* Official ASUS G73JH Crew Member's Lounge *

I don't think the re-sellers give student discounts (if they gave discounts I'd be asking about an Federal Employee one as well).


Well, only about a month until we start getting some concrete information (from purchasers) I'm pretty much wondering about the cooling and build quality since the laptop I'm replacing had heating issues (which eventually caused a fan to fail).

 

I joined in this morning with a pre-order. The only thing I upgraded was the network card.

 

Yes, the specs did change on most resellers sites. There will be no eSata and no ExpressCard on this system. I too am starting to browse other systems because of this.

 

I don't think any other vendor has announced the 5870 yet.

 

Ok I preordered. This is my first decent gaming machine so Im not sure how I did. I wanting to try to keep it under 1800k, but I opted for the 80 gb SSD for faster operating system and got the upgraded wireless card.

G73JH-A1 Asus G73JH-A1 17.3" FHD/ATI HD5870 GDDR5/i7-720QM/8GB DDR3/1TB 7200rpm/Blu-Ray/W7HP64 1 $1,645.00 $1,645.00
Optical Drive: 8X DVDRW DL Super Multi ($89.00) ($89.00)
External USB HD: None
Bluetooth: Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.0+EDR
WiFi: Intel Pro/Wireless 5300 a/b/g/n $32.00 $32.00
Gaming Mouse: Included
Backpack: Included
Windows Recovery Disk and Drivers CD: Inclueded
30days Zero Bright Dot Guaranteed: Yes through Asus
Packaging: Shipping with Double Box
Warranty: Asus 2 Year Limited Global Warranty
Asus Support & Service: 24/7 Toll-Free, Both Way Next Day Air Shipping
24/7 Support hotline: 1-888-678-3688 (except holidays)
Accidental Damage Warranty: http://adw.asus.com/content/adp/default.aspx
Webcam: Built-in 2.0 MP Webcam
Availability: Pre-Order,
Additional Battery: No Additional Battery
Hard Drive RAID Configuration: RAID- Disable
Car Adapter: None
Thermal Compound: IC Diamond 24 Carat Thermal Compound on CPU/GPU $35.00 $35.00
CPU: i7-720QM, 1.60~2.80GHz, 2.5 GT/s, 45nm, 6MB, 45W
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit System Recovery DVD
AC Adapter and Battery: Included
Screen: 17.3 inch 16:9 1920x1080 FHD LED glossy
Secondary Hard Drive: 500GB 7200rpm SATA II
Primary Hard Drive: 80GB G2 Intel X25-M Multi-Cell SSD Serial-ATA II $235.00 $235.00
Dead Pixel Warranty: Standard Manufacturer Dead Pixel Warranty
Additional AC Adapter: No Additional AC Adapter
GPU: ATI HD5870 1GB GDDR5, DX11
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1066 (2G X 4)
Shipping: Ground: $0.00
Sales Tax: $0.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $1,858.00

Anything I failed at? I can still obviously make changes. Is the SSD really all its cracked up to be, or should I have just gone with 2 500gb HDs. Also I picked the base processor and RAM.

Let me know if I noobed anything.

 

You can buy better memory elsewhere. Everything looks good to me.

 

Hi,
Why are you guys still looking at the M series? I haven't really researched too much, but the V series seem WAAAY cheaper. In Oz it's 128GB V series for $270USD. I'm sure it's buckets loads cheaper over there. The M series 80GB over here are still in the $330 mark

 

The V-series X25 is less than half the speed of the M series. Not worth the drop in performance for that drop in price.

 

Ehy guys I've a question. I didn't buy the SSD but is there the possibility to change it later? what about the OS? How can I install it in the new SSD if I will change it if it's possible? thx..

 

So that would mean that the storage is STILL the bottleneck if 100Mbs is too slow compared to 170Mbs? I don't have a comparison of the different speeds.

I'm sure this space will evolve quickly over the next couple of years. I'll probably just get a small one for now (cheaper) and upgrade to a bigger/faster one in a year or two then.

 

Guys I need some help here. Thanks a lot!
I'm all set on the system except for storage and CPU. I have come up with two most possible combination that I can afford;

1) Dual 500GB 7200rpm HD+920QM;
2) 500GB 7200prm HD+160GB SSD+820QM. Both are about the same price. Which one is faster/better?

Ignore my signature for the moment

 

You know, it's really a toss up. The V series puts the sequential read/write a little below a WD raptor raid 0 setup. Sequential read/writes being copying a large file for example. The random access speeds of the SSD's however are measured in MICROseconds compared to the mechanical drive's milliseconds. That is the important number, so you're kind of right (pun intended). So the bottom line is that the V series still has a HUGE performance advantage over even a Raptor raid setup when it come to random reads/writes and that is the important thing. That is what controls loading a map in Counter Strike, opening Firefox from you desktop, and boot up/shut down speeds. Actual every day performance that you will notice more than sequential writes which I don't even care about.

Me being a tech snob, I had to have the M series. It puts the sequential read/writes on par with the Raptor raid setup as well as destroying it in every day real world performance that you will notice.

I bought the Intel X25 80gb and it is more than enough for the OS, a couple of apps, and 4 or 5 games. Everything else goes on the external for me.

 

You will get far more performance for the $$ with the SSD than the CPU upgrade for most applications.

 

As I've said a hundred times, 10 times outta 10 I am going for that Intel SSD drive over the 920qm cpu upgrade. The SSD will make all the difference in the world, while the 920 will be noticeable every now and again. When your computer boots up in 20 seconds and shuts down in 7, you will be sending me fan mail every day thanking me for talking you into the SSD.

 

Any idea when the final specs on this thing will be set? I got talked into this system, and now that I finally decide I'm gonna get one, the specs change and (according to some on this forum) it won't have eSATA or express slot. If this is the case, what systems are you guys recommending instead?

 

damn was the 80 gb SSD enough? Should I have gotten the 160?

 

Will it boot up in 20 secs with the I7 720 as well?

thx..

 

Yes, that time is quoted from my G51JH-A1 which is an i7-720qm.

 

Thanks..! That's a lot fast! xD

 

Inner, it really depends on your setup.

This is my config on my G51JH:

Windows 7:14 gigs
Office 2007:1 gig
Steam Apps (Dragon Age, Counter Strike): 20 gigs
Blu ray movie/encoding apps: 500 megs
Random apps (Firefox/Cold Fusion etc.) 200 megs
Oblivion (with tons of mods):10 gigs.

Even with all of that (plus some things I'm forgetting), I still have 30+ gigs free on my 80gb SSD. That is plenty for me. All of my music, pics, vids, tools etc. go on my external WD elements 640gb drives.

 

You will never EVER go back to a mechanical drive again after using an SSD as your primary. I would also recommend getting it from whatever vendor you pre-ordered from because they are selling it cheaper than you can get it anywhere on the internet. That, and they will also install the OS on it for you so you don't have to worry about a reload later on after upgrading.

 

Ok its going to be plenty

 

Thanks for the info. Our importer is offering the V series only, and it's $270USD for the 128GB. I can get the same SSD after market for $230, but I also get to keep the 500GB 7200rpm drive that I would swap myself ($130 here). So really he's charging about a little more to install and gets to keep the HDD. Of course, I have to ask myself "what am I going to do with ANOTHER 500GB HDD lying around?" I already have 5 of the bloody things.

It would be a shame to get this crazy beast and NOT have SSD though. I guess I have a few months to ponder it still tho

 

I think price wise, its kind of a wash when upgrading from the vendor. If you take into consideration the system came stock with a 500 gb hard drive. So you basically give them back the 500gb drive and then pay $235 extra for the SSD (80gb). If a 500gb drive retails for $80-100 then it doenst seem like a significant savings. The already included 500gb drive just becomes a "credit" toward the upgrade of the SSD. The 80 gb SSD retails at Newegg for $299. If you know anybody that works at Intel, they get a 50% employee discount on the SSD's. Makes me wish I still worked there.

 

It's the same as the HP VooDoo DNA Gaming mouse

http://www.amazon.com/HP-Gaming-Mouse-with-VooDooDNA/dp/B001HLF2KO


It is a nice mouse, I've had one for the past few months. Just with a different finish.

 

I think you will find it too is made by Razor, just rebranded HP.

 

And then rebranded again to ASUS R.O.G.

 

Exactly.

ASUS wouldn't "rebrand" an HP anything.

Razor makes them, and then sells to HP and ASUS, so it isn't rebranded "again", it is just rebranded HP or ASUS.

 

Thank you, evensen007! Finally, everything is set. I've been asking lots of questions and thanks to you guys they are very well answered! Thanks again!

 

Question for all -

With a previous post (not sure whether it's here or in the other G73 thread) about the cooling design and pictures of the G73 and a comparision which i believe was AW...are future owners who are more tech savvy than i somewhat concerned about the ability to cool down the laptop??? I know when i saw the pics in that post, it didn't make sense to me...but I figure rather than keep my mouth shut, I'd ask the question...

thanks...

 

YES!...but we shall test when we get them. If it's a problem it goes right back to the vendor.

 

Where's Striker been lately? Did he fall off the wagon?

 

Striker is busy smoking his stogies and he's not sharing.

 

He probably got his G73 through his mad connections and not telling us how awesome it is.

 

From the other G73 thread...this is great news if the dates hold!!

 

if i end up pre-ordering one of these g73s and the tech savvy guys here find some outrageous problem with it (let's say heating problem), sending these units back to the resellers would incur a restocking fee or not? i know the standard policy states that there is a 10-15% restocking fee and what not, but what if there is some inherent "problem" with the laptops...

 

Only if you open it and there isn't a huge issue. And any case, if there is a defect, you would not be subjected to the restocking fees (at least thats how most resellers work)

 

Just lurking......

 

Oh dude, where's your sig and pictures

 

For those wondering about return policies:

GenTech:
Any product that needs to be returned to GenTech for any reason, Customers must call GenTech at 1-626-915-5008 or e-mail to [email protected] to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number, RMA numbers are valid for seven (7) days only. Any product returned missing an RMA number on the outside of the package or with an RMA number over seven (7) days old will be refused. It is necessary that you return products promptly. Special-order items cannot be refunded.

For Notebooks:
All notebooks can be returned for a refund with a 10% restocking fee:
- Original shipping and handling (Includes Free Shipping)/Microsoft Windows Operating System is non-refundable.

- Refunds must be requested within 15 days from the date the product was shipped. We do not accept refunds after 15 days from the date product was shipped.

- $25 will be deducted from refund if the product was shipped with free shipping.

- We must receive the product within 7 days from the date RMA number was issued, if we receive the product after 7 days there will be no refund available.

- Notebook sent back for a refund must be in 100% perfect condition, we will not issue a refund if we found the notebook has any physical damage.



XoticPC:
Asus Ensemble Warranties & Return Policies
Xotic PC's ASUS Total Satisfaction Return Policy

IF FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER YOU SHOULD FAIL TO BE SATISFIED WITH YOUR ASUS LAPTOP, YOU MAY RETURN IT WITHIN 15 DAYS FROM ITS ORIGINAL SHIP DATE FOR A 100% REFUND LESS SHIPPING CHARGES. ALL RETURNS REQUIRE USE OF A RETURNED MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER, WHICH MUST APPEAR ON ALL COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE RETURNED ITEM AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHIPPING PACKAGING. ASUS returns may be charged a 15% re-stocking fee if sent in missing any original manufacturer packaging or parts or if the warranty is registered. ASUS Laptops must be returned by the 15th day from shipment under the above return policy. When a Free Shipping coupon is offered it is deducted from the products price and shipping is always charged on all items shipped. Shipping is non refundable.

In addition, if any upgraded software was purchased such as Windows XP, Vista or Microsoft Office has been activated, it will not be accepted back for refund or credit. When returns are set up for External Accessories purchased with laptops, they must be returned unopened in their original retail package to be eligible for refund.

CUSTOM PAINTED or SKINNED LAPTOP RETURNS. Because a custom painted or skinned notebook that is returned to us cannot be sold unless we pay to have the custom paintwork or skin removed or covered, we will charge a restocking fee for custom painted and skinned computers of 15%. The return period is 15 days from ship date for custom painted or skinned machines.

 

No sig or pic striker.

 

Ive skimmed through a few pages, I saw that the dates were confirmed BUT if i put my order in today, would I be waiting till march to get it, or somewhere in feb?

 

It all depends on who you ordered it from, how many preordered before you and how many that vendor gets in stock right away.

 

Anyone have a suggestion of a place to order from? over another?

 

I know Btotech claims on their website to still have preorders available for the 1st shipment...past that I would email the others and ask them where you would stand.

 

every retailers here are great and trustworthy, we don't really have "suggestions".
just order from wherever you feel like. (Example: GentechPC, Powernotebooks, XoticPC etc)

 

I am very interested in using multi-monitors displays with the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 5870. Does anyone have any informatin on how easy the bMatrox TripleHead2Go External Monitor Video Controller is to set up and use? Or, is ther a better way to set up multi-monitors with the G73

 

I would like to do that too! that's just cooooool! xD

 

What's the best thermal compound??

 

ICD7/IC Diamond 7