I don't think think screen flickering is an issue. It may flicker if Optimus switches from Integrated to Discrete graphics card to render a program. But that happens only once in a while and you'll probably not even notice it. Personally I've been browsing and watching YouTube videos in Chrome and never noticed any flickering.

So far only problem I can see is that games may not render 100% correctly. E.g. A few textures missing.

So you don't get the problems that lee_what2004 and I have?
All guns in L4D2 render okay?
Fire/explosions don't have black circles?
Maybe happens on certain settings only.

A42JV also has that option but I don't think Optimus respects that option much.

I think more importantly is to understand how to prevent viruses in the first place. New viruses are popping up everyday and you have to keep your AV software to date. And even if you keep up to date, not guaranteed your AV can handle all viruses. To me AVs are more annoying than viruses these days. They slow your computer down by taking up memory and RAM by scanning processes.

99% of the time viruses use the same distribution methods - USBs, email attachments, browser exploits, pirated games, naughty videos. Just watch what you do with your computer and you won't get any viruses.

The only time I recommend installing AV software is if you're an administrator of many machines at a company. You have no choice because it's possible any one of your users can be an idiot and bring in a virus. But if you only have your own personal machines to worry about, it's much easier to prevent viruses without any AV.

Remember to avoid Internet Explorer. Use Chrome (my favourite) or Firefox.

Back on topic. How's the Nvidia 258.96 driver performing for you? I still haven't updated yet because I hear some people get frozen screens. Can anybody tell me which applications/games hang?

Guys, what do think of the quality of A42JV's LCD monitor? Is it just me, or is the pixel density not high enough? Even at native resolution I feel like I can make out the pixels on the screen if the background is of light colour.

Yes. Native resolution 1366x768.
For example when I scroll in this page, I can barely make out the vertical/horizontal pixels.
Maybe it's just me being sensitive, but my previous Vaio display was really good so I'm spoilt.

It's hard to describe. But you know how old CRT TV screens you can see screens pixels very clearly up close?

I feel the A42JV's screen is almost like that. Up close on a light/white background I can make out the screen grid.

Maybe my LCD monitor is defective. I will go to Asus shop again and compare with their display model.

I just went to the Asus shop. The monitor is the same as mine. I can see the vertical pixel lines. But maybe I'm too sensitive, because the salesman cannot see the pixels.

I am wearing glasses. And I work at Mid-Valley, there's an Asus shop here.

I haven't touched my Nvidia settings. All left at default. Only change the in-game graphics settings for each game I play.
Online games you mean Flash games? You can disable hardware acceleration if you right click the video.
I don't play much Flash games. Maybe you can tell me which ones then I can go home later and test.

So, did you ever manage to play Dragonica properly before (on your A42JV)? Or has it always been crashing like that?

When I go home I will check my Nvidia settings. Right now can't because I'm at work.

Sometimes might be the game's problem. I experienced crashing with L4D2 yesterday night after the latest update. No matter what graphics settings (low to high) I used it just kept crashing to desktop after the map loading screen. In the end I had to reinstall L4D2 from my backup. After that worked fine again. Possible cause might be one of the add-ons I was using.

Any FPS change/drop?

Here are my Nvidia settings. They should be default.


The only thing I changed is I checked Automatically Update "Preferred Graphics Processor" Settings under the 3D Settings menu. Right now it says last update was (7/21/2010).

For me about 2-3 seconds.

Anyway apparently the built-in microphone is not as good as my Vaio. When I play online games with my friends using A42JV, they complain my voice now sounds more muffled than before.

This post has been edited by Andrew Lim: Jul 24 2010, 01:20 AM

I think I have 3 dead pixels on my A42JV LCD screen. Not very noticeable but wonder if I should go back and exchange for a new laptop since I only bought it less than a week ago.

By the way, here's a page you can use to test if your screen has any funny pixels. When I select White fullscreen, I can see 3 dots scattered around the center of my screen which I cannot wipe away.
LCD DeadPixel Test

This post has been edited by Andrew Lim: Jul 25 2010, 12:25 AM

Just exchanged my A42JV with 3 dead pixels for a new one. So far after careful checking, this one seems to only have 1 sub-pixel error. I can't see it if I face it directly, only from the sides, so I guess I'll live with it.

Now to re-install all my games and applications.
Yes, it's a typical LCD screen. Best viewing angle is facing the screen directly.

Normal person would not notice this minor pixel error. It's because I was very pedantic about checking the screen. 1 sub-pixel problem I can still live with it.

But still I think Asus's LCD quality isn't very good. My previous Vaio was fantasic, 2 years of usage not even 1 dead pixel.