What do you think about ASUS G73SW-XA1?

I'v been looking for a G73 model... and I found this "ASUS G73SW-XA1"
what do you think about this model? worth the price? can I get a better G73?

Amazon.com: ASUS G73SW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black): Computer & Accessories

Product Features
Intel i7-2630QM (2.0 GHz Quad-Core with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz); 8GB DDR3 1333MHz (4 x 2GB SODIMM Sockets, up to 16GB)
Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5; 750GB HDD 7200RPM
Super Multi DVD Drive; Illuminated Keyboard; 1x USB 3.0 + 3x USB 2.0 Ports; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth; 8-in-1 Card Reader; Gigabit LAN
17.3-Inch Full HD (1920x1080) LED Display; 2.0M Webcam;
1 Year Standard Warranty and 1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty Included

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

Processor: 2 GHz Intel Core i7
RAM: 8 GB
Memory Slots: 4
Hard Drive

Size: 750 GB
Speed: 7200 rpm
Graphics and Display

Graphics RAM: 1536 MB
Ports and Connectivity

USB Ports: 4
Cases and Expandability

Size (LWH): 16.6 inches, 12.8 inches, 2.3 inches
Weight: 8 pounds

1400$... what do you think??

 

I bought a very similar model at BB, the only differences i can see is that my model comes with the 1gb version of the 460m, no bluetooth and a 1600*900 display.

Since i'm having a total blast with it i would say that you should definitely grab it at that price.

 

ok cool, but some models got some bugs... and I would like to know, if this model has many bugs....

 

the g73sw's are fairly new so there have not been any huge bug reports and it will be some time before they are all found if they are there.

dont go for the best buy model the bst6 i have it now and am returning for either the xa1 or another model with the true 460 and a 1080 screen or just holding off for something else.

 

That's a good deal.I bought the compusa tigerdirect version and the difference is blueray and 1 more year in warranty for $100 more.Plus is on stock right now.

 

ok great, I think I will buy, thx!

 

Hey

My hesitation on the G73SW-XA1 is the concern that whatever current or near future commerical game you run; they will not bottleneck at that high of a CPU, but instead bottleneck at the GPU. The reason being that though the GTX 460M has 1.5 GB with 192 bit bw (0.5 GB of it is VRAM), and while you can't directly compare it to the ATI 5870M since the architecture is different.
I've seen more threads than I'd like to see indicating higher commerical game performance (higher performance defined as higher FPS at same in-game settings) on the G73JH than the G73SW-XA1 which concerns me.

Thanks,

-NRUserII

 

The 460m in the G73SW-XA1 has 1.5GB of VRAM not 0.5...

I love mine, for the price it's a very nice laptop

 

Hey,

Perhaps I abbreviated wrong, but basically, from I have read, that the GTX 460 M is a 1.0 GB with the other 0.5 GB of it being "virtual." Perhaps, someone with more knowledge can confirm or provide some more input.
Thanks,

-NRUserII

 

I got the XT1 from TigerDirect - most likely the same thing. Two words - BUY IT but get an SSD too

 

Where did you read this?

From what I have seen so far, all of the 1.5GB is usable physical memory on the 460m card, none of it is virtual nor is it shared memory.

The Best Buy version has 1GB of memory, but it's the only version of the card like that.

 

The best buy models have a 460m with only 1gb of graphics ram and the way the 460m processes memory, when it only has 1gb available it effectively has a 128bit bus instead of a 192bit so it has less memory and accesses it slower. I have not seen any benchmarks on this GPU as the new sandybridge best buy models are the first to use it. The BB models are built custom for best buy, all have WiMax so they can try to sell you clear service and have lower quality screens and GPUs to keep the costs down.

I just checked out the best buy model at a local shop (first time ive seen one on display) and i'm impressed overall. The screen could definitely be better as could the GPU but it didnt have the dropped keys while typing that just about all the previous gen i played with did.

So... If you get one of these with only one drive does it include the bracket for you to add the 2nd drive or do you have to hunt for it somewhere? This would scream with an SSD boot drive.

 

I don't think the models with only one hard drive come with the additional bracket, mine didn't anyway

 

Like above said, if there is only 1 hdd pre-configured, then you'll only get 1 bracket.

I have the XA1 too, and other than a minor sound issue that no one else seems to have. I'm loving it and its the best deal even more so over the BB model considering taxes and the gimped 460m.

 

Hi, i just found this XA1 on amazon 3 days ago, and imo it is an awesome bargain. I havent been able to find a better buy anywhere, just shame its out of stock and i cant seem to find anyone who knows when they will be back in stock, which sucks cause i really want this thing. Does anyone know or has heard any rumors as to when amazon will have them in stock again?

 

Unfortunately, my replacement order was just canceled and when I asked about it I was told "Due to a lack of availability from our suppliers we had to cancel the order for the time being."

So guess they have no clue when they will get more in stock either. I am currently messaging them about it still. But looks like I may not be able to do a smooth exchange like I had thought.

O-well, I mainly just have a popping/crackling sound problem, so at least I can keep using the laptop now and if I can't get a replacement before my 30day return window closes. I'll get to test Asus RMA process out first hand.

 

You tried the realtek driver update/fix?

 

Yup, though, don't think there is a way to fix this pop/crack thru software as this occurs even with default Win7 drivers. Big shame, this laptop is perfect other than the sound, I wouldn't be as bothered but I like to make amateur music as a hobby, so it's sorta hard to get around it =\(though to be fair, I haven't made a song in a long while.)

 

1) Try muting the mic input
2) Do you get the crackling when NOT using the laptop speakers?

 

Tried muting mic input, but still same thing =\. I get on both, speakers and headphones. The popping/cracking isnt like the G73JH problem where its long and loud. It happens when sound is starting and a few seconds after the sound has stopped.

Heard Nvidia downclocking can cause it, but I disabled powermizer and it still does it. I've tried 2.58 drivers, .57,.54, and .49 to see if drivers could be the prob, but still does the same. Then I found it happens in with default w7 drivers installed as well on a fresh format.

I've found a couple of threads with same prob and pretty much from what I can tell, if it happens with the default windows driver, then its mostly likely just faulty hardware.

That reminds me, do you have the contact info for a good Asus rep? Think I will try and wait for a replacement from amazon, but I may just send this one in to Asus if I can assure I can get it back quick and actually fixed.

Thanks for the suggestion, guess it doesnt hurt to keep trying to fix if it's possible without having to mess with the hardware. =)

 

Im not a very patient person, so im still searching for a laptop with same specs for same price with no luck just got through talking to dell and they almost had me sold on the xps 17 till they tried to tell me the gtx 555m was better than the 460m, and after checking it on notebookcheck.net i found out the person i talked to was full os lol, plus the estimated deliv date was 5/11. ill just wait till amazon gets the xa1 in stock and use amazon prime with next day shipping for 4 bucks. That is unless i find the same specs for 1400 from another retailer. If you or anyone comes across such a deal with a fast ship date please let me know.......

 

Yup sure thing, if I hear of any word about shipping dates for the XA1 I'll let you know also. I understand not being patient, I had actually sold my gaming desktop to rebuild a new one, but ended up getting bad parts, which wasted 2 more weeks waiting for replacements.

So once I knew it was working, I figured I'd sell it and get the gaming laptop which had me waiting another 2-3weeks. For now since my XA1 is working, I'm at least able to play games again and of course, get work done that I was supposed to have done long time ago.

 

You can also try updating DirectX to latest.

 

To get the 2nd Hard drive caddy here is what I found
Caddy- about 31 with shipping ( Hard Drive Caddy)
and the screws m3x3 ( Standard Laptop Screws - Triangle Laptops)
m2.5x5 ( M2.5x5 Laptop / Notebook Computer Screw 10-Pack)

 

Many thanks!