Buying the G73 from Best Buy soon. Need advice

Hey folks.
Well, just sold (hopefully) my Acer Aspire notebook. The buyer hasn't finished checkout yet but If that doesn't go through I have other people on the list that want to buy, so It's not a big deal.

I was sold on the Asus G73JH from Best Buy (The $1199 model) and even though it's a bit less powerful than the more expensive ones from Newegg and whatnot, it's all I can afford. I WAS going to get the Toshiba Qosmio for $1099 but decided to upgrade. Besides, I hate all that flashy and tacky red crap.

I read in a thread ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...een-best-buy-g73jh-we-may-have-found-way.html) that I should aim for a specific P/O=
J0X-9C8253 (someone commented that their J0X-013243 had the LG and 1333 too)

This is said to be the LG screen with 1333mhz memory and that sounds like the best bang for my Best Buy buck. Now I'll get on to the point:

1) When I went in two days ago, the price on the floor was $1199, as it is in their weekly ad for the store I went to. The salesman I spoke to even made a photocopy of the pricetag (I have the copy and I also have the ad printed out). I went in today to look at it some more (I can't get enough. The anticipation of waiting to get it is ABSOLUTE murder =S) and noticed that they jacked the price up to $1250 or whatever. Best Buy has a price match guarantee, so should I be able to get it for the $1199 like it is supposed to be? (The salesman also told me that the $1199 is the normal price. The ad states that the price is good until August.)

2) When I get to get the computer finally, can I specify the P/O? Ask the guy that will go get the box to find me a box with J0X-9C8253? Is there a way to chose my own computer at the store somehow? Or just keep telling the guy to go back until he hits pay dirt?

3) Does anyone have any advice for me in regards to working with Best Buy? Anything I should know before hand?

4) Any advice as to what I should do after I have it home and out of the box? Updates? Drivers?

Thanks folks! Can't wait to make the Asus NBR forum my new home.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. You'll probably get one of the newer AUO screens, which from feedback suggests is as good as the LG. If the colors look washed out, reset the video drivers.

Then you can have fun uninstalling the bloatware and updating the driver and applications by getting aquainted with Asus' support website, which requires a manual.

 

You can tell the Best Buy employees to do whatever you want. You are the paying customer so they have to do what you ask. If you want a box with no scratches on the outside, you are picky, but they will oblige. That is how retail works. If you get an employee who doesn't like it, just ask for a manager. They get paid way too little to deal with the worst crap from the worst customers, and your request really isn't a big deal.
I did a fresh install of Windows 7 on mine, and there is a really good guide on here for that. I have the AUO screen and so far I like it better than the 1920 x 1200 screen I'm giving up to have this laptop. It's very bright.

 

Alright, thanks. Are there any discrepancies in the RAM speed anymore or does it all seem to be 1333 Mhz now?

And If I get a model that does not have 1333 Mhz, can I return it?

 

I think ALL G73JH's are supposed to have 1066mhz ram. It says 1066mhz on the side of my box, but mine came with 1333mhz ram. However, I would check on your box when you buy it to make sure. If it says 1066mhz and you want to return it, you may have trouble unless there is something else wrong with the laptop. Good luck.

 

Besides, the performance difference is moot with 1066 vs 1333.

 

Definately agree.

 

The 1920x1080 screen is worth the extra $400 alone to find a Microcenter near you and get the X5.

I have been considering this system for a while now, and seeing the ones at BestBuy and seeing the one at Microcenter, it's almost sadly hilarious what a crap screen the RBBX one uses (AUO).

The AUO screen uses a film of shiny filth (what us veteran notebook users call "grainy or shiny screen") to coat the screen that has historically plagued screens from Dells and Asus.

That alone makes it completely crap, even aside from the horrible contrast and black levels.

 

too bad, since the X5 was on sale for the 4th of July with $100 off.

 

I don't have $400 more for a better screen. To me, that seems like a waste of money. Though with my graphics design, that may be an advantage, I simply cannot afford to put that much into a screen. If necessary, I will just buy a bigger and better monitor when I get the money, or plug it up to my TV.

 

I will say that the screen is amazing and depending on what you do, may very well be worth $400. I have to say the LED (Hannstar) screen in the G73 is the nicest display I've ever seen and I almost hate to use my external screen (cost $250 and is 24") just because it's bigger since the colors are nowhere close to the internal display.

 

As much as people like the Hannstar screens, base your decision on your finances. If you can't get it, don't worry. Just go to BestBuy and hope your G73 has a nice screen. If YOU like it, then awesome. If not, just return

 

^ Thanks for the advice guys. I'll hopefully have this Acer sold soon enough so I can get my new Asus. It seems like it's taking an eternity. =/

 

Hey Kaelang, Trust me I have the Bestbuy model and absolutely love it for the price. I am in the same boat as you. For gaming it is simply awesome.

 

Returns will hit you with a 15% restocking fee. You might as well have just put that 15% towards the X5 model.

 

If you're doing graphic design... spring for the hannstar screen on the a1/a2/x5 models.

First thing I did with mine was calibrate it with a huey pro and it's just amazing.

Someone mentioned that the AUO screens are better now, but even being way better than their first few batches doesn't mean they're *good*, just acceptable.

I'd bank the $ and wait for a sale on one of the upper end models for the bigger HDs, better screen, more ram, twice the warranty, and the one year accidental coverage.