This year, ASUS has presented all the gamers a lot of surprises. The matter concerns not only the release of new high-performance graphics cards and motherboards. The most important discovery was that the laptops can now be called gaming is not just a formality. Modern mobile technology for the first time have reached up to demanding computer games, opening a "green corridor" to all manufacturers of mobile equipment.
ASUS has responded to this opportunity one of the first. His powerful laptop ASUS G70G, which we wrote in a recent review, ASUS asked other producers such high standards, to reach which is still almost no one else, and decided not to. This heavy, but still powerful mobile computer is equipped with modern processors and two graphics cards, due to which it is suitable not only for home entertainment, but also to participate in cyber tournaments.
A new model of ASUS G71V gaming laptop does not have "two-headed" graphics, but it boasts a large 17-inch display, original design, gaming, and no less powerful than a laptop ASUS G70G, stuffing. As is the case with all models of the G-series, the main task, which had set a novelty developers is to work with today's most demanding games.
Delivery
Unfortunately, we fell into the hands of a test sample of the laptop, so different from the equipment manufacturer stated:
But the official manufacturer's site also mentions that the ASUS G71V, as well as all G-series laptops, comes with complete accessories, Republic of Gamers, which include the professional gaming mouse sensor with a resolution of 1600 dpi, as well as gaming headset Siberia Steel Gaming Headset for a fabulous comfort during long gaming sessions.
Technical characteristics
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 (2,6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB) Chipset
Intel PM45 ICH9-M Graphics Controller
NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT, 512 MB Screen
17.0-inch, WUXGA (1920×1200), Technology ASUS Color Shine, Crystal Shine and ASUS Splendid RAM
2 GB, DDR3-1333 Hard Disk
320 GB, Seagate ST9320320AS, SATA II, 5400 rev / min Optical Drive
Multi DVD Rewriter GSA-T50N Hitachi-LG slot for flash cards
SD / MMC / MS / MS Pro (Ricoh) Interfaces
4x USB 2.0
1x eSATA
1x IEEE1394
1x VGA (D-Sub)
1x HDMI
1x RJ-11
1x RJ-45
1x ExpressCard/54
1x external microphone (mini-jack 3,5 mm)
1x headphones (mini-jack 3,5 mm)
1x S / PDIF (mini-jack 3,5 mm) Wi-Fi
802.11a/b/g/draft-n (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN) Bluetooth
2.0 EDR Adapter
10/100/1000 Mbit / s (Realtek RTL8168/8111) Sound
Realtek ALC663 High Definition Audio Advanced
Web-Camera 2.0 megapixel
TV tuner (digital / analog), Step Keys, mm
19 Battery
Lithium-Ion, 77 Wh (5200 mAh) Dimensions, mm
411x300x45-56 weight / weight with power supply, kg
3.9 / 4.5 operating system
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition (32-bit) The official manufacturer's warranty
24 months
Unfortunately, the configuration of the trapped sample for testing was not the most productive possible. In addition to processors series Core 2 Duo, ASUS G71V notebook can be equipped with more powerful CPU Core 2 Duo Extreme X9100, and Quad Core QX9300. Our same instance is not the fastest of today's standards, the Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 clocked at 2.6 GHz, the weaknesses which should include a low frequency of 800 MHz system bus, while the official technical specs stipulate that that processors with FSB lower than 1066, with the ASUS G71V is not available.
New assembled on the platform Intel Centrino 2 platform and chipset consists of the "North Bridge" Intel PM45 (Cantiga) and "southern" ICH9-M. Cantiga chipset by Intel is positioned as a high, but because he is able to operate with a frequency of 1066 MHz system bus and memory DDR3.
The laptop has two memory modules of DDR3-1333 from an unknown manufacturer with chips ELPIDA, running in dual channel mode. Free slots with no new items, so that to increase the amount of memory (up to 4 GB) modules need to be replaced.
With regard to the existing on-board laptop video, there are no discrepancies with the stated characteristics were found. Discrete Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT, according to the developer, belongs to a class of high-performance systems, although in this class is far from being the first place. But the video subsystem has 512 MB of dedicated video memory fast GDDR3, that probably the most positive impact on the smoothness of gameplay. Video memory is clocked at 800MHz and the GPU frequency is 625 MHz.
The disk subsystem is represented by a 2.5-inch drive Seagate ST9320320AS 320 GB. This is a very common model of the hard drive of today's notebooks, which has SATA-interface and operates at a speed of 5400 rev / min. It is noteworthy that in the official specifications have information that the ASUS G71V can be equipped with a one or two hard drives. At the same time drives are not the only one under the other, as usual, but in different places. A hard drive is installed next to the battery. For him, a separate door. Slot with SATA-interface for the second disk is located under the hatch, which opens access to the cooling system and memory modules. In our case, the disk in that slot was not, but set it there yourself there is no difficulty. The total volume of CDs should not exceed 1 TB. In addition, if you want them to be combined into a RAID-array level 0 or 1.
The optical drive is not done quick. The drive reads and writes all disc formats except Blu-ray. However, in the official specifications, again, it is said that the Blu-ray Disc drive is reading. Again, the cost of the test sample. One way or another, but who has fallen on the test version of the ASUS G71V laptop was installed optical drive Super Multi DVD Rewriter GSA-T50N production Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Inc. You can extend the functionality of new products by installing the various devices on the cards ExpressCard/54. The reader flash-card formats, works with SD / MMC / MS / MS Pro.
New communication system is represented by wireless module Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN, working in networks of standard 802.11a/b/g/draft-n, module Bluetooth 2.0 AW-BT253, as well as Ethernet-adapter Realtek RTL8168/8111, working in networks 10 / 100/1000 Mbit / s.
A set of input-output ports is traditional. What's more – much to be desired. Thus, four USB 2.0 interface for such a large laptop, which involves replacing a desktop computer, many users will not be enough. No port replicator there probably will not do. Connecting to an external monitor once again assumed a VGA-port D-Sub, and not through a digital DVI. But the presence of interfaces, eSATA and HDMI was a nice standard.
Widescreen notebook AU Optronics B170UW01 has a diagonal of 17 inches and the resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. Only the list applied in this display of proprietary technologies ASUS – Color Shine, Crystal Shine and ASUS Splendid, already tells the user that the quality of images it can be calm. Indeed, the parameters of clarity, color and brightness of the stock just catch the eye and do not let go. The display allows you to comfortably work with graphics – edit photos in Photoshop, edit video. The only thing a little bit sad, a small angle when rotating the display about a horizontal axis.
Speakers ASUS G71V is represented by four speakers and a subwoofer company Altec Lansing. Sounding unusually clean for a laptop, with a relatively deep, no "plastic" bass. Well, SPDIF out built-in audio lets you connect to any modern acoustics.
Design and Ergonomics
A new model for the ASUS G71V elements furnish the body has much in common with a laptop ASUS G70G, but there are plenty of differences. If ASUS G70G has a strong appearance, with no place to various "odd" color, then a novelty, in contrast, looks colorful and even tasteless. Fun fact – the photographs, this notebook looks much better than in real life. Of course, no accounting for tastes, but still try to justify their ambiguous attitude to the appearance of our hero.
Even a cursory examination of the laptop look once delayed by a bright red lacquered finish and the lateral faces of the body part – the space around the keyboard. The red color is very well combined with the glossy black lid, but the problem is that the red parts in finishing too little. The result is an impression that the bright inserts appeared here once by accident, as reconstructed after the accident, the cars can often be seen replaced by wings or other parts of the body, differing sharply in color from the other parts.
But in order to insert the red looked perfectly, we had to do quite a bit – add a little bit the same red to the black surface of the lid or completely painted in red the bottom of the hull, which is the novelty made of matte black plastic, which, by the way very disadvantageous looks at the background shiny lacquered black cap.
At the beginning of the year, we visited the testing notebook ASUS G50V, who had a smaller size due to a 15.6-inch display, but it is very similar to the ASUS G71V design with the exact same red accents. If you remember, on the laptop is decorated with red accents and a part of the cover and the front panel, and even behind the visible red cladding panels. That is why the ASUS G50V looks harmonious, which, unfortunately, can not be said of today's hero. However, once again, the taste and color – no friends.
Separately, we must mention the external illumination of novelty. Exactly the same decorative lighting lamps we have already seen on the models and the ASUS G50V ASUS G70G. They are located around the perimeter of the lid and operate in different modes – flashing, or in a certain rhythm, or burn all the time. Settings are made using proprietary tools with which you can turn off the backlight altogether. In addition, the bright blue LED lights up yet and logo on the outside cover. Almost all the lights are out, and therefore does not distract the user from the operation. The exceptions are the two red LEDs that are located at the corners of the front panel, but if necessary you can always disable it. If the user is in a dark room, the bright light reflected from the walls of the room, creating a very original atmosphere – just what you need for a gaming mood.
Lid is attached to the main part of the body by two massive hinges. Opening mechanism works perfectly, and the movement of the lid with a smooth and without deformation of the display.
When closed, the lid holding two latches, pull-down when you press the center button. With one hand to open the laptop is extremely difficult, but for a large 17-inch model, this can hardly be counted among the minuses. In addition, it should be noted that the new display opens almost 180 degrees, so that work with the ASUS G71V in your favorite chair, you can without any problems.
In a review of ASUS G70G notebook we've already mentioned the decorative hinged lid that covers the number of slots in the back corner of one of the side ends. This cover is attached to a laptop, though the complete symmetric form, but essentially spoils the ergonomics – the ports and interfaces under it is inconvenient to use. In the case of the model ASUS G71V, the manufacturer has gone even further by hiding under the covers similar connectors on the left and right side faces of the housing. As a result, all four turned out to be difficult to reach (!) Port USB 2.0, port IEEE1394, as well as all three audio jacks. Go to the location of all the other interfaces have no complaints – they are located on the rear panel.
The optical drive tray, the device for reading flash-memory cards and ExpressCard slot are located on the sides, just before the unfortunate hinged lid. Access to them is simple.