Great deal on a gaming laptop!

[hans030390]

$1149

Compared to the Gateway FX series, this puts them to shame. If you're looking for a desktop replacement, this is probably the BEST deal you can find anywhere. Not only that, but it's available at your local Best Buy.

There are also 2 similar models. One is the exact same, except is has a Core Quad CPU. The other is smaller, has a slower CPU, less RAM, smaller HDD, less battery life, etc. It's $1000, but still a good deal (as it has a GTX 260M as well).

A comparable computer from, say, Sager would cost well over $1500 with these specs.

Also, this laptop is BIG and HEAVY.

NOTE: Make sure you update the BIOS if you purchase this! You will have an issue where the GPU will throttle at 81 degrees celcius, making games COMPLETELY unplayable (1-2 fps TOTAL). New BIOS are reported to fix this issue.

 

[JD50]

Looks like that BIOS fix came out today, fyi.

 

[gorcorps]

Looks pretty solid if that BIOS fix really does the trick. I'd snag it if I had some spare money. If this remains a normal price and they keep it in stock for a while they may have a sale.

 

[JD50]

It worked according to these folks

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Looks pretty solid if that BIOS fix really does the trick. I'd snag it if I had some spare money. If this remains a normal price and they keep it in stock for a while they may have a sale.

a drop in 1-2 fps at a certain temp is a deal breaker considering everything else?

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Looks pretty solid if that BIOS fix really does the trick. I'd snag it if I had some spare money. If this remains a normal price and they keep it in stock for a while they may have a sale.

a drop in 1-2 fps at a certain temp is a deal breaker considering everything else?

It was a drop TO 1-2 fps at a certain temp, not a drop OF 1-2 fps at a certain temp. But it looks like it's fixed. I might pick this up, been thinking about getting a gaming laptop and this seems like a great deal.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: JD50
Looks like that BIOS fix came out today, fyi.

Nice, thanks for finding this info!

 

[manko]

Since it hasn't been posted, the model is ASUS G71GX. I'm not in the market (still using my outdated gaming laptop along with a newer SFF), but if I was I'd definitely consider this model.

http://usa.asus.com/products.a...model=3026&modelmenu=1

 

[Roland00]

Just for the people that don't know. The GTX 260 Mobile is effectively a 8800gt underclocked 10% and is built on 55nm process.

 

[Liberator21]

Wow... Yea I would say this is pretty hot. You can get the Clevo barebones with this in a 15" size for the same price from rjtech.com if you have the other components.

 

[DAGTA]

Nice specs, too bad it's an Acer. Not worth it.

 

[libertyl]

ACER? I think its an ASUS.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Nice specs, too bad it's an Acer. Not worth it.

Learn to read.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Nice specs, too bad it's an Acer. Not worth it.

Learn to read.

WOW...

uh... yeah... i knew that.

 

[bigsnyder]

The best buy site says screen resolution is 1440x900, the Asus site says 1920x1200. Can anyone confirm which one it is?

 

[JD50]

It's 1440x900

 

[SantaAna12]

put price in post please

 

[Liberator21]

Trust me 1440x900 is PERFECT for this computer. I have a Gateway P7805u-FX with the vaunted 1920x1200 and personally don't think its a good fit. Its good real estate, but the GPU (based on a 9600GT) has to work harder and web browsing isn't very pleasurable.

Since the 260M is based on a 9800GT, the 1440x900 screen would run smooth with new games - great combo by Asus I must say.

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: Liberator21
Trust me 1440x900 is PERFECT for this computer. I have a Gateway P7805u-FX with the vaunted 1920x1200 and personally don't think its a good fit. Its good real estate, but the GPU (based on a 9600GT) has to work harder and web browsing isn't very pleasurable.

Since the 260M is based on a 9800GT, the 1440x900 screen would run smooth with new games - great combo by Asus I must say.

I would have to disagree. I have a 7811 with the same resolution and think it is perfect. Granted it does make gaming a bit harder but I am not a big gamer, it was just the most horsepower for the money at time.

 

[NeonFlak]

How would this compare to the MSI with the HD4850 for $1349?

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: boomhower

Originally posted by: Liberator21
Trust me 1440x900 is PERFECT for this computer. I have a Gateway P7805u-FX with the vaunted 1920x1200 and personally don't think its a good fit. Its good real estate, but the GPU (based on a 9600GT) has to work harder and web browsing isn't very pleasurable.

Since the 260M is based on a 9800GT, the 1440x900 screen would run smooth with new games - great combo by Asus I must say.

I would have to disagree. I have a 7811 with the same resolution and think it is perfect. Granted it does make gaming a bit harder but I am not a big gamer, it was just the most horsepower for the money at time.

I would have to disagree with your disagreement. 1440x900 works great for 17" laptop monitors. Nothing looks too big or too small (high resolutions with smaller monitors can cause too much eye strain), and it's not so high that games run like crap in combo with the hardware (as stated above).

Just get a monitor for it if you don't like it.

 

[NeonFlak]

So no one knows?

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: NeonFlak
So no one knows?

Not until you fix that link.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: NeonFlak
How would this compare to the MSI with the HD4850 for $1349?

To be honest, I wouldn't get any laptop with a Nvidia chip in it at this point, so the MSI would be a better deal.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: NeonFlak
How would this compare to the MSI with the HD4850 for $1349?

To be honest, I wouldn't get any laptop with a Nvidia chip in it at this point, so the MSI would be a better deal.

Fixed link to MSI laptop

Uh, what? There's nothing wrong with Nvidia's mobile GPUs. Some of them had overheating problems, but I heard that only applies to the lower/mid-range chips from the 8xxx series (my 8800m GTS has been going strong for well over a year). Other than that, they're great. PLUS, their mobile drivers are much more mature than ATI's, from what I've heard.

As for the MSI vs the ASUS laptop, overall they'll be pretty close. The GTX 260M performs pretty well, but the 4850 definitely has an edge when it comes to gaming. It's not some amazing difference, but enough to be worth noting. However, the GTX 260M has more memory available, which could help out in some situations.

The MSI has a slightly less powerful CPU, though for gaming, it will likely not be noticeable. It also has a 9-cell battery (vs 8-cell seen in the ASUS), probably giving it slightly better battery life. The MSI also has a 3-year warranty, compared to the ASUS with 1-year. The MSI has less RAM (4GB at 6GB), but that will likely not be noticeable either. ASUS has bigger HDD, etc.

Either one is a great buy. They each have their advantages over each other. However, one is $150-200 more than the other. Decide on your own which is the better buy for you personally.

UPDATE: The ASUS is currently at $1200 instead of the original $1150.