Overall, the ASUS U43JC is a good mid-range multimedia laptop with the potential for casual gaming. The price is slightly on the higher side, which is expected for such a power-packed configuration. Although, it could do more justice with better graphics and speaker performance, it still offers a good value for money in its price category.
The Asus U43JC poses a stylish and elegant design with a pre-dominant bamboo finish on the outer surface of the screen cover-lid. The bamboo finish extends to the palmrest and touchpad surface adding a hint of charm to the attractive keypad layout. It ships with a 14-inch LED backlit screen enclosed in a hard plastic frame, that also incorporates an integrated 2MP webcam at the top centre, just above the LCD screen. A thin steel lining decorates the delicate body contours of the laptop, while the steel coated power button and power mode modifier, add beauty to the fine human body curve design at the top of the keypad. Although the laptop is good looking, it is quite heavy weighing around 2.14Kg.
The Asus U43JC incorporates a isolated keypad design, with the special function keys decorating the top row of the keypad and a function “fn” modifier key located next to the left-ctrl key. It has a VGA port, two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port placed on either sides of the laptop. It reveals four status LED indicators just below the palmrest representing the power on, charging status, processor and Wi-Fi status from the left to right respectively. The keypad keys are too closely placed leading to space constraints while typing, lacks the tactile feedback and accuracy. Also, the touchpad is very mediocre in responsiveness and mirrors sluggish performance while navigating across the screen. Thus, the poor touchpad input warrants the need for an USB or wireless mouse for comfortable navigation. However, the bundled accessories does not include an USB or wireless mouse and hence the user would be compelled to purchase one separately. The built-in speakers are located underneath the palmrest on either side and designed to deliver high definition audio.
Specifications:
Intel Core i7 processor 620M (2.66 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.33 GHz); 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1066 MHz); NVIDIA GeForce 310M (1GB DDR3 VRAM); Intel GMA HD integrated graphics (Nvidia Optimus technology); Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Operating System; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity; Weight: 2.4Kg;
Read on to know the Performance results, Verdict, Ratings and more in the next page…
Performance:
The Asus U43JC Bamboo delivered a decent performance across all the synthetic benchmark tests, with consistently good scores in the processor benchmark tests. It showcased impressively long battery life (about 4 and half hours), in spite of possessing a power-packed hardware configuration. Thus, the long battery life emphasizes its power efficient characteristics which is underlined by the integration of Nvidia Optimus technology into the graphics chipset. It also had a good outing in the Wi-Fi test with satisfactory results. In the speaker test, we noticed considerable sound distortion at volumes higher than 70% and also very ordinary sound clarity. However, the high definition video playback delivered crisp colours and high image clarity with consistent frame rates. Thus, it surely grabbed our attention in the HD video test (running a 1080p HD video file with ease). Finally, the laptop had a very ordinary outing in the game benchmark test. It delivered an average frame rate of just 23.67fps, running Far Cry 2 in medium detail and the resolution set to a modest 1024×768. We were a bit disappointed with the gaming performance of the laptop, as it appeared unsatisfactory even for casual gaming. We would have appreciated a decent frame rate of around 30fps in medium detail with AA and AF turned off.
Verdict:
Overall, the ASUS U43JC reveals to be a good mid-range multimedia laptop with the potential to play graphics intensive games at low detail or a non-resource hungry 3D game in medium detail. The price is slightly on the higher side which is expected for such a power-packed configuration. Although, it could do more justice with better graphics and speaker performance, it still offers a good value for money in its price category.
To view the detailed list of specifications, features, synthetic benchmark and real world test results click here.
Ratings:
| Features | 7 |
| Build Quality | 7 |
| Ergonomics | 6 |
| Performance | 7.5 |
| Value for Money | 7 |
| Overall | 7 |
Price & contact details:
Contact (Company / Distributor name): ASUS Technology Pvt. Ltd.
Phone: 022 – 67668800 / 18002090365 (10:00-18:00 Mon. To Sat.)
E-mail: helpline_west@asus.com
Warranty period: 1 year global warranty
Price: Rs. 61,999
For detailed information about the product’s performance benchmark tests, real-world tests and features, click here.