G2S-A1 Experiences

A month or so ago, I promised to write something about my experiences with the G2S-A1 at college. I'm using a stock G2S right now although I've been messing around with it quite a bit replacing it with 3 GB memory and then switching back, etc.

My walk to summer classes is approximately 1.5 to 2 miles depending on the class. There were no hills to climb. I also carried a couple of binders, headphones, an M-Audio FW Audio Interface, and the AC adapter. The total weight varied but remained around 17 lbs. Average temperature outside was 28 degrees Celsius. Using the included backpack, I was barely able to feel the computer on my shoulders. Transporting the G2S was not a problem.

Problems arose when trying to use the G2S in a large class where only small fold-up writing surfaces are provided. I was able to balance the G2S on one of these things and the weight seemed to hold it it place. However, due to its large size, it was a bit bulky and typing was a bit of a problem since there was not enough room to keep the keys at a comfortable distance. Additionally, the extremely bright screen lights up your face and I noticed it drew much unwanted attention my way. The red flashing side lights also seem to have a similar effect. The computer is also very colorful with blue, red, and orange lights. The bottom line is, this computer is a serious attention freak. It has "spaceship" looks and almost everyone who saw it asked me what kind of computer it was etc. If you're studying in the library with this thing, expect to be disturbed.

At one point, I attempted to use the G2S on a train and immediately discovered that 17" notebook computers are not meant for operation in mass transit.

On the other hand, this computer has excellent connectivity. For a final PPT presentation, I was able to hook up to the 48" plasma screen in the classroom whereas other students had to deliver their presentation using their laptop screens. In a separate class, it was also the only notebook computer that was able to successfully connect to every piece of equipment in the music/film studio. It also surpassed a 17" MacBook pro, an Alienware Sentia, and a 17" Toshiba of unknown type in the speed at which a 12 minute Ableton Live project was rendered to Wav. A similar test was done with a 30 min video clip from the Sony Vegas software and produced the same results. It also performed up to par in 3ds max and various high CPU media creation programs. I have not encountered problems with Windows Vista either, suggesting that this computer was well optimized to run this operating system.

People who use their computers for intensive multimedia applications will probably enjoy this computer quite a bit. Those who rarely use these features probably will not be able to use this computer to its full capacity unless they are into gaming or similar applications.

Thoughts?

 

^ I feel you. When u mentioned about the good features of the laptop i.e connecting to the plasma screen and connecting your laptop to equipments i feel proud of my laptop. My line of work doesn't involves using my laptop as a connecting machine or presentation.

And i agree with you. Whenever i brought my g2s into a cafe or a restaurant to surf, it will take up so much space, heck, even my friend's acer 14" is swallowed up by my g2s. About g2s looking like a spaceship, i laughed =D

My friends around me are always like 'wooowww, what laptop is this man?'
Or 'Wow, 17 inch laptop is the bomb!" Or most of them are like 'Damn, this is big!"

Overall im quite happy with my g2s, and i'll definitely recommend it to anyone.

 

Can't seem to find the WUXGA+ model in the UK though!

 

thks for sharing your experience jensasbjorn. i hope i can get my g2s this weekend! *keeps fingers crossed*

ladfromwales85: there is no WUXGA+, only WUXGA,WXGA+ or WSXGA (you can check out the whole list of displays in wikipedia). the g2s-a4 has a WXGA+ screen whereas the g2s-a1 has a WUXGA screen.

 

You can turn those off easily - it's Asus Multiframe, or something. Find the icon in the list at the bottom right of the taskbar that looks circular, and is black and red (sorry can't be more precise - it's at home). Open it, and it gives you the option to have lights on or off. It's that simple.

That must have been sweet.

 

It would appear that the only model available in the UK (and the rest of Europe) has the lower resolution screen, although it does have a larger (200GB) hard drive! However, there's nothing to stop you ordering an A1 from the US, which is what I did

 

Nice review. One question though. If you were to buy another laptop, would you get a G1S, or a G2S again?

 

I have a g2s also hope to say the same as you did in a week or two when I have had more time using it, it's my secound day with it

 

Well, my G2S arrived today, and as well as Vista failing to start after it's first reboot I appear to have a faulty screen Notice the large bright "stain" on the LHS of the screen...



I'll be calling ASUS tomorrow, so hopefully it will get sorted. And, as soon as I get it back, 64-bit Vista is going on it! All in all, not a good start to my G2S experience

 

Well, I finally got my G2S back after 2 weeks with a new LCD panel fitted - and guess what? The new panel has the same fault, and is even worse than the first one! They couldn't have even checked the new panel!

So, back to ASUS it goes, probably for another 2 weeks. Although I have totally lost any confidence in their quality control

 

I feel you. I'm writing on my G1s which just came back from the shop for the 2nd time in a two weeks.. (excluding the 2 weeks taken to repair).... I had like a bunch of dead/stuck pixels the first time. And then, when they "replaced" the screen, it became quite grainy and had dead/stuck pixels on it as well... Now, after two repairs there aren't any more dead/stuck pixels, but I still think its a bit grainy..? But, I'm so sick and tired of waiting for repairs, I can just live with it!

Eric Huang