I wanted to use Norton but I couldn't install it without uninstalling the Trend Micro which I couldn't figure out a way to do. So I wound up ordering a new version of Trend Micro which was able to uninstall the preexisting Trend Micro program and providing anti virus protection at last. My issue isn't that I was forced into buying a product I never heard of and kept from using the product I am used to using. My problem is that the prexisting stuff on this computer seems to be 3 or 4 years old and none of the links that are supposed to make it easy to apply the programs works anymore. The price was not good for a unit this old. I have a K53Z which I like that was not that much more expensive.

Pros: $$ per performance.
Well-built, inside and out.
Aesthetically pleasing.

Cons: The screen is a glossy finish, not matte, but it's not a big deal.
Not a gaming laptop, but it doesn't pretend to be one anyways.
Keyboard keys do not light up - my biggest con.

Other Thoughts: I'm a student studying computer science, and I always have a lot of applications running at once. This laptop can handle Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, an Ubuntu virtual machine (in VirtualBox), Photoshop, and an internet browser all at the same time without a hitch.

If you're on a budget and you're looking for a laptop that can handle multiple tasks with ease, then look no further.

Pros: I just wanted to let everyone know who purchases this laptop that you need to update the driver they have installed for the mousepad. It won't scroll or anything with the pre-existing driver that is installed when you purchase it. Go to ASUS.com and find your model and get the new updated driver. It's awesome. It's a two scroller like on an Apple machine, also has rotate and zoom, and a few other features.

Cons: ASUS doesn't install the newest driver with this machine, but a trashy one.

Pros: . i5
. usb 3.0
. hdmi
. nice surface design & feel
. screen size
. windows 7 Not 8

Cons: . location of the power port
. stock ram
. bloatware

Note: stock battery is not exactly long life, but not a con for me I consider a laptop battery a secondary or backup source as I'm typicaly using the supplied adaptor or solar power. However some rely on battery life more, so price a 6 cell replacement just in case. If you travel or are on the road alot or have solar, buy a 20$ 12v dc adaptor, thats the jazz right there.

Other Thoughts: First thing you do is upgrade the memory with a good 2x4gb kit. I recomend the Adata xpg 8gb set N82E16820211568. Windows rating went from 4.7 to 5.9 - you read that right. Big boost for the Intel 3000 graphics. The 5400 drive rates at 5.9 on this machine, not bad. Even though I plan an ssd once the 90 days is up.

Pros: for a low end machine this thing works well, no it's not a beast you get what you pay for but for doing general office work, reports, facebook and tweeting this will serve my daughter well and keep her off mine. grafix are good and sound is low end ok, and fine with headphones on. great size, light weight and fast processor.

Cons: not cons: sorry to see this only has 4g ram, at the price of ram today why bother selling with such low amounts this just makes more work for the end user to upgrade. I have ordered a matching stick of ram and I am sure this will turn this already good machine into a snappy system.

Other Thoughts: If you are looking for a machine to do reports, open office, stocks software and light gaming this is your machine.

Pros: Core i5 Processor
Lightweight
Slim

Cons: Bloatware!
Slow HDD

Other Thoughts: I swapped out the HDD for a Samsung 128GB SSD and changed the ram out for G.SKill 8GB DDR3 1600 for $109, and did a fresh Windows 7 install. It completely changed the performance of this machine, and now it boots in 11 seconds and runs amazingly well. Best $499 (Laptop was $389) I have ever spent. Stomps our 3 year old $700 Vista machine. That said stock out of the box it's still a great deal.

Pros: Mine was beautiful with minor cosmetic scratches and dents. I'm a Computer Science major, part time IT worker, and I spend a lot of time tinkering and building up machines. This one ships as specified.

Core i5 : 4 cores and runs at the clock speed advertised. No problems yet

4GB Memory : Comes with one -4GB stick of RAM. I suggest maxing the main memory out at 8GB as soon as you get it and replace the 4GB stick with a stick with 1333.

500GB HDD : HDD comes and runs as specified. Although, be aware that the HDD comes pre-partitioned into two parts. I used it for about a month and then I replaced it with a 256GB SSD. I suggest you do the same. Another note is that the laptop comes with an awesome shock resistant chassis that cradles the HDD.

DVD Drive: Good, clean, efficient. It is good enough. Boot order in the mobo goes to the drive first by default after you update the BIOS. Just be forewarned.

Graphics: They are ok. you can play any VALVE game on it and many low end games. I do video editing and it is fine for that. It is obvious that this machine was made for multimedia and work but not gaming, which is not a con.

Easy to get to RAM, HDD, and wireless panel.

The function buttons are nice!

It has a built in 0.3mp camera.

Very tweak friendly and never runs hot for me.

Cons: My wireless unit was missing a screw. Open up you expansion hatch and check to see if you have all the parts.

I've seen some reviews say "no bloatware" .... well it is there. You just have to look for it. The computer is sluggish until you delete all of it. Beware, the drivers for the laptop have built in bloat.

The touchpad plain sucks. It just does. But the keyboard makes up for it.

Other Thoughts: The screen is very sharp on the higher brightness settings and the viewing angles are not bad on the high settings. It is just when you go down to about half the brightness do these get a little funky.


Comes with Windows 7 home. I used it for a month then upgraded to my SSD with Windows 7 professional. I don't suggest changing you Windows version as the laptop comes with a key for the home version and that is all most users will ever need.


I will update as more time passes. I'm still waiting on my first major problem to occur.

Pros: - good price
- nice design and color
- light weight
- many features
- i5
- scrollable touchpad (they all are these days, aren't they?)
- solid build quality, metallic casing
- CPU performance is dynamically adjustable (I don't know why I need it though) :)

Cons: - Warranty 90 days only (according to label on the back)
- the screen is reflective
- not extremely cool viewing angles
- no user manual
- no backup CDs or anything else besides power supply.

Other Thoughts: The touchpad sensitivity can be adjusted programmatically, google it.

The touchpad does have scrolling ability, just try it.

As I understand there are 2 HDDs which total to 500GB minus recovery partition...


Overall very good impression of the build quality and design. It will be more than enough for my son high school projects.

Pros: Brand New Appearance
Fast Processor
Upgradable
No Bloatware
Quick Shipping

Cons: 4 cell battery

Other Thoughts: Best deal going on an intel i5 processor laptop!!!!! This has all the features and power I need to use as my DJ laptop.