Acer 15.6" i3-2330M 2.20 GHz Notebook | AS5750-6493

Acer does not fail when it comes to laptops. This thing is amazing/fast/beautiful/Just all around great. I have had this laptop for 3 months, and so far i have completely fallen in love with this laptop. The battery life is around 4 hours browsing time, which is pretty good. I would recommend when buying, getting another 4gb ram stick for faster performance on everything (Gaming, browsing, video watching, ect.)

Read More >>

Toshiba Satellite A205-S5000 Celeron 540 1.86GHz 2GB 120GB DVD±RW DL 15.4" Vista Home Premium (Ony

I have had this computer since 2008 and it works amazingly! The best part was being in college I would type papers and such in bed and would fall asleep. I fell asleep with it in my lap so many times and would roll over and down it would go crashing onto the tile and I was astonished that the worst I ever did was break one of the USB ports because when it fell i had a cord in it but the rest of the computer is in perfect condition. Never had any technical problems or anything. If you are a klutz like myself this is the perfect computer. My first computer as a kid at 13 was a Toshiba laptop and it was one of the old dinosaur versions. It lasted me for 6+ years, and I mean parts were hanging off of it from my clumsy destructive nature, but it still worked! It was pretty impressive. I bought a dell to upgrade, killed it within a year, bought a second dell and the battery kicked the bucket within 2 years, which is when i bought the satellite a205-5000 and its been amazing. It s been 5 years since I bought it and it hasn't let me down yet. I would recommend Toshiba again and again.

I bought this in 2009. We have 2 Toshiba Satellite laptops and a older Gateway laptop. This has been a great laptop, still in use everyday for hours. Never failed me. Easy to use. The newer, more expensive TS laptop we have is a wee bit faster.

Buy Toshiba Satellite A205-S5000 Celeron 540 1.86GHz 2GB 120GB DVD±RW DL 15.4" Vista Home Premium (Ony Now

Read More >>

HP Pavilion dv6-3037sb 15.6-Inch Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core i3-350M Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Ha

I haven't had my HP Pavillion very long, but so far am very happy with the purchase. I've had some contact with the company and they were very helpful with my order. It was easy to set up and the screen is great! Perfect for watching movies.

I purchased this computer to replace a previous one that had... Vista Home OS... (Yuk) on it. The thing that caught my eye was the Windows 7 Professional on this model, 500 gb disk and 4GB DDR3 RAM. Using Comcast's (Now Xfinity) slowest lowest internet tier speed; you wouldn't know it, with this this little puppy. No problems with it at all. (One strange thing is a number of people have reported that the back housing plate was kind of sticking out. (It had not been properly inserted) Found this on mine too, but inserted back in and she's good to go. As of this review; I'm getting ready to order another exact one (From Amazon of course!) for my GF! :-)

Buy HP Pavilion dv6-3037sb 15.6-Inch Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core i3-350M Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Ha Now

I got this laptop as a birthday gift for my wife, but within 2 months had issue with the webcam. This was one of the main reasons i got this laptop. I am really disappointed with this HP laptop, even though it claims to have dolby sound system, it is not audible. Also when i opened the pack, the laptop was open from back. I had to use the screwdriver to close it. This is the first time i am really unhappy with this product and regret getting it from Amazon and that too a HP laptop.

Read Best Reviews of HP Pavilion dv6-3037sb 15.6-Inch Laptop (2.26 GHz Intel Core i3-350M Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Ha Here

Read More >>

Dell XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook Laptop Tablet i5-3317U 4GB 128GB SSD 10-finger multi-touch 1920x1

Very nice, compact 12.5" laptop. Touchscreen is responsive and has a full size keyboard. The keyboard separates this from the Microsoft Surface and many other conversion products, which have small, abnormal keyboards. Overall, the laptop is fast and loads programs and apps quickly. The startup time is awesome thanks to the SSD hard drive.

Out of the laptop / tablet conversion products this is definitely one of the best. It is not perfect and here are my only complaints. First, it does not support SD cards, which I was able to overlook by buying a new micro USB jump drive. The new ones hardly stick out of the computer preventing them from damage, so this will solve the problem unless you need multiple USB ports for other things. Another negative is the lack of an HDMI output. I used this very often on my old computer when traveling. It is great to put movies on the computer and play through the TV in hotels. However, you can purchase a cable to convert the mini-display port (correction) to HDMI for less than $20. (Update: I found the cable on Ebay for less than $4). This solves that problem. The final issue I have with the XPS 12 is the weight. At 3.5 pounds, it is fairly light laptop but a very heavy tablet. This prevents it from being a great tablet or conversion product. Don't get me wrong it still works as a tablet, and I use it as a tablet while laying around or traveling. I must say it is very nice to only have to carry one device while traveling!

Overall, this is a great product. With the ability to flip the screen and turn it into a tablet, it separates it from others. It is faster than any tablet and works as well as most ultrabooks. If it was a bit lighter, it would be amazing! Some people say it isn't worth the price. To me, it is. I no longer need a tablet and a laptop. In fact, I sold my tablet and my netbook, which paid for more than half of this device. I would definitely recommend. I also looked at the Asus Taichi. I chose this device solely due to the poor battery life on the Asus.

I love the laptop (I would have absolutely loved it, if it were not for the issues noted below), it is light and easy to convert between a tablet and a laptop. This is one of the very few touch screen laptops in the market with 1080p resolution and I absolutely love the extra real estate. With Windows 8, the touch interface seems to come alive, especially some of the Microsoft bundled apps with Windows 8, like travel, news, finance etc which you can experience to its fullness. Btw, I have the Core i7 version.

The battery life is decent, I get about 3-4 hrs max compared to my old Lenovo which would last 6-7 hrs. The lack of ports is also an issue, it does not have SD slot so you have to carry a card reader, it also does not have a VGA or HDMI port so you have to buy a converter to display out to VGA or HDMI. I knew about this going in so not something that deterred me from getting it.

Now the negatives about the laptop. There are 3 things that is bad and I hope Dell fixes these issues:

1. There seems to be some issue with copy/Cut and Paste functionality i.e. you can copy/cut some text but the paste will not work. Dell forum is filled with complaints about this and the 2nd issue below with no resolution. This is what make it very difficult to use since I depend on this to work flawlessly and there is no workaround about this except try multiple time and eventually it will work. But you definitely need some patience for this and this is the worst issue with the laptop.

2. The track pad mouse stops working very frequently and it is absolutely annoying when you keep on touching the touch pad to move the mouse and nothing happens. Having touch does help since I can touch screen to get the desired result. I carry an external Bluetooth mouse otherwise it would drive me nuts.

3. The 3rd thing is the adaptive brightness, it seems to have a mind of its own i.e. the screen brightness will change for the same light condition and it is annoying. Fortunately there is a workaround i.e. turning off the "Adaptive brightness" in the display settings as part of the power option.

I am hoping these are driver/software issues and not hardware issue and Dell is going to fix the 1st two issues otherwise in the long run I am probably going to regret having the laptop since I expect these functionality to work out of the box.

Buy Dell XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook Laptop Tablet i5-3317U 4GB 128GB SSD 10-finger multi-touch 1920x1 Now

This is one of a new breed of convertible laptops created to take advantage of the Windows 8 paradigm, which allows use as both as tablet and a laptop. While this category is expected to grow, right now, there are essentially only a modest number of entrants, and only two that could be reasonably be called innovative: The Dell XPS 12 (this one), and the Lenovo Yoga 13. The Dell and Lenovo sport similar power specs (cpu, memory, hard drive, battery life), but the Dell has a much higher resolution, better, screen. In my opinion, the Dell takes that competition handily.

Focusing on the XPS 12, this is a terrific piece of hardware, with a lot of pros, and only a few significant cons.

Summarizing,

Pros:

Beautiful super high resolution 1920x1080 12.5" screen

Very high build quality

Terrific innovative screen that rotates in the frame to go from laptop/keyboard to tablet configuration

Very responsive with even the base configuration of an Intel I5 processor and 4Gb memory

Incredibly fast boot time (10-15 seconds)

Very good keyboard

Responsive touchscreen which operates in both laptop and tablet modes

Fast SSD drive in all configurations

Decent webcam (1.3mp)

Light, portable charging cable.

Bluetooth, Wireless N (5 + 2.4Ghz)

Backlit keys on keyboard

Eh:

Battery life is 5-5.5 hours.

Weight is 3.5 pounds, which isn't heavy, but isn't super light for a 12.5" laptop. A bit heavy feeling in tablet mode

Speakers are predictably mediocre for a small laptop

Base configuration has only a 128Gb SSD hard drive. However, the hard drive IS user replaceable.

Cons:

No HDMI or VGA port. Only a graphics mini displayport, which means you will need to carry a mini displayport -> HDMI or VGA adapter if you want to use this for business or with a TV/external monitor.

Memory is soldiered to motherboard and is not upgradeable. Fortunately, even the base configuration 4Gb of memory is more than sufficient.

Only two USB ports (both USB 3.0, however)

Battery is not easily user swapped/replacable

No built in media card reader. If you want to the SD card from your camera, you'll need to carry an external reader.

No GPS

Of the cons, the worst, in my opinion, is the fact that the battery is not easily swapped/replaced. While the 5-5.5 hour run time is pretty respectable, one can expect battery life to diminish over time, and I am not looking forward to dealing with that eventuality. Also, I like to carry a spare battery to swap out for long trips. That's not possible here.

Having struggled with various underpowered Android based tablets, including the Asus TF301/keyboard dock, I can say that using the XPS 12 in tablet mode is like a huge weight has been lifted. The XPS 12 screams when surfing the web, which is something I can't say about any Android (or Mac) tablet I've used--and I've used a lot of them.

People have complained about the lack of apps in the Windows 8 app store--and it's true that the Windows 8 app store is pretty anemic compared to Andoid or Mac. But some of the most important apps are there (Skype, Netflix, etc.) and it's still growing. There are enough to make using the tablet mode acceptable now...and the responsiveness provided by the Intel I5 processor makes it a pleasure to use.

There are a few configuration options available for the XPS 12, all related to the processor (a few speeds of I5 and I7), memory (4Gb or 8Gb) and hard drive size (128Gb or 256Gb). My recommendation: Any of the available processor speeds will be more than acceptable and the difference between the I5 and I7 processors for almost any user will be negligible. Similarly, most users will not need the 8Gb of memory. Windows 8 runs perfectly fine on 4Gb of memory. Unless you plan on running memory hog processes (advanced video editing, certain scientific apps, etc.) you won't need the extra memory. If you do need the extra memory, however, you need to order the laptop with 8Gb installed from the factory, as the memory is not user-upgradeable (it's soldiered to the motherboard...grrr...) A larger hard drive than the 128Gb SSD that comes installed on the base model is definitely a nice feature. But the hard drive IS user replaceable, and the incremental cost of getting the 256Gb mSata SSD from Dell is more than it would be to buy that 256Gb mSata SSD on the aftermarket and clone your 128Gb drive onto it. (You will also wind up with a spare 128Gb drive that way). Unless you are scared of the idea of hard drive cloning/migration, I'd recommend that path. Please note that this laptop uses the mSata configuration hard drive, rather than a full sized SSD to save space. mSata drives tend to be a bit more expensive than standard SSD drives.

Overall, this is a terrific laptop, and buying the least expensive configuration version is, for most, the recommended route.

Read Best Reviews of Dell XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook Laptop Tablet i5-3317U 4GB 128GB SSD 10-finger multi-touch 1920x1 Here

I've only had the XPS 12 for a week and so far, I'm impressed. Everything works great. I've had no trackpad issues at all. I got the i5-4gb version and due to the SSD, it works as well as my old XPS L502X (i7, 8gb) and that's saying a lot. WiFi is very good (tested speeds at home/work & I'm getting higher speeds than all my other devices). Flip screen & overall build is solid -feels sturdy, not cheap (long lasting). Keyboard feels good, not cramped & its back lit. Speakers are surprisingly good IMO. On the net, I watched several reviews with the only complaints being 1) the trackpad, which is working nicely for me and 2) too heavy as a tablet -sure, it's not an iPad but I didn't expect it to be. Still, very nice though. For those who have not used Windows 8, it takes a bit of getting used to (but easy). Best way I can describe it -it's like having two operating systems (Win7 & Win8). Another plus -minimal bloatware. There are other options out there -ie. -smaller tablets like the Surface (you'll have to buy a keyboard & accessories) or other convertibles like the Lenovo Yoga (keyboard is unprotected when flipped, feels odd). This may not be for everyone, but it fits the bill for me, like it a lot.

**UPDATE 5/25/13***

I've used the XPS 12 over a month and everything works great. I paired it with a Toshiba Dynadock (running two extra screens, wireless keyboard/mouse, printer/scanner, Ethernet & extra USB 3.0s) and it's great in Desktop mode. As mentioned above, I'm very pleased. Excellent portability, solid tablet & wonderful desktop. I use it for everything -work & personal. Love it.

Want Dell XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook Laptop Tablet i5-3317U 4GB 128GB SSD 10-finger multi-touch 1920x1 Discount?

At first I was going to buy a tablet....I wanted the portability of the small size. I was going to take it with me on a trip. I planned on uploading photos, editing them with a Microsoft program, and using Microsoft Office to check my emails via Outlook and view and sync my Outlook calendar. Tablets use the Andoid OS (Operating System) which was originally desiged for cell phone usage. So I realized for my purposes, I needed a real computer. The Windows 8 operating system was really designed for a touchscreen. It is a shame to use it without a touch screen. The Dell convertible with the screen flipped around looks like a tablet....the touch screen works great and a virtual keyboard appears on the screen when you touch a button to type something. It has more speed, storage, memory, etc. than a tablet or a Microsoft Surface Pro. So far no problems and it has been a wow factor as I discover new features of it and the Windows 8. By the way it has 2 normal size USB ports...very helpful for my external card reader and my Blu Ray DVD reader/writer.

Save 24% Off

Read More >>

Lenovo G580 15.6-Inch Laptop (Glossy Brown) Windows 8 Notebook PC - 4GB DDR3 RAM - 320GB Hard Drive

The laptop is very beautiful; the color is subtle. The keyboard is so comfortable to use. The laptop is very lightweight and is very portable ( I attend grad school at night so this is an important factor for me). The battery life is also very good.

I found the Windows 8 operating system to be a lot of fun. I think anyone who is used to using devices with apps will appreciate Windows 8. I was nervous about buying this computer based upon the reviews of Windows 8, but I'm glad I took the chance. There will be a learning curve, but I was able to navigate my home screen, rearrange apps, download apps, etc... within a day or less.

I would recommend this laptop.

excelente por el precio, aquí en Venezuela funciona muy bien, me llego en perfecto estado, este modelo no lo he encontrado en mi ciudad. hice una buena elección.

Buy Lenovo G580 15.6-Inch Laptop (Glossy Brown) Windows 8 Notebook PC - 4GB DDR3 RAM - 320GB Hard Drive Now

I recommend this laptop for its overall specifications, including weight (mobility), USB3 capabilities, Large RAM, and overall speed. However, it is an entry level model. The chassis is flimsy and made of a generally low grade plastic and does not feel very sturdy in general, although it is not falling apart and has no physical defects out of the box. I got the 2nd Level The system is not a touch screen system (I bought it knowing this that is likely why the 50% discount on retail price), does not come with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled, which is only $35 to $65 US dollars at the time of this posting, and so it is disappointing because this is originally a Windows 7 system that was upgraded by the OEM to Windows 8x, and the processor, although fast and capable of virtualization, is not SLAT compatible and so does not allow for Support of the Microsoft Hypervisor Platform Technology.

It is a 64bit system with dual core 2.40GHz Processor, and 4 GB RAM, and a 300+ GB HDD, and is very light (like 3 lbs or less) with a nice screen size. So as mentioned previously is quick and mobile, but the flimsy chassis give me a little doubt about its durability. Thus, it is a nice system for a Student or a Home User that needs an extra laptop that is easy to carry and capable of running Windows 8 RT and .NET Desktop Applications.

Overall it is a recommendation from me because I still like working primarily on my desktop (I have Windows 8 Phone and Android Tablet for Touch Screen Apps) to do most of my general computing and programming, and because the specs are nice USB3, HDMI, Fast Ethernet Adapter, Broadcom 802.11n Wi-Fi Network Adapter, and other up to date features make this a fast and contemporary system that will be able to run all of the present and near future technologies, and if I don't physically abuse it I don't expect the any issues as a result of the entry level materials used to build the chassis.

Read Best Reviews of Lenovo G580 15.6-Inch Laptop (Glossy Brown) Windows 8 Notebook PC - 4GB DDR3 RAM - 320GB Hard Drive Here

For the price you can't go wrong, yes it does finger print easy get over it it's not a show car. Windows 8 is not a problem if you take some time to navigate around if you don't have time to work through the learning curve go with Windows 7 both are solid operating systems. Only reason I didn't give full 5 stars is the track pad is a bit wide and my palms tend to touch sending pointer wild this will become less of a problem the more I use the notebook. Other reason is I haven't yet put the machine through a true and thorough ringer of daily use so far I don't see any glaring flaws.

Want Lenovo G580 15.6-Inch Laptop (Glossy Brown) Windows 8 Notebook PC - 4GB DDR3 RAM - 320GB Hard Drive Discount?

love it so far, as promised in the description. will keep using lenovo product, i have not been dissapointed yet by them

Read More >>

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 13.3-Inch Convertible Touchscreen Ultrabook (Clementine Orange)

I have had almost all touch screen ultra books and I have to say this is the best one.

1st Reason is it is convertible, I mean you can twist this thing to your comfort level without a doubt

2nd It is a fast and very good looking ultra book, it has a lower screen resolution than most but the screen it very nice and watching movies on it in HD is unbeatable

3rd its Lenovo, Leading company in business Computers in the world and now taking a strong approach to personal use.

4th Tablet mode, how many ultra books are there in this generation that full converts over to tablet mode with full responsive screen?

5th Price, when you compare the price against its competitors it is right there and almost cheaper than most with such power like the i5 and 4gb of ram

6th very good gaming graphics, playing a video game holds up very well and that video game could be the latest in the industry.

7th Did I mention it is eye catching?

Thank you

Out of the box it was a lovely looking unit with a great looking display. However as soon as I clicked on the EULA, the system enabled the orientation sensor, which wasn't properly oriented and caused hours of issues. Two runs through Windows Update, a BIOS upgrade, and using Windows Services to turn off the YMC service finally got the system into a state where it could be used.

System is great for reading and programming, and even does graphic intensive games pretty well if you run in "Medium" mode. It can get a little warm if you are actually using it in your lap, and it's a little heavy to use as a tablet if you don't have a stand.

Still glad I got this, but for $1K I would really expect Lenovo to make sure these things shipped in fully working order.

Buy Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 13.3-Inch Convertible Touchscreen Ultrabook (Clementine Orange) Now

13.3" ultrabook that converts to a tablet... full microsoft office in tablet mode what's not to love. ... Battery life is pretty decent, better than my macbook pro for sure.... Only things that could have been better:

1. The screen is a bit glossy and hard to read in sunlight, but no different to a standard laptop or tablet.

2. The trackpad left/right buttons sometimes stick, nothing a double click won't sort.

I really only use it in tablet mode on an aeroplane or my sofa, so the fact it weighs more than the i Pad is mostly irrelevant to me... the overall weight of this device is much less than the combined weight of the iPad and macbook pro it is replacing, so my shoulder is very happy with the reduced weight on my travels, and now only one device to remove from my bag for airport screening.

Read Best Reviews of Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 13.3-Inch Convertible Touchscreen Ultrabook (Clementine Orange) Here

yoga is for me a very nice/trendy laptop.. I like it a lot.. the only problem... capacity. quite reduced compared with others

Want Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 13.3-Inch Convertible Touchscreen Ultrabook (Clementine Orange) Discount?

The screen is big enough to get serious work done. The entire computer is small enough to bring anywhere as well as use as a leisure device on the couch. The combination of touch and the ability to fold the device in any direction gives it a unique more customized feel. Like playing with clay or your favorite office chair that has 12 adjustments to give you the right fit for the mood of the moment.

The materials and orange finish are fantastic. My only complaint is its not fan-less/silent like an ipad. You get used to that silence but a trade off I'm willing to make since its flippin fast.

Save 9% Off

Read More >>

Apple MacBook 13", White Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz, 1GB, 120 Gb Hard Drive, Wi-fi, DVD-Burner, Camera

The computer is great, has tons of great programs already on it, and had less cosmetic damage than the description warranted. I was pleased except for the trackpad's issues-it clicks around and selects stuff when I'm not even touching the computer, which can be really frustrating, especially when I'm trying to type. But I got a really great deal on this computer. However, my main complaint was my communication with the seller; they didn't respond to my questions promptly and I didn't like doing business with them. All in all I'm glad to have the computer, but am irritated at the sellers and not very happy about the issues with the trackpad that I didn't know about before I bought it.

Read More >>

ASUS G75VW-BBK5 2.30GHz-3.30GHz i7-3610QM 8GB 1600MHz 1TB 5400RPM 2GB nVidia GTX 660M FullHD 1080P

I bought the G75-BBK version, it came out before all of the TS71/72/73 versions. It came with 8 GB of DDR3 1600 MHz RAM, a 1TB SATA hard drive, 2GB Geforce 660M video card, quad-core 3rd gen core i7 2.3 to 3.3 GHz CPU, 17.3" matted display (unlike the shiny G74 display), backlit keyboard. I added in 8 GB more of DDR3 RAM 1600 MHz, and a 256 solid state drive this machine absolutely screams. It was on sale at best buy for $1150 which is quite amazing for a non-online deal. I play battlefield 3 turned all the way up in on graphics, diablo3 all the way up, star wars the old republic, and some other games. Planning to get guild wars 2 when it comes out. Any of the G75's you go with will be good to run the latest games I would say for at least 2 years or more. From the ASUS site you can install the webcam visual ID login, so the webcam ID's your face and automatically logs you in if it knows it's you. Updated the turbo boost monitor to version 2.5, update the turbo boost monitor, get manuals and other drivers and asus apps, support, etc.

The only thing I wish is that the video card they chose was an Nvidia MXM type. These are the only laptop video cards that are currently upgradeable, and are found very rarely, in very few laptops. You have to specifically look, and I was not doing so at the time. Regardless, it will run whatever you need for multiple years to come.

This laptop, also found at local brick and mortar stores, has a lot going for it in terms of specs:

* 17.3" screen of good quality (for a TN panel)

* 1TB HDD

* nVidia 660M video (a 670m would have been nicer)

* Two HDD bays (both having aluminum holsters)

* 8GB of RAM, with two empty RAM slots available to upgrade to 16GB(DDR3-1600)

* Backlit keyboard (average quality)

* Windows 7 Home Premium (Professional might have been better)

* Multiple video outputs, including a mini-Displayport for monitors that use that connector (e.g. Apple Cinema Display). This is a welcomed surprise as I use an ACD.

Load temps (using CoreTemp 1.04RC) reveal the current temps of all 4 CPU cores:

idle temp: 39~44C.

under load: 59~66C.

Load was generated by running Skyrim, at 1920x1080, with ultra-high anti-aliasing settings (AA:8, AF:16), for 18 minutes and 37 seconds. With the default texture files; I have yet to update these, as I was told that downloadable texture files really enhance the experience... And, man, the quality of the graphics is GORGEOUS, with a very lucid frame rate... (up to 50FPS, my XBox version runs at 30FPS... I almost prefer 30FPS as it feels more like a feature film. 50FPS is close to the motion video standard of 60FPS...) I should say there was some choppiness at times, but that was BEFORE I downloaded the latest video driver, and people are recommending AA:4 and AF:8 instead. Either way, I've few gripes with the video subsystem. Now, back to temperatures:

While idle temps seem a tad high, load temps are PHENOMENAL for a high-res game at full settings, especially as it's hard to hear the fans running! Another laptop I own idles at 35C but under load goes up to 90C and it sounds like the fans are going to take off and fly around. A laptop I returned idled at 45C and under load got to 101C. Do note that water boils at 100C... I did also notice that a CPU temp reader did jack up the idle temp by 5C, which was bizarre... I did not use any utility internal to Asus.

Sadly, the battery is a bit wimpy and can only sustain the machine for ~3 hours... If you're a student, get an external battery to plug in, in case you can't find a power outlet. This may be a gaming PC, but the CPU will compile Java, VB, C, and other code faster than dual-core systems.

Also, the lack of Optimus technology means it won't shut down the nVidia GPU to enable the integrated Intel GPU embedded in the CPU in order to extend battery life... but this is a gaming machine, Asus decided to not bother with dynamic graphics switching... yet part of me would have liked the dynamic video card switching to save on battery life... especially in a classroom setting, despite the logo "republic of gamers" for all to see. :)

I upgraded the RAM. The back cover has one screw, and once that is removed, the cover has plastic tabs keep it *firmly* in place. Too firmly... it shouldn't be hard to open. One needs a spudger to pry off the cover. One could use a knife, but a spudger is completely plastic and is less likely to mar the case.

The second HDD bay has an aluminum holster, so you don't need to buy it separately online. That's a big plus. This model also has two empty RAM slots. I filled those right away.

All of the new RAM was instantly found (DDR3-1600, 2x4GB modules). With 16GB, one can run two or three virtual machines with complete fluidity. If you're studying for MCSE certifications and need to install and run servers in a virtual setting.

The keyboard quality is fair. Not as good as one higher-cost laptop of similar hardware specs, but it's passable. Especially as the integrated wristrest is far and above the comparison laptop with the better keyboard (but no wristrest!

And there is only one LED under the spacebar (left side). Seeing photos online confirms this.

All in all, it's a fantastic laptop that allows much expandability, is fairly rugged, and most importantly remains cool and won't fry eggs (or anything else) while being used. If only the keyboard was a tad bit better, and the battery life longer (by an hour or two), but those are minor nitpicks...

Buy ASUS G75VW-BBK5 2.30GHz-3.30GHz i7-3610QM 8GB 1600MHz 1TB 5400RPM 2GB nVidia GTX 660M FullHD 1080P Now

I've had my G75 about 3 weeks now so I've pretty much got everything set up how I want it and have had some time to kick the tires a bit. Runs everything I throw at it without a hiccup, Battlefield 3, everything maxed out, Skyrim with tons of High Res mods, Crysis 2 maxed out, no problems.

I've seen people complain about the sound, I haven't noticed any issues, certainly nothing that made me question what was wrong.

Earlier today Asus posted on their website mentioning that the display on the G75's display beat Apple's Retina display for color accuracy, so that's a big plus, and I will say the 1080p screen is nice!

I thought the matte finish of the exterior was going to be a fingerprint magnet but it's really not.

The only negative I can see is the 54000rpm HD, this is something I'll probably rectify pretty soon, just to put my machine's performance even more over the top.

It was a good buy, I'm really happy with it thusfar, I'll add any notes or discrepancies as the life of my machine continues.

Read Best Reviews of ASUS G75VW-BBK5 2.30GHz-3.30GHz i7-3610QM 8GB 1600MHz 1TB 5400RPM 2GB nVidia GTX 660M FullHD 1080P Here

Great base system. I wanted to get a desktop replacement system at a great price and upgrade the components at my own. The Upgrades I did were 2 OCZ Vertex 4's in Raid0 and upgrade 8GB of ram to 32GB! This particular model G75VW-BBK5 is the more base model, so the money I saved I could invest into the quality parts I want. Installing the RAM was easy and didnt involve breaking any warranty stickers.

Pros: Upgraded to 32GB after for just $140.

1.1Gbps benchmark in Raid0 is absolutely insane. Things open before I click on them, its that fast!

Chiclet keys, Lightup keyboard, not on the "W" key to help train me to use asdw keys for gaming(grew up using cursor keys)

17" full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution

Cons: Having trouble getting Nvidia Linux Drivers 310 working, current or experimental. Eventually need to invest in a larger bag to transport this laptop.

Other Thoughts: Ubuntu install did alternate ubuntu 12.04.1 install disc for raid support and installed grub to the volume0 array. Ordered a 12.7mm HDD Caddy to replace the base DVD drive, put the slower 1TB 5400rpm drive it came with in there.

Want ASUS G75VW-BBK5 2.30GHz-3.30GHz i7-3610QM 8GB 1600MHz 1TB 5400RPM 2GB nVidia GTX 660M FullHD 1080P Discount?

THINGS I LIKE ARE THE LIGHTED KEYS, NUM PAD, AND LARGE CRISP SCREEN. I RATE THIS A 5 FOR PEOPLE THAT LOVE TO GAME. I PURCHASED THIS TO PLAY A FEW GAMES BUT NOTHING A 400-500 LAPTOP COULD NOT HANDLE. THAT IS JUST MY FAULT. I OVER DID IT. THINGS I DO NOT LIKE IS THAT IT IS VERY HEAVY AND BIG COMPARED TO SAY AN ALIANWEAR WITH THE SAME SPECS. NOT SAYING THAT IS BAD. IF YOU ARE A TRUE GAMER AND WOULD LIKE A LAPTOP THAT CAN PLAY THEM ALL THIS IS FOR U. I FOUND THAT AFTER I PURCHASED THIS I STARTED PLAYING MY XBOX AND ONLY USE THIS ASUS FOR INTERNET. FOR ME IT WAS OVERKILL BUT THIS IS A VERY NICE LAPTOP. ONE OTHER THING IS THAT ASUS HAS WAY TO MANY MODELS AND IT MAKE SHOPPING FOR THEM A NIGHTMARE. PRICES ARE ALL OVER AS IS SPECS. IF THEY ARE ALL GAMING LAPTOPS WHY NOT JUST HAVE SAY DIFFERENT SIZE ONES. BEFORE BUYING ONE JUST ASK SOMEONE THAT KNOWS COMPUTERS.

Read More >>

Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

A few months ago I purchased an iMac from Amazon, my first Mac by the way. I could have not been more pleased. I am a student learning computational science and I wanted to become familiar with all the major systems: windows, Mac and Linux. I have been a frustrated Windows user for many years and was pleased with the Mac. Recently I just purchased this Macbook for mobile computing. I spend most my time away from my apartment and wanted a Mac to work on when I am on the go. This computer is perfect, the size and weight is just right for carrying around everywhere. Compared to my Windows based laptops I get over three hours of battery life, which is perfect for me.

The power of the Macbook is perfect for daily computing and basic development. The addition of the Nividia graphics cards adds a lot to photo, video and light gaming. I am also very pleased that Apple did not increase the price when they added the faster 2.13GHz chip and expanded the hard drive space. Originally I was going to purchase one of the new aluminum Macbooks just for the better performance but the recent addition of this computer changed all that. I am going to keep this review short because I wrote a longer one for the iMac I purchased. If you need a mobile computer that is not being used for extreme gaming and extensive video editing then this computer would be perfect for you. As I mentioned it compliments my studies in programming and also allows me to work with the Adobe Web Premium bundle without a problem. Furthermore you can increase the RAM to 4 GB for about $60 from Crucial.com; they have videos to show you how, and it is not that difficult. Even though I love Amazon and usually make all my major purchases through them I will say that if you are a student you can buy this Macbook for less through Apple and receive a free ipod Touch until September, just something to keep in mind. However, if you do not need an iPod avoid paying tax and purchase through Amazon.

This is an update to my earlier review of this Macbook. I was unaware at the time I purchased this that a new less expensive Macbook Pro 13" was being released. I really wanted one of the unibody Macbooks but because of the cost I went with this computer. However, with the release of the new Macbook Pro 13" I was able to return this computer and upgrade to the unibody. My review of this Macbook still stands and I was very happy with it but with the lower price on the new Macbook Pro coupled with the student discount that deal could not be beat! If you can afford the additional cost roughly $100 for student and $200 for non-student, I would recommend the Macbook Pro 13", you will get more bang for your buck. The white Macbook is still a good investment if you need to keep your cost below $1000.

As a 2nd time owner of a MacBook (my previous MacBook Pro purchased last September) I am amazed at the huge package you get for such a little price. At the Apple Store, I was able to purchase a newly released product (3 days old) for less than Amazon (949.00 with the student or teacher discount, and they didn't even ask for proof) charges and until September 2009 it includes a free iPod Touch. (Or any iPod valued up to 229.00). I compared the specs side by side to my Pro and found it to be almost completely caught up, except for the video card and display screen size. Even the memory had a faster bus! My Pro is still working great, but my husband needed something mostly for school. The glossy display is gorgeous and the slightly smaller resolution than the Pro goes unnoticed. I have the Pro for photography and graphic design but this little MacBook can handle those as well if it really needed to, what with all the extra processing speed. (2.4 vs 2.13).

Overall a tremendous value and a power packed little computer. For an entry level, I think it is loaded with a ton of power to stay ahead for the next few years. Even the Mac "pro" at the store recommended it over some of the more expensive ones due to my husband primarily using it for Office programs and internet based with some photos and music on the side. I'm confident there isn't anything this little Macbook white couldn't do that my Pro could.

P.S. Play with all the menus in the apple icon on the LH top for the most personalized experience. This includes touch pad "gestures" letting you use finger combinations to scroll, right click, turn pages, etc; hotspots that let you make a program or app come up just by going to a deep corner of the screen; Spaces, which lets you have multiple applications running on several screens that you can hop between so your windows are more organized; and many more options. Don't be afraid to try stuff with menu options, you won't break it!

Buy Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Now

Had I written this review, say a half-year ago, I would have undoubtedly given the Macbook 5 stars. I took it with me to college after my previous laptop an Acer Aspire failed me horribly. My Aspire had an issue with overheating, which only presented itself after my warranty expired. The cost of repairing it was not worth it when compared to getting a new laptop that was smaller, lighter, more powerful, and more capable of multi-tasking (more RAM).

I come from a family that has been using Macs for over a decade, although I myself preferred Windows computers...up until Windows Vista came out. We had many Macs around the house growing up since my parents use Macs in their office, and I was never really impressed with the Apple Operating System, so I had doubts about the Macbook. But since the Macbook is loaded with 2GB RAM and an Intel processor, you can run BOTH Mac AND Windows operating systems with ease. I therefore figured worse comes to worst, I'll use my Macbook as a laptop to run Windows XP with. I used it very heavily in college and it served me very well. It's light weight allowed me to easily carry it from class to class, its included photo and video editing software gave me hours of productivity, and perhaps best of all, it was reliable! I really loved my Macbook and would like to give it 5 stars...but...

My sister, who was in graduate school, also got a Macbook at the same time I got mine. Her laptop fared well, up until the end of last year. For some reason, the laptop started getting buggy...it'd freeze, it would overheat, it became a major nuisance. We've reformatted several times, hoping that would solve the problems, but to no avail. I HIGHLY recommend getting the AppleCare protection plan. We regrettably didn't, and really don't feel like forking over the money to repair the Macbook since she doesn't use it much anymore anyway. But our attempt to save money by not getting the protection plan will end up costing us more money now, should we choose to repair the laptop! The experience with our second, identical Macbook, is why I have to give 3 stars instead of 5 for an otherwise strong performance product, that can run both Windows and Mac, that comes bundled with a lot of great software, and that looks really cool (especially on a college campus where almost everyone has Macs!)

A last note...I have more recently purchased the sleeker Macbook, and would like to emphasize that while its construction is nicer, and it doesn't look as cheap as this plastic one, I still think this is a good deal. If you're looking to "wow" people and can splurge, get the newer model, but if you are looking for a powerful laptop and don't care too much about having the latest build, this one is just fine. I still use my plastic one even though I have the newer (cooler-looking!) one.

Read Best Reviews of Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Here

My wife purchased this great machine for me and I'm a happy camper. It is as fast wireless as hard wired and small enough to carry anywhere but big enough to still be used in comfort. Good-bye PC machines.

I can and will recommend an Apple MacBook for all the reasons all Apple users state. Be a friend to the environment and buy an Apple

Want Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Discount?

I am in love with my laptop. I love the highly intuitive nature of a mac. I never have to troubleshoot with a mac, the way i had to on a daily basis with a pc laptop. Each new laptop that comes out is faster and more fully loaded than the last. Each new laptop the comes out also seeks to correct some issues that the previous model had.

This particular model has an issue with heat. The computer gets so hot it will burn your legs if you actually use it on your lap. The excessive heat also causes hairline fractures in the encasement around the fan in the back. After the fractures have shown up, dirt is attracted, and then you have dirty looking cracks all over the back of your computer. The most annoying problem with this model is the encasement cracking and breaking off from the wrist resting area, leaving an exposed rough and sharp edge. It is difficult to get apple to replace this, as it is not a default, but wear and tear according to them. Its been a major issue among users of this model. I suggest getting a skin to protect the area, I use Moshi PalmGuard Macbook 13-inch Unibody and 13-inch Pro Palmrest Protector Silver and it has prevented my palm area from cracking this time around for over a year now.

Overall this machine is an excellent product. Once you go Mac, you wont go back.

Read More >>

Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black)

This is my first VAIO, after owning a 18.4" ACER with Blu-ray (2008 model). Sony computers are always more expensive than the competition, but at $599 for a 15.6" and i3-380M, wireless connection, dual-layer drive, and HDMI, this was a good deal. The graphic card is very basic and integrated, but the laptop performs beautifully for everyday tasks (Microsoft Office 2010, DVD/CD copy) and Internet browsing, as well as for video streaming (Netflix) and DVD watching. I uninstalled some of the VAIO bloatware, like the useless program bar floating on top of the screen and a couple of other minor things in order to get the most of the modest, but very decent i3-380M chip. Performance, as shown in the Windows experience benchmarks (I checked all the laptops at Best Buy!) is on par with all other 15.6"-i3 laptops of other brands in the $499-$650 range, and even a couple of i5 laptops. When I connect my computer to a 21.5" full-HD monitor with 2 additional and separate speakers, my movie-watching experience is outstanding, especially after installing an affordable sound-quality-boosting software. Watching a DVD on the laptop itself with its limited max resolution (1366x768) is fine and smooth; picture size and quality is better through HDMI and the clever VAIO resolution interface which allows you to change the output resolution to 720p, 768p, 1080p, depending on the stream/DVD quality and external TV/monitor displaying the video (it even switches automatically to the best resolution). So you're actually not tied to 1366x768! I wish the webcam was not so weak (0.3 mp). The image is small and grainy, and clearly detracts from the high quality and performance of the rest of the hardware. The screen is good and very bright, but the viewing angles are not great (you have to face the screen, which has to stay inclined a certain way for optimal quality; a person sitting next to you will not have a very good view of the screen). That's a minor inconvenience and it just struck me because my old ACER HD display was so beautiful. I am the most impressed with the workmanship and finish of this laptop. The keyboard is sturdy and doesn't feel cheap like most of the competition (pressing the central H key makes a lot of the keyboards of other brands cave in). Even though it's made out of plastic, the VAIO looks beautiful and everything is sealed tight with no sharp angles. I also love the way the screen swivels smoothly and securely (a big general improvement in today's laptops compared to 2-3 years ago). So far this laptop has been very quiet and doesn't seem to overheat. The wireless connection is excellent. The touchpad seemed fickle and very sensitive at first, but you just have to adjust the settings in the touchpad interface and disable the silly "pinch zoom" options (like on an iPhone or iPad) which don't work very well and are responsible for unwanted zooming some reviews complained about. Overall I am very pleased with this machine and would have happily given it a 5-star rating if it had not been for the poor webcam and somewhat disappointing viewing angles..

UPDATE to review (below): Saw a black line across the screen for about 10 seconds, which didn't inspire confidence. Laptop failed to start on two occasions. The second time, Windows did a fix, and then Norton disappeared and I had no protection. Also, got tired of the weak and tinny speakers. Enough! Returned to the store (Costco) for a full refund.

--------------------------

The laptop arrived with a non-functioning keyboard. A new laptop was sent a few days later in replacement.

I did a lot of research into laptops: I read reviews in Consumers Reports, CNET, Amazon, PC Magazine, and PC World. Consumers Report rated this Sony highly, and PC Magazine gave it an "Editor's Choice" award.

From reading reviews on this and many other brands, it looks like about 10% of all laptops arrive with problems of one sort or another, regardless of brand. So I wasn't fazed when the first Sony didn't work. To keep costs down, it looks like the manufacturers basically throw them together and hope for the best. (This is a good reason to find some way to double the manufacturer's warranty to two years, which you can do with some credit cards.)

PROS:

Good keyboard

Lots of USB ports

Has Intel Wireless Display built in, to view laptop contents on your TV (requires a wireless adapter for the TV). Haven't tried this.

VGA port to show screen on a larger monitor

Not loaded with "bloatware": just a starter version of Norton Security and MS Office.

Fairly light to carry around

Does not seem to get hot

Fan is very quiet; you can hardly hear it.

CONS:

Pathetic speakers (but there is a port for headphones, or external speakers can be used)

Buy Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Now

Bought this for my wife for her birthday and it still running as strong as the first day i bought it. Excellent product would recommend to anyone.

Read Best Reviews of Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Here

windows 7 awesome!

sony quality !!

fan is quiet!

touchpad not as good as compaq.

vent on left hand side-poor placement.

quality and dependable!!!!!

Want Sony VAIO VPC-EB42FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Widescreen Entertainment Laptop (Black) Discount?

Sony used to make good stuff. Now I see that the screens on the VAIO computers are prone to defects and I have one of my own. Over $400 to get it fixed by a pro. I'll go back to HP from now on. Speakers on this computer are terrible. Battery life is very low (maybe 2 hours) Don't waste your money!

Read More >>

Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Satin Black

it works great. windows 8 takes some getting used to but it works good. it doesn't have backlit keys so if you compute in the dark you need a light. its a beast of a computer in the price range its in.

Incredible! I have owned several quality laptops and after heavy debate I decided to see what this Toshiba could do. I am pleased beyond compare.... twice, no, three times the machine I expected. great design, keyboard, mouse, features etc etc. I had a machine that I paid twice the price for and I lived with the glitches, poor design and battery life for 3 years before purchasing this laptop. Fortunately, my older machine was dropped breaking the display and now I get to enjoy this new laptop. If looking for a quality computer at a very affordable price you will not be disappointed.

Buy Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Satin Black Now

I purchased the Toshiba brand after having an HP for several years. This laptop has a terrific connection to the internet. Windows 8 takes some time getting used to it but it's not as difficult as some people say. The computer is very lightweight and portable. The speakers could be better but, all in all, it's a pretty good computer for the money.

Read Best Reviews of Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Satin Black Here

love this laptop it is a great computer to use in my college classes and a great price for a college budget.

Want Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive - Satin Black Discount?

windows 8 bites the big one stick with windows 7 to remain stress free

i dont know what else to say

Save 15% Off

Read More >>

Toshiba Satellite P775D-S7360 17.3-Inch LED Laptop - Fusion X2 Finish in Platinum

this laptop is freaking amazing! super fast and great performance. Once you download and update everything for it the machine is a monster and the integrated graphics card is the best in the market. I highly recommend this laptop to anyone who is a AMD fan or not this whoops Intel's @$$. The Windows Experience Index are as following (rated on a scale of 1.0 to 7.9 with 7.9 being the best):

Processor: 6.6

Memory (RAM): 7.2

Graphics: 5.9

Gaming Graphics: 6.5

Primary hard disk: 5.9

these are outstanding scores for a laptop!

So over all for the price this laptop is at it's by far the best on the market highly recommended!

I purchased this Toshiba Satellite P775D laptop in mid-October and it's proven to be very fast perfect for what I do: email, research, internet. The 17.2 screen is ideal for me have watched dvds on it and the speakers are Harman Kardon and high quality. The keyboard is very easy on the hands and the laptop is extremely quiet. Had a minor problem about adjusting a setting and called Toshiba help line via phone who were very efficient and courteous and fixed the problem. I am very glad I made this purchase; I had ordered an HP laptop in September but returned it immediately because it had a defective keyboard. Amazon returns worked great. I would recommend this laptop.

Buy Toshiba Satellite P775D-S7360 17.3-Inch LED Laptop - Fusion X2 Finish in Platinum Now

This is the best laptop I have own,its the fourth for me one other Toshiba which is the way to go.The keyboard is very sturdy and laid out very well for easy typing.This machine is very fast on booting up and searching web pages,have 6GB memory and lots of hard drive space 640gb.The graphics are excellent if not the best and for a laptop these speakers are very loud and crystal clear.Last but not least the appearance of this laptop is very beautiful a must see for yourself.Anyone thinking of owning one of these certainly will not be disappointed but will be very happy for money well spent.I bought this BEAUTY from amazon.com and shipping was very fast,go out and get it today dont hesitate.Thank you.

Read Best Reviews of Toshiba Satellite P775D-S7360 17.3-Inch LED Laptop - Fusion X2 Finish in Platinum Here

I have always gone with the latest intel processor when I upgrade laptops, this time I thought I would try the AMD A8 due to great reviews and lower price. After 3 weeks of use I am pleased with this computer it runs everything I have loaded, too include games and has decent screen resolution. It has crashed once something I am not use to; might have been a windows issue? My only complaint is the camera Toshiba uses in most of its laptops, it is really bad, so if you do utilize a webcam you will need to purchase one, the one in this computer is horrible, even after adjusting the settings I think you would need a spotlight in the room for it to work. I did a lot of research prior to my purchase and I couldn't find a bigger bang for the buck. I have purchased a powered usb hub to accommodate all external devices.

Pros: quality, light for size, price for what you get

Cons: webcam, number of usb ports

Want Toshiba Satellite P775D-S7360 17.3-Inch LED Laptop - Fusion X2 Finish in Platinum Discount?

Its an excellent product from toshiba, beautiful design and the amd8 it is really fast, i can use it with graphic design software and also watch movies and play games. I think that it is really value for money item, for that price you can have a truly work machine.

Read More >>

Acer Aspire V3-551-8469 15.6-Inch Laptop (Midnight Black)

"Long and dark, shiny and black ... open up your engines, let `em roar, tearin' up the highway like a big old dinosaur!" said Springsteen about Cadillac Ranch, and the same could be said of this four hundred dollar laptop from Acer. I got it as a desktop replacement to run Windows 8 as well as indie PC games, and I think it's going to work out fine.

It's a big, heavy, shiny black plastic thing, portable but not light. Hinges and latch move well. The screen is bright and sharp, with adequate but not great viewing angles. I wouldn't mind watching a movie on this screen, but it would be difficult to share it with someone else given these viewing angles. I suppose you could consider this a privacy feature. The chiclet style keyboard has full size keys with good tactile feedback and an intelligent layout. The full-size number keys are particularly welcome. I wish it were backlit but that's something for a higher-end machine. Functions such as media playback, volume control, and brightness control require two hands -one to press the function key on the left side, and another to press the desired action. Not optimal but fair enough considering the price.

There's a webcam with microphone and a "Dolby Home Theater" speaker grille up front, both of which work as expected. The large trackpad is off center with the screen but lines up nicely with the keyboard, and is responsive to touch. The trackpad buttons are easy to hit with your thumbs. Up front is an SD card slot, which SHOT THE COVER ACROSS THE ROOM when I tapped it to eject it. Be careful with your photos when loading them onto this machine!

Ports on the left side of the machine: Power (where it should be, near the recessed power button), gigabit ethernet, a large exhaust vent, a full size VGA port, HDMI out, USB 3.0, microphone, and headphone jacks. Ports on the right side: Kensington security slot (I wonder about its usefulness given the plasticy feel of the machine), a pop-out DVD tray, and two USB 2.0 slots, unfortunately right where a right-handed person would want to use a plug-in mouse.

Wifi-N is superfast, the 500GB hard drive speed is a bit pokey but acceptable, system boot speed is quick, and graphics performance is wonderful for the price. A8 Vision from AMD is considered the budget gamer card of choice, and it does not disappoint. I threw every 3D game from my Steam collection at it, and the only title that required me to turn down the graphical detail was Star Wars: The Old Republic, and then only down halfway while running at full resolution.

The system ships with Windows 8, which is a mixed bag -check the reviews elsewhere for that. It's as schizophrenic as they say, but it's probably going to get better with software updates. The Acer suite of pre-installed software is innocuous and easy to remove.

Verdict? If you want an inexpensive laptop that can play games and run Windows 8, this is certainly worth a look.

UPDATE: I've added some new hardware to this machine. It's no longer a four hundred dollar laptop, but know this: the machine can take 16GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM (despite the manufacturer saying it maxes out at 8GB), which bumps the Windows memory rating up to 7. Add a solid state hard drive and the storage i/o rating goes up to 8. Both upgrades, especially the SSD, really make this machine /sing/.

UPDATE #2: The Wifi driver is inexplicably set to power down by default, which explains the unreliability some people have reported. Solving this problem requires you to simply uncheck the box in the wireless network interface Properties pane.

I've spent a few days with this laptop and I absolutely love it. Though it has shortcomings, the outstanding price/performance far outweighs them. I could throw a slew of benchmarks at you that I've done on this laptop, however, that would do little to represent real world performance. I'll try and keep this as short as I can.

Right off the bat I should say that I upgraded to 8 GB of RAM. There are two RAM slots and you can throw up to two 8gb SODIMMs in this thing for a total of 16gb if you'd like. Although, I would recommend just 8gb. If you want to optimize your graphics performance (which uses the system RAM) spend a little extra and get memory clocked at 1600mhz. I always recommend G.Skill memory products and after installing 8gb of it into this laptop, (for gaming) I jumped an entire preset up in most games, sometimes two presets. I mention this right away because I want to make it clear that upgrading the RAM in this machine will make it shine.

The included HDD is 5400rpm. It's passable, but will slow down loading for larger programs where a lot of data is involved like Photoshop, video editing software, and games. I wouldn't necessarily recommend an upgrade to an SSD unless you want to put up the cash for a high capacity drive. I'd stay away from 7200 rpm HDDs unless you want to cut your battery by 20% or if battery capacity isn't important to you.

Speaking of battery life, It's alright. It's average for it's class, getting around 4 hours on a full charge more if you conserve with no audio, video, or heavy use. Less if you are doing any gaming while not plugged in. Keep screen brightness down for best results.

The keyboard is fine. It's comfortable to type on and the trackpad is well positioned and sized. My only gripe with input devices is the keyboard not being backlit. The numberpad is a nice touch also.

The screen, while average resolution, is pretty nice. Color reproduction isn't very good (for all you artists), however text is very readable and the display generally looks great in most lighting conditions. The viewing angles are just okay, but some may consider that a positive for privacy.

The speakers are above average for laptops in this class, however nothing amazing. The sound is clear and gets fairly loud. However, as is a problem with most laptops, bass is almost non-existent.

Enough ports to get the job done, and USB 3.0 is a nice touch, albeit a little anemic at a single port.

Windows 8 is okay. I'm sure that it will only get better with time, but I've encountered many bugs with the OS so far that have almost made me switch to 7. After getting them fixed though, I'm pleased with how the OS works. The learning curve can be steep if you're used to 7 and not prone to picking things up quickly. Microsoft took 8 out of the oven before it was done, but it's really close to being a great operating system.

A quick note on upgrading. Everything is easily accessible via a removable hatch under the unit towards the front. Good call, Acer.

The processor, while not as powerful per core as a lowly Sandy Bridge Core i3, is actually quite speedy with four cores and "turbo core". I've had no bottlenecks with everyday use and gaming. The only situation where the AMD silicon has let me down is multimedia editing. Photo and video editing is clearly this CPUs shortcoming. While not terrible, the i3 outclasses it by at least 10% under full load. The Intel architecture is simply better and more efficient. Don't let this hold you back from purchasing this if you're on the cusp however. I, myself, am a photographer and use have used this in the field on numerous occasions to great effect.

As I said right off the bat, the graphics performance can be greatly improved with an upgrade to the RAM, as the integrated solution uses the onboard RAM as VRAM. For you gamers on a budget, this is a great buy! But, you should manage your expectations. This is a laptop. The hardware is specifically designed to work with a 1366x786 res screen. If you plan on hooking this up to a 1080p display, remember you might need to back off on the post processing a bit. While I don't have specific benchmarks as I couldn't get my license of FRAPS to play nice with Windows 8, here are a few games and basic presets this machine is capable of with the specified RAM upgrade: Fallout 3 High (Barely Playable on Ultra) , SW:TOR Medium , Skyrim High , Borderlands 2 Medium , Saint Row/Third High , Portal 2 MAX.

I hope this review was helpful. I highly recommend this laptop for almost anyone. With or without a few hardware upgrades, it is worth every bit of the price tag and more.

Buy Acer Aspire V3-551-8469 15.6-Inch Laptop (Midnight Black) Now

I have an older Acer laptop, and it's served me well for about the past 5 years. My wife was finally up for having one of her own. We wanted state-of-the-art, but didn't have an exorbitant budget.

I was hesitant about Windows 8, but she loves it! We're learning through trial and error what programs work with Windows 8 (LibreOffice won't install, yet OpenOffice will).

Still, a real good laptop.

Read Best Reviews of Acer Aspire V3-551-8469 15.6-Inch Laptop (Midnight Black) Here

I owned 2 Acer Aspires previously. The last one was fully loaded and more then I ever needed, picked it up for around $500. Well it officially was laid to rest last night but the hard drive was still good. I went to Compusa and found this Acer. Another great deal on a BEAST of a computer. I paid $450 ($50 mail in rebate) so $400 after rebate. I have been playing on it for a good 2 hours and love, love, love how fast this system is. I am a big movie downloader and with a 500gig HD this puppy takes whatever I throw at it with ease. Again I am a dedicated Acer customer, its my 3rd laptop in many years and again......great product! Good work Acer!!!

Want Acer Aspire V3-551-8469 15.6-Inch Laptop (Midnight Black) Discount?

I bought this because of the AMD a8 and the 7 series GPU and was for some light gaming and i must say this laptop didnt disappoint..its sturdy and the USB 3 was fast..Its really lighter than my other asus k53e core i7 2630qm,6gb,640...Acer rocks...I"ll say this was my best bang for my buck... I'm buying 2 others for my friends..5 stars

Save 13% Off

Read More >>

ASUS G74SX-DH73-3D 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop - Replublic of Gamers (Black)

This Asus 74SX-DH73-3D laptop has gone way beyond my expectations!

I have trouble even finding words to describe this laptop. Beautiful, sleek, powerful and truely plays games incredibly well! Looks like a stealth jet and built like a tank! I bought this laptop to play Battlefield 3 and Skyrim (when it comes out), never seeing a laptop play graphically intense games as well as a gaming desktop, I was doubtful. But after loading BF3 and firing it up, those doubts disappeared instantly! The auto graphic settings in the game set everything to ultra and high and plays at those levels without a glitch. Come on Skyrim!

I did plenty of research and comparisons between this and other Asus g74,g73 and g53 models and the DH73-3D model won out, even despite its price. All the issues that other models have had have been fixed in this model. I keep trying to find a con or issue with this laptop but haven't yet other then the 3D mode switch next to the power switch only switched between different power modes until I did the 203 BIOs update(which was easy as pie, lol). This fixed the button to act only as a switch to turn on or off the 3D and switching between different power modes is now controlled by the function btn and space bar. Have I mentioned this laptop is freaking Sweet!!! 120hz Screen is WOW!!!! Worth the price difference from the models without it.

The 3D is amazing and works so effortlessly. I bought a 3D Blu-ray to test out the 3D movie aspect, beautiful. Just pop it in and put on your glasses and enjoy. Gaming in 3D also is really amazing, cool and has brought life to some of my older games like CounterStrike Source. The first time I started CSS on this laptop (and haven't adjusted any settings yet), the game started and it was playing in 3D, talk about taking an old game and turning it into a new one. I didn't even know CSS could be played in 3D. Can't wait to test it with other games. Amazing!

I really like the included gaming mouse, in fact I have been using it instead of my Logitech G700, it reminds me a lot of the older Logitech MX gaming mice. Didn't find much of any bloat-ware. If you are planning to reload OS, at least start it up and do the online registration and don't forget to mail in your warranty card asap also. Sound is loud and clear. When I plug in my headphones, it only gets better.

The cooling truely is amazing, after playing BF3 for a few hours and then stopping, the air coming out of the back cools off in minutes showing how well it dissapates heat and runs cool.

I've always (over 15yrs) used Asus when building gaming desktops and pc's and have never been disappointed, and this laptop just confirmed that Asus is still the best.

This thing is big and heavy but to me, both of those terms mean badass. This thing blows away my gtx/quad-core desktop. Go sit next to a Mac user with this laptop and you will see them start changing there mind about pc's.

In short, this Laptop is worth every penny and once I add my new SSD, I don't think I could be any happier with a laptop. If you want the best, this is it! Do it, join us, the Republic (of Gamers) wants you!

(Update 11-11-11)

Skyrim runs flawlessly on this computer, auto-detect sets the graphics to ultra settings and playing it in 3D is even more awesome.

Added SSD drive, So now its even quicker and a little lighter, worth the upgrade.

=== The Good ===

This laptop performs well as a result of the pairing of a quick CPU, a quick GPU, and plenty of RAM for each. I purchased this laptop to use for game playing and game programming and I'm pleased with the performance of both. The keyboard and chassis stay cool even after being on all day, so cool that it's very difficult to tell if the laptop is on by feel.... it feels like room temperature to me. The screen hinge does a good job of keeping the screen in a steady position even as I type this review while sitting on a couch with the laptop on my lap. The matte screen is bright and crisp, with a much nicer surface coating texture than my desktop IPS LCDs. I haven't used the 3D glasses much yet, but even so I recommend this model over the other G74SX models that lack the 3D display since the matte screen and very high brightness capabilities of the 3D panel make it possible to work in what would otherwise have been poor lighting conditions for the dimmer, glossy-screened 2D models.

The memory configuration this laptop ships with is three 4GB DDR3-1333 SODIMMs, two DIMMs in one bank, and a single DIMM in the other bank. Mine shipped with the same Samsung 1.5v DIMMs mentioned on other reviews on the internet. Because I write a lot of code that can take advantage of more memory, and because having a non-uniform memory configuration can cause performance irregularities I decided to upgrade to 16GB. I was unable to locate a reliable source for a fourth, matching Samsung DIMM so I bought four 4GB DIMMs DDR-1333 DIMMs that Crucial recommends for this system. As a bonus the DIMMs from Crucial only require 1.35v, which should help further reduce the laptop's temperature compared to the original 1.5v DIMMs. Eager to use the laptop, I ran just a single pass of Memtest86+, but so far, so good. I've not experienced a single bluescreen or any application instability, and my WEI Memory score went up by 0.1 point.

I wanted a faster boot and applications drive so I swapped out the primary 750GB WD Black drive for a Intel 320 Series 160 GB SATA 3.0 SSD. I'm very pleased with the boot, login, and overall responsiveness improvements. After installing the SSD I installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

edit 28 Nov 2011

I have also since replaced the secondary hard drive with a Samsung 830 Series 128 GB SATA III SSD, also with great results.

-

I also wanted a wireless card with better support in other operating systems and a better reputation for good performance than the wireless card this laptop shipped with an AzureWave AW-NB037H, so I purchased and installed an Intel 6230 WiFi + Bluetooth 3.0 adapter. Installation was painless, and fn+F2 (the enable/disable wireless button) works great still.

edit 28 Nov 2011

I've now put about 60-70GB of data across the Intel WiFi card's network link.... no problems with drop outs or performance.

-

I also picked up this Right Angle 90 Degree Converter for 5.5 x 2.5mm Connector LC53 adapter for the power cable to ensure that the power cable didn't get in the way of my mouse. It works great, but may have been unnecessary based upon where I'm finding I keep my mouse.

After my modifications, my WEI scores are:

Processor: 7.5

Memory: 7.6

Graphics: 7.2

Gaming Graphics: 7.2

Primary hard disk: 7.7

After installing Win 7 Ultimate I found a good reference of where to get the latest drivers for this system on the Republic of Gamers Forum. I was pleased to discover that this laptop, even with the 3DVision support, can use the stock video drivers from the Nvidia website.

edit 28 Nov 2011

At night sometimes the display was feeling a bit too bright, so I installed the Asus Splendid app/driver so I could quickly swap color profiles and found one of the color profiles it includes is a lot easier on the eyes.

-

The laptop is sturdy, has a pleasant feel, and the keyboard spacing is very comfortable. A nice backpack and gaming mouse ship with the laptop.

=== The Not-so-Good ===

There are lots of mentions of keyboard woes with the G74SX on the internet, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm running the 2.0.3 BIOS and latest keyboard filter and ATK drivers. Here's what I found... quite a few keys needed to be broken in a bit to register properly, when encountering a missed keystroke, I carefully exercised the offending key about a dozen times, the key feel noticeably changes for the better and all is well. The only on-going issues I'm experiencing are:

if I hit the left-most or right-most edge of the left arrow key I can basically press it all the way down without it registering. It was easy to learn not to do this... to write this review I had to hunt around to remember which key it was that had this issue.

my right shift key will stick in the down position (and registering as being down) if I push it all the way down by pushing on the center of the bottom edge of the key. To get it un-stuck I have to gently lift the top center of the key using a finger nail. I've also found this very easy to avoid doing... all I have to do is only push down on keys when my finger tips aren't on the edge of a key.

Sometimes the fn+something key combinations seem not to register... no idea what's going on here... I think it's usually when I've hit the same combination several times in a row before the on screen indicator pops up. For example if I'm changing the sound volume or screen brightness.

edit 28 Nov 2011

So F3 definitely requires more force than the rest of the keys to register a keystroke. This was a bit annoying in Minecraft though it didn't get long for me to get used to hitting the key a bit harder. For whatever reason I think I tend to type lighter on my laptop keys than my desktop keyboard. The amount of force needed to make F3 work on my laptop keyboard is less than my normal typing pressure on my desktop keyboard.

-

All that said I've experienced none of these keyboard issues while programming, gaming, or writing this review. So, yes, keyboards really ought never have these issues, but I'm finding these issues are rarely triggered in my normal usage of the laptop, and thus don't spoil the experience.

Additionally the slippery surface of my trackpad appears to be a sticker, and it's installed ever so slightly out of alignment such that the lower left hand corner sticks up a very tiny amount. Looks curable with a sharp crafting knife, but I haven't had the time to try that remedy. This hasn't caused any issues, just something I noticed while inspecting my laptop.

While writing this review I just noticed that the trim in front of the trackpad buttons can make some popping noises under relatively heavy pressure. (I wasn't paying attention when trying to click a trackpad button and pushed down hard on the trim and it made stiff buttony sounds.)

=== Conclusion ===

I'm very happy with this purchase, and I'm glad I opted for the 3D model with the bright, matte screen. I'm enjoying gaming on this laptop more that on my faster, purpose-built desktop which is not at all what I expected when I bought this.

Buy ASUS G74SX-DH73-3D 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop - Replublic of Gamers (Black) Now

I have had this PC for about two weeks. I was agonizing between this machine and the Alienware X18. I finally decided on this unit due to comparable hardware at a much better price, and reliability ratings as high as anything on the market. I couldn't be happier with my first impressions of the ASUS.

My main concerns with a PC are the things I spend the most time with... the display and the keyboard. The screen is stunning and bright with the perfect anti-glare coating. I had read that the Alienware machine has a very high gloss screen and was like a mirror. If you hate those type of screens (as I do), then you are in for a treat on the ASUS. Did I say stunning?

Next the keyboard. I was hesitant due to other reviews about missed keystrokes and a dislike for the "chiclet" style keys , but I've found it quite comfortable and have had no issues with missed strokes. The larger engraved letters and back-lit keys are an awesome aid to my 56 year old eyes. The separate number pad with the wide space between it and the other keys is a nice touch. The touch pad, although I really don't use it much, is large and responsive.

I'm not a game player, but rather a web/media/CAD/application developer who needed a robust desktop replacement with the guts to burn through some of my processor and graphics intensive work. I have yet to bog this thing down (or even make it breathe hard), and it does it all in quiet and cool style. I really can't hear any noise or feel any heat even when working for hours with this brick on my lap. For me, it's been virtually silent.

I REALLY like the sturdy feel and rugged look. Big, yes. Heavy, yes. Sweet, yes. 3D is a bonus and the glasses work well (with the demo provided).

If you are considering this unit, then I highly recommend it. If you are still hedging, ASUS is available at Best Buy so you might want to give one of their models a hands-on review before clicking the "Buy It" button.

Read Best Reviews of ASUS G74SX-DH73-3D 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop - Replublic of Gamers (Black) Here

This is my review of Asus G74SX-DH73-3DE model laptop.

NOTE: This review is typed after installing Sentelic Touchpad driver v9.1.7.7. Before that (with driver version 9.1.3.5 or earlier), I could not type anything on ASUS G74SX. This driver seems to make the laptop bearable. New driver made me think there is a chance of keeping this laptop, while I was almost on the verge of returning it. Ironically, this driver is not even available easily on the Asus website. That means Asus people did not bother to look at thousands of posts complaining about touchpad and keyboard problems. If they did, they do not want to show the solution by posting these updated drivers on their drivers list. Their "Asus Live Update" utility is one worthless misleading app that started telling me that `all drivers are up-to-date' from day one, all the while I was updating drivers left and right with newer versions. How did I find these latest drivers? I had two weeks to spare and Google on my side (nothing can hide from Google, even if Asus wants to hide their latest drivers).

Now that I vented my frustration, here is my review of the laptop features.

Physical features:

Heavy at 9.7 pounds. Power brick (2.5 pounds) comes with a long cord. Screen size is 17.3", but the overall size is larger. It does not fit in normal 17" size laptop bags. Asus provides a backpack free. Together with mouse and other accessories, total weight could reach about 14-15 pounds, barely fit for traveling on flights. It has solid and sturdy build. Keyboard has num-pad spread out to the right and arrow keys spatially separated. Touchpad is big (more on it later). Upgrading the hardware is easy due to the placement of hard drives and memory. A simple plate secures them with a single screw and press tabs.

My laptop came with the following specs:

ASUS G74SX-DH73-3D Intel Quad Core i7-2670QM (2.20GHz) Processor, 17.3" Full HD (1920x1080 @ 120Hz) "3D" LED Display, 12GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory, 1.5TB (750GB 7200RPM x 2) Hard Drive, Blu-Ray Burner, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M 3GB GDDR5 Graphics Card, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit, Bluetooth V3.0 / USB 3.0 / Illuminated Keyboard / 3D Vision Kit

Keyboard:

Looks and feels good. Without appropriate ATK driver, you will not be able to use it due to the lag. You could type as fast as you want, but you will only see few keystrokes registered. It has single key layout (Chiclet keys) mounted through an aluminum plate. This makes it sturdy and it can withstand furious typing when you're using your keyboard for game play. Keyboard is backlit but back lights are not turned on until you boot (if you have a boot up password, you have to type it in the dark). Keys are not overloaded (no hot keys) and most functions are on the fn-keys. Other reviewers complained about problems with registering multiple keypresses, some keys not working well, etc. Arrow keys are also hot keys for media playback (fast forward, rewind, play/pause, stop). These keys have significant lag when you use to navigate in a word document or browser. Arrow/media keys are spaced out and are placed between keyboard and number pad. Home, pgup, pgdn, and end keys are above num-pad all the way to the right making them not usable for most office work.

Screen:

Bright (good for sunny outdoors if you can take it out), crisp, matte (no annoying reflections), good viewing angles, 3D capable. Nicely tucked in the black frame. The display is fixed to the base using single sturdy hinge. Its range of motion is between closed to about 135 degrees bent backwards (it does not bend flat backwards).

Touchpad:

This is the worst component of this laptop and makes every other nice feature pretty much unusable. Mine came with Sentelic Touchpad (never heard of them). It caused/causing so much frustration to me and my family members who tried to use it. This could be a deal breaker. No amount of description can convey the problems accurately. I feel the only way to use this laptop is to totally disable the touchpad. It is a big touchpad plush mounted with surrounding surface. Buttons are also plush mounted. Its placement is below F/C and L/. keys. When you place your hand on the home row of the keyboard, you will cover more than half the touchpad with your palms. Unless you strain your wrist, there is no way to avoid touching this touchpad. Since it is not recessed, you will not feel it. Attempting to press the buttons is challenging because there is no spatial differentiation. You have to gaze down at it to see the buttons. On top of these challenges, the cursor keeps jumping around the screen randomly with up-to-date driver from Asus website (v9.1.3.5 or earlier). What you can do is: download a more up-to-date driver (Google search: Sentelic Touchpad Driver 9.1.7.7), which has a feature called `Asus SmartSense'. It simply disables the touchpad when you are typing and enables it when you touch on a configured spot. As I specified at the beginning, this makes it bearable. It still causes cursor jumping, but less often. Here is what Asus says: "ASUS SmartSense is useful to users whose hands may unintentionally touch the pad while typing at keyboard. With ASUS SmartSense enabled, the pad is disabled while user is typing at the keyboard. The pad keeps disabled until finger moves on the activation region which is a circle you can configure by specifying the center and the size." As I use this laptop more, I figured it just makes it more bearable, but not good enough. Asus says: "Inspiring Innovation, Persistent Perfection". I think they are inspiring us to innovate solutions to the problems they created. They have to be persistent to make it perfect, because they are not getting it right in first or second attempt (this problem existed from earlier model G73). In these two weeks, I learned so much about Asus that I never knew. I am guessing all other reviewers who gave 5 stars do not use the touchpad.

Performance:

I upgraded it with Crucial 256 GB SSD and total 24 GB memory (win 7 home premium can use only 16GB, but Ubuntu Linux was able to use 24GB so mother board has no problem with up to 32GB). My Windows Experience Index now shows the following:

Processor: 7.5, Memory: 7.6, Graphics: 7.2, Gaming Graphics: 7.2, Primary hard disk: 7.9

With this configuration, it feels like it is flying. Even with highest loads, laptop was cool and silent (you could confidently say, it is a cool laptop!). It takes about 5 seconds to get the boot up password. After SSD upgrade, windows boots up in about 15 seconds (to get login icons). Once password is entered, it takes another 15 seconds to load desktop/initial programs. Only problem I noticed with the graphics card is that at 1920x1080, it could only serve external displays at 60Hz, not at 120Hz available for laptop screen. I noticed some frames skipped when connected to LG 3D TV via HDMI cable. When running the 3D demo connected to external TV, I saw some scenes skipped altogether. When playing `Need For Speed: Shift', I could see some frames blacked out, more so on external screen than on laptop screen, but I could see flickering on both. These problems probably could be eliminated by reducing the frame rate/frequency.

Battery Life:

Battery can last from 1 hour up to 4 hours depending on usage. If you put laptop in Battery Saving mode, you will see better battery life but overall performance is only suitable for basic tasks. In High Performance mode, you could run down the battery in an hour.

UPDATE 01/19/12: BD Player & DVD Burning

Blu-Ray discs play well. I viewed 'Pirates of the Caribbean' 3D BD, it looks great. With Active Shutter Glasses it appears slightly better on Asus screen compared to playing in 3D on Panasonic BD Player connected to LG 3D TV with passive glasses (both at 120Hz). Playing on Asus and connecting to external LG 3D TV works at 60Hz only.

DVD Burning takes about 2+1+3 minutes (burn+finalize+verify) for an ISO image (nearly full on disc).

UPDATE 01/19/12: Wireless

I tested wireless connection with 802.11g at 10/5 speeds, no loss noticed. I don't have router with N, so I could not verify packet loss reported with 802.11n.

UPDATE 01/23/12: Camera and Microphone

I used built in camera and Microphone for Google talk and video chat. Picture quality was good. Microphone picks up voice well and other side could see and hear very clearly. On my side, I could hear little bit of (microphone) echo through speakers. Probably I need to adjust Realtek driver configuration.

UPDATE 01/23/12: Still having some issues with touchpad (BIOS 203, Sentelic 9.1.7.7 driver with customized activation area for SmartSense). Surprisingly, touchpad has very few problems with default driver in Ubuntu Linux. I still have two family members very unhappy with it (Windows users). Looks like I am going to return it at this point (I am not expecting much to find in configuration or drivers to improve its behavior).

UPDATE 01/23/12: *** Asus Service and Support ***

I took out my upgraded memory and SSD. After inserting the original hard drives back, it booted up from primary drive, but does not recognize the secondary drive. The ribbon cable that connects the drive seems loose, but can't do much with that part. Owner's manual says one ribbon cable is included in the packaging, but could not find it. I called Asus Support. After explaining what happened, first thing he said was "You are not supposed to open the laptop, it voids the warranty"! So much for their advertisement about easy upgrades and all the instructions in the manual on how to open and replace hardware!! Now Warranty is void. He also said ADP (Accidental Damage Protection) does not apply. The rep said it has to be mailed to them and it will take 10-14 days to service the laptop. He also said customer will be liable for all charges if they find the problem was caused by customer. Oh boy! When I compare this to Dell's warranty/support, nowhere close. This Global Warranty thing appears to be a sham. Now I feel 5 stars for this product and service are not at all justified.

1 Year Accidental Damage Protection (ADP)3

Accidents happen. But when they happen to your ASUS notebook purchased in the US or Canada, you have extra protection. Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it during the first year after purchase.3

This is rather a lengthy review for my standards, but wanted to put out as much as I could to help fellow shoppers (hopefully, it saves a week or two of your time potentially spent on these reviewed features). My final decision to keep it will be made in few days based on further tests (I am considering Dell Precision M6600 as alternative, but costs $400 more for similar specs.)

Final Note: I made my final decision. This is going back for sure. I am also reducing one star from 3.

Want ASUS G74SX-DH73-3D 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop - Replublic of Gamers (Black) Discount?

[[ASIN:B005PAJIGC ASUS Republic of Gamers G74SX-DH73-3D 17.3-Inch 3D Gaming Laptop (Black

Pros:

Ordered Friday, received Monday. Great service Amazon!

All I can say is that this things is just sooo sweet. Laptops are just now (recently) being able to compete with This is the first laptop I've ever owned, because I've always felt I could build a much more powerful desktop for the money. This laptop approaches being more powerful than anything I could build in a desktop for the same amount of money.

I've been setting it up and playing with it for the last 3 days, and I've yet to find anything I could even call a blemish.

Keyboard types easily and great (if using a mouse, disable the touchpad, it gets in the way of typing alot of times). Asus gives some really neat wallpaper (pics of the machine itself) that look great.

Cons:

If I had it to do all over again, I'd go to: and order the laptop from them, because you can 'build it', choosing the components like a special order. I'd choose slightly different options (like making it 16Gb of memory instead of 12, SSD drive(s) or drives instead of the two 750 Gb drives, etc.)

It comes loaded with ALOT of software, of which about half is just crap (trial versions, and watered down software). If you build your own machine by ordering it from , you have the option of them NOT installing all that stuff.

All in all the best choice of Laptops available... Amazon, Newegg, Tiger Direct, etc. If you want the most powerful laptop available for your money, then this one comes out on top of all available choices.

Read More >>