Asus G73JH = M17x - $1000

Hey all,

I am in the market for a gaming laptop and have been looking at the Asus G73JH. I just saw that the M17x also has the 5870 and start comparing the 2 models. Can anyone tell me why the Dell is $1000 more than a nearly identically configured Asus?

 

better build quality for one...better LCD RGB panel... but yes it is a little overpriced. Some people have got some good deals on them... see the buyers guide

 

Your mostly paying for the quality if anything, and expandability. With the asus your stuck with that one car, the m17x can handle 2 video cards, the cooling is the best of any laptop out right now, and of course you can forget the alienfx lighting

 

The Asus is cheaper --in more ways than one.

 

The M17x has an aluminium chassis, better cooling, and is one of the few laptops capable of dual GPU's (5870 crossfire should be available soon). Dell also apparently has a better warranty program. The M17x also can have an 1200p RGBLED screen, which has great colors and looks fantastic. Oh, and the M17x's hard drives can be put into Raid 1 or 0 heh.

 

In addition to what the above posters pointed out, it is an Alienware brand and top brands are more expensive.

I wouldn't trust many other brands of laptops to hold up to the harsh conditions I'm putting my Alienware M17x through...

 

Yeah I was a little concerned about the quality of the Asus, which is why I don't already have one. Well that and the dimpled touchpad.

Can someone link me the buyers guide? I can get 8% off with EPP from my work...

TIA

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali.../456885-aw-dell-ordering-advice-how-save.html

 

if you have facebook there is a rep called "Logan at dell" He is a US rep... give him a try and tell him i sent ya... maybe he will cut you a deal

 

qft 10 char

 

I'm on the same fence Warchild. But in the end I'll choose the Alienware.

I decided this after looking at homemade disassemblies of both laptops. Alienwares have allot more insulation between electrical components, in addition to having the magnesium and aluminum frame. The Acer seemed to be built ok, but the materials "looked" cheaper. And I know this is all subjective, but it was strong enough to make an impression on me.

And like people here stated, you can get a strong enough discount on the Alienware so that the difference isn't $1000 but $500, and that makes enough of a difference to some people. Plus the Alienware SI much more customizable, so you get exactly what you want. You can also customize the G73JH through a reseller, but they will charge you full price for an upgrade since ASUS doesn't reimburse them for the unused parts.
The last plus for the ASUS over the Alienware would be the ability to have up to 16GB of RAM. Some people really do know how to use all that RAM (I'm one of them) but most people don't need a feature like that. What the ASUS lacks is any external ports for data transfer (no USB3.0, no SATA, no Firewire, no ExpressCard slot). So you're stuck with USB2.0. Again some people see this as a huge minus (I do), others do not.

That is how I weighed it in the end, and the Alienware won out.

 

Don't forget portability. The M17x feels about 5lbs heavier.

 

hahaha Mandrake, its not an issue for some of us

 

Over time it becomes an issue.

 

Weight was never an issue for me but for some it may be like Mandrake mentions. The G73 is definitely more portable but both are 17" machines and once you start hitting 8lbs+, portability isn't the word to describe a DTR.

 

The price we pay for power lol

 

You can put both models on a plane with you, I think that's the level of portability 90% of the people are looking for.

 

I`m in the same position where ive been looking for a single card system and its a straight choice between the M17X and the Asus G73JH.

In the UK a decent single card M17X will set me back £2,350 compared to £1700 for the Asus G73JH, in my opinion the M17X doesn`t warrant a massive £650 difference for a very similar spec.

I`m leaning towards the Asus at the min as its far better value for money.

 

The M17x was designed to be a dual card machine, thus the added weight and premium. If you can save 650 pounds on a G73, there's no reason not to pick it. The price difference in your case is too large to ignore.

 

haha yeah, I wouldn't expect to use my M17x in flight, but its sure nice to take this with me when I travel.

 

I meant more for a moving place to place sort of thing, unless you've managed to get yourself some pretty hardcore business/first class tickets using an M17x or G73is going to be tough heh.

 

Hey, Mandrake! I noticed from your sig that you own both laptops? Which one would you recommend?

 

Be careful with the ASUS. Some users have been reporting GSODs:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/482079-so-i-called-asus-about-gsods.html

 

Build quality. The build quality of the m17x is what seperates it from the cheap plastic heatboxes that run enthusiast cards. Personally I dont have anything wrong with those offering high level cards for cheaper, just hate the fact that they feel cheap and run hot. Other then heat and the plastic they are fine.

 

LOLD heatboxes, but yah completely agree all azus gaming laptops that I've seen run very hot, and most look ridicules that's why I don't want to buy one, my friends seem fine with them though. Plus its great being the only one with m17x on campus!

 

I'm 0-2 with the M17xR2. I just got my RMA number today. I've also had to get my G73 replace but the second one works fine.

My system would only post 50% of the time even when not OC'ing. I had similar issues with my first R2 but that had the flickering problem also. Unless I'm just unlucky, it's hard to justify the price with the existing bugs. Dell has a pretty good return policy. It's worth trying and if you find similar issues you can easily return it.