Cheap alienware laptops: ASUS G73JW-XA1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop

ASUS G73JW-XA1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black (Republic of Gamers) Review

So after much anticipation, my XA1 finally arrived in the mail last night!!

First impressions: Quality quality quality, this laptop just oozes with quality, the structure, the exterior, the stealth look, the cooling system, keyboard, ect ect.. I really can't think of a whole lot they could do to make this laptop look/feel any better. The flat-black surface on the laptop is top notch, it will not scratch easily, and provides a lot of grip while carrying the laptop. The keyboard is slightly strange at first, but it just takes some getting to use too, nothing to complain about. Cooling is absolutely excellent considering the horsepower this thing has under the hood, and the venting system produces little to no sound at all! Just downright good engineering on ASUS' behalf. I did A LOT of research before this purchase, and this was hands down the best deal I could find consider this laptops performance-to-cost ratio.

XA1: I purchased the XA1 from Amazon in order to save a couple hundred dollars. I am not interested in the Blue-ray player or extra hard-drive, and I plan on upgrading to 16GB of 1333 RAM myself so I felt no need to go with the model with 8GB of 1333. So the only thing I may be missing out on is the extra 12 months of warranty that the 00+ model comes with. Also, the 750GB of HD space that is in the XA1 is a single hard-drive, which automatically leaves you with a 2nd open HD slot for a nice SSD! Other then that, everything is the same between models.

Immediately upon starting up the laptop, I went to work: I updated the 460M graphics drivers, removed ALL unnecessary bloatware (roughly 20 programs), and optimized Windows 7 to perform faster. This laptop is now a beast, lightning fast and aesthetically pleasing, I couldn't ask for more considering the price.

Gaming so far: I haven't had a chance to try a lot of games with it as of yet, but so far all of the games I have tried will run effortlessly by the laptop with 100% maxed out video settings (Starcraft 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Torchlight, Team Fortress 2). Cooling and noise levels remained exceptional during gaming, and the 1080p screen display is amazing to look at. I will probably be installing Crysis sometime this week so we'll see how that goes. This laptop is no joke when it comes to gaming ladies and gentlemen, and can definitely qualify as a complete desktop replacement if need be.

I can further update this once I have spent more time with the laptop, but so far it gets 5 stars hands down! Until then, time to game!

ASUS G73JW-XA1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black (Republic of Gamers) Feature

Intel i7-740QM (1.73GHz Quad-Core with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz)
8GB RAM (DDR3 1066MHz), 2GB x 4 SODIMM Sockets, up to 16GB
Nvidia GTX 460M Graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5
750 GB HDD; Super Multi DVD 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 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black (Republic of Gamers) Overview

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 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black (Republic of Gamers) Specifications

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)

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Leading Gaming Power for the Next Generation

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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.

Definitive Multitasking

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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.

Enjoy Vibrant Media

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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.

Aerodynamic Design

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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.

Relax, ASUS Has You Covered

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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