NR 15?
November 5, 2010 6:17 PM Subscribe
Should I buy this higher-end gaming laptop now, or are there alternatives/developments around the corner I don't know about and/or should wait for?
Getting to be about time for a new laptop. I've decided I want something top-of-the-line-ish. I'm currently lusting after the ASUS G73JH (Core i7 processor, 8 gigs RAM, Radeon 5870 with 1GB of graphics memory). I notice the new JW boxes (G73JW and G53JW, which I haven't seen in retail around here yet) are essentially the same, excepting an NVIDIA card with 1.5G of graphics memory. My understanding is that ATI cards are more reliable, but should I hold out for that extra half gig?
Or: are there any other reasons or rumours to hold out for a few weeks/months, or better rigs currently on offer? I'm looking for someting under 2 grand total. Thanks!
Getting to be about time for a new laptop. I've decided I want something top-of-the-line-ish. I'm currently lusting after the ASUS G73JH (Core i7 processor, 8 gigs RAM, Radeon 5870 with 1GB of graphics memory). I notice the new JW boxes (G73JW and G53JW, which I haven't seen in retail around here yet) are essentially the same, excepting an NVIDIA card with 1.5G of graphics memory. My understanding is that ATI cards are more reliable, but should I hold out for that extra half gig?
Or: are there any other reasons or rumours to hold out for a few weeks/months, or better rigs currently on offer? I'm looking for someting under 2 grand total. Thanks!
You might want to wait until the Black Friday online sales.
posted by WhiteWhale at 9:48 PM on November 5, 2010
posted by WhiteWhale at 9:48 PM on November 5, 2010
When it comes to computers, there is always something new coming. Every computer you buy will be obsolete ten minutes after you take it out of the box. If you wait for the ultimate computer, you'll wait forever.
I have an ASUS G72GX I bought a year ago, and I love it. I'm glad I bought it. Even though it's not as powerful as the one you're looking at.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:19 PM on November 5, 2010
I have an ASUS G72GX I bought a year ago, and I love it. I'm glad I bought it. Even though it's not as powerful as the one you're looking at.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:19 PM on November 5, 2010
Personally, I'd get the G73JH, the benchmarks are pretty much identical between them unless you're going to be playing a lot of games based on NVIDIA PhysX stuff. Even then, it's not really necessary. The G73JH is really hard to beat.
If you do have any options for upgrades, the single best option would be a SSD to enhance overall system performance. They're a lot cheaper than they were a year ago, but getting enough space on one for a gaming system may break the bank. If you're comfortable modifying your own system or can get one installed otherwise, adding a Seagate Momentus hybrid drive gives you the storage space of a mechanical drive with a performance boost like an SSD for a very reasonable price. I think the G73JH can be ordered with a Momentus directly from ASUS or their retailers.
Other than that, the W has USB 3.0 support, which probably isn't going to be a deal-breaker.
posted by Lifeson at 8:13 AM on November 6, 2010
If you do have any options for upgrades, the single best option would be a SSD to enhance overall system performance. They're a lot cheaper than they were a year ago, but getting enough space on one for a gaming system may break the bank. If you're comfortable modifying your own system or can get one installed otherwise, adding a Seagate Momentus hybrid drive gives you the storage space of a mechanical drive with a performance boost like an SSD for a very reasonable price. I think the G73JH can be ordered with a Momentus directly from ASUS or their retailers.
Other than that, the W has USB 3.0 support, which probably isn't going to be a deal-breaker.
posted by Lifeson at 8:13 AM on November 6, 2010
Don't worry as much about the processor, at least not in the way you're worrying about it. Games aren't really multi-threaded and don't benefit much from more cores. You'd be better off with a dual-core processor with a higher clock. The Core i5-760 is the first processor where the the CPU stopped being the bottleneck in games with even the very fastest GPU's. You're better off with less processor and a better graphics card (if that combination is available) or more RAM.
I'll also echo Chocolate Pickle, there is always something better just about to come out. If keep waiting for the next big thing, you'll never buy a computer. You are, however, on the cusp of the holiday shopping frenzy so you might be better off waiting a couple of weeks. Don't worry if there is a Black Friday deal that you miss out on either, those same deals usually show up again just before Christmas.
posted by VTX at 8:35 PM on November 6, 2010
I'll also echo Chocolate Pickle, there is always something better just about to come out. If keep waiting for the next big thing, you'll never buy a computer. You are, however, on the cusp of the holiday shopping frenzy so you might be better off waiting a couple of weeks. Don't worry if there is a Black Friday deal that you miss out on either, those same deals usually show up again just before Christmas.
posted by VTX at 8:35 PM on November 6, 2010
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YMMV, but I totally recommend it.
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:44 PM on November 5, 2010