Asus G51Jx-A1 w/ GTS 360m (GDDR5), now available for pre-sales!

^^ ETA at this time is the first week of February

 

getting close folks!

 

Most recent update that we've received from Asus is the first week of February. We're still hoping for a late January surprise shipment from Asus, but won't get our hopes too high.

 

Do you think this model will suffer from high heat issues like the prior G51?

 

Judging by the video card switching from a GTX260M to a GTS 360M, it should run cooler. However we will not know the exact temps until it arrives into stock from ASUS. (Which should be very soon )

 

Great - I'll wait for your input!

 

I can't wait for a hands on review of this baby. Hopefully it lives up to its predecessor since the bsod is now fixed.

 

oh they did fix the BSOD issue?

 

So far it's looking good! GentechPC.com worked with Asus and they have a beta BIOS that seems to have fixed it so far!

 

Yes, it appears so.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=450046&page=50

 

I'm considering this new model and it's nice to see ASUS is fixing issues. Does anyone know if this model will support Dual HDDs like the old one?

 

Only a single Hard Drive is supported on the new model.

 

I'd rather a Dual HDD and a modular ROM

 

they should have used the 'stealth' design for this beast!

 

Is your first shipment of this model sold out or is there still a number available for backorder?

 

Unfortunately we do not have confirmed numbers on the shipment since it has not arrived, but from what we have been told thus far is we expect to have some in stock after fulfilling open orders.

 

Thank you for the info Justin. Still deciding on this or the G73. The ports and smaller screen have me leaning towards this model not to mention the shorter waiting time. I just need to see how the gts 360 will perform to make my final decision.

 

While it doesn't have a second drive bay, the tradeoff is it apparently has FOUR RAM slots, which is pretty cool too. (Makes going to 8GB inexpensive, and even 16GB practical if you really needed it.) Really rare on laptops.

 

I will be putting my G51J up for sale for a good deal on the forum after my G73 arrives. I never had the Bsod issues and it is still at the 204 Bios. I think the G51j is a better machine than the JX, but that's just my opinion.

 

I keep reading that 6gb ram is more than enough memory for any machine. Is there a benefit to more ram or will this configuration just make it cheaper to buy?

 

Realistically 4gb of ram is more than enough for everyday use. You will only see a performance difference between 4 and 6 or 8gb of ram if you are doing intensive 3D model rendering and videos and stuff that will require alot of RAM usage.

 

Ok thanks for the response. I may be doing some video editing in the future so those extra slots will be valuable.

 

Is there anywhere where I can get the Asus G51J-A1? After reading about this update, I would rather buy the previous model. Is there any place where I can customise it?

Thanks.

Scirwode

 

Hmm not sure if anyone stocks it anymore since it's been discontinued.....maybe do to the massive bsod complaints although latest news appears a new bios seems to have fixed it. Maybe they'll reinstate it if the problem is resolved but since this new model is out who knows might only get it if the resellers have any stock left

 

Your best bet is to search the Marketplace here on NBR or eBay. Most likely you will not find the previous model (G51J-A1) available from a reseller.

 

Unless you're in Canada. Our stores here still sell the Asus G1S-A1!

G1S-A1: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX17574(ME).aspx

G51-A1: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX26925(ME).aspx

 

I was afraid of that. I've been searching all over the internet and there are a limited number of models available, but they all have a DVD drive whereas I would like to have a Blu-Ray drive and a 3 year Global warranty, considering I'm in Malaysia.

Scirwode

 

I'm putting mine up on NBR marketplace after my G73 comes in.

 

Can anyone tell me is it worth it to upgrade the ram from DDR3 1066MHz to DDR3 1333MHz for almost $200?? Is there a noticeable difference between these two in terms of gaming and other daily uses??

Thanks

 

No.
10char

 

hhmm...so 360 GTS with GDDR5 is slower than GDDR3 260 GTX??? why would they put a slower graphics cards in a newer laptop?? or am i missing something??

 

It is and will be slower. They are doing it so that it runs cooler and draws slightly less power. I would rather have the extra horsepower, but that's me.

 

The problem with the G51 model was that it tends to run on the hot side. So what Asus did in order to have it run cooler (beside redesigning the notebook completely) was swap out the GTX260 with the GTS360. However you trade off performace for better cooling.

 

I would hop on the 1 G51J unit left at amazon. It's a much better system IMHO.

 

yep...i would rather buy a notebook cooler or apply thermal paste than have less power when i need in a laptop...

 

I think the power difference will be marginal. So rather then carry extra accessories around with me id rather a cooler running system overall.

I'd like the option of dual HDDs with a modular DVD drive.

 

Well if GTS360M will eliminate the throttling issue, I'm all for a slight performance trade off.

 

Just when I think I've made a decision I find another competitor. The sager 8690 looks good too. The better graphic card and fact that its upgradeable is attractive. Only thing is I read the fans are loud and speakers aren't that good. I'd like to find out how the g51 sounds and if it runs cooler. I wonder if this refresh is getting an upgrade in the speakers.

 

ASUS notebooks don't have good speakers too, AFAIK.
What turns me off from Sager is very blocky design and the battery last even shorter than G51J

 

I can almost guarantee you that the speakers won't be changed. The only thing they've done with the Jx is improve the cooling system (supposedly), drop down to 1 HDD bay instead of 2, add a Ram slot, and use a less powerful Gpu. None of those things are quality enhancements (I don't have a heat problem on my G51J) so I doubt they would upgrade the sound system.

 

Hmm I guess the speakers are a non factor. And the sager design is a bit boring but I'm not really a fan of the slash design either. Battery life is an issue though the reason I don't want a "17 is because of portability but what would be the use if still had to carry around a charger. I'm assuming they removed one of the hdd to extend battery life. Asus also comes with windows 7 preinstalled and the great warranty. Mmm decisions decisions. So the card will still be less powerful even though its ddr5?

 

Yes, it'll be less powerful, because its essential a rebadge of the GTS 260 which is weaker than the GTX 260

 

I don't think G51Jx will have longer battery life than G51J-A1.

on nVidia site, GTS360M is classed as High performance, while GTX260M, GTX280M, 9800, 8800 GT/GTX are classed as enthusiast (1 rank higher).

It's so hard to get a 15-16" laptop nowadays with high performance CPU + graphics and high screen resolution

 

As far as Sager vs. Asus concerns, Asus offers a much better/cheaper global warranty. Other than a better graphic card, I can't see anything that the Sager 8690 can beat the G51Jx....and it's more expensive...I say Asus is definitely a better deal overall...

 

Actually I think it will have longer battery life.
GTS360M requires less power consumption = better battery life.
anyone doing a review for g51jx-a1?

 

Sager 8690 has an outstanding screen also a good cooling system unlike g51jx and it has gtx 280m in it.
sager also has 3year labor/1year parts warranty but since Asus has a good warranty I won't say anything about it.
I'm not criticizing G51Jx but Asus is not "definitely" a better deal I would say.

 

My guess would be about ~10 watts of savings for the slower 360GTSM and about 5 watts savings for one less HDD. That should equal about 20-25 minutes of extra battery in the best case scenario. I still would take the better performing GPU over 20 minutes of battery, but we will have to wait for the 360m to launch and see the actual bench numbers.

 

Do you think that after Asus finally releases this laptop, the price is going to jump up? I'm setting my aims on it, but I'm hesitating to pull the trigger.

 

Price will not go up nor go down.

 

The only place the price will jump is at retailers like newegg and amazon where their available stock effects the price. When something starts selling like hotcakes at either one of those sites, the price climbs with the demand. The resellers listed here don't do that. As long as you stick to one of the recommended resellers listed here, you won't have to worry about it.