In this blog post I will be talking about the external ports on the Asus N80Vc – where are they positioned on the case? Are they well positioned for a business user? And how many are there compared to other laptops?
As you’re all probably aware, the amount of different ports included with laptops has increased dramatically over the last few years. Normal PCI slots were too big, so PCI-express was invented and incorporated; new types of USB port were created; and newer, higher quality display outputs were made.
The Asus N80Vc incorporates all of these into its design. I’ll run through each side of the laptop and the ports and connectivity devices which are located on each side.
As you’re looking at the laptop, the left hand side of it includes the following ports:
Memory card reader
PCI Express slot
Microphone input
Headphone output
1 x USB
1 x mini-USB 139A
Quite what the USB 139A does, I do not know, but I’m sure it’s useful to some! The majority of space along the left hand side of the laptop is taken up by the DVD-RW drive, so there isn’t much room for ports. However, the headphone socket is near the front of the laptop so as to avoid the plug sticking into you if you have the laptop on your lap (most headphone plugs have the wire coming out at right angles anyway).
The right hand side of the laptop has 2x USB ports. There isn’t much on this side, but I don’t suppose much else is needed! It’s better to have USB ports on the side of any laptop, as most peripherals will be things such as mice, and being able to plug it in at the side of the laptop ensures less wasted length of the cable.
The back of the laptop has the following:
AC power port
2 x USB
VGA Monitor socket
HDMI socket
E-SATA socket
LAN network port
Having monitor ports at the back of the Asus N80Vc is just one way of how the laptop is geared toward the business user. If you’re making a presentation it’s better to have the cable for the projector coming out the back, leaving the rest of the laptop free to be moved around. The same goes with the LAN port – if you’re working at your desk having the cable coming from the back leaves the rest of the laptop surround neat and tidy.
My old Acer laptop I’ve now come to use as a comparison laptop has only the monitor port on the back – all USB ports and the LAN port are located on the sides, meaning there would be a big unsightly LAN cable sticking out if you were to use the Acer at a desk. The headphone and microphone ports are at the front, meaning if using it on your lap you’d be likely to impale yourself with the plug for it!
I’ve come to the conclusion that the Asus N80Vc is well suited for the business user in terms of port layout, with ports just where they should be both for working at a desk and while on the move. For my next blog post I’ll begin to give my concluding thoughts on the laptop, including how the physical appearance of the laptop differentiates it from competitors in the market – my, how quick time flies when you’re having fun!
