What's Asus' best notebook with an LED backlit screen?

I've got an Asus n80nv, which has been flawless (had it for 8 months).

Rather than getting a netbook as a kitchen computer, I'm toying with making my computer the "netbook", and getting a replacement as my main system.

My biggest requirement is it HAS to have LED backlighting, no exceptions.

Beyond that, I really want a quad core CPU, and preferably a Geforce GTX 260. Dell's Alienware m15x actually looks pretty great, but I sort of trust Asus more, and I can't even find any spare AC adapters on Dell's site for that. (I push my hardware HARD-my n80's been Folding on the GPU and CPU almost non-stop for 8 months, and shrugs it off...it's designed well!)

I don't NEED Blu Ray built in as I already have an external drive I use on my current Asus, though I'd prefer it.

Anyway, in Asus land I can only find 3 notebooks that are better than what I have, and which have LED backlit screens, namely:

-ASUS N61VN-A1: $1100ish from Amazon
2GHz quad Penryn, Geforce GTX 240 (48 shader part)
-ASUS N61VN-A2: $1260ish
Adds Blu Ray
-ASUS M60J-A1: $1,469
Switches to a 1.6GHz quad Nehalam

So...all those are better than what I have, but all only have about 50% better GPUs. That's a decent upgrade, but I'd really rather go to a GTX 260 with 112 cores instead of the 240 with 48 (my current GPU is 32).

Also, is it worth $209 to upgrade from a 2GHz Penryn based CPU to a 1.6GHz Nehalam? Obviously if only one or two cores are active the Nehalam will be faster, but I'm not sure under full load if the Nehalam architecture will make up for a 25% reduction in speed (and most of the time I'll be under full load, running Folding or the like, although I'm sure I've got some games that would run faster on the i7 because of the faster clock speed with fewer cores active).

Not sure what PSUs these use-if It's different from the 90 watt adapter my n80 uses, I'd need to buy a spare for this too.

 

lawlz wow u srsly didnt find the notebook which IS what you want...the ASUS G51J?

where are you finding your notebooks cuz i think its pretty much impossible to NOT find the G51J while trying to look up LED + quad core (i7) + GTX 260m, which the i7 is and more.

 

Oh wow! No, see this is why I'm posting here! Thanks Sach7002!

I see why I missed it though-neither Amazon nor Newegg's description says anything about LED backlighting...is that for sure? Because that's literally my number 1 consideration.

I also searched on Bestbuy.com for the heck of it, and bizarrely found a REALLY nice looking system, and two that aren't half bad. Weirdly I can't find these anywhere else.

Asus G72Gx-RBBX09

This is $1300, is LED backlit, and includes a GTX 260 and Penryn Quad Core. Frankly it's probably close enough to what I want, given the low price!

This:
G60Vx-RBBX09

Is similar, only 16 instead of 17", and a 2.53GHz dual core instead of a 2GHz quad. Actually not bad either, though I'd rather spend the extra $100 for the quad.

Any thoughts, or anything?

 

yes it is LED, and contrary to 5150Joker's opinion, i think the screen is pretty good as do a lot of professional reviews/NBR users ( BELOW). keep in mind, just cuz it's LED, it only means it's very bright. u also care about the color/contrast etc rite? if so, u mite wanna get eh Alienware M15x for 1750 @ microcenter, tho it has 1600x900. i heard alienware's LG screen are good tho. the G51's screen are horrible but some ppl who are used to LG quality screen (vs AUO in the G51...ahem joker) mite find the AUO panels lacking.

i'd say if you are willing to get a 17" screen, despite teh size and weight, GET IT. great machine, good resolution match for the GTX 260M to bring you smooth gameplay at near highest settings. if you want a better screen, this would be a better option, 1600x900 EXCELLENT LED SCREEN, core i7 Quad core 1.73GHz, GTX 260M (ASUS' is downclocked, sager/alienware have normal nvidia reference clocks) and good design/build quality.

 

Hmm...okay really that Dell Alienware m15x isn't much different in price for me than that Asus G51j. About $100 more, but with a lower screen resolution I prefer, and I can add on a better CPU and Blu Ray, so that probably works better for me between those two.

That 17" Asus with a Core 2 quad...well actually it's probably only about $200 different...so maybe this Alienware isn't half bad.

(I should note that the majority of the time I use the system hooked to a monitor anyway.)

I need to figure out how I'd get a spare AC adapter for the Dell OR the Asus though! I'm not hauling the adapter back and forth ever day.

 

for the 17 inch asus, try looking for the G72GX-A1 from an online reseller like gentechpc.com. seriously, the best buy models are downgraded from the ones asus sells to the online stores.

 

if you order the G51 via GentechPC.com you can get an extra adapter right on the ordering page, as well as adding blu-ray. The asus also comes with a much better (free) warranty than the M15x, iirc.

 

yes but watch out for the G51J and its BSOD of death problems. honestly in the situation rite now i wouldnt get a J until they released the fix to be sure your laptop will be functioning in the future.

 

Thanks! Yeah, that's not something I want to be battling. I haven't had a single crash with my n80.