How reliable and robust are Asus G73 compared to Alienware m17x?

I have always had Dell computers and been impressed with their reliability. My current machine is an XPS Gen2 and almost five years old. I use it for hours everyday both for work and also FSX. I need to change it and am considering the Asus G73JH A1 or an Alienware m17x. I know the Alienware is more expensive but the Asus seems to be a very good machine and has more or less everything I want.

In your experience will it last me a few years or should I hold out for the next Alienware with the 5870 graphics card due around June (or so I've been told by the Dell rep in Ireland).

Thank you for your advice

Gerry

 

Most of us haven't had our G17s for over a few weeks. Wouldn't know about longevity. My temperatures are pretty good (max 80c). IMO if the temperatures are stable, and nothing happens in the first few weeks. then the machine is to last.... and Asus's 2 year warranty does have you covered.

Some people have got lemons, but my machine has been excellent so far.

 

I realise that you will only have had your machine a few weeks but maybe user's experience of Asus in general will be a good indicator?

 

If money isn't an issue hold out for the new M17x. Cooling is an issue with the G73 which will shorten it's life span. Just be aware that the Alienware is about 4lbs heavier.

 

If you don't O/C and just use the computer as is, I don't think the cooling will shorten the life of notebook at all, should be fine. I've used laptops than ran much hotter than G73 and they lasted me 4-5 years.

As for the Alienware comparison, take a guess. Alienware when upgraded to the same specifications as the G73 other than the dual GPUs, is more than twice the price.

If the Alienware isn't better, then it would be a embarrassing for Dell.

 

That's a fair point about Dell.

I don't overclock but the other point in Dell's favor for me is the option to specify a faster processor which I think will benefit FSX (although I do play other games but mostly on the 360 because my system is so old.) Here there are no Asus re-sellers who will do the processor upgrades as an option. I also can't find a definitive answer as to whether the core i7 720 will run FSX with good frame rates. Videos on YouTube all show external models of aircraft rather than cockpit view which often affects frame rates.

Having said that I am seriously thinking of the Asus because of the specification and value for money, hence my question. I wonder if there are many happy customers who have made the switch?

 

What are you talking about? There are many resellers who offer processor upgrades, XoticPC for example.

 

Some quick pro's and cons of each:

Asus Pro's:

• Cheaper cost
• Has a 5870m (dx11)
• Lighter weight
• TDP unlocker for CPU overclocking. Currently no other notebook has it.
• 7% OC for any CPU type (not just the 920xm)

Asus Con's:

• Plastic/Rubber build
• 5870m in the G73 runs hot
• Asus warranty requires you to mail the system.
• No RGB LED display.
• No dual graphics support
• Requires complex warranty voiding work to upgrade the CPU on your own or you must pay extra for the service.
• No upgrade path for the video card since Asus uses a proprietary design that does not conform to MXM 3.0b.
• Reliability of the G73 has been sketchy.

Alienware M17x-R2 Pro's:

• Triple fan/heatsink cooling that's generally one of the best in the industry
• RGB LED display
• Dual graphics support (4870x2)
• Best build quality of any notebook on the market (anodized aluminum)
• GPU can be upgraded since Alienware conforms to MXM 3.0b standards.
• Dell warranty service will generally repair your system or replace it at no cost. Tech's will come to your home.
• Alien FX Lighting
• This is subjective but IMO the best looking notebook on the market.
• 5% overclocking for 920xm processors via bios

Alienware M17x-R2 Con's:

• Heavier than G73
• Costlier than G73
• Dell warranty, while nice, can have sketchy techs at times that can cause a lot of frustration
• The system under load can be loud due to the fans revving up to a high cfm.
• No VT support right now but the next bios should have it.

That's my take on each, it's up to you to decide which you want. If you are leaning towards the M17x-R2, be sure to read up on the threads that discuss how to get a good deal (up to 20%+ off).

 

I've owned both and I agree 100% with Joker's post. The only thing I would add as a con for the Asus is the chiclet keyboard. Others besides myself have complained about it. I hate it enough I will never buy another chiclet keyboard again if I don't have to.

Also the part about "Asus warranty requires you to mail the system." You have to pay for that. I have to send my Thinkpad in also and lenovo is not only paying for it they are sending me the box and materials to send it back in. I wish Asus didn't have to nickle and dime it's customers.

 

"That's my take on each, it's up to you to decide which you want. If you are leaning towards the M17x-R2, be sure to read up on the threads that discuss how to get a good deal (up to 20%+ off)."

I need to scour for a fair method to get 20%+ off. (i dont work for Boeing) I would get the M17X-R2 over the Asus and even the Clevo with that kind of discount.

 

If you want to go above the price range of the G73, I would at least consider a Clevo. They have a great record for reliability.

 

Thank you for all the replies and it makes me lean toward the Alienware on everything except cost! Mandrake's post on the keyboard clinched it for me as I have to type a lot for work and need a good keyboard. Seeing as the 5870 or equivalent version of the Alienware won't be out for a good while I think I'll start saving....

Just to say this is a great forum full of interested and informed people who are always happy to share their experience, a bit rare in my experience so thanks.

Gerry

 

My warranty says they pay shipping both ways.

 

I wouldn't "run" from this machine due to the keyboard.

I actually "prefer" it over my previous non-chiclet keyboard.

Go into a big box store and try typing on one!

 

Then I got scammed.

 

I think it is shipping both ways twice.

After that your on your own.

 

Personally I love the keyboard. Love the trackpad too.

 

Dunno if they changed it. When my G1S died on me I made them send me a prepaid box. Then my G1S revived itself somehow. When it died again they sent me a second prepaid box because the sticker attached to the first prepaid box expired. Overnight shipping on all trips (prepaid box to me, filled box to them, box back to me). Although, i hear they axed the overnight shipping thing.

 

Not me. I did question it and they said I pay for it.

 

I heard that you take it to Fedex and they give you some sort of tracking number or something and Fedex deals with them (kinda like a prepaid thing).

 

They ship both ways overnight for me. They send you a shipping label and take it to FedEx. You supply your own box, but overnight free shipping.

Also a lot of the complaints are not shared by all users and they are in the vast minority. So you have to take everything with a grain of salt here. Especially doing all the modifications and doing all the O/Cing is not typical use for any laptop.

That's my only take on this thread, don't base your decision on the few who use their laptops in the most abnormal fashion.

 

Sorry to hear that. When I called ASUS last month about the problem I was having, which turned out to be the crappy Creative software, they were going to RMA my G73. Had I agreed to go through with it, they would have paid for the shipping. I also called Newegg at that time, and they were going to pay for shipping, too. The only exception was, if they could not reproduce the problem, then I pay for shipping back.

I look at ASUS and other companies as a game of roulette. If you are not getting the kind of service you feel you should be getting, thank the person you're talking to and call back. Unfortunately, CSR roulette is an all to common occurrence these days.

 

I had the G73 for a few weeks. At the time I decided it was too big for me but I changed my laptop strategy and decided to go for a more upgradable and true desktop replacement ala M17x-R2. From what I've read, the M17x has much better build quality and cooling, even tho the G73 cooling seemed good to me. For long term I'd go with the Alienware no questions asked.

 

I agree, the G73 cooling is good. Maybe my G73 is different, but so far I am not having any cooling issues. About three days ago my G73 ran the F@H SMP and GPU2 client for 5 continuous days. The power brick became hot (it was slightly uncomfortable to the touch), not the G73. To cool the power brick I raised it off the surface it was sitting on and that greatly reduce it's temps. I'm running my G73 stock. YMMV.

 

The defective ATI GPU thing is the biggest question mark at this point. I know there are many desktop ATI cards having problems too though so it's likely not an ASUS fault.

 

Unfortunately even Alienware is getting hit with defective 4870s lately. However, the difference in this case is that Alienware/Dell gets it's cards directly from ATi/TSMC where as Asus designs it's own cards using an ATi core. Thus it's likely the failure rate of the 5870s in the G73's rests with Asus since the Clevo reference designs (from ATi) are working fine.

 

To each his own I guess. I find the keyboard to be far less accurate. The touchpad is waaaayyy too big. I turn it off and use a mouse whenever I can. My palms are always on it and screwing up what I am trying to do on the computer. Chicklet keyboard will be a big strike on my next laptop. It will have to be awesome in every other way before I will try one of these again.

With that said, it is a smoking fast laptop and I do not regret buying it. Also I will say that I don't like track pads in general. I prefer the nubby joystick on a ThinkPad to anything else out there.

 

I totally agree with "To each his own". I personally upgraded from the dell inspiron 9300 and it is just amazing. I love everything about it. The keyboard is amazing. I was thinking about choosing a macbook pro but got sick of waiting for their i7 upgrade. Then wanted the M17x, but finally found the asus G73 and on first glance, couldn't believe the price for the features it offers. And I do not regret it one bit...the laptop is a piece of art. I love it....the gaming on this machine is freaking amazing. Its insanely fast, it is comfortable...it idles at 59-60C for the GPU and CPU is currently in 45C and max of 53C. The highest I have seen the GPU reach after 2h of gaming was 83C but it fell soon after. BTW...these are temps frm HWInfo32.

Yeah...I have been concerned about te issues people are hving with this laptop as well...but..well...asus have a good warranty and I am sure I will upgrade to a newer spec in 3-4 years again...so use it while it lasts...and for that...its a magnificent beast.

 

Dont forget that this is the only laptop on the market that can handle 16GB of ram. Some say that doesnt matter, but I dissagree. Use the spare 8GB as a ram drive. Install your favorite game there for the day and play it super smooth . Or have a bunch of VMs running for various tasks and not worry about slowdowns or catching a virus on the main machine. Personally Im going to install a server on it to train myself for my job. Endless possibilites...