Questions to G74SX owners

I am thinking of getting a G74SX, I just wanted to get some answers to a few questions from owners before buying:

1) I noticed at Best Buy on the floor model that the touchpad is Sentelic brand. Is this correct?
2) If "no" to #1, skip this question.
If "yes" to #1, does the Sentelic driver mess up the touchpad like it does in the MSI GT780R? "Mess up" here means the mouse goes haywire all over the screen (I already returned my GT780R because of this issue among many others).
3) Is virtual scrolling is capable with the touchpad? The Best Buy floor model did not have any special driver software running to enable virtual scrolling. As such there did not seem to be any virtual scrolling available, at least from what I saw. If there is virtual scrolling, what type is it? The GT780R I had did a page down/up type scrolling, where as I am used to (and prefer) a smooth scroll.
4) Any complaints with the keyboard missing strokes or requiring one to hit the keys dead center (as is the case with many chiclet style keyboards)?
5) Any complaints with the touchpad buttons? They seemed pretty nice and quiet when I checked them out at Best Buy.
6) Any complaints with fan noise?
7) I notice the G74SX-A1 on Newegg.com comes with a carrying bag and a USB mouse. Did yours?
8) I forgot to test this at Best Buy: can you open the lid with one hand, i.e. without holding the base down with your other hand?
9) Again, forgot to look at this at Best Buy: What is the locking mechanism for the lid?
10) Is the 1 year ADP provided out of the box, or do you have to register? The MSI GT780R required registration and mailing of the original UPC-barcode.



Thanks for all responses ahead of time.

 

The Best Buy version of this laptop comes with a gimped video card and a lesser warranty with no accidental damage coverage. You'd be better off buying a similar system from Amazon (since they'll let you return it for a full refund if you're not happy) or Newegg. Alternatively, if you want custom options, buy from one of the great resellers who post on this board (XoticPC, GentechPC, or Powernotebooks).

 

When did I say I was buying it from Best Buy? Just stick to the questions, thanks.

 

* There is an issue with the spacebar. Got one from Amazon for $1499 (returned) and the spacebar was really nutty on the corners. More solid on the Tigerdirect $1499, but misses space character very occasionally still.

* The lid is locked by a big bolt-screw thingie in the center and metallic hangers-thingies. You partially unscrew the bolt and pull the lid off. You can open the lid with one hand but it's much more convenient to hold the base with the other hand.

* No complaints about touchpad or fan noise.

* Not sure about accidental damage protection. I don't know if the G74 has it.

* Mine didn't come with a carrying bag or mouse, but it wasn't from Newegg.

* Haven't tried virtual scrolling. Dunno how to enable it if it is there.

 

1) No issues with the Sentelic pad so far here.

3) The Sentelic driver package looks amazingly like the Synaptic ones, and I see the same gesture options.

4) There are some keyboard issues reported, and a new BIOS and updated ATK were put out for it.

5) No button issues

6) Fan noise is very quiet, especially on load.

7) The A1, A2 and 3DE come with bag and mouse. X models do not normally.

8) Yes, you can open the lid one-handed

9) It's held in place by magnets

10) You can register for the ADW online. You first do the VIP registration, then the ADW reg.

 

Magnets?..

 

There is a small magnet in the casing above the LCD panel.

 

Don't do it. Keep your MSI, MSI will at least work to fix it. I can't guarantee it, but chance of MSI releasing a new bios to fix that touchpad issue is much higher than any support for Asus.

If Asus has similar issues, you'll be screwed. Asus still hasn't fixed the touchpad issue for G73jh users and it's almost 2 years now with no fix.

Don't do it. Yes I am a very disgruntled Asus customer whose G73jh's touchpad is still wonky on occasion, and still not satisfied with a vBIOS that has broken PowerPlay. So take my advice with grain of salt, but that's my feeling about Asus. As long as people buy, Asus will ignore a problem and pretend it doesn't exist.

 

Well, i just traded a asus g73 for the g74. I have a question for Chastity do i need to download any BIOS updates or anything for the G73. Also, is the GPU at the latest driver out the box?

 

Can you explain what you mean by trade?

 

well i traded with a buddy of mine. he wanted the g73 and i wanted the g74 so we traded and i also gave him my nintedo wii

 

Buyed mine from GentechPC i have the same problem with spacebar. For sure is hardware pb.
I was untill now ASUS all the way... but im pretty sure this will be my last ASUS notebook.

 

ASUS G74SX Keyboard Problems NOT FIXED with New UPDATES

Chastity, I just got my SECOND G74SX from Amazon, the first one was returned. I know have a SECOND ONE with the SAME F**KING keyboard PROBLEM.

I followed your excellent instructions that were posted, I updated to bios 202, I removed .8 of the ATK and rebooted, installed .10 and then rebooted. Guess what. I still have the random stuttering keyboard on a $1650 LAPTOP ! This has me incensed. I want this laptop to work and to work correctly.

its completely random...it comes and goes. When its happening key storkes are missed no matter how hard you type, SHIFT TAB happens just randomly as you type and your cursor hops all over. This happens in notepad, email, microsoft word, ANYWHERE you have to type anything.

I need a solution for this, or I'll have to dump this worthless computer and get something else from someone else.

Any ideas ? I keep on hearing that the asus tech phone supports sucks beyond compare, and am afraid I won't get any help from them.

Thanks so much, help please. You seem to be the expert.
Steve

 

KnowPub, I suggest you try the G74SX-XT1, which for me doesn't seem to have the spacebar issues.

 

I replied to this on asusrog, but I'll repeat here...

When I was troubleshooting the G73 kb issues, I found that when the BIOS makes hardware changes of the resources, then the ATK and KB Filter driver should be both uninstalled, reboot, and reinstall, KB Filter first. Seeing you did the 202 update, you should try this. This way, the drivers will be using the current hardware settings. I've seen a few kb quirks fixed this way.

 

hi, well just to let you know, i own a "BEST BUY" g74sx bbk7. and the touch pad is a ( Synaptic ), never had anything go wrond with it yet. so far this laptop is working great i love it . i live up in the mountains of tenn, so i use my new HTC EVO (3-D ) cell phones "hot spot" to connect to the internet. it seems to be running good on it. i never had any problems with the keybord or the touch pad. the price at BEST BUY for a g74sx bbk7 is>> $1,199.99

 

Sorry if this is o topic but, i don't want to make a tread just for this again

Well, i got a problem with my G74! I bought GTA 4 and the settings do go up! I'm at the lowest possible setting and won't let me go any higher! did any get this problem and could they help me out!

 

Do you mean "don't" go up? Did you download the latest ( August) Nvidia drivers? Otherwise I dunno...

 

This is exactly what i mean

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k491/kcuestag/2011-03-20_00001.jpg

If anyone could figure that out i would appreciate it!