Why is it so cheap?

The 5870M is a lot more powerful than the 128bit 460M remember that it even has higher texture fillrate and bandwidth than the 192bit version.

Yes we can run BC2 perfectly ok but what I was saying is if the 128bit 460M cannot handle BC2 at max settings it will definetely struggle with BF3.

 

Yes but does it have a 1080p screen? Also this is 80 dollars cheaper as well Also doesn't look as nice as a Asus anyway.

 

Its the same argument as with the Sager and Clevo models they can both destroy any Asus model with twice the power in hardware but with double the ugly looks.

This is a vain forum!! Including myself!! :yes:

 

Well I'm purchasing a Sager of course, but anyone who know about gaming know they would take that link I show up if they want a G series over the BBN7 one

 

I've heard a bunch of negative feedback about the Toshiba Qosmio. But then again, I'm personally someone who buys a computer as a total package (from cooling system to build quality to GPU to keyboard to screen to hard drive space), not based on just one component.

If you don't give a darned about cooling or build quality or heinous looks, yeah, the Qosmio is the better $1200 machine. If you don't care about 15 inch screens and only one hard drive and no backlit keyboard, then yeah, the P151HM1 is the better $1200 machine. If you're willing to take a bit of a hit on the GPU in order to get (in my opinion) the best total package over the Qosmio and the P151HM1 (good looks, quiet cooling, backlit keyboard with good key action, good build quality, dual HDDs, 17" screen), there's the BBN7.

 

OMG did you really....just told the OP to take the BBN7 over the NP8130??? It doesn't matter if it 15 or 17 inches, the Np8130 is miles better than the BBN7. It doesn't matter if it 17 inches versus 15 inches if the 15 inches can display 1080p while the 17 inches can't.

 

Originally Posted by Mitlov

What did u hear about it? Share with us please.

Originally Posted by _Cheesy_

The problem with this g53sw is the power button, everyone i ask tells me that it doesn't work properly. You guys know about?

 

Those are your opinions, it doesn't apply for everyone. For me, screen size does matter. Have you seen and compared closely between 1080p/900p display? I bet you won't see the differences, specially in 15 inch screen.

 

Size does matter gents.

End of.

 

I thought I'd seen a bunch of negative comments about the new Qosmio's build quality when it first came out, but now I can't find them. Can't find many professional reviews either way. I dunno, if all you care about is the GPU, get it. It's got a better GPU than the G74 for the same price.

 

GPU is not all I care about. I care about all the product, mainly, in this order: GPU, Processor, Ram Memory. Do you think even the BB G74SX, with the 900p screen and the gimped GPU could turn out to be better than the qosmio?
I've seen you guys posting something about overclocking the gimped GPU, I'd like to see screens of it, if possible.

 

It will most definetely overpower the G74 BBN7. The difference in power is quite significant between the 128bit vs 192bit.

Personally Toshiba is not a make I would go for but at the same time the hardware it has inside will produce pretty good results.

 

Gentlemen,

I think this discussion has neglected an important point:

The Best Buy models are not the only discounted models on the market.

There's the whole X Retailer line that is priced between the $1200 low end and the $1800 A1 side. As an example:

Amazon.com: ASUS G74SX-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black: Computer & Accessories

This is a $1499 model that has only a single 750GB HDD and 1 yr warranty, and no bag/mouse. Other than that, it's spec'd the same as an A1, and therefore you get the 192bit edition of the 560M and a FullHD panel. Typically, the street value will drop on models like this to about $1350 eventually. I think these configurations offer the best bang for the buck compared to the $1200 Best Buy offering.

In comparison, I do like the fact that the BB models come with the 6250 Intel Wifi, tho you can get those relatively cheap.

If you prefer brick & mortar stores for convenience, MicroCenter sells the Asus G line, but I don't see a G74SX model yet on their site.

 

Toshiba is not a gaming machine, it might have gaming component but the one thing that make it inferior to the other brand (alienware, sager, msi, and asus) is that it cooling is the same as a regular laptop. Toshiba have gotten better over the year but they are still inferior in all aspect. Personally I could care less if the 560 is gimp but I ain't buying no Toshiba. First of all they are ugly, their cooling suck, monitor is not 1080p (matter when your not gaming, it does trust me on that), and they have high fail rate.

However there are some very nice Toshiba but those are more of the high end gaming notebook.

Hope that help you decide OP. However if look don't matter and cooling don't matter to you then it not a bad deal. However I strongly advise you to look at newegg return policy for notebook, cause they can be shady.

 

Amazon.com sells the -A1 for $1799 and the -XA1 for $1499. Are we sure the only difference is the removal of one of the 750 GB HDDs (those retail for about $80, right?) and the bag and mouse? There's no way those three things alone could account for a $300 price drop. There's no such thing as a free lunch...we must be missing something about the -XA1.

Amazon.com: ASUS G74SX-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black: Computer & Accessories

Amazon.com: ASUS G74SX-A1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop: Electronics

If we aren't missing anything, that's one hell of a good deal. But if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

 

Dont forgot the warranty which she mentioned you only get 1 year.

If there is one person on this forum that will give you 100% correct information. She just gave it to you.

 

What you guys say about the Power Button of the ASUS machines? I need to decide which machine I will get xD, for about 1200$. I'm now afraid of toshibas machines for their cooling to be weak.If i am to pay more than 1200$ i think i would get an asus or an alienware, but i'm not sure about the power button of asus machines...

 

Well, of the bag, the mouse, the longer warranty, and the extra HDD, the ONLY component I'd want is the extra HDD, and those cost $80 and even a technology-imbecile like me can install those. That just cut the cost savings for the BBN7 in half. Certainly gives me some food for thought.

 

I think you both ^^ have two options on the table which are pretty much the best deals you can get.

BBN7 for $1200
XA1 for $1499

Cant say better than those unless you fancy a G73SW which you will be paying a similiar price to the G74XA1. Keep an eye on the BBN7 benchmark thread but as Chastity has just thrown by far the best deal in the mix the extra $299 would most certainly be worth the 1080p screen and the 192bit 560M that is certain.

 

This is the one I would buy, instead of the toshiba, and for the same price. GTX 460M will be able to play BF3 in medium too right?

The problem with that is all the comments on the power button, saying it doesn't work ...

 

I can't type on the G73. I'm a huge keyboard snob, and most of my time on the computer is spent typing instead of gaming, and the G73's keyboard, for me, is the worst I've run into in...well...EVER. Seriously. The G74's, however, is on par with my current MBP, which is the best non-Lenovo keyboard I've ever used.

People say GPU matters first and foremost in a gaming machine, and for a lot of people, that's true. But I spend a lot more time typing than gaming. Frankly, while I really want a machine that will run the games I like pretty well, keyboard feel is actually more important to me than GPU performance.

I guess I probably just earned myself a ban from the Republic of Gamers subforum?

Yeah, I think $299 for the extra RAM, a better GPU, the 1080p screen, and a better webcam (I do weekly video chats so my parents can talk to their grandkids face-to-face) is a fantastic deal. My gut reaction right now is XA1 is much, much better bang for the buck than either the BBN7 or the A1.

 

@Mitlov

Having the single HDD means you can pop in a SSD/Momentus XT at your leisure for a nice performance boost. Also, you can always extend your warranty with Asus if you want to. You can do any of these anytime, so no need to shell it out all at once. BTW, I do enjoy the faster 1866 RAM, which can be another potential upgrade down the road. Just a FYI: the single output vent is wider to reduce noise levels, but it will get very warm. The battery won't be affected since they moved it, but it can get uncomfortable with bare skin, so I would suggest using something to keep it off the skin. There's no air vents underneath, so unless you are going to remove the under panel, a cooler is moot, unless it's a comfortable one.

As for getting banned from ROG about the keyboard size, well, lol Just get the G74SX-XA1 and all will be forgiven. You will like it. Just remember to do the ATK upgrade for happy keyboarding.

 

You're right! You can't get anything better for the money ... except the newegg, tiger direct and amazon versions of the laptop that aren't gimped.

But you know, if you ignore those facts, you're completely right!

 

No, not a ban from the forum. But it's pretty clear you don't have much experience with laptop keyboards, or you wouldn't be claiming the MBP keyboard is right behind the lenovo one.

 

I meant I was unusually picky about keyboards, not unusually experienced. I've sampled a lot of consumer-oriented keyboards but very few business machines, and I know that's where most of the good ones hide.

And amongst consumer-oriented machines, I really, really like my MBP's keyboard.

 

I think you'll like the G74 keyboard. I do. I like the textured keys so you have tactile feel when you finger-search

 

Actually, typing for fifteen minutes on the G74SX-BBN7's keyboard at the local Best Buy is what got me interested in the G74 first and foremost (I had been largely looking at Alienwares or Malibals). LOVED it. Just loved it.

 

The g74 from best buy is my first personal laptop. I've been waiting for something to come out that was decently priced and could run most games @ 1600x900 with maxed settings. I bought mine when they were giving you a $100 gift card with your purchase. IMO, if you dont plan to game at anything more than 1600x900, than its a no brainer. =)

 

And at the $1099 you got it for, it's one heck of a deal. Some here will argue that you get better bang for the buck by spending 40% more for the G74SX-XA1 from Amazon.com. And if you have the extra 40% to spend, that's probably true, but it's also a big "if." But if your budget was a thousand and change, I'd argue that you got one of the nicest machines you could possibly buy for that money. Hope you enjoy it!

 

1499 / 1199 = 25%, not 40%

1499 / 1099 = 36%, not 40%

 

He got a $100 off, so we're using the second calculation, not the first.

And as for 36% versus 40%, it's called rounding Same reason you wrote 36% instead of 36.396724295%.

 

Buy BestBuy stuffs and you will pay more than the original model itself if something goes wrong with the machine.
I had the G51VX-RX05 and i knew that feeling when I have one of the dead-end problem with the fan and Doens't want to let it fall in the hand of Geek Squad. I know how "goof" they are.
no ASUS Warranty Cover, No ASUS Accidental Warranty, No 2-year Global Warranty, like No Support from ASUS at all. It will hit you dang hard to yourlife,and maybe your wallet (for replacement/fixing) .
So, what is the key of buying a gaming machine of $1200 instead of $1700 and get it fixed by one of the worst warranty company ever?
believe me, Time you spend + Gas you take + Replacement you get + Best Buy Model and Warranty in 2 years like everyone else = BS if you are a naughty user with vBIOS/BIOS mod, OC and all that kind of stuffs.

I don't know about your G74 Quality, but i am glad that ASUS build up a pretty good A2 for me, Not the old VX-RBBX05 with heat sink problem, bad repaste job/ Overheat CPU/GPU, Dead Fan.
You think Bestbuy is great, and try to brick your laptop when you are overseas, you will feel the pain.

 

Frys version looks like the best bang for the buck right now $1399. Just need to upgrade the 640gb 5400 rpm hard drive. Frys = no tax for me. Can't wait to see what NewEgg comes up with.

FRYS.com|ASUS

 

I'd argue that you should spend the exact same amount on a non-gimped model from one of the e-tailers already mentioned. But hey, if you're gonna stick your head in the sand...

 

It's only about $10 or $20 cheaper than the Amazon.com version once you pop in a single 750gb 7200 rpm HDD, and it doesn't have a blu-ray player. It's a better deal than Amazon for those who were going to put a SSD drive in the main drive, on par with Amazon.com for people who want a 7200 rpm HDD but don't care about blu-ray, and behind Amazon.com for those who like Blu-Ray.

Both are smokin' good deals, bang-for-the-buck-wise.

 

Show me which retailer is selling a non-nerfed G74 for $1099. We've got some at $1600 (Tiger Direct), $1500 (Amazon.com), and $1400 (Fry's). Who is selling a new, non-nerfed G74 for $1100?

 

is that FRYS.com asus the real thing?
I could catch it got the hard drives nerfed, but who cares? SSD is the way to go!
Dammit...
Now I wish I knew it before...

 

Dont be silly stick with your JH. BC3 is showing great results on ATI why fix something that isn't broken our models are worth $6-700 and still beat the best buy models and compete with the 460M.

Chuck in a 920XM and your in the lead for less than 1000 bucks!

 

do not worry, I put to much into my little boy to toss it away right now
Yet If I found it at that price on release date... :X who knows...

I could get the new for like 100$ after selling mine...

 

Not trying to start a fight but you never mention tax. All Best Buys and Amazon charge tax. There are 9 states that frys charges tax to. So if your not in one of those states the savings after upgrading... $150. Or use the $220 on a SSD and use the 5400rpm drive as storage.

Still hoping NewEgg Drops a 500gb 7200rpm in there. They charge tax to no one. Personally i have no interest in Bluray or SSD's (at their current price per gb)

 

I never mention tax because I live in Oregon, and we don't have a sales tax

 

Touche! Your a lucky man.

 

Like they say, if it's too good to be true maybe it is.

 

Newegg.com - ASUS G74SX-NH71 Notebook Intel Core i7 2670QM(2.20GHz) 17.3" 12GB Memory DDR3 500GB HDD 7200rpm DL DVD±RW/CD-RW NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
newegg model got a smaller hard drive but commes with a normal gtx560m 3GB...that one is not gimpped one, right??

 

Interesting thread guys…I might buy an Asus for my next gaming laptop if Asus steps up their G75 with 7990 (at least 7970) or 680M (at least 675M). Hopefully no more of the gpu built into the motherboard bs. Btw I am so spoiled by the RGB on my M17x-r2…maybe Asus will offers RGB on G75

 

1.5 or 3 GB = full 192-bit
2 GB = inferior 128-bit

Tigerdirect actually has 2 better deals than newegg.

ASUS G74SX-XT1 Laptop Computer - Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0GHz, 12GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, Blu-ray Player/DVDRW,3GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M,17.3 Full HD, Windows 7 Home Premium 64,1-Yr Warr./1-Yr Acc. at TigerDirect.com

or

ASUS G74SX-TS71 Laptop Computer - Intel Core i7-2670QM 2.20GHz, 12GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, Blu-ray Player/DVDRW, 3GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M, 17.3 Full HD, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com

Same specs except for the cpu (2630/2670).

And here is a "gimped" BB-version:

Asus - 17.3" Laptop - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Black - G74SX-BBK9