Should i buy the G73?

Im Brazilian and im going to travel to Los Angeles/CA on Oct 2-19. I intend to buy a gaming laptop arround 1600$. So far ive come with several options. The 2 ones im most inclined to buy are the G73JH-A1 and MSI GX600R-060.
(im not buying customized laptops, only stock bc of time)

By looking at the specs i prefer the G73 but after reading this forum for a while and seeing the big problem this laptop have with the VGA im really considering no to buy it.

The question i have is. Is it really a better option even with this issues?

i dont wanna have problems when playing any game and using any program. And since im going back to my country an eventual RMA for this problem is very hard (and i think Asus warranty dont cove my country), so i really need a help here.

 

In that case, I would recommend the MSI unit. The only bad thing I've heard is the screen can be mediocre, but everything works. You can always buy a new panel later and upgrade it.

 

Never tried or touched the MSI but would've bought it over the ASUS, which I do own, any day, despite the fact that it looks like a childs toy.

 

maybe you already know...
but there are two topics with my comments and other Brazilians who bought the G73 (in Portuguese)

http://forum.clubedohardware.com.br/review-asus-g73jh/807624
[Review] Asus G73JH: ATI HD 5870 1GB GDDR5, CPU i7 (Versão RBBX05 - BestBuy)

 

the review is made by same person... he dont seem to have issues with the newst drivers but thats something you cant foresee.

on searchings ive found that if i use msi/clevo vbios on g73 it wont have any problems with the newest drivers except the video outputs not working...

i would like to know if this is correct and also if its possible to revert it to any other vbios (in case Asus fix this issues one day) and get the video outputs working back again.

If so then its a plus to make me buy it (ive also found how the gx660 screen sucks on contrast and thats a point down for it also)

 

I say yes. The G73 has had exceptional support from Asus. Like MSI the techs have been working hard on fixes and releases. I think some people just assume all notebook companies have contact with their customers on a public forum like NotebookReview. This is very wrong, the only other company that I know of that has active presence is MSI.

The G73 keyboard light issue, the Fn Esc, and the keyboard conflict were all addressed. Taken a while, but I know with a lot of companies, they would have simply ignored it completely.

The vbios fix is coming, this new guy, Gary seems to be on top of it and true to his word. Once this is fixed...

With vBios fix, the G73 IMO is simply the best mobile gaming platform ever made. There is no other machine that is built for mobility, used on your lap without scorching your balls, with decent battery life and exceptional performance at 17.3"

 

Fixed it for you.

To add to ziddy's post, other that the vBios fix, it would have been better if they had been better in the application of thermal paste. Although, there's enough information here on the NBR forums for any user to do a repaste job themselves. Or if they ordered it from a custom reseller, to ask them to do it for you.

Very happy with my G73 and I would recommend it.

 

If you need expensive decoration for your room - go ahead. Too bad it doesn't get cold in Brazil - you could use it as a heater, cause it blows hot air at over 100 C. That would be like an eskimo getting a refrigerator, I guess... Maybe you could also try putting flowers in it and it would look like some futuristic flashing vase or something.
But if you need it to play games, even to watch flash videos, praying and begging that the almighty Asus might release a fix 6 months after they released the laptop, better get the MSI. Especially if you live outside the US, you don't need a proven not working machine.

 

I recommend getting the G73, mine just arrived today its pretty awesome.

 

can anyone enlighten me about this?

 

Forget about it. Asus is releasing a new vBios for the G73jh.

 

The G73 has been very good to me. I'm on stock gpu drivers and I have never crashed in any of the games I've played. I also upgraded the drive to an OCZ Agility SSD and it is blazing fast.

 

I don't recommend buying it, yet. Asus promised a new vBIOS that will fix the GSOD issue. However when will they release that and will it really fix the issue is unknown.
If you can't wait, go for a Clevo, MSI or Alienware, but if you can wait, do it. The G73 is a good bang for the buck and hopefully after so many promises and delays, they will fix the GSOD.
A good sign that after 6 months of denying and lying, they finally got a few people to see into this major issue, hopefully they won't let us down, not like they did the W90 owners.

 

thats what im afraid of...

This and having problem with screen like i see on Amazon Customers Review and some ppl here on forum

 

The Back-lit light's for some key's seem kind of dim occasionally and some do not even turn on. Considering my g73 was brand new out of the box, this is quite strange.

 

i think i made my decision... if the fix is released till Oct i will buy the G73... i dont wanna have to make any changes on vbios,bios and etc when im already here in brazil, cause im afraid to brick it and dont have time to do something about it...

then im finger crossed for a solution...

and i still wanna know this:

 

I was about to order a MSI GX740, but then I saw Best Buy has the G73 for $1049 (refurbished).

I really wanted a G73, but the problems put me off. I'm debating if I should roll the dice and get a refurb...

 

Technically, you can use the MSI vbios and everything works (this is how Im using my laptop now, got tired of not being able to play games on this thing and waiting for X weeks until asus fixes their own stuff is, to me, not acceptable) except the vga and hdmi outputs.

So for me, getting his laptop to actually work, I had to do the following:

* Uninstall the creative drivers - if not Steam would conflict and freeze my computer on startup
* Reflash to MSI vbios to get it stable in games with new drivers
* Uninstall touchpad software to remove most of the keyboard lag (Although disabling it in bios should be a better option)
*Uninstall a whole ton of asus bloatware

If you're comfortable with this, then yes, it's a nice laptop.

I know no laptop will be perfect and to give this laptop some recognition, I have to admit that ASUS does have a very good userbase communication going on with Gary on this forum. The laptop is fairly well built (although my macbook pro feels a whole lot more sturdy) and, at least to me, it's the prettiest gaming laptop on the market right now. Matte black is a very nice finish.

I'm getting happier with the purchase, but considering the money I had to pay for it (Around $2600, Norway is not a cheap place), I should not have had to go trough the hoops I have had to go trough to get it working.

And for the record, the asus is the cheapest one with these specs here as well, you don't want to know what an Alienware or Clevo costs here

 

Nyegaard: jeg vet ikke hva du klager over....hvis du fant den til 16k så har du vært heldig, kjenner en del som ga godt over 22k for den.... kommer jo såklart ann på specs da.
Hvor fant du Clevo maskiner forresten ?



I think once they have gotten a working vBios out it should take care of the major problems, and...I'm going to regret this: besides you can't solely blame Asus
creative-steam issue can we really blame Asus for that one ? don't shoot me,I just don't know enough about it.
the keyboard-touchpad issue though that I guess we'll have to pin on Asus yes

Bloatware...dude come on...

 

ASUS G73JH TZ158Z - Core i7 720QM / 1.6 G73JH-TZ158Z Amentio

Ca det samme på komplett.no nå om dagen .

Multicom selger clevo under sitt eget merke "Kunshan" - helt identiske maskiner dog, samme modellnummer også.

When using an MSI vbios fixes my gsod problems, I feel its fairly easy to blame ASUS .

The Creative thing is a driver problem with the default configuration. While the problem might be from Creative, it's ASUS lacking quality assurance that let it slip trough.

As for Bloatware... Check this nice thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/380681-asus-utility-bloatware-guide.html

Preinstalled flash games is fairly bloaty in my book

 

Auda....vet jeg par karer som kommer til å bli veldig forbanna xD

O_O the hell Kunshan IS Clevo?!?!?! well you learn something new every day I guess xD
and for the rest,I see your point I'll be quiet now

oh and the bloatware thing: well...most computers do come with bloatware so IMO can't really hold that against them....although I do format new machines on first boot up....so wouldn't really know xD

 

And my 1st sig link for Creative workaround and how to fix Steam crash

 

I disagree. I bought the Alienware M11x and it's been nothing but headaches.

My G73 has been nothing but smiles.

The difference in you not noticing is on the Alienware forums there isn't anyone like HellCry ranting and raving like a holy roller on how the computer is the worst ever, from the most evil company ever to get everyone riled up and shell shocked from having fear bombs dropped on them because one person has had a bad experience and is going out of their way to ruin everyone's experience merely to justify their own.

So while there's no one there to get everyone riled up and dropping fear bombs on potential new customers, if you read through the threads you'll find just as many issues with Alienware, MSI, Clevo

We all know CPU's and GPU's overclock differently even when they're the same make and model. Why does no one extend this logic on how/why some machines of the same make and model have issues and which don't?

If you get caught up in the fear game and purchase your notebook based on the ranting and ravings of strangers from around the world you've never really met just because they've already bought it - You'll never be satisfied with your purchase with that perspective.

Choose the notebook based on whether or not it has the features you want, if you like the looks, and how many components features does each one have and still fits into your budget.

Those are the criteria you should use to decide on a purchase. Because you will find issues with every make and model of computer no matter how expensive or high end or vice versa. That's just the nature of computers. You're not going to find a brand that has zero issues on their systems so go by components vs. aesthetics vs. budget

Buy the one you want and trust you'll get one that's problem free.

Of course imho, if you're limited to $1600, I'd still get an Asus. But get a G73 with the superior 1080p panel. Having a better panel included is worth any headaches that will be fixed soon through a software update.

And while Chastity's opinion is a good one, replacing a panel on your own could lead to a whole hazard of problems, even if you know what you're doing. Just buy it right the first time and you're all good.

Seriously, the G73 will get fixed. And soon. They're launching the G73JW any week now and they don't want potential new customers being scared away because they still have unhappy customers from the last model. It sucks that it comes down to not wanting to lose money that is getting us our fix, but at least we're getting it.

I say get what you want, but if it was me, I'd be still shooting for a G73JH-A1/A2

That is still the best features and components for the price.

Cheers

I'd definitely get the G73 over any of the other choices.

Plus if your budget cap is $1600, you won't find a competitive notebook that will be packed with as many features.

 

Thats the good thing with fearbombs though - your argument is a bit flawed.

On one side you say its bad that people like HellCry creates a storm for asus and making things look worse then they are.

On the other hand, you're saying ASUS is fixing this because they dont want to loose customers who are afraid.

See where I'm going with this?

If there had been no drama on how horrible this laptop has been there would be no Gary Key here. Some of these issuses are 4 years old (keyboard lag) and is only now looked into. Why do you think that is?

Yes, HellCry was negative as antimatter, but we need people like that. Having a forum full of people only finding hacked workarounds to problems is, in the long term, a horrible thing as it leads to content (not happy, but content) customers and no outcries of a shoddy product.

 

I was going to type up a whole rant on shoddy products, but I got placated by a small container of yummy rice pudding on a hot afternoon.

Plz, continue your discussion.

 

Lol. Don't buy this laptop. This laptop has a lot of issues. BSOD, PSOD, GSOD, EverythingSOD, Boot lock ups, improper bios updating can kill your keyboard light's forever, overheating problems which costs additional to get the GPU repasted. On the contrary, it does give you a lot of features for the price, but if you are looking for a laptop that won't give you headaches for the cost, this is by far certainly not one of them. My HP gave me problems as well, but after a good 2 years chunk of time which included work and extensive gaming.

 

don't listen to this guy.. he lives in antartica and knows nothing.

 

Well it is a ironic fact. Hiding these fact's from potential buyers will demonstrate your ignorance or the ability to lie to them about it. They have the right to know what they are getting themselves into.

 

im aware of the problems u listed... some of them can be handled (like the lights and repasting)...
even with me thinking this shouldnt be the case (nothing is perfect but the number of issues ive seen on this model seems high)

what im afraid the most is what i cant control and fix if smth go wrong, like an error on bios and vbios update or any other issue that needs RMA...

im wating for a final solution to these problems so i can make the minimal modifications on it (if i buy) to avoid any problems

 

Shouldn't you, like, get your own laptop before telling everyone how great it works?

(Im sorry if I'm getting my facts wrong here and you do indeed have one and just don't know how to touch the buttons in front of the touchpad, thus needing to ask on these forums how said button works.)

 

lol, Touché!

 

G73 all the way outstanding computer have not had really any problems, not major ones atleast