ASUS A6JA - Page 3

- Bios

After powering up the ASUS A6JA, you get the ASUS logo and within a few minutes, you are asked to complete the Windows XP Home SP2 installation (language, time zone, passwords). I checked the ASUS web site and found a new BIOS (207) that was available for this notebook, which I installed before performing any tests.

By pressing tab and del during the boot process, you enter the BIOS where several options are available. There is no option to overclock either the CPU or GPU:

- Installed software

ASUS has pre-installed several applications, which fortunately are not spyware or shareware related, unlike several other manufacturers:

• ASUS DVD XP 6.0 (PowerDVD 6.0 OEM version)
• ASUS Live Update
• ASUS ChkMail
• ASUS Hotkey
• ASUS Power4 Gear+
• Symantec Norton™ Internet Security 2005
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
• NERO Express V6.3.1.25

Two more applications can be installed from the included CDs:

• Power Director V3.0 DE
• Medi@Show V2.0 SE

I'm not too keen on Symantec's Norton Internet Security, so I un-installed it. There are many freeware solutions available, that can cover you from malicious attacks.

For most users, the fact that the notebook comes fully equipped with an array of applications like:

• DVD/Media Player (ASUS DVD XP 6.0)
• Antivirus/Firewall protection (Symantec Norton Internet Security)
• Recording application (Nero Express)

means they don't have to pay extra money or search around for similar solutions in order to get the most from their notebook.