Asus – Republic of Gamers G74SX-A2 Review

Recently, ASUS began breathing life back into the PC Gaming scene with the launch of the Republic of Gamers PC computing style brand.  ASUS has always been a strong component brand for PC Gamers and PC builders.  Coming off from successes in the netbook industry, they pressing forward in solidifying ASUS as a powerhouse maker of full systems as well as a component manufacturer.  To date, their top end Portable Gaming Rigs get high reviews in performance.  Their price range keeps them off of big box shelves like Best Buy and FutureShop but lower end versions of the systems do appear there.  After comparing their top end system to the budget versions,  I can’t help but feel that the lower end versions being the only accessible units at the larger retailers is actually hurting the brand and is counterproductive to the initiative as a whole.  That said, those gamers keen enough to do the research and find the top end , G74 series models will be well rewarded.  Not being a huge fan of current 3D tech and itching to try the SSD model, I grabbed the A2 for the review.

Equipped with a powerful quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM,  Nvidia GTX 560M GeForce graphics with 3GB of RAM, and two hard drives, one of which is a 160 GB SSD this is the stuff of dreams.  The trade off from the A1 model is a $200 higher price tag and the drive configuration of 160GB SSD and 750GB HDD vs. a single 1.5GB HDD in the A1.   Impressive as the Tech specs are, the real points go to style and design.  The wrist pad is rubberized and dust resistant, the keyboard face is backlit and finished with fingerprint resistant brushed aluminum with good spacing between the keys and a standalone numberpad.   The unique airflow design pulls air evenly from across the front and out a massive vent in the back.  The result is cool to the touch, near silent operation even when running the latest titles at max resolution.  The is especially true when running exclusively off of the SSD.   The Altec Lansing Speakers put out satisfactory sound but with this size of a rig, I expected better resonance and clarity.

Portability is a convenient feature but don’t expect it to be as light as your iPad or Netbook.  It’s a good thing it comes packaged with its own custom fit Targus backpack.  Buyers be sure to check that retailers aren’t stealing the pack and trying to resell it to you.  It comes in the factory sealed outer container.  The unit also comes with an ASUS ROG gaming mouse that is comparable with some Razer models.

Bottom line: this is a fantastic, ultra silent gaming rig that take on today’s best titles and provides great value at its current price tag.

 

ASUS – REPUBLIC OF GAMERS – G74SX-A2TECH SPECS

Display 17.3″ FHD, Color-Shine (Glare-type) (1920×1080) Processor & Chipset Intel® Core™ Mobile i7 Sandy Bridge Quad Core Mobile Processors Chipset: Intel® HM65 Express Chipset Storage & Drives 2 Detachable 2.5″ 9.5mm (H) SATA Hard Disk Drives 1 12.7mm (H) Optical Drive Bay, ATA Interface, Interchangeable with DVD±R/RW Combo drive, Blu-ray/DVD±R/RW Combo Drive Memory 64-bit wide DDRIII data channel Four 204 Pin SODIMM sockets Expandable up to 16GB DDRIII 1333MHz Video Controller nVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 560M 3072MB DDR5 Video Memory PCI-Express™ 16X Microsoft® DirectX® 11 Compatible Dual-View capable Supports two different applications open at one time; one on the External Monitor, and one on the Laptop Screen. Multi-tasking has never been more convenient. Audio & Multimedia Features Support Dolby® Home Theater 3D Stereo Enhanced Sound System S/PDIF output 1 Built-in Microphone 4 Built-in Altec Lansing Speakers Sound Blaster compatible Network / Communication Built-in Gigabit Ethernet LAN Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.1+EDR Integrated 802.11 b/g/n with Optional Intel®Centrino Advance-N 6200 – 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module Keyboard / Pointing Device Full Sized Keyboard with Numeric Key Pad Windows Hot keys Integrated Touchpad with Scrolling function Operating System / Utilities Genuine Windows 7® Home Premium 64-Bit XP Available (loses some functionality) Asus Win flash for BIOS and Driver live Update ASUS CopyProtect ASUS SmartLogon ASUS Net 4 switch Asus Power4Gear eXtreme Asus Live Update Asus Multi-Frame Power 4 Phone Asus NB Probe + ASUS Life Frame 3 Asus Data Security Management(ADSM) Virtual Camera Asus Wireless Console ASUS Splendid ASUS Direct Console ASUS Express Gate Slots 5 in 1 card reader, SD,MMC,MS,MS-Pro,XD

Hot Keys Function Keys: Fn+F1 Suspend switch Fn+F2 WLAN switch Fn+F3 Access to the E-mail Fn+F4 Access to the Internet Fn+F5 Brightness down Fn+F6 Brightness up Fn+F7 LCD on/off Fn+F8 LCD/CRT switch display Fn+F9 TouchPad Lock Fn+F10 Volume on/mute Fn+F11 Volume down Fn+F12 Volume up Fn+Ins Fn+NumLK Fn+Del Scroll Lock on/off Fn+Space Power 4Gear Fn+C Splendid Fn+V Camera capture Fn+↑: Stop Fn+↓: Play/Pause Fn+ ←：Skip to Previous Track Fn+ →：Skip to Next Track Input / Output Ports 1 x Microphone-in jack 1 x Headphone-out jack (S/PDIF) 1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor 3 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x port 1 x RJ45 LAN 1 x HDMI 1.4 Power System 8 cells: 5200 mAh, smart Lithium-Ion battery pack Output: 19 V DC, 6.32 A, 120W Input: 100~240 V AC, 50/60 Hz universal Cooling Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound optional Copper CPU Heatsink Size & Weight 8.0lbs with 8-cell battery 16.6″x12.8″x0.8-2.3″ (W x D x H) Additional Features Backlit Keyboard Kensington® Lock Built-in 2.0M Digital Video Camera Optical Mouse & Carrying Bag Included Warranty ASUS 2-year limited global hardware warranty 24/7 ASUS Telephone Technical Support 1 Year Accidental Damage Protection. (Must be registered in 60 days of order. North American Only) Free two-way standard shipping when sending laptops in for repair/service 1-year battery pack warranty On-line problem resolution through web interface (BIOS, Driver update) Xotic PC 24/7 Technical Support provided on models customized with Operating System 1 Year Xotic PC Warranty provided on customized components Additional Warranty Options Available

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