ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
gaming pc for DEALS SHOPPING...
17.3-Inch FHD (1920x1080) (LED)/Intel Core i7-740QM (1.73GHz Quad-Core)/8GB DDR3 RAM/NVidia GTX 460M 1.5G GDDR5 VRAM/750GB HDD/Super Multi Optical Drive/Illuminated Keyboard/HDMI/Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit)/802.11BGN/2.0M Pixel/Bluetooth/8 Cell battery/1 USB 3.0 port/3 USB 2.0 ports/8-in-1 card reader/1YR Global warranty/1YR Accidental Damage Warranty/30-Day Zero Bright Dot/2-way FREE shipping/24-7 tech support.../ ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) / gaming pc
They'll Never Know What Hit'em
Every gamer knows that the latest games demands the best performance. But we don’t believe in just meeting the minimum requirements, we believe in obliterating them. That’s why we made sure that the Republic of Gamers (ROG) G73Jw-XA1 was jam-packed with one-of-a-kind innovation that propel mobile gaming performance to unseen levels.
Featuring the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine that comes with a massive 1.5GB of GDDR5 VRAM, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 leads in DirectX 11 gaming for advanced tessellation and faster graphics rendering. This gaming powerhouse, powered by the Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor, soars while performing several tasks simultaneously. And while others struggle to find the keys in dimly lit areas, the backlit gaming keyboard gives you the edge in the dark to put you ahead of the competition. The ROG G73Jw-XA1 showcases a stealth fighter-inspired design with a unique thermal design that promotes airflow and keeps the air away from you. Plus, its 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display lets you experience the latest in high-definition entertainment brilliant 1080p playback. The ROG G73Jw-XA1 breaks from the heard of traditional gaming notebooks with built-in overclocking feature through the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility – instantly giving you extreme power with a push of a button.
The ROG G73Jw-XA1 also boasts 750GB 7200RPM hard drive, 8GB DDR3 system memory, high-speed wireless N, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Super Speed USB 3.0 connectivity, Bluetooth v2.1, HDMI connectivity, 2.0 megapixel camera, and Altec Lansing speakers with EAX Advanced HD 4.0 sound. 
Key Features- 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display for immersive cinematic experience with resolution up to 1920 x 1080 (Learn more)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM for unprecedented DirectX 11 gaming (Learn more)
- Intel Core i7-DD740QM processor with Intel Turbo Boost technology to automatically boost speed to your task at hand (Learn more)
- ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid that innovatively saves battery life and delivers extreme performance (Learn more)
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfers than USB 2.01
- 750GB 7200RPM hard drive and 8GB of DDR3 system memory for smooth computing and ample storage for all your games and media files (Learn more)
- Backlit gaming keyboard with ergonomic tilt-up design for comfortable control in any lighting environment (Learn more)
- Altec Lansing speakers and EAX Advanced HD Audio for premium gaming sound (Learn more)
Learn More | | 
View larger | The ROG G73Jw-XA1 features the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine for unprecedented visual performance. With unmatched DirectX 11 support, experience a totally new class of virtual interaction for more dynamic gaming.
The ROG G73Jw-XA1 also features a fast 750GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive to store your movies, games, and pictures. Plus, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 offers 8GB of DDR3 system memory for incredible multitasking capability. |
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View larger | The ROG G73Jw-XA1 gives you all the power you need to create digital video, 3D animation, or effortlessly play adrenaline-filled games with Intel’s leading-edge processor. Powered by the Intel Core i7-740QM processor, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 outperforms other notebooks with massive memory bandwidth for the ultra-smooth multitasking performance. Featuring Intel Turbo Boost Technology, processor speed is automatically adjusted to your needs by accelerating performance to your task at hand.
With a host of power profiles, this gaming powerhouse has a built-in overclocking mode via ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid that activates in a simple push of a button located above the keyboard that turns up system performance above its default level. |
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View larger | Featuring a 17.3-inch LED-backlit full HD display and Super Multi DVD drive, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 lets you enjoy the latest in HD playback for an immersive experience with sharp images, smooth video transitions, and brilliant clarity. With HDMI connectivity, turn this gaming powerhouse into your personal media center by connecting to an external monitor or HDTV and enjoy flawless 1080p HD playback on the big screen. The ROG G73Jw-XA1 is complemented with Altec Lansing speakers and EAX Advanced HD 4.0 so you can hear every detail with enhanced acoustics. |
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View larger | Based from the intelligent design of a US stealth fighter, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 showcases sleek design. Its internal components are specially engineered next to the rear air vents to promote air flow and system cooling.
Its gaming keyboard also illuminates to give you the competitive edge, so when others are fumbling for keys in the dark you’re brightly lit keyboard keeps you a step ahead of the game. Angled at an ergonomically 5-degree tapered slant, the keyboard is also positioned for an ergonomic typing experience so you’re comfortable after the longest gaming sessions. | |
Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources2, readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. ASUS relentlessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC.
ASUS backs a commitment to quality with the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUS Global Warranty3
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing laptops: - 1 year global warranty
- 30 day Flawless Display Guarantee
- 2-way free standard shipping
- 24/7 tech support
1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty (ADW)3
Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year after purchase. - Covers accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
- Target 3 business day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
- 1-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
- 24/7 toll-free phone support
What's in the Box- ROG G73Jw-XA1
- AC Adapter
- 8 cell Battery Pack
- Warranty Information Card
Specifications- Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- Display: 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display (1920 x 1080)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor (1.73 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
- Chipset: Intel HM55
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM
- WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz), Bluetooth v2.1
- LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
- Memory: 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz RAM, 4 x SODIMM (expandable to 8GB)
- Storage:750GB 7200RPM hard drive (1x HDD, 2x bays in total)
- Optical Drive: Super Multi DVD
- Camera: 2.0 megapixel
- Speakers: Altec Lansing speakers with EAX 4.0 sound
- Microphone: Digital Array Microphone
- Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory stick/MS Pro/MS-Duo/MS-Pro Duo)
- Input / Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Headphone-out, 1 x VGA port/Mini D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Kensington Lock
- Battery: 8 cell
- Dimensions: 16.6 x 12.8 x 0.08 ~ 2.3 –inches
- Weight: 8 lbs (with 8 cell battery)
- Color: Black
© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos.
1All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status.
2Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2010. Rated number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Q2 2010's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/2010-2nd-Quarter-Computer-Reliability-Report.html
3ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. Certain retailers do not participate in ADW coverage. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360 and adw.asus.com/.
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.../ ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) / gaming pc
- Intel i7-740QM (1.73GHz Quad-Core with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz)
- 8GB RAM (DDR3 1333MHz), 2GB x 4 SODIMM Sockets, up to 16GB
- Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5
- 750 GB HDD; Super Multi Optical Drive; 802.11 b/g/n; 1x USB 3.0 port, 3x USB 2.0; Gigabit LAN; VGA and HDMI out
- 17.3-Inch Full HD (1920x1080) LED Display; Illuminated Keyboard; 2.0M Webcam; Windows Home Premium 64-bit Operating System
.../ ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) / gaming pc
ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
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Customer Review :
Fast, quiet, cool, aesthetically pleasing : ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black)
One of the things I find frustrating are reviews that say "this is wonderful" right out of the package without giving ongoing experiences. As this is a lovely little laptop that I would expect to be around for a while I'll be updating for a year with check ins about once a month.
Ratings (created: 11.29.10):
After playing with it for 20 some days I'm ready to add ratings.
Reducing overall rating to 3.5 from 4 because frankly I think that people should expect higher quality. If the LED is the only other issue I have I'll raise back to a 4 with a disclaimer of "know what you're purchasing"
Speed: 4.5 stars (there's more powerful but not by a ton and that's why this and the price is so tempting)
Price: 5.0 Stars for the speed it's incredible.
Quality: 3.0 stars. I knew the key skipping issue before purchasing and didn't care. If that was the only thing wrong with it I'd be ecstatic and likely keep it at 4. The LED lighting going out though makes me frown and this is the major cause of my overall rating drop from 4 to 3.5. It's a new issue and one that was not documented by others. As I generally don't use it, it's not a big deal, but it makes me nervous because ASUS has a HORRIBLE customer service history and the previous model would have rated a 1 in quality due to the issues.
Customer Service: 1.0 star. This is based on other reviews. Hands down every review out there that has dealt with customer service has a bad story. I haven't dealt with them and purchased with the idea the purchase was a gamble or I'd be repairing myself. Summary of issues are lack of reponse/responsibility and LONG loss of laptop times (3weeks or longer with one person having gone 2 months).
Bang for the buck: 4.0 After the LED keyboard lights went out, I'm now concerned that other issues lurk. If the key skipping and LED are the only issues I run into and you don't care about those issues I'd say a solid 5.0. right now it's an unknown so I go with 4.0.
Received laptop 11.11.10
Comes with:
1.) Laptop
2.) Power brick for plugging in
3.) Free starcraft trial (I haven't looked at it yet)
4.) Brief owners manual... very brief.
5.) DVD with drivers but NO and I repeat NO back-up disc. I highly recommend that you purchase (5) dvd's and do the back-up after everything is powered and set-up (windows told me I needed 5 although I haven't finished it yet and will be doing that tonight).
Packaging:
The laptop comes in an amazon box stuffed with paper to take up the extra space. I like the added protection and the lack of a "hey everyone! it's a laptop.
The asus box itself doesn't use styrofoam but instead uses cardboard. Personally I love this as it's more environmentally friendly. That said I did notice a panel on the bottom had snapped out of place. I simply popped it back in.
Starting Up:
There were no instructions here really. It simply tells you to install the battery (not how long to charge or how long a full charge takes) and turn on. When you turn the machine on it continues with the set-up process. I don't think it took more than 10 minutes. I was at work so I could be a little off, but roughly around there. It'll ask for a language (it warns that this can't be changed), date correction and location, password, username, wireless (not required and I didn't use as I was at work), PC name. Once these are all plugged in and you agree to the license the laptop is ready for use.
Prior to starting windows it opened up in this other screen (before set-up) it looked like it was an asus screen and the bottom right corner had a "go to Operating system" button. I hit that to get going.
Looks:
Shiny screen... booo. I know many consumers like this look which is why laptops have it. It makes colors look brighter/prettier. The issue is that light can glare off these types of screens like crazy. Obviously many consumers don't mind. I do, but oh well. I believe you can purchase adhesive covers much like the iphone covers if it really bothers you. I'm not going to bother as this won't see a lot of outdoors use.
keyboard feels cramped. this is silly considering how much space there is on the left and right (about 1 5/8" boarder) that the keyboard could have been extended into. Keyboard keys are about the same size as other keys, but they lack that little curvature that can help you find your keys and they seem just a hair too close together so the fingers trip a little. smaller fingers likely have less of an issue and I suspect mine will get used to it after a while. Reality is that I'm using this for gaming and not typing and as such I just need a few keys. Numberpad, arrows, and function keys are on the smaller side.
The keyboard back lighting is easy to turn off. doesn't really glare at me with it on the desk top and definitely not an issue if in your lap.
The case feels fantastic. It's not some gloss monstrosity that soaks up finger prints. On a desk it looks very slim thanks to the optical illusion of it sloping back.
The photo used for this product (at time that I purchased) is actually the older model using the 5870 video card. You can tell because it has that stupid one mouse button. Relax and know that this has two.
As another user noted the power source is LITERALLY the size of a brick. Unlike del power sources i've used in the past it's not designed for mobility with any kind of strapping for cord management.
I purchased an alienware backpack so I have storage for this, but I highly suggest making sure you have something to store it in.
Concerns I had based on previous model:
These are issues from reviews of the previous model that this is based on and there were 3.
1.) single mouse button difficult to use - current model has two (despite picture that might make you think otherwise it does have two buttons)
2.) SERIOUS bios issue that caused games and computer to die frequently (oh there were many rants about this online) - supposedly resolved based on reviews of this. The older model had the 5870 video card instead of the Nvidia 460 (no issues yet 11.29.10)
3.) Keyboard keys don't register click causing skipping and retyping. Work around in the past is that you had to disable the touch pad drivers and use a standard mouse. - I'll be watching for this. (YES it's there 11.29.10)
I almost purchased an alienware that was less powerful and almost 600 more expensive PLUS taxes. Luckily Dell's customer service messed up with me and inspired me to go looking around. this is only about 1500 and I figured that was worth a gamble. Based on the research I did, IF you don't have to deal with Asus customer service, this will be a great buy. If you do... ugh. Reviews I read were pretty horrendous on this front. If you notice issues I strongly recommend dealing with them ASAP so you can deal with Amazon's 30-day policy and avoid Asus all together. Hopefully most issues will show up by then.
Screen:
I inspected for any dead pixels and didn't see any on mine. WOOT!!! The screen seems to have multiple options at a touch of the button. I'm honestly not really sure what to do with that. I just clicked it to something that seemed as color correct as possible and called it good.
Video Card:
A quick review is that this is a fantastic video card. Drivers for it are new and the performance should greatly improve as games adapt to the card and as drivers are updated in the future. As a gamer, always makes sure that you have the latest drivers. For everyone else... i doubt you'll notice. You definitely do not want the older model with the 5870 card. Although the card currently performs better that will change as the 460 drivers are updated and matures. Also, that older model had sever bios issues.
For those out there wondering "will it play my game? Well... any game in 2010 and before that's a 100% yes (based on specs and reviews I've read from tech forums) with a couple of the most intensive games requiring a slight downgrade in visual settings for acceptable frames per second (fps).
Sound:
So what can I say about the speakers? Well, they're loud in that you can actually hear them! I've had SOOO many issues with both desktops and laptops in this department. It's annoying. On the other hand the quality of sound coming through leaves a LOT to be desired. I think Tinny may be the word used to describe the sound. It's not horrible, but that tinniness is there. Higher ranged sounds can actually hurt my ears if the volume is up too high. Plug in the headphones though and it's fine. Nice sound and will likely vary based on your headphones.
Hard drives:
Drives are partitioned because it creates a more stable environment. In this case there are two partitions.
C: 141GB free of 174GB (clearly some bloat I'll be cleaning out)
D: 504GB free of 504GB
Operating System:
I'm familiar with XP and vista. Windows 7 is much the same from a user perspective with some tweaks. I seem to be able to navigate fairly well without any more searching that XP and Vista take me as I'm not an operating system guru.
Battery Life:
Downloading patches for most the time while surfing and watching youtube videos the batter life was just over 1.5 hours. I think I also played some chess in there as well while the downloads were taking place. (came with it and loving that bloatware). (1.5 hours seems pretty consistent 11.29.10)
Heat:
Running all night, downloading, chess games, music playing, DVD burning... the laptop feels cooler than room temperature with just one or two areas a little bit warm. Frankly even without game play I feel pretty impressed by how cool this is all over. (Also playing games very minimal heat 11.29.10)
Real Use:
I don't recommend using this as a laptop. It's a little tipsy in the lap and I have a big lap. It's also 17" and large. Definitely want a table or desktop or floor for this bad boy. (after having it for a while, it's not that bad. I think I've just become used to the size vs smaller laptops I used. It is tipsy though if not supported in the back and could prove an issue for smaller customers 11.29.10)
I also suggest making sure that if you DO travel you have a container that will fit it. It will not fit in a standard bag. If you pay $300ish more you get some more toys, larger hard drive and a back-pack. Your call if it's worth it to you.
Overall:
Right now I'm looking at this laptop and thinking about how attractive it looks. It's also pretty darn fast (which is why I bought it)
It's heavy and I really wish it was smaller/15" but that's a personal preference. I avoided the 15" in the same model due to the lack of a huge size difference and some complaints on the model.
That said, I have no buyers remorse as of yet. 1500 was a great price to pay for the contents of this beast.
As i load games and travel I'll provide review updates. If there are questions please ask. I don't know that I'll respond to you in a timely manner, but I can likely flesh it out so others have the answers.
***EDIT 11.12.10***
I updated my notes a little in regards to sound, what's in the box for this model, battery life, heat, and real use.
Also, the mouse seems to jump around a bit. I'm not sure if I'm hitting it with my arm or this is the driver issues I was worried about. It's annoying but not detrimental to use and I'm not sure yet if it's me or the laptop as that touchpad is huge. I'm currently using the laptop touch pad as it's still being set-up and not ready to replace my computer yet. I should be doing some game testing this weekend, so I'll let you know how that goes. (mouse jumps seem to be form accidental hits. the pad is HUGE 11.29.10)
The LED keyboard lights don't come back on once turned off. Plugging and unplugging the power seems to work as does a reboot and start. This is a little annoying because I wanted to play with it, but reality is that once you figure out what you like, you're not likely to change it. (They've stopped working all together 11.29.10)
Day two I'm still liking the laptop, but it looks like there's some minor bugs with it. If this is all I have to deal with, then I'm still loving this thing. Currently I'm playing WoW and starcraft II(or will be once the back-up is done and updates are downloaded). I'm going to load the older blizzard games to see how they work and I think I'll go out and pick up a game to challenge this laptop this weekend was well.
***EDIT 11.29.10***
I've now had some more time to play with this due to traveling.
Issues:
LED lighting for the keyboard stopped working. I personally don't care although the one time in my life I'll likely ever want that feature, it didn't work.
Key skipping... yep, definitely key skips for me. I'll try the fix others have listed in other reviews and post back what it was and if it worked.
Additional thoughts:
The mouse pad is HUGE and causes accidental bump issues if not turned off or when using keyboard without external keyboard/mouse.
The wrist rest room has been wonderful while traveling and not using an external keyboard. I thought it was a lot of dead space, but find myself loving the design here.
The machine is powerful and nice and works well for the games I'm playing, specifically warcraft and starcraft II. I've been very happy with FPS.
Oh, and in regards to the chess program that comes with this. I love that it's there, but lvls 1-4 seem a little inconsistent in difficulty. It does increase but at times the computer makes moves where it literally gives a piece away. Also... it allows you to castle after you've been placed in check. The computer has yet to beat me. I've been playing each level ten times to get a feel for it. Most people won't care about this, but if someone does, now you know.
Bottom line, I still don't regret purchasing but I admit an additional issue (LED lights for keyboard) has made me nervous. I won't be sending it back to Amazon unless something major happens in the next few days. Speed wise it's a dream. Quality wise I can live with the current bugs I'm aware of.
***UPDATE*** 3/09/11
I've owned it for a little while now. During that time I installed the updates. I found I had to plug the laptop in, possibly because one of the updates was to the wireless. I'd waited a few months so if there were issues with the patch they could correct. When I finally loaded them all I had no issues, BUT the drivers update DID have to complete and the process took some time. I freaked out because it had wiped the graphics driver before replacing with the updated graphics driver. The duration of time and the lack of a clear "this is still being updated even though you've rebooted" had me nervous. After two more reboots, though, everything was in clean working order. The machine is still functioning. currently this is being used as My dvd player and I haven't been traveling as much. I haven't noticed a huge difference with the old and new patches.
Still, things are working so life is good.
***UPDATE**** 5/19/11
Still working fine. Nothing new to report. As this item is no longer for sale on Amazon I won't be reviewing again.
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