What are the differences in G51 models? Thinking of purchasing help!

I see people referring to G51xx-xx but I have no clue the differences. I saw the G51 in Best Buy and was surprised of the amount of power for the economic laptop price! So what are the differences in the other versions of the G51? Is their a ground breaking laptop around the corner I should know about before purchasing the G51?

I am using this for gaming and college school work. I love gaming WoW, Day of Defeat, WC3, and hopefully Starcraft 2 soon. Secondly I enjoy watching movies and the portability of this over my current PC to LAN parties just makes it a desirable replacement. I don't mind a 17 inch laptop but the G71 just felt cheap and lacking refinement, the processor power was the only real benefit I saw according to its hardware.

If you have recommendations for an upcoming PC or potential mods to the G51 let me know. I want to know that the Best Buy model is a good choice unless their are other options out their that are more suitable for my needs.

Thanks in advance guys and gals!

 

Best Buy has the lowest spec model ( G51VX-RX05) when it comes to CPU (2.0 GHz) speed and screen resolution (1366x168). I believe it also lacks bluetooth. It is the only model with the white lid. It has a 1-year warranty through Best Buy.

There are three models available at Newegg. Two have a single 320 GB 7200 RPM HDD (same as the Best Buy model) and the only difference is the CPU, which comes in 2.5 GHz for $1300 (G51VX-X1A) and a 2.8 GHz for $1500 (G51VX-X2a). The third model at Newegg has a 2.0 Ghz quadcore and dual 320 GB HDDs for $1700 (G51VX-A1). All have the 1920 x 1080 screen.

The G51VX-A1 is also offered by several resellers with more options for customizing, including bluray, more CPU options, and SSDs.

All of the versions except for the Best Buy come with Asus' standard warranty: 2 years global parts and labour, and 1 year accidental damage coverage.

 

The BB one has an older bios locked to only dual core.

 

In my heavily biased opinion, I say get the one on Newegg. I'll never forgive Geek Squad for kicking me out of Best Buy.

 

Does anyone know if the X1A has built-in bluetooth? from the reviews on newegg I can see the X2A does, but my X1A arrives monday or tuesday so I'd like to know


@Soviet I was put off of best buy a few weeks ago. I walked in, and in the main laptop aisle, there are about 10 reps, all surrounding 1 customer, all apparently attempting to snag a sale. I waited there for 45 minutes, trying to get into the aisle to no avail, it was blocked by a barricade of people at both ends. Is the last time I go back there.

 

It's listed on the specs page on Newegg as having bluetooth.

 

oh wow I completely missed that, had to have looked a dozen+ times in the last week or more.

 

Actually, all the ones that have a dual core, even the dual core newegg ones have the same motherboard that can't support quads. The only ones I've heard of that support quads are the A1's.

 

Who would have known steak sauce was the key to getting quad cores to work.

 

@MooCqzRck to my knowledge, nobody has tested a quad in the X1A yet, right? (the X1A has a different mobo revision than the A1 and RX05 iirc)

 

Does it? I thought it had the same motherboard as the RX05?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=407855&page=2

 

has anyone tried calling Asus and seeing what the differences are and what could potentially support quads?

 

What are the overclocking abilities of the lower end dual cores? Are the mid level G51s just overclocked versions of the BB or essential hardware differences?

I like the quad core but paying for a second hard drive is not necessary to me and an option I am not willing to pay for. How would I find out if the dual core is quad capable? X1A?

 

This is making me question if I should just get the G71.

 

Well, I myself plan on getting the RX05. I can overclock the unfortunately lacking processor to 2.3 GHz on an average processor, and I've heard that 2.4-2.5 GHz is possible as well.

The only reason I'm doing this is because I simply hate the casing on the X1A, X2A, and A1. If there was a different case, I'd be all over the X2A in a second, but I'm not going to take a laptop with crazy blue lightning streaks into college classes with me.

I wish it wasn't a factor, but it is.

 

Who knows they might put together a g60 white case with A1 specs down the road. I don't feel like waiting. I like the A1 model lots. I was going to put artwork on either lid anyway

Do all g51 model's have the same controls, or lack there of, for the side and back lights? Anyway to turn them all off yet?

Also do they all run roughly at the same temp's in idle or load?

 

The case is kind of a killer for me I enjoy the refined look. If I am getting a hideous machine it will be the G71 or a Sager of some sort. How do you disable the lights on the sides as I am sure my professor would have a field day with that?

 

you cant. they only turn off when you are on battery.

 

haha, yeah, I can't wait to see what my professors say about this ...

 

Well if you really don't like the case......get a laptop cover thing?

 

Ill just open the screen up and manually disconnect the lights.

My friend is visiting from Paraguay and he picked up the G51RX05 today. He is staying with me so we shall see what we can squeak out of it before he leaves in three weeks.


I tried to explain what a guinea pig is but yeah language barrier ftl.

 

Looks like the g60 doesn't have the side lights. Patience .. I must have PaTIeNce!!

 

Just a small difference I noticed, the RX05 has a 1.3MP camera, while the X1A has a 2MP camera. Also-

 

They caught you e-shoplifting.

 

lol I got a much better deal anyways. Same exact PC for 800$. I'm very glad I waited.

 

Very nice deal, EIement.

 

Well I pulled the trigger on a RX05. I figured AMD has been lagging and I would try the 2.0 get it overclocked, and the graphics card is pretty banging for a laptop. Overall their are a lot of features I wasn't aware of and I enjoy it. Best Buy was offering 18 months no interest so I figured screw it I could pay cash but no point if they will lend with no consequences

I definitely like the key and palm rests feel over the G71. The lights don't go crazy with your computer use so my professor never even noticed. My main reason now for disconnecting them is to save battery life.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Now I have to find a good cooler for it and study the optimization guide.

 

The lights turn off when on battery mode.

 

Yeah I just prefer them to be off constantly, we have plugs for each student at my school.