Asus L5GX/L5000GX

Hi,

First time poster, and I am looking for a new laptop...specifically, a desktop replacement that I can also take on the road, or roam around my house. My requirements so far have been a Pentium 4, Radeon 9700 with 128 mb vram (for games of course), and 1 gig of ram. The L5GX seems to fit the bill however, I have only been able to find ONE place that even sells the damn thing.

Here are the specs from Agearnotebooks.com:

1. Display: 15 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) with ASUS ACE View TFT Active Matrix - L5GA only. (+$125.00)
2. Processor: 3.0GHz Intel Hyper-Threading Pentium® 4 Processor w/512k L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
3. Graphics & Video: L5GX - ATI Mobility™ Radeon 9700 with 128MB DDR Dedicated Video RAM (+$60.00)
4. Memory: 1.0GB (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM (+$120.00)
5. Hard Drive: 40GB 4,200RPM Ultra DMA HDD
6. CD/DVD/CDRW Drive: Combo 8X DVD/24x10x24 CD-RW w/Software
7. Floppy Drive: Internal 3.5 inch 1.44MB Floppy Drive
8. Modem: Built-in 56k V.90/V.92 Fax Modem
9. Build-in Gigabit LAN: Built-in Broad Com 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet LAN w/RJ-45 Jack
A. Wireless LAN: 802.11b (11Mbps) Intel/Pro 2100 wireless internal Mini-PCI Card (+$45.00)
B. Wireless Router: None.
C. MS Windows OS: MS Windows XP Professional (+$140.00)
D. MS Office XP Software: None.
E. Internet Security Software: None.
F. FREE Software: FREE Bundled Software provided by ASUS
G. Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery
H. AC Adapter: Auto Switch 110/220V AC Adapter
I. Car Adapter: None.
J. Mouse: None.
K. External USB Numeric Keypad: None.
L. Carrying Case: Free Deluxe Carrying Case
M. Warranty: 1-Year Parts/Labor, Lifetime 24/7 Telephone Technical Support

$1955.00

Any opinions on the laptop or the store?

Thanks!

 

This is a great notebook, I'm surprised that there aren't anymore places in the states offering this model. Unfortunately I'm in Aus so can't help much other then to suggest the US ASUS website.
a

 

I'm looking at the L5GX also. Seems to have the all the specs for a good desktop replacement in a notebook. Finally got to see one ( the L5GA actually) in person at Computer Brain. www.computerbrain.com/

These guys are actually pretty decent and I've been buying from them for years. Big plus is that they're close to me... but with the net..
The comp looked and felt nice. It's a pretty hefty machine but seems quite substantial. I'm going with the 3.2Ghz, 1Gig RAM, 128MB 9700 video.
Only thing I don't like is the internal wireless option. You can only use the b, not the g, unless you go with a PCMCIA card.
I was also thinking about the Dell 9100. A bit more money and that machines a beast.
The Asus, with the 800mhz FSB, compared to Dell's 400mhz FSB...combined with a Toshiba 60 GB, 5400 rpm w/ 16MB cache, is still a faster machine for my needs than the Dell (even with DDR400 RAM while Asus uses DDR333. Any other thoughts on that?
I've been hearing that as long as over heating isn't a problem (and they say it won't be) the P4 is noticably faster than a 4M/Centrino.
Anyone else have a L5GX?? Input apprciated.

 

I have a L5GA and it is nice. I chose not to wait for the L5GX because i wanted my laptop sooner then what it would have been. Well there is a place on the net called www.geared2play.com that will let you configure and pre order the L5GX. Also be aware the asus L5 series can use ddr 400 memory. I know because I have some in mine right now. Anyway this is the best laptop I have ever owned. I play doom3 on it and Farcry with no slow down. Plus I can upgrade the proc when i want by my own hands.

 

I'm also interested in this machine. How bad is the heat, battery life, and weight? A detailed review (if anyone has the time) would be very much appreciated. BTW, geared2play.com seems like a great place from which to buy your machine...good prices, nice service plan.

 

Wow nice to see people are posting about us. If nayone wants info just call 888-580-2951 or check out the site.

 

I'm also interested in the L5GX but really need to see a notebook before I buy. I should think most people would want this. You need to make sure you like the display quality, keyboard feel, and so on. So far, I haven't found an online vendor that doesn't have stiff restocking fees. When it comes to a laptop that's nearly impossible to find at retail stores, I think online vendors should offer a no-penalty evaluation period.

At any rate, I ended up contacting Asus directly and asked them if there were any places near me where I could actually try out their notebooks. Apparently they have a notebook display at a mall in California at the moment. No luck -- no such notebook displays near me.

It's really frustrating. Everything looks great on paper. But what if the keyboard isn't comfortable for your wrists/hands? Or what if the keyboard has too much flex or yield to it? (I discovered this on a Sager laptop I tried.) What if you're unhappy with the chassis build quality or the heat dissipation or the display? Everyone has different standards.

I have complaints with HP, but at least you can try out one of their laptops and send it back if you don't like it without penalty if you order directly from HP. AND, of course, HPs are readily available to look at in a variety of retail stores.

I hope someone from Asus and Asus vendors are reading this thread. I'd buy one of your laptops right now if you made it easier for me to try them out.
-- Jerry