Asus G1S-B2 now or wait?

I'm considering the Asus G1S-B2 which is on sale now with a $150 mail-in rebate for about $1600 CAD (about the same in USD). I need a system for gaming as well as work, portability is important, performance is as well. I'm going to really need it in about 4 months.

The question is, should I buy this system now or wait for something better to roll along in the next 4 months?

The Specs:

Asus 15.4" G1S-B2 Notebook --- Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4Ghz, WSXGA(1680X1050),3GB DDR2, 200GB SATA,NV G8600M, DVD-RW/LS,1.3M Camera,VISTA PREMIUM

The 8600 is the 256 MB DDR3 version.

 

This question is asked all the time -- the best answer to the "wait or buy now" question is always the following: buy what you need when you actually need it.... there will always be something better coming around the corner, so waiting for that "better" serves no purpose because when that time comes, there will then be something else coming up.

If price is your main object, then rebates are good; if you have no need until summer, you can wait for the Montevina launch in May and wait for the updated models (at regular pricing). The G1 system you're inquiring about is a good, competent system for your described needs although 15.4 notebooks are not what most folks would consider "portable".

 

I just bought this same model from a member here about a month ago. The only fault I can find (other than coming preloaded with Vista) is the built-in speakers. They're pretty much trash. Performance wise, this machine screams. I can finally do other things while a disc is burning without it failing and making a coaster. The 8600GT can handle most games at max/near max settings.

 

Most knowledgeable users wouldn't even consider the G1 speakers' performance a fault of the system, but rather the predictable consequence of what all small notebook speakers are able to provide. In the absence of a built-in subwoofer, there isn't a pair of speakers in any 15.4" or smaller notebook reviewed around here or anywhere else that would be considered to sound good, esp in comparison to even a cheap pair of external speakers .

 

I don't even mean compared to external speakers. My 12.1" Dell 700m has much better sound quality than the G1S. I knew they were bad before I bought it though. Speaker quality was the least of my concerns when I picked out a machine to buy.

 

Speakers are not a big deal. I'll pick up a nice pair of headphones I guess. As long as the built in audio chip produces some nice audio?