Asus G53SW Owners' Lounge

I am aware of that thank you. I dont intend to replace my GTX460M with the gimped GTX560M on the G53SX. It's kinda impossible to buy it separately anyway. It is just me being hopeful that maybe because they are modular like that, I could look for one from a MSI or a future iteration of the G5 to upgrade my laptop without the need to buy a whole new one.

 

ok, my XN1 from Newegg still hasnt arrived yet (on WED!), but I'd like some suggestion for a BACKPACK (no, not sleeves, messenger bag, carrying case, etc)

I'm mainly looking for superb-protection all around (thick padding, especially on the bottom so when landing it'll absorb most of the shocks) but something that doesn't look UGLY and bulky. Something that's slim, yet provides adequate spaces, has simplistic design with some serious paddings (esp. bottom). Cheaper, the better!

So I've done some research and all, but what are some of you guys' backpack recommendations???

Here are some that I like:

Amazon.com: Case Logic VNB-217 Value 17-Inch Laptop Backpack (Black): Computers & Accessories

Cocoon CBP751BK Backpack, up to 17 inch laptop, 19.25 x | eBay

 

From users on this board, I've heard these two bags recommended:

Timbuk2 Bags - Command Messenger - Oxford Nylon Fabric

EVO 16" Laptop Backpack | Mobile Edge

I personally went with the second one, and will be getting it on Wed. so i'll let you know how it is

 

how about this one? Can anyone confirm if this backpack has paddings on the bottom??? I really like this one...:

SecurePack Laptop Backpack | Mobile Edge

 

I have a Targus Voyager backpack and it fits our laptop really well! It runs around 100 bucks in big box retail stores like Best Buy but you can easily price match it from other sources. It's really good quality and you feel almost no weight at all when carrying the laptop.

On a completely side note, if potential buyers (or current owners) are worried about this laptop running Battlefield 3 I'm happy to report the following from the BF3 Alpha trial:

1) This is my from frapslog file played in both 720p & 1080p (I included the BC2 benches as a reference). I also got similar temperatures while playing the alpha.

2011-05-09 22:51:20 - BFBC2Game
Frames: 57781 - Time: 1064816ms - Avg: 54.264 - Min: 31 - Max: 201

2011-05-09 23:29:34 - BFBC2Game
Frames: 4183 - Time: 83835ms - Avg: 49.896 - Min: 39 - Max: 63

2011-05-09 23:43:48 - BFBC2Game
Frames: 5435 - Time: 93694ms - Avg: 58.008 - Min: 38 - Max: 73

2011-07-01 23:18:45 - BFBC2Game
Frames: 1774 - Time: 35600ms - Avg: 49.831 - Min: 21 - Max: 66

2011-07-28 10:00:42 - bf3
Frames: 2657 - Time: 98998ms - Avg: 26.839 - Min: 22 - Max: 39

2011-07-28 10:12:39 - bf3
Frames: 796 - Time: 30545ms - Avg: 26.060 - Min: 22 - Max: 33

2011-07-28 10:16:28 - bf3
Frames: 176 - Time: 7613ms - Avg: 23.118 - Min: 20 - Max: 25

2011-07-28 10:19:45 - bf3
Frames: 1274 - Time: 46020ms - Avg: 27.684 - Min: 24 - Max: 38

2) I found this on the EA official forums. A website did some BF3 benchmarking with various cards.



Looking at few of the bottom desktop cards and using this to compare our 460M with them you can see that the GTS 450 matches quite closely in performance. Having said that keep in mind that the Alpha did not have 64 players (and crazy amount of destruction) but at the same time I'm hoping DICE will optimize the final product and it'll run better.

 

Bf3 alpha was running at high with a small res downscale here,1600x900p while keeping framerates well above 35fps.
The alpha was not really that optimized still our g53sw was able to sustain a very good time.
Check the thread called "who got battlefield 3 alpha" in Asus gaming section, I did a small report with screenshots as well

EDIT: heres the post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...ho-got-battlefield-3-alpha-3.html#post7763919

 

heres hoping I could wait till a GTX7XXM show up or a HD89XXM ) also the fact that bestbuy is selling an alienware M17x with HD6970M for $1699 doesnt help :-<

also thanks for your encouragement, it did help how do you feel running games at 900p?

 

Well its hard to tell the difference between 1080p and 900p in motion.
The stretched res results in a bit of blurryness, but if you take in account the free performance boost and the general smoothness surely it does feels good.
BF3 at 900p was total fun.
So it is Witcher 2 at 900p, althought using the Tweaker now im on 1080p with alot of eyecandy and a few renounces.

This machine is awesome, i tell you. Also i do play others always at 1080p. like BFBC2 (dx11,maxed out,16xAF,1xAA) while staying above 40fps of average, with dips to 35.

 

The G53/73 does have modular video cards, but they do not follow the standard MXM specifications and cannot accept any other cards other than from its own line (The 15" and 17" G series don't even use the same cards). I know someone has swapped a GTS 360M from a G51 to a G50 and got it to work, so maybe it's possible.

As far as notebooks that uses standard MXM connectors, you're looking at Alienware, Clevo and brands based off of their notebooks, and MSI. HP and Lenovo's business line notebooks MIGHT still have MXM cards, but someone else will have to verify that.

 

Look at the suggestion in my previous posts.

 

Yeah the 2nd one is the one I have, I got it off newegg. Its nice. REALLY nice .

 

I heard thatbackpack doesnt have much cushioning on the bottom, also can it stand up straight if sat on the ground?

 

The backpack doesn't have that much cushion, but the laptop doesn't sit on the bottom, the pocket the laptop fits in is like raised a few inches and has cushion where the bottom is. That was one of the cool things about the backpack. I can only get it to stand straight when its really full, other than that it has to lean on something.

 

Finally!!!!!

My machine arrived today (after almost 20 days of waiting), I got the XA-1, and it arrived in a perfect condition. I'm very relieved as I live in Brazil. Now just to get rid of the bloatware but I'm not really a power user I just game a bit (SCII, Crysis II ect) should I do a fresh windows install or just uninstall via the control pannel?

Thanks.

 

its up to you, personally I did a fresh install but theres not much different between doing a fresh install and remove the bloatware manually.

 

Z mine arrived too!! But was VERY slightly disappointed with light keyboard flex, top-right corner of screen lid was kinda open, but when i squeezed it it snapped right back in. Ganna do a fresh install, ready to go. But i gotta say....1080p is AWESOMEEEEEEEEEE

I'll post updates after clean install+driver install/updates!

 

The left side on my screen lid needed to be snapped in place also. No worries with my screen so far so i can assure you its not a problem

 

Yeah, but after snapping back in, there is a very small caving-in going on when i squeeze the spot. But i guess it won't be a problem. The thing is, UPS guy didnt even bother to ring the doorbell when I was home, so I complained and he came back to drop it off. I think he was pissed...hahaha

As of now, clean install is almost done!

 

WOW. Clean install was so worth it..my lappy is blazing fast! So fast, that I can't handle it! I guess it can be a drastic change, coming from a netbook-user..haha. Other than the previous problem with right-corner lid being open (which is fixed now), I am VERY happy with this lappy!!! G53SW RULES!!!!

 

Just ordered a G53SW-XN1 refurb off eBay. Should get here between the 22th and the 26th. I hope everything works out ok, I'll be sure to update here

Anyone know how these babys fit into a Slappa M.A.S.K backback? I was wondering how loose/snug the fit would be.

 

OK. I'm scared now... is it just me, or is it normal for the top lid of the screen suppose to be kinda bulgy??? (the exterior top lid of the screen) From what i see, it looks like it's SLIGHTLY caving upwards, and when i firmly push it down, it caves in kinda. BUt when it caves in slightly, it does not affect the screen as if im applying some pressure directly.

Anyone else have the same situation? or are they just built like this?! :'(

 

You mean when you press on the "asus" logo behind the screen?
If so yes, same for me, i can push it a lot, i thought it was much "solid" but that doesn't matter.

 

I noticed some issues with the power button; on cold boots, especially when transporting it, it takes from 3 to 10 pushes for the computer to start.

Anyone else?

I don't want to RMA it if there's a known fix.

I found this link (Problem #2):
Asus G53Jw G53Sw Problems Issue g53 g53jw-a1 broken - Notebook Help Laptop help troubleshooting

 

It's a well known problem, but you have to rma it, at least everyone i know with this problem in france had to do it. :/

 

And was the issue resolved afterward? I've heard that the laptop was coming back with the same issue.

 

I had this issue and fixed it myself. Under the touchpad buttons is a small chip called a hall sensor. Its basically a sensor that detect when the lid is closed via a magnet in the lid (next to the camera) I found that the sensor sometimes thought the lid was closed and its a safety thing that if the g53 lid was down and its off. It will not power on.

The fix was to replace the touchpad membrane from asusparts eu. You could always try a temp fix which is to sort out the hall sensor and later that worked for me. But the problem came, so back to I replaced the flex cable/membrane

 

Anyone else having this build-quality "issue"?? I honestly thought it was ganna be a SOLID laptop...but I just wanna confirm if anyone else/most people's G53SW's are like this :S

 

same thing on my laptop but I dont think that should be a cause for concern much

 

I am getting random freezes on my lappy ever since I reinstalled windows . What do you guys think it could be. It happens when resuming from standby, or booting up. Its all random and sometimes I get a BSOD for a power failure of some sort.

 

One of your drivers is acting up. Do you have ATK and/or Power4Gear installed?

 

Both. Why? Which ones would be the correct ones to install?

 

Those two services are correct; they both affect the power management of your notebook. I would download them from ASUS' website, uninstall both existing copies, and install them from the downloaded files. See if that stops your BSOD.

 

Ah okay. I will try it out.

 

Just got the Mobile Edge Evo 16 backpack. I'd recommend it for anyone who is looking to buy if you can find it on sale. It probably isn't worth the 80 bucks that the site lists it for, but other places (newegg, ncix) sells it for cheaper.

It fits the asus g53sw very well.

 

I've been in the market for sub $1000 gaming notebook for a few months now and today I noticed that this notebook is $939 at Newegg after rebate. Should I jump on it? I gotta say, reading about all the issues people are having like the power button not working, the lid and screen separating a bit, the keyboard flex, the power pin issue, etc. is making me shy away from buying it. Are these problems that prevalent? Or is this just a case of people posting when they have a complaint and not enough people posting when they have a compliment. Vocal minority and all that. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

I think that if you can get it for $939, you should jump on it. Most of the reviews on Newegg are indeed the vocal minority. When a product works as advertised, most people forget about writing a review, but when something goes wrong, they jump on it. If you have minor issues with the laptop, just read this thread... we've fixed just about everything. And even if you do get a bad unit, Newegg has an excellent return policy.

Mine works excellently, and I highly recommend it, especially at that price!

 

I get this BSOD if I let the computer sit after it freezes.



I haven't gotten the power failure BSOD in a while, that was the thing I remembered getting but I think that was around when I first reinstalled windows.

 

so far 3 days....and it's been fine. no problem of anything, everything works! I'll have to see how it goes in terms of build quality as soon as I start hauling this thing around. Oh yeah, and about backpack...anyone else have better suggestion(s)? I'm mainly looking for something simplistic, not-ugly, slim, well-padded (especially bottom) laptop backpack that fits (of course) my G53SW :S

 

Look at my post history, and look for the backpack I recommended. That one has worked out awesomely for me.

 

0x000000F4 is an object termination error -- something crashed or was halted and caused the system to become unstable.

Check this out: Connecting a hard disk drive in slave only mode leads to system halt during resume from standby

If you have changed the hard drive out, make sure you are using the SATA 0 port. Looking at your laptop from the bottom, the hard drive should be sitting in the left side. Make sure the SATA connector is seated properly, unplug and plug it back in.

 

Hey can anyone tell me where to buy the Asus from in the UK? Like where is it cheapest?

 

I've been wondering if ASUS sends a pre-paid rebate card that you can cash out or it's one of those cards you can only use for ASUS purchases/certain stores. If it's just a pre-paid card that cannot be cashed out, it's still a $1039 laptop for me then.

 

I want to say thanks to this thread, this is gonna be really useful to me since i ordered one yesterday from newegg G53SW-XN1, hopefully i will not get the one's with power issues, seems to me that there is decent chance that you would get a defective G53SW from newegg, i hope i'm wrong so i'm crossing my fingers.

 

actually, it's a American Express prepaid card loaded w/ 100$. Just like any other prepaid VISA debit card that you can get from big grocery stores.

 

Oh, that sounds interesting. Thank you!

 

Make sure your system runs okay, because you will no longer be able to return it as the rebate requires you to removed the UPC label off the box. Without that, you cannot RMA to Newegg. You would have to send it to Asus for a fix.

 

I'm new to this I'll be getting the G53Sw-XN1 and I haven't exactly read the whole thread. So can anyone give me tips of what to do and what not to do when I get mines in the mail. Especially what bloatware not to removed that might cause problems down the line. Thanks in advance!

 

I wonder if Newegg.com has prepared for that since I thought they send a RMA box to you so it can be sent to them, not ASUS. But I've never had to RMA thankfully.

 

Ah, I thought it was the right as thats where the 500gb is? I have the 500gb on the left and the SSD on the right. In BIOS it reads sata 0 for the ssd.


Oh and I got this, this morning or yesterday, i dont remember -

 

I really don't know what's going on with mine, but for like the last month I've been having all kinds of issues. Wifi dropping (can be fixed once I buy the intel card), Windows not booting properly, or slowly, and possible usb issues. Let me state, I have an Samsung SSD (nothing wrong with, it's been tested.) recently It'll take over a minute to boot, it will show the Asus logo, then show the windows boot logo, then black screen for around 30 seconds or even longer. Then finally boot to the desktop. I've done full re-installs, tried other drives, nothing seems to fix it. It's random too, I don't know when it will happen. My usb issue may or may not be with the laptop and more with my mouse as whenever the mouse is plugged in, none of the usb ports seem to work for a few minutes after reaching the desktop, and I mean none. It's like windows is taking forever loading usb drivers. Problem is I can wait until windows is booted and plug the mouse in and the same thing happens. Then finally the mouse turns on and then all is well. I am using a Razer gaming mouse and am wondering if there is something wrong with it. The trouble is it doesn't do this on m old G50VT. I joke with my friends on saying, I've had less trouble with my older G50VT then the G53SW! At the same time I'm not joking as it's true! Honestly I have ben using my older G50VT more and more because it's more stable it seems. I'm halfway thinking about getting rid of my G53SW and getting something else, if I can't figure out what's wrong. Grr! It's got me so frustrated! Hoping someone out there can help me.