The Asus N10 netbook gets a preview over at Mobile Computer Mag. A short video demo is included.
Based on the reviewer’s video, calling it a ‘gaming netbook’ might be a bit of a stretch even if it has the Nvidia 9300m GPU. Perhaps someone who knows their way around a setting screen could coax its true potential. Fast paced games need smooth frame rates in order to be fully enjoyed.
The reviewer demonstrates the N10 running Call of Duty 4 at what appears to 15 fps. Admittedly, he chooses some pretty silly settings such as 2x AA and ignores the advanced settings screen where the textures and geometry detail can be scaled back to a playable level.
As a comparison, the Asus VX3 Lamborghini I recently reviewed has the same GPU as the N10, but added a Core 2 Duo T9300 CPU at 2.5 GHz and 4 GB RAM. The VX3 could only play CoD4 smoothly at ‘low’ settings at 1280×800 resolution.
What’s my point? I think calling the N10 a gaming netbook is a bad idea and sets unrealistic expectations. Asus has not realy explained what market they feel this netbook serves, but I don’t know if they will label it as a gaming platform.
There does not seem to be much consumer advocacy in reviews these days. Everyone panders to the PC makers in order to secure review samples. A shame because there are some real dogs out there.
