G73JH Surprisingly Low Price?

Hey, I'm sorry to be a bother, but I was taken aback when I saw this. I have been spending hours researching for good laptops for gaming with a $1000 budget. On my first run, I found the N61JH-XV1 on Amazon for only $999 whose specs looks like it packs an incredible punch.

On my second researching session for Asus laptops, I discovered a listing on Newegg for a model of the G73JH on Newegg for an incredibly low price of $870. I realize this is a model advertised specifically for gaming, so I was never expecting an i7 G73 to be sold for less than $1200. It has a slightly weaker processor than the N61JQ above, but it is dominant in amount of memory, video card, screen size, resolution and price!

Has anybody else bought the exact model on Newegg? Is it somehow inferior to the other models of the G73 who are being sold for $500 or more than the price of this one? Also, does the warranty from this laptop include Asus' 1 year accidental and 2 year global warranty? Also, Newegg says that the restock's ETA is in 4 days, but I'm wondering if the stock will ever be replenished or if it will stay empty?

Thanks to anybody who answers! I have been spending a massive amount of time looking at laptops and it seems like I keep finding lower and lower prices. I'm afraid that if I keep searching, I'll come up with a genuine maxed out laptop for only $200

 

The reason the G73JH is so low is because it is a Recertified product.

 

Even more reason; it's a re-certified Bestbuy version w/o Bluetooth, the second drive, 6GB of RAM and 1600x900 screen. Once you you are lucky enough to get a good screen, upgrade bios, vbios and ATI drivers you'll have a blazing fast gaming machine until the thermal paste degrades and you have to re-paste it. Many re-certs and refurbs come with very limited warranty and you will need to do the re-paste on your own.

Even so I've been tempted to pick one up for the kids. Can't beat the specs for the price.

Cheers,

 

I realize it's a refurb, but even so, it's not like they're swapping out the GPU and CPU for dirt. It still makes me rather cautious, although the one customer review seemed genuine and positive about buying a refurb.

Also, to be honest, I don't consider myself a hardcore PC gamer. I've been gaming on the PS3 but I've been interested in gaming on the PC as well, and I want to have a smooth start. And I don't mind the 900p res over a 1080p screen, so that's not a problem.
The warranty is a downside since the ASUS 1 year accidental warranty sounded generously nice. Otherwise, thanks for your comment. I'll probably get a good tube of thermal paste and spend the expense to upgrade the bios.

I found a listing for another refurb from BTO Tech for $999. Has anybody purchased from them? I've only read a couple pieces of feedback but they seem to be reliable.

 

Yes BTO Tech are a very good reliable company, I was tempted in getting the same model but decided that I might as well save more money and go for a new one which includes a better warranty, screen, processor, Hard drive etc because I'm sure all the upgrades I'll do later down the road to the refurb model will be around the same price I pay for a new one.

 

I think these are an excellent deal also, and newegg has good service. Just make sure you thoroughly test it in your 2 week return period. If you do have to RMA, start immediately because one RMA will take up at least 1 month of your 3 month warranty. I've seen these units at newegg and they are never in stock, I assume they are selling like hotcakes. I am very happy with my RBBX05, but I got it on craigslist for $750 with the original 1 year warranty. If I hadn't found mine, I'd seriously consider these refurbs.

 

My word gaming laptops are so cheap in the USA! Wish I was there...

 

Most electronics are cheaper here but we don't get that great UK accent everywhere we go.

Cheers,

 

These pop in from time to time without warning, but only a handful and they go quick.

I bought this last week. It came perfectly functional. LG screen and 1333mhz memory. Was going to repaste but it stays below 90 during furmark. Bought an intel 6200 for $15 (which was easy to install) and its bluetooth module and cable for $12 (which wasnt easy). Also put in a 80GB intel SSD (used cardboard as a spacer).

I still want to change the screen though.

Cowboom also sometimes has these for this price, but Im not sure those are factory refurbished like these or just ones bestbuy assumed works fine.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll just pop into the Newegg periodically and check its availability.

After talking a bit with the BTO Tech seller, the refurbished laptop sounds exceptionally reliable. There is a 15-day RMA for no charge for prebuilt laptops as well, so I can test it out there and check for defects. Also, I'm planning on purchasing the Asus 1 year refurb warranty for $45, but is there any reason why I should buy 2+ year global or 1+ year accidental warranty?

As a side question, can the RBBX05 upgrade its drivers? I read from a review that it couldn't, which sounds really strange.

Thanks for your comments, they are really helpful

 

lol...really , the electronics in UK are overpriced and crappy... would gadly swap for better ones.

 

I picked one up from Newegg.... Its great! Everything works, no issues as long as you update bios/vbios... And yes, you can update drivers.... I would go for Newegg... Customer service is great! The only problem I had with them is the static speaker issue... I had to RMA but turnaround was quick + free overnight shipping.

 

Very cool, thanks for the enlightenment!

It looks like Newegg has the RBBX05 refurbs in stock today and I was really looking into warranty for both BTO Tech and Newegg. BTO Tech offers Asus warranties while Newegg offers only their 1-year warranty. Is Newegg warranty (after the 2 weeks and manufacturer's warranty) very good? I'm just pretty paranoid that I will get a pretty nice computer and it will die a couple days after my warranty ends

 

Lol I'll take that as a compliment! Still though I prefer the cheap electronics the accent isn't so nice in some places