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

Unfortunately I don't think so. In the next two years or so the newest game consoles will be out. They typically have GPU's at LEAST as current as the latest and greatest out on the PC at the time. Therefore, the newest "lowest common denominator" will be the console. When the 360 launched, COD2 and games like Tomb Raider were "playable" with the best that was on the desktop at the time. They would not be running on say "mid range GPUS" from 3 years prior..even at low settings.

There has been a trend lately for the majority of PC games to be catered to the consoles. So for now...games are running with consoles in mind and that is why mid range GPU's can play most of them really well. I think the more reasonable expectation is that this laptop will net you about 2 to 3 years of good game playing. This isn't exactly a groundbreaking GPU as compared to say two years ago when the 8800MGTX launched to replace the 7900MGTX which launched a year or so prior to that. The 8800 doubled the performance of the flagship cards out. This card (which still isn't fully reviewed) is probably around 20-25% faster than the best single card solution right now....which is still based on the older 9800 series cards. I bought my current laptop knowing that the 8800 card would last me about 2 years. I have been pleasently surprised because I didn't expect PC innovation to stagnate like it did and "sell out" to consoles. But in the next few years expect a big leap in graphics for games because the new consoles will be out.

 

In my humble opinion, the G73 should be future-proof for at least 3 years, with setting on at least HIGH, no AA. You have a core i7, a 1080p screen (LED backlit), and the 5870 in there.

I have an 8600m GT (Barely Class 2) card that can run Crysis in DX9, at medium settings. And my laptop was released Circa March, 2007. 3 years later, I can still run today's games well enough. Besides, resale value should still be great with the 1080p, 5870 and i7. If you like to have the newest tech, it might be advisable to sell your G73 in 18 months, when resale value will be still fairly high. I wouldn't stretch it past 2 years though. Even if you can get $1,000 for it in 18 months, the next Asus refresh should only cost an additional $600 or so.

 

Dammit! NO free shipping to Alaska... you'd think we were PART of Russia, not just that we can see it from our house


Oh well... ground would take too long anyways...

 

Okay, since I don't really want to read through the whole thread, are there any european resellers with at least some info about this laptop?

Also, does the worldwide warranty mean I can just send it to the nearest repair place or do I have to ship it to the country from where I bought it?

 

Since Asus is covering shipping both ways, it should be of no consequence.

 

Not exactly. Asus is not going to pay for you to ship from the Arctic to the closest repair center in Europe, for example.

And if you notice, that particular warranty that was brought up a few posts ago is for North America. It would be best to check with the local resellers about the conditions of the warranty.

 

I don't believe free 2-way shipping applies to international customers.

 

Hi people! So after following on this thread for a month. I finally pre ordered for usd1491. Can't wait for it to be delivered!

 

Why did ASUS, in their infinite wisdom, decide NOT to include eSata and an express card slot?

 

I know! having at least Esata is not a hard thing to have added on the mobo when building the laptop.

 

If I upgrade to a primary SSD drive, will the reseller automatically install the Win7 OS on that drive? Or do I have to request to have that done?

 

Most resellers would ordinarily install your OS on your primary drive, so if you select your SSD as primary you should be ok.

However just so that there is no doubt or possibility for error it would be better to make it clear to your reseller.

 

No news about g73 is even worst then waiting for it...

 

Post it in only 1thread please. You don't have to post here and the owners lounge.

 

Ugh, I just realized that this laptop has no esata or expresscard slot.

I just assumed it did, then came across another post that said it didn't, and I checked on websites and it doesn't =(

Definately a deal breaker for me, esata is a big reason. It's unfortunate that this is the only laptop out with the 5870m right now.

 

okay,. best price i can get in UK with all the discounts and employee purchase scheme is 1443 pounds (no accessories btw), which is 2300 dollars (600 more than in US)... it would cost less to order from US with taxes and shipping.... if i didnt need to pay those import taxes, i would order one right now, but now...

i will probably wait till cebit, see what does it offer, and if nothing better than g73 (i.e. 1080p 3D gaming capable laptop which isnt duo for at least a year ) i then will have to order from US and pay those stupid taxes... i envy you guys from US

 

Maybe... but hearing people say they are hoping to get theirs soon makes me hope we'll be seeing firsthand reports and benchmarks really soon

 

No news is good news? The last news we got was it was delayed, I don't want to hear that kind of news again, do you?

 

Please excuse me for not reading the whole thread, but did you guys know that it throttles on battery ? Not on adapter. And yes I KNOW who games on battery just thought I would let you know.

Would you reccommed this over a sager that has similar spec and price.
Biggest difference is the 385m Gforce instead.

 

Sorry for little spam!

 

No delays! Only tests and reviews are welcome

 

I was just wondering, do you guys know when Asus will release a laptop with a "stealth bomber"-like design similar to the g73 but smaller and less powerful?

I love the look of the g73 and the cooling it promises to have, but I have a great gaming desktop and dont need something quite the caliber of the g73.

 

I would assume it probably depends on how you have the power profiles set up. Usually they are set to cap CPU and such when on battery, but you can tweak that if you want to maintain max performance but kill your battery in no time.

 

I was questioning this as well. At least with an expresscard, I could ADD eSATA. Now I don't have either option. In addition, my aircard is expresscard form factor!!!

 

The 385 is just a rebranded 280 (or 285), the 5870 will beat it.

 

if the 385m is 40nm it may be competitive with the 5870m

that is of course a big if

Given it is not in existence though at the moment....I would not bank on it for decision making purposes

 

What is this Sager called that you are talking about? Would love to compare it to this Asus laptop.

 

the throttling on battery is usually up to the user when they set up the power schemes. I usually go for the longest battery life possible when on battery and max performance on AC

as far as a sager goes. you can find one that has a similar price or maybe similar specs. but not both. sagers have great build quality but cost more(not saying that this beast isnt gonna be solid but just saying...)

Hope that helps,
AKA

 

Sager NP8760 for a single card solution (shipping with the GTX 285M starting next week), and the Sager NP9850 for an SLi solution.

 

The 280 is essentially a 9800 GTX. I don't think the 385 will be a rebranded 280 since they have the new architecture on other cards already.

 

Ah so that's why they are offering the discounts. That was my other choice if this laptop ever comes out. When do they plan on offering it?

 

Actually speaking as a lawyer, EULAs are not enforceable in most states. And the legal precedent behind the few court cases are shaky at best and few of these cases have ever gone to court.

Just a pet peeve of mine hearing people say this when it's for the most part untrue. And ProCD has the worst rationale in any case I've ever seen which is why it's rarely cited.

Back on topic: The one issue I really have with Asus's warranty is that the accidental coverage is only 1 year and 1 replacement so essentially if you need a replacement due to an accident then say goodbye to your coverage.

 

To the student of law Koshinn...what impact does the fact that it is clearly known by the buyer of the ASUS product that it comes standard with Windows installed have on your legal reasoning?

 

I don't think it is even worth arguing..... like Donald said, Windows 7 HP comes with the machine. If you have your own copy of Ultimate, just install it. Treat the HP version as non-existent.
It is not worth all the legal trouble in trying to get ASUS to refund you $20.

 

Exactly, your paying for a certain configuration, it's like asking Asus to give you money back since you only want 4GB of RAM or Apple to give you money back from your iPod since you already have earphones.

At worst, your paying for a configuration that includes W7 at best it's a freebie. Either way odd are not in your favor.

 

Thanks Matt...and what would your fee be to represent me in this matter so that I could get, at the most, $100 back?

Oh, and how much of my time will this take to fight the battle?

 

The only problem I have with OEM license pricing is when you upgrade the OS through any supplier's configuration utility, Windows 7 Pro x64 is $134/$136 more. The cost of Home Premium is never discounted.

ASUS G51JX-A1 $1449.00*
(minus) Windows 7 Home Premium x64 -$109**
(plus) Windows 7 Professional x64 +$134***
(equals) $1474
But instead, it's costing the end-user $1583.00.

This is clearly because it seems like ASUS supplies the G51JX-A1 with Home Premium installed regardless, and the supplier is the "authorized dealer" allowed to modify the laptop before you get it, keeping your warranty intact.

You're technically paying for two OEM copies of Windows 7 (Pro and Home Premium) or you're getting burned on the price of Windows 7 Home Premium.

I may be totally wrong, but it's an educated guess.

* Checked two supplier sites, it's listed at $1449.00
** Estimated valuation based upon OEM pricing.
*** Taking the low-ball figure from Gentech. XoticPC was $2 more.

 

LOL (and I never write that). He'd pay thousands to get like $100 (and $20 if some are to believed). Plus I'd imagine he'd have to sue Asus itself since your just a reseller (like we wouldn't sue you if the laptop was defective for instance).

I think we're all going nutty waiting for this laptop to come out. I figure the A2's should be enough to satisfy my questions about this system.

 

I have a beef with that too, but what can we do?

This unfairness is not limited to just the OS.
I upgraded my CPU to i7 820 and the HD to 160 SSD, for both of those I am essentially full price for.

 

Then why post to an asus/ati early adopter board?

 

True, I can understand the CPU since you can't upgrade it yourself w/o voiding the warranty but for the rest you should have the option to purchase separately especially the "upgraded" bag and mouse. But at the same time the resellers are barely making a profit from these systems so I can understand the reasoning even if I would make sure to just buy the base system.

 

So i just recieved an email from my reseller in canada NCIX. Seems the eta for arrival is Feb 11th

 

That's what I'm thinkin'. We can't do a thing about it.

Honestly, I'd much rather see a "Bare Windows install + all Windows Updates and Drivers" option than all of these upgrades to 32-bit and overpriced 64-bit installs.

 

edited. ~~~

 

For all those who say "it's only <$$$> why would you care" not everyone is rich. I've had to save for quiet a while to afford this laptop, even after tax return. This may not be a big purchase for many here (and it seems that it is not) but for me, and many others, this is.

The Windows 7 EULA states

Thus my asking if anyone had experience trying to get a refund from Asus.

 

May I ask what OS you're planning on putting on this machine if you're not going to use Windows 7 Home Premium x64?

 

Hey, I completely understand. I was just responding to Koshinn who hit one of my pet peeves.

This is a pretty big purchase for me too, especially since I had been without a job for about 2 years (although I just had my 1 year anniversary at my current job) and I'm currently also saving up for my wedding. And even if I wasn't, I tend to be a little tight on purchases for this much money. So I have no issue with calling up Asus and seeing where this gets you, I mean it's your time.

I'm actually still going back and forth between the G73 and the M17x-R2 and I've purchased the M17x. If you can get $100 then more power to you. Personally, I'm upgrading from XP so I figure what the hell. If it was Vista I might be giving ASUS (or Dell) a call as well.

 

As I sated earlier, I've got a windows 7 ultimate dvd sitting @ my house waiting for a computer to put it on.

I understand your pet peeve, I do. Grats/good luck with the wedding*.

 

Has anyone pre-ordered with the Paypal E-check? I'm unclear how this works. I can see how the CC would not be charged, but does the E-Check go through immediately?

edit: should've mentioned i'm referring to xoticpc

 

Well interestingly enough I was just checking out the Aus DELL Alienware configuration page (for no particular reason ) and the cost diff between Home Premium and Professional if $30.80, so they are only charging once. I guess if you build it yourself you have that luxury.