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

I LOL'd, too.

I'm self-employed, and I work late hours because I enjoy what I do. But I also screw around while I work, so it's less boring. I can go all night long!

 

For normal use windows 7 home premium is good enough.

 

arrggh! lol

 

That's what she said!

What do you do for work?

 

Bitlocker comes in ultimate only.

 

I was advised by a friend that it contained a decent image/backup software. Also I will need these features:
Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode.
Windows XP Mode
Get all the benefits of Windows 7 and continue to leverage your investments in older business and productivity programs that require a PC running Windows XP. Note: Windows XP Mode requires a download.
o

Connect to company networks easily and more securely with Domain Join.
Domain Join
If you use your PC at work, and your company uses a network, there's a good chance you'll need this feature to use the network.
In addition to full-system Backup and Restore found in all editions, you can back up to a home or business network.

 

I own/operate a computer repair shop here in Ohio. We'll be starting our 5th year @ the end of Feb. (I've been doing computer repair way before this, but never had the chance at having a physical storefront. I wish I'd done it sooner.)

 

1) I got confused about the "Notebook Computer Discussion" title of these forums - I didn't know it was for gamers only, sorry.
2) I may want to actually use the wireless card.
3) Since I may want to use it, and I may have paid for an upgrade of it already, and there's no official specs on the stock installed card, I'm curious what's in it so maybe I can get my money back.

etc.

Is there a better forum to get this kind of information?

 

Likely end of first week of March or 2nd week of March.

 

Actually, I'm hoping to find out too. If it's an Intel 5100 then I'm changing my pre-order to stay stock. But if it's anything else I'm keeping with the 5300 upgrade. And I use my wireless a LOT - even for gaming

I pre-ordered mine at XoticPC on the 2nd and I have an estimated date of 3/2. I'm hoping mine comes in early like the rest... BluRay or not!

 

ziddy123, to end the confusion: What wireless card comes stock in the G73JH?

 

3/2. you still got a month to go, dang.

 

Sorry guys, I was gaming.

Wireless card is the Atheros AR9285

 

Lol dude those are old azz numbers from the manufacturer.

 

I've read nearly all 600 pages and this is my first post. I'm not into gaming (yet), but pre-ordered the A-1 several weeks ago. Now I see that most everyone posting here is into gaming. Is there a downside to getting this sweet laptop for regular media / desktop replacement use? I've looked at nearly all of the Dell's, Toshiba's, etc. out there and this one seems to beat them all (except for battery life). I multi-task and do photo / video editing (don't need firewire) and I'm sick of a slow computer. Thanks to anyone who wants to comment!

 

Yeah I know.. we still have a little more than a week. I don't know how I'm going to live through this. I have no special feeling being one of the first now.. [/quote]



I got lucky. I Pre-Ordered the A1 on Jan 6th with ExCaliliber. Called them this past Friday, unfortunatly with all the A2 in stock already allocated.

They called me back that afternoon and had one (A2) allocated for me for a Monday overnight ship.

I TOOK IT!!!!

Right now I am not trying to think about the next three days. Somehow it was easier waitng for a month +, rather than going through what Iam going through now.

 

How do you know the exactly date? I preordered from xotic as well but they did't say anything about date..

 

If you're not going to play games, then take a look at something else.
This laptop is great for media/desktop replacement use but was made for gaming.
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=N71JQ-A1
maybe this will fit you.

 

Contact them.

 

Does this confirm that getting the Intel 5300 is useless?

 

Gee wiz guys......

The stock mini-card is an Intel WiFi Link 1000

Anyhow, this issue has been covered numerous times within this thread. It seems to be debatable whether the 5300 upgrade will be of any increased value. The G73JH only comes with two leads, wherein the 5300 has three. The 5300 will work, but probably not at it's rated spec..... ergo, the 5100 was suggested in lieu of this in terms of reliability. However, I believe this premise of superior reliability was referenced against the Atheros card. Since the stock card is indeed the Intel 1000, personally, I would save my money and leave it as such.

I hope this helps.......

 

OK, there is a switch....... so Asus is using both, in this case I would opt for the Intel 5100, for more reliability.



EDIT: Actually, judging from the Asus Support site, it now appears they may be using 3 WiFi links. They also show the Intel 6200, but they don't show drivers for the Atheros yet.

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?model=G73JH&os=30&SLanguage=en-us

 

I've had pretty good results with Atheros chipsets in the past.....

 

I don't see any downside if it has the specifications/features you want or need.

I'm a light gamer myself but I wanted not a desktop replacement, but a mobile desktop, and the G73 was my final choice based on specs alone. As a bonus, I really like the way it looks compared to the Dell and Toshiba notebooks I considered.

I'm pretty sure it'll work great for anything I want to use it for, and it will probably be a while before I have to worry about the system requirements for any games (or any other software) I want

 

Oh come on, some hard core person on here has got to be adding a 3rd antenna to this thing. Right?

 

I guess if you plan on transferring faster than a theoretical lab throughput of 150Mbps (AR9285) or 300Mbps (Intel 5100).

From my many experiences with disassembling/replacing laptop LCD panels, the stock antennae are usually molded into the lid or have brackets that the antenna screws to. ASUS spent thousands on the R&D this laptop to perform like it does. I see no reason in modifying it.

Especially when it's much easier to use the onboard gigabit ethernet if you're transferring large files locally. And it's free.

 

Good find. I forgot to look at the driver page. I looked at the user manual, even down to the FCC regulatory. The only thing I found was the typical Part 15 regulation for wifi strength, etc.

 

I wonder if they aren't using so many different wireless adapters because there aren't enough of any style in the supply chain. Wouldn't it be more cost effective to stick to one style, with a premium upgrade?

Anyone have any experience with the Atheros AR9285 I have in mine?

 

I sent an email asking (nicely!) if they had any idea on a date, and I got an email back about a 'status change' ...

New status: Phase 1 (Pending Parts or Item Arrival)
Some additional notes placed on your order:

The ASUS G73JH-A1 is currently a pre-order item from Asus. As for the ETA, ASUS has provided an ETA of 3/2. We will be fulfilling orders on a first come first serve basis. Once we have a model for your order we will send you an email status update.

Thanks, Xotic PC

Hopefully sooner as a month with my now crippled Dell is gonna be a looooooong month.


Edit: I looked up the spec sheet on the Intel 6200 and it has just two antennas - I wonder if the upgrade will be that card instead, since the drivers are already up on the Asus support page for the G73?

 

Then you must love COD's sandbox maps! jk

I can see where you're coming from. I just love how the bullets are affected by gravity over long distances. Separates the men from the boys!

 

LOL! Now that you know there are now FOUR choices, which WiFi link do you now want in YOUR G73JH..... Atheros, Intel 1000, Intel 5100, or Intel 6200?

 

Screw that mess, I'll pull out an 802.11b USB adapter from Wal*Mart!

 

So canceling my upgrade to the 5300 from stock would be a good idea?

 

I would....... save your pennies.

 

nice. gunna put that saved cash towards a 5 button Razer mouse for home use and leave the lame 3 button one that comes with the G73 for the road only

 

I'm thinking of getting this for architectural work. The only thing that is designed for gaming is the video card. But at this price you are pretty much getting a free upgrade compared to similarly priced systems from competitors. I'm also not aware of any other system that has 4 ram slots(except the overpriced DELL precision 17inch), as you know photo/video editing work eat through RAM. the ability to have 8GB of fast ram at a reasonable cost cannot be underestimated.

The design of the system is also very sophisticated and bold. The Lines remind me of deconstructivist architects like ZAHA and KOOLHAAS.

Even the size and weight seems to be low for the category. So i really dont see any downside, unless you really must have expresscard and USB 3.0. In which case i would recommend the ASUS N71 , since it has both. The design is not as sophisticated and you only get 2 RAM slots.

 

Bankergolfer was right!

 

LOL! Let's not forget we are port limited here..... I guess we will be carrying a 'Bag-Full-O'-Dongles' around, right? (..... a lil' dongle for this, a lil' dongle for that.....)

Personally, gimme the Intel 1000 and I'll be happy!

 

Kim,
That is a nice laptop. What do you think the 3DMark06 score is with that laptop's configuration? Assume it has a 17 720 CPU. 4 GB RAM.

 

anyone willing to try overclocking using SETFSB? You can PM me the results and ill post it anonymously if you are afraid ASUS is watching the forums

Be interesting to see if this cooling system can let it attain 920QX speeds or beyond.

 

So I preordered with Intel 5300, you think it's going to be the same as the stock? or even worse..???

 

No one cares if Asus is watching..... I am sure the PLL will be posted shortly, LOL!

QUAD! PLL BUDDY! LOL! (no doubt, he's gam'in!)

 

Intel 5100 for me! The dual band will best match my new wireless router.

I upgraded my whole place to welcome this notebook into its new home - new 1080p TV, new DVD player to match the TV, new 10/100/1000 wireless a/b/g/n router to replace my trusty old 10/100 wireless G combo (finally!), and a new network storage drive.

Everything will be here Monday except for the G73 LOL (must laugh through the pain)

 

set FSB cannot OC an i7, as i7 CPUs have no FSB. they have a BCLK which is very different.

 

Setfsb? Have they modded it for the i7 architecture? If so they should change the name.

Not the first time setfab has come up regarding the i7 systems. I think something new may be coming.

 

@ extreme092
it wont be worse than stock, but almost everywhere you are it wont be an improvment.
since the 5300 is a modification done by the resellers, they may offer a different option, like an alternate with two ants or pull the option to upgrade and reduce the price.
they just got them in thier hands yesterday.

 

I can see how this can become complicated as turbo modes come into play. As in an overclocked system can actually become slower if the heat output throttles the CPUs and disable the turbo modes.

Personally i would like to see the combination that gives the best multicore Cinebench results since i render and use software that takes advantage of multithreading.

 

GEE WIZ, LOL, YOU ARE RIGHT! I TOTALLY SPACED !!! FORGIVE ME MY LORD! (humbly bows without emot-icons)

 

damn..........i doubt ASUS will alow bios overclocking. i have never seen that in a notebook

 

XoticPC already confirmed they have their unit OC'd to 799/1200, desktop HD5770 speeds already on the stock unit.