G55VW-DH71 or G75VX

Hi guys, I'm contemplating between pretty similar models for a gaming/multimedia laptop.

The main configurations would be as follows:

G55VW-DH71
15,6" 1920x1080 Matte Display
i7 3630QM
GTX 660M
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz
256GB mSATA SSD + 1TB HDD

G75VX
17,3" 1920x1080 Matte Display
i7 3630QM
GTX 670MX
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz
256GB SSD + 1TB HDD

So, besides the size, the main difference is the graphics chip and SSD, the former being most important since the 670MX is quite a step forward from its Fermi cousin. Also, the G75VX is currently delayed until further notice. I'd also like to know how owners of the G55 feel about their machines; as you can see from my sig I've been used to 17 inch laptops so far and I'm thinking about going more portable with the G55.

Any thoughts would be welcome, thanks.

 

The 670mx is really a deciding factor. It is a large step up from the 660m. Honestly I have a G53sw and it's pretty portable. My friend has a newer G75 and the size difference isn't noticeable. It's bigger but it feels proportionate and not nearly as bulky as some seem to think. It's very easy to carry around.

Out of curiosity, why are you set on Asus? You could get a much better deal with Clevo/Sager or especially the MSI GT60 with the 680m.

 

I looked at both MSI and Sager. The branded MSI's are grossly overpriced (I paid just under 1800$ for the R3 in my sig) and try so hard to look their part, failing miserably IMHO, and their support, from what I understand, is horrendous. Won't go with the cheaper barebone versions, fearing the quality of the (mostly) plastic cover.

I've owned a Sager before... oy, talk about an ugly piece of machine. But since I don't care much about aesthetics, I can't overlook some of the design issues in the P150EM/P170EM models. They keep insisting on the utterly useless fingerprint reader which is horribly placed. And talk about horrible placing, you must be a complete and utter cretin to put the mic receiver in between the keyboard and touchpad... wow... just wow. I've also read on the consistent sound issues, which Asus also seems to be having with the built-in subwoofer.

I have some issue regarding the Asus models but I was drawn by their design mentality, so I understand why they would opt to stick with the 670MX. And for the first time in several years I'm no longer looking for the first brick that packs the years fastest GPU As far as deals are concerned, I don't believe there's a "better deal" to be had when you factor in the 680M's 500$ price tag. Looking at some reseller configurations, I really don't understand why people push Sager/Clevo at the top of the list saying they're a much cheaper deal.

EDIT: If Apple manage to hold on to the 680MX exclusivity, woe to those who do want the (PC) brick with the years fastest GPU

 

By the way, what was the weight difference between the G53 and G75. I read they're almost identical, maybe a half pound difference...

 

Yeah, I'm not sure what the exact weights are, but they feel really identical. I would go hold a Best Buy edition and make sure the dimensions are okay but make sure you order from online like newegg or another outlet. Best Buy versions of Asus tend to have gimped parts (screens or GPU's).

Are you sure about the MSI prices? I understand your complaints but for about 1500$ you can buy a MSI Gt60 with a 680M from XoticPC. I guess to each their own

 

The cheapest GT60 with the 680M is 1900$ at XoticPC. Am I missing something? Where did you configure it for that price?

 

Here's the Gt60

It seems like they try to hide it, but it's listed as a barebones model. I see your point though, I've been debating whether it's really necessary or if it would be better just to get an i5 and 660m for much cheaper.

 

Oh yeah, that's the barebones version. Like I said, I'm looking into the G55 models as well, but I can't overlook the 670MX performance gain. Couple that with it's ability to reach stable OC levels that match a stock 680M... maybe that's just a lie

 

Won't there also be a large price difference between the G55VW and the upcoming G75VX? From what I can tell there is still a lot of speculation on G75VX pricing, but by searching Google you can find several European websites which have G75VX pre-orders starting around €1,600. This equates $2,000 which is quite an increase over the current G55VWs which start as low as $1,200.

I'm trying to decide between these two laptops as well, but if there really turns out to be an $800 price difference I'll definitely choose the G55. Does anybody out there have better information on the expected G75VX pricing for US retailers?

 

Also, keep in mind that none of the Asus G series include Optimus.

 

Never get the GT60/GT70. Its steelseries keyboard suffers from ghosting horror issue. Also wait for the G75VX since 670mx is about 30% faster than GTX 660m and 15% faster than the fermi 670m. Also MSI makes you pay for shipping to their repair shop even if it is not your fault and it was a defect compared to Asus or AW warranty where they actually pay for shipping both ways.

It is actually good that there is no optimus for the G55/G75 series since these are true desktop replacements and you no longer have to deal with the auto graphic switching headaches and deal with that intel hd 4000. You can now also use a 3d monitor for 3d vision directly on HDMI since nvidia has full total control of your ports. The great thing about the G55/G75 is you will still get guaranteed 2 1/2 hours of battery life for web browsing and optimus just adds another 1 hour on top of that which isn't worth the trouble of the annoying intel hd 4000.

 

I don't know how much longer I can wait, now resellers are starting to throw around Q2 2013 as a release date...