G1 / G1S Portability

I just came off from selling my Sony GRT170 monster machine. I'm in the market for a new laptop and I think I'm settling for the G1S (I've heard the A and F series of ASUS aren't as solidly built). For those of you that own a G1 notebook, do you think I'll experience the same portability issues I had with my GRT170? My GRT came with a 16 inch screen and weighed in at 8.6lbs. The G1 I think comes in around 6.8 lbs. Our Best Buy had a G1 on display but I wasn't able to lift it. Thanks!

 

Certainly not a machine you can use on an airplane (or at least comfortably) but is fairly portable, being a 15.4in machine. It's at 17in+ where it's solely a desktop replacement sort of thing.

 

<-- will never fly due to fear of heights ;-) Can you replace your optical with a spare battery btw?

 

Not the G1 series.

 

324mm * 284mm * 37.4 mm(W x D x H)
3.1 Kg . not bad

 

fear of heights? i dont quite understand this, especially because of this relation to an aircraft. i mean if you just didnt loook out the windows theres nothing onboard an aircraft that makes you think "cack i am 30,000ft in the air", not like when your on a rickety rope bridge over a valley.

or is it just the fact that you know your not on the ground that gets you?

i know someone who is scared witless of heights...but is fine on an aircraft because she cant "see" the drop.

anyway... g1 portability. its not going to be the sling it under your arm with a couple of text books job, no way, and its probably not going to be the type of machine you'll want to lug around with you all day (like say at university maybe where your up n down campus all day)

but given its size and weight, and the rather good backpack it comes with, id say its comfortably capable of going on the odd trip, or maybe you could take it to work everday if it was going to reside on your desk all day and only go in its bag for the journey home.

another thing is the fast processor and more powerful GPU wont be too handy when running on the battery. you'd probably be looking at 3 hours a charge tops. so really that necessitates carryin the power pack around with you too.

 

Yeah, I'm of the "I know I'm not on the ground" fear of heights person. It's silly I know. My boss is forcing me to fly cross country in a couple of months so yeah...

Mostly my job as a grad student consists of coming in, going to my desk, and doing research. I wouldn't be lugging it around campus, just from home to the car, then from the parking lot to the office and back. My old laptop had a battery life of about 45 minutes, so really anything at this point is better hah. I'm a bit disappointed that the optical isn't interchangable with a battery pack, but it's probably something I can deal with. Our meetings don't last more than a couple of hours anyways so I doubt battery'll be an issue. I would go with the F3SV coming out soon or even the older A8JS but I've read on these boards that those two are more of the "value" series and aren't as well constructed.

 

check out the V1J- it has the swappable optical drive/battery

 

I have a 15 in. 8 pounder, desktop replacement in most senses. When I put it in its bag and carry it around it rarely becomes uncomfortable (only when loaded with other stuff and on long lay overs in big airports where you have to walk 2 miles to your next gate [I'm looking at you Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport]) I bring it to class with me weekly and am able to sit close enough to a plug that battery isn't an issue. When I don't have a plug near me (on plane rides) I carry an extra battery, which in my experience is worth the extra 150 (ish), if you have the cash for it. Thin and portable it ain't but it can commute (certainly better than the Sony behemoth, I have seen form factor towers that transport better than that beast, luxurious at home (a friend had a similar model), a grizzly bear on a car trip.).
15.4 inches is really a great size for games and movies but also for portability. If none of the other issues bother you (low batt life like the Vaio, and wild blinking lights all over [which you can turn off]) then I would say go for it. The G1 was one of the best notebooks that Asus had to offer, and the G1S looks to be a fantastic upgrade [with an Expresscard slot and I believe a new LCD (possibly less light bleed!)]. Also, this laptop is more warm than hot like the GRTs can get which is nice on a long trip.

I really feel for you about being forced to take that trip though. I was forced to go pull weeds in a flower garden in the spring and I have a deathly fear of flying, stinging things. (which were all over the place, and yeah I got stung a lot)

 

I always lug my G1 from home to work and back... Sometimes even during the weekend gatherings with the in-laws... It's not that bad at all... I love it!

 

That makes me feel better. I wear glasses so really anything under 14 will kill my eyesight more than it already is. The biggest question now is why I need a laptop hah. Office provides a decent computer. I have a good gaming rig at home. It's all a matter of the amount of portability I'll be needing. Thanks for the help!

And yes, the GRT kept me very, very warm during the winter months. I'm glad to have been rid of it (ebay for 500!)

 

well i may not be a good indicator since i used to lug around a 17" 10.1 lb. notebook with me on my flying trips, but the ASUS is great. I bring it to school with me everyday. It's pretty light. I just bought a sleeve for it and throw it in my regular bag. It's been good to be for the month or so I have had it. Hope this helps...

 

Glad I can help! If you need a gaming laptop for travel, I think you will enjoy the G1 series. I know my old Z8000 (built on the same premise) has been good to me. However, if you are content with an MP3 player or DVD player on trips, and don't need any productivity while on trips, and if you have the storage to bring important files around then you don't need a laptop. But those are the reasons to have one =P

 

Yeah it's a matter of justification now. I mean in theory I'm paying 500 less since I sold my old notebook. I didn't care to spend more than 1500 anyways so it works out well. A very nice, sturdy system for a good price. Can't beat it.

 

Yeah, I am VERY excited about this system!