ASUS G73JH-A1 with ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB GDDR5 - Part 3

Special Lighting for Total Gaming Experience, the Complete Gaming Kit

As you dig deep into your game the G Series comes alive with cool side bar, speakers and logo LED lights. Get the full gaming package when you buy a G Series notebook: the must have Republic of Gamers backpack – the right look for your next LAN party; the ideal gaming mouse from ASUS offering real time sensitive adjustment and 1600dpi.

ASUS Total Video Communication

With three cutting-edge technologies – LifeFrame, SmartLogon and Virtual Camera, ASUS offers you a complete solution to communicate wirelessly, making it easier for you to log on to your system, capture and edit images, and video conference with multiple parties in separate locations at the same time. Totally convenient and totally innovative – that´s the ASUS way!

Smart Technology – Smart Bootups in 8 Seconds and Fast Internet Connectivity with Express Gate

In addition to the unique technologies and software features, G73JH unveils the latest Express Gate that empowers users with the simplest usage experience. This additional built-in operating system enables ultra fast boot up for access to a host of most commonly used features, including web browser, instant messenger, Skype, photo manager, music player and online gaming.

The Unbelievable Visual Realism - The ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 3D Graphic Card with 1024 MB GDDR5 VRAM

The ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 3D Graphic Card with 1024 MB GDDR5 VRAM delivers remarkable performance and an unsurpassed acceleration for spectacular gaming. Experience a more fluid, more detailed, more realistic 3D high-definition while playing the game or watching movie. Never a moment of delay to occur, feel the excitement!

A display to meet a gamer´s needs

A row of backlit touch-capacitive buttons located at the top of the keyboard serves as intuitive and convenient point of multimedia control for instantaneous multimedia enjoyment

Greater freedom from more storage space

Play more games, watch more DVDs and download more sounds with the double SATA hard disc drive (up to 1 Terra Byte) that lets you load up more, so you can make sure you get plenty of action whilst on the road.

Pump up the power

Click into extreme performances when you need. The CPU Level Up gives you a choice of performance modes – and when you hit Extreme – hold on like hell for a processor that will punch out with its speed and substance.

Clearly a Bigger, Better Definition

The G73JH displays HD content with full HD 1920 x 1080p resolution picture source delivers unmatched visual and audio quality.

High Definition Data Highway

With HDMI – the industry standard digital interface, a single cable will support standard, enhanced, or high-definition video and plus multi-channel digital audio while ensuring data integrity during transfers offering a smooth highway for HD contents to get from any device to your notebook for display!

Powered By Intel Core i7 Mobile Processor

With faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where its needed most, the G73JH powered by new Intel Core i7 mobile processor delivers an incredible breakthrough in gaming performance. The unit relies on the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology to activate full processing power exactly where and when you need it most.

Tech Specs

Display

* 17.3" FHD, Color-Shine (Glare-type) (1920x1080)

Processor & Chipset

* Intel® Core™ Mobile i7 Quad Core Mobile Processors
* Chipset: Intel® PM55 Express Chipset

Storage & Drives

* 2 Detachable 2.5" 9.5mm (H) SATA Hard Disk Drives
* 1 12.7mm (H) Optical Drive Bay, ATA Interface, Interchangeable with DVD±R/RW Combo drive, Blu-ray/DVD±R/RW Combo Drive

Memory

* 64-bit wide DDRIII data channel
* Four 204 Pin SODIMM sockets
* Expandable up to 16GB DDRIII 1333MHz

Video Controller

* ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870 GDDR5 1024MB
* PCI-Express™ 16X
* Microsoft® DirectX® 11 Compatible
* Dual-View capable Supports two different applications open at one time; one on the External Monitor, and one on the Laptop Screen. Multi-tasking has never been more convenient.

Audio & Multimedia Features

* Support Dolby® Home Theater
* 3D Stereo Enhanced Sound System
* S/PDIF output
* 1 Built-in Microphone
* 4 Built-in Altec Lansing Speakers + Subwoofer
* Sound Blaster compatible

Network / Communication

* Integrated V.92 MDC Fax/Modem, with AC-Link Version. 2.1 Compliant
* Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN
* Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.1+EDR
* Integrated 802.11 b/g/n

Keyboard / Pointing Device

* Full Sized Keyboard with Numeric Key Pad
* Windows Hot keys
* Integrated Touchpad with Scrolling function

Operating System / Utilities

* Genuine Windows 7® Home Premium 64-Bit
* XP Available (loses some functionality)
* Asus Win flash for BIOS and Driver live Update
* ASUS CopyProtect
* ASUS SmartLogon
* ASUS Net 4 switch
* Asus Power4Gear eXtreme
* Asus Live Update
* Asus Multi-Frame
* Power 4 Phone
* Asus NB Probe +
* ASUS Life Frame 3
* Asus Data Security Management(ADSM)
* Virtual Camera
* Asus Wireless Console
* ASUS Splendid
* ASUS Direct Console
* ASUS Express Gate

Slots

* 8 in 1 card reader, SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro,xD,mini SD w/ adapter,MS-Duo,MS-Pro Duo via adapter

Hot Keys

* Function Keys:
Fn+F1 Suspend switch
Fn+F2 WLAN switch
Fn+F2 Bluetooth switch
Fn+F3 Access to the E-mail
Fn+F4 Access to the Internet
Fn+F5 Brightness down
Fn+F6 Brightness up
Fn+F7 LCD on/off
Fn+F9 TouchPad Lock
Fn+F10 Volume on/mute
Fn+F11 Volume down
Fn+F12 Volume up
Fn+Num Lk: Scroll Lock on/off
Fn+Space Power 4Gear eXtreme
Fn+C Splendid
Fn+T Power4Phone
Fn+V Camera capture
Fn+↑: Stop
Fn+↓: Play/Pause
Fn+ ←：Skip to Previous Track
Fn+ →：Skip to Next Track

Input / Output Ports

* 1 x Microphone-in jack
* 2 x Headphone-out jack (S/PDIF)
* 1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
* 4 x USB 2.0 ports
* 1 x RJ45 LAN
* 1 x HDMI

Power System

* 8 cells: 5200 mAh, smart Lithium-Ion battery pack
* Output: 19 V DC, 6.32 A, 120W
* Input: 100~240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal

Cooling

* Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound optional
* Copper CPU Heatsink

Size & Weight

* 8.5lbs with 8-cell battery
* 16"x11.6"x1.8" (W x D x H)

Additional Features

* Kensington® Lock
* Built-in 2.0M Digital Video Camera
* Optical Mouse & Carrying Bag Included

Warranty

* ASUS 2-year limited global hardware warranty
* 24/7 ASUS Telephone Technical Support
* 1 Year Accidental Damage Protection. (Must be registered in 60 days of order. North American Only)
* Free two-way standard overnight shipping when sending laptops in for repair/service
* 1-year battery pack warranty
* On-line problem resolution through web interface (BIOS, Driver update)

XOTIC (US) Link

GenTech (US) Link

PowerNotebooks (US) Link

Gigastore (EU) Link

Ordered

 

This is part 3 of the ASUS G73 discussion. Part 2 can be found here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457852

BTW - folks I have a G73 in-hand right now (thanks to Justin@XoticPC) and am doing a review on it for NBR. If there is anything specific you want in the review or you think I should know anything about this machine before doing any tests, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks.

 

having problems getting answers to your RMA'd ASUS notebook? After 10 days if searching, this is all I could find.........save for one email address that I can't disclose.

011-886-2-2894-3447

Jonney Shih - Chairman |
Jonathan Tsang - Vice Chairman |
Jerry Shen - CEO
David Chang - CFO & Spokesman

RMA Support
[email protected]

notebook support
http://vip.asus.com/eservice/techserv.aspx

Canada Branch Office:
802 Cochrane Dr.
Unit 2, Markham ON
L3R 8C9
Canada
Tel: (905) 370-2787
Fax: (905) 489-2718

US Headquarters:
800 Corporate Way,
Fremont, CA 94539
USA
Tel: 510-739-3777
Fax: 510-608-4555

 

The topics are becoming so long that most of the new people here including myself are unaware of the past situations with this laptop.

Could you perhaps put a FAQ or status update on the first post before the laptop description?

 

Already done, look around

 

Wow, that last thread was a beast! I give this one a few days before it is equally unwieldy!

On a more on topic note. Thanks for the review Charlie! All I look for in a review is the benchmarking, the real to life use of high to mid end games on the system. I am sure you guys do this anyways, so I doubt that'd be an issue. If you got the BDROM can you post on playback?

 

Oh god, where to even start. It's all a blur now.

 

Why can't we just have the information in the first post of the newest topic? You really do not know how message boards work.

 

I think a post detailing the Blu-Ray and ATi card shortages would do wonders for the main post.

 

We could. Those of us that have been following the thread since it was announced last December have it all in our head. It was then written down in the 7000+ posts in these threads. Do you feel like going through every post and finding the answer to every question you have? Neither do I. Don't be lazy.

 

Haha, yeah agreed. IF there is any information (that we could probably Google but are actually totally relevant to this topic) about Blu-Ray shortages, ATI shortages, and thus supply limits that'd be amazing.

 

Yeah, there's so much info here. I'll be doing a standard analysis on this laptop so it will follow the same format as other reviews. However, if you want me to do anything specific . . . I will see what I can do.

 

Back from PART 2:


I was told straight out that they (ASUS) won't recieve the parts to fix RMA's until the next shipment of G73JH... Of course, they could not tell me when that would be.

Thanks for the numbers... been using them. There is nothing that ASUS is going to do or can do for us until their shipment of units and parts come in. Of Course, I will be calling them today...none the less

 

FYI: use Google to search the forums, it tends to be more accurate/relevant than the built-in forum search.

http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:forum.notebookreview.com&hl=en

 

You All Realize.... With a Part 3 to theThread..... We Now Have a Trilogy

 

Ok I have been following for a long time now and I've had mine since Friday and have one question What is the function of the 3 keys in the upper left hand corner. Please be nice I just can not find the info

 

So, uhh, i have a question i couldnt find with the search button... Can I use this laptop with the lid closed?.... KIDDING.

One question tho, that i think is legit and with reading over 3/4ths of the other topics i dont think it has been asked/answered... If i was to have my G73 reseller look over the notebook prior to shipping (make sure its not a lemon, im more worried about the ram problems) I was curious, since its supposed to come with the 1066 ram and not the 1333, and there was a problem with it, would the re-seller opt for the cheaper way, fix the ram, put in 1066 and call it good and send it to me? OR Would they have to RMA it, and get replacement parts from ASUS?

Would you reccomend this method or should i just say screw it and have it sent to me and ill deal with whatever problem?

 

Left: cycles your blue indicator/display lights
Center: Turns on/off Asus Twin Turbo if Power4Gear is installed
Right: Not sure, doesn't do anything for me, but by the icon, I guess a screen saver (poss the G73 one I didn't install) or external display toggle.

Disclaimer: Such hostility on this board. People coming to these threads for information should understand there is no obligation for anyone to make things convenient for you. We are just a bunch of users/reviewers in discussion. Getting into arguments about rudeness just bloat the threads even larger making it harder for people to find things and you can kind of see a snowball effect here.

Makes sense on all counts.

Q

 

Anyone find a fix for the keyboard lag yet? I'm about to throw my system out the window.

 

The right most one controls the splendid application, if installed (hence the "S" on the key )

 

I am not to sure why some folks are so hostile... Its not worth being angry over...

 

I have a quick question. Its probably been discussed at length but i fell back with the threads and search doesnt bring much love either.

XoticPC dont do thermal upgrades anymore? ? Why? Huh? Pie?

 

I heard about this. Anyone else experiencing this lag?

 

Check with the G51 thread and maybe few others. It seems Asus is using this same keyboard for more than one model. But then I don't have the slightest keyboard lag still.

You have to take the entire laptop apart to get to the CPU/GPU. Get the keyboard off, unscrew the motherboard as I think the CPU/GPU are on the underside. Too much work for the pay. I suppose you could ask to pay XoticPC $100 to do it and they may do it, but not for $35.

 

Nope....but I'm about to do the same as well. It sucks that this system is so awesome otherwise...or it would already be on eBay. At this point there is nothing else on the market that compares. I'm still trying to think of a good way to fix the hardware side of the problem (the flex). I just saw on another post someone complained about the keyboard on the g51 doing the same thing. Maybe disabling the touchpad isn't enough, maybe we need a completely different driver?

Edit: Ziddy I don't know how you're not experiancing this...or how others aren't for that matter. I can't imagine this is isolated...usually these type of keyboard issues are widespread (see Asus EeePC 900HA) lol.

 

Fortunately if this is the case its a problem Asus can fix via software patches (new drivers). If it is a hardware issue I am afraid unless Asus recalls some in order to fix the problem they won't. !

Hope its worked out before the A1's ship!

 

I think I read that a guy disabled the touchpad and the lag went away. He's using a mouse now.

 

If someone typed slow enough I guess it wouldn't be an issue. Slowing down how fast I type fixes it but it's not the fix I want.

I'm using an external mouse with touchpad disabled.

 

Thats an awfully long stretch to ask for someone who wants to use their laptop as a laptop. I know its not your causing or cure.

I'd like to use my A1 at school, as a laptop, and disabling the trackpad is sort of a stretch !

Why is it some folks get the lag and others do not?

 

My guess is some people aren't typing on their G73 much (it's a gaming laptop) OR they're not typing fast enough for the problem to occur.

 

Folks, lets drop the back and forth bickering. No more trolling, insulting someone if they ask a question or anything else which violates the forum rules.

Thanks.

 

Agreed Bat!

On a side note (of many) Ken is one great guy to do business with! Best customer service I have EVER received! Makes me glad I gave him my money!

Anyone use this laptop at school?

 

Well I see two things if this problem is widespread and legitimate. Asus will have to release new drivers/bios fix or do a recall.

Or they discontinue the G73 altogether to avoid the RMA issues.

 

The keyboard issues have not gone away for me. It's still VERY annoying.

 

It's the only deal breaker for me. I cannot keep using it like this.

 

What are the chances that the A1s will not have these keyboard and RAM problems? And that the A1s run better than the A2s and X1s

 

How noticeable is the lag? I am not noticing any on our review unit for regular typing. Will try games later . . .

 

Wish: 100%
Likely: 0%


First generation hardware/software can have some wrinkles...

 

Hey, first post here, been following this thread for a while. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do you think these problems will be fixed for the next batch? Asus is obviously aware, right? Right?
Yeah I'm an idiot, but thanks.

 

Hi Charles,
As someone who's been following the Dell XPS1645 Throttling issues and am considering this Laptop. I’m curious if you could test / investigate any (or hopefully no) throttling issues here. Additionally, a comparison with the Dell RGB LED screen.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to reading your review.

 

None of us know since this issue is not across the board, only a few are having these issues. I have no problems with keyboard lag in game or just typing. Not at all, not even a little.

 

Has anyone played AVP on their G73 yet? Hows teh graphics

 

Probably none as they are the same. I haven't had any keyboard typing issues but I am a slow typer anyhow LOL. I would say I would agree it's probably a driver issue but I have one quick question if you are running multipule apps at the same time wouldn't that make or pronounce the keyboard lag issue?

 

Euisungkim played it and said it looked and ran great, although it made him sick.

 

I'll be keeping an eye out for any heat issues and keeping a temperature log.

I unfortunately don't have any experience with the Dell SXPS 16 so I am unable to offer a comparison.

 

Mandrake owns both systems, and has commented that, while the G73's screen looks pretty nice, it's no RGB. Apparently the Dellienware RGB screen is quite impressive. I wish I upgraded to that when I bought my M17x.

 

No, drake is comparing it to the M17x-R2 RGB, which is much better than the SXPS RGB.

IMO, I'd take the G73's screen over the SXPS RGBLED ANY DAY

 

I see. My mistake. I thought since dell owns Alienware, that the RGB screen would be the same across both platforms, assuming the resolution was identical. Good to know!

 

Above quote from the last thread. I uninstalled Power4Gear since I wasn't able to use the turbo boost button without crashing. I then ran CPU-Z just to get a readout on my system and I noticed this line: "Turbo Mode supported, enabled". The bold print is my addition, but shouldn't it say "disabled"? I wonder if my cpu is always in turbo mode and that's why the puter freezes up when I hit the Turbo Boost button? Do you think this could be where my problems lie? Thanks for your answers..

EDIT: Would that also explain my my high 3DMark Vantage scores? http://www.photoshop.com/accounts/1...ae/px-assets/9e6dcd2b8728417b9379df48ace695db

 

Is it recommended to disable the page file with these machines? With all the ram I would think it'd be beneficial.