Review: Asus G1 Laptop Review (Pics, Specs & Scores)

[Justin@XoticPC]

Intro

The ASUS G1 is one of two notebooks Asus recently introduced targeted for the gaming community. Based on the latest Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Technology the ASUS G1 provides graphic solutions from nVidia with the 7700 512MB graphics card. The G1 features a Direct Messenger instant display, side/front speakers, hotkey highlights as well as sidelights. The LCD cover of the G1 comes equipped with special in-mold decoration design that gives the notebook an instant game machine identity that stands out from the generic notebook design The keyboard of the G1 makes mobile gaming ergonomically comfortable while the W, A, S and D keys are especially marked with color squares to match the rest of the notebook color scheme.


Additional Images from Asus can be viewed here

Price:

The price for the G1 Gaming Notebook is $1799 USD. I consider the G1 a good buy based on the features and accessories included with the machine.

ASUS G1-AK008M Specification

Windows XP Media Center Edition
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.00GHz T7200 667MHz FSB 4MB L2 Cache
15.4" "Glare Type" WSXGA+ w/ Asus Splendid Video Technology
2GB DDR2 667 Dual Channel (2 Dimms)
160GB 5400RPM SATA
8x DVD Super Multi w/ Lightscribe
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7700 512MB
1 x Type I/II PC Card Slot
Gaming bag and Mouse
Gaming feature- ASUS Direct Messenger
Gaming feature - ASUS Direct Flash
Intel 945PM Chipset
RJ11 56K Modem
10/100/1000Mbps LAN
802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN
Bluetooth v2.0 +EDR
4 USB's
1 IEEE 1394
1 x S-Video TV-out, 1 x DVI, 1x VGA
3 Audio Ports
Integrated Sound card
Front/Side Internal Speakers
Vertical Scrolling Touchpad
4-in-1Card Reader
1.3MP Camera
8-cell lithium ion
Approx 3 hours Battery Life
6.84 lbs.

Initial Impression

The laptop & accessories were packaged extremely well. The exterior is very sharp in person. I was surprised by the highly reflective, glossy carbon fiber like exterior (view LCD reflecting off of the wrist pad below). This carbon fiber like design covers the back of the LCD and also on the interior around the touchpad and keyboard. There is black anodized brushed aluminum accents on the lower part of the wrist pad and around the touch pad that matches well with the carbon fiber type design. Coming with a matching backpack & Logitech MX518 Mouse it all looks very well together.



Asus also has miniature display (called Direct Messenger Display) between the keyboard and LCD. Upon start up "ASUS" prominently shows in this display. This display in combination with the included Direct Messenger Software provides status for MS Outlook items, phone calls, clock & battery level. You can also use this software to create your own personal messages that will show on this display.



Whats included:


1. G1 Box
2. G1 Manual
3. Windows Media Center Restore CD
4. Asus Support Reference Card
5. G1 Quick Start Guide
6. MS Works 8.5 CD
7. G1 Driver CD
8. Power Cord
9. LCD Cleaning Cloth
10. Nero CD
11. Asus DVD
12. A-Video to RCA Adapter
13. Telephone Cable
14. Asus Media Show SE CD
15. Asus Power Director CD
16. G1 Matching Backpack
17. AC Adapter
18 Battery
19. Logitech MX518 Matching Wired Mouse

Screen (1680x1050) WSXGA Display

When viewing this laptop you can really appreciate the workmanship & design of this laptop. The design is very sleek. I also liked the hinge design on this machine. The LCD is sturdy and shows little flex. Pressing on the lid does not exhibit any ripple on the screen. The horizontal viewing angles are great. The vertical viewing angles allow some movement up and down and viewing remains clear. There are 15 brightness levels, the lowest setting is dark but still viewable. The screen is bright and I feel comfortable viewing at 8/15 brightness level.




On the G1 there is a green flashing indicator light on each side of the LCD After reading of the initial specification & pictures from Asus, I was curious on what the Flash Indicators were going to do. The green flashing indicator lights blink when Microsoft Direct X 9/10 is running.




Keyboard & Mouse

The surface of the wrist pad feels very smooth and comfortable when typing. There is very little flex in general with the keyboard. The ergonomic keyboard makes mobile gaming comfortable while the W, A, S and D keys are especially marked with green color squares.




1. Drive Activity Indicator
2. Number Lock Indicator
3. Capital Lock Indicator
4. Scroll Lock Indicator
5. Power4 Gear Key
6. Email Launch Key
7. Internet Launch Key
8. Touchpad Lock Key
9. Power Switch



1. Touch Pad
2. Vertical Scrolling Bar
3. Left Mouse Button
4. Pad Lock Indicator / G1 Trademark
5. Right Mouse Button
6. Power for Front Audio DJ
7. Rewind Media Button
8. Fast Forward Media Button
9. Stop Media Button
10. Play / Pause Media Button
11. Power on LED
12. Battery Charging LED
13. New Mail LED
14. Wireless LED

Function Keys:

Fn+F1 suspend switch
Fn+F2 Wireless control
Fn+F5 Brightness down
Fn+F6 Brightness up
Fn+F7 LCD on/off
Fn+F8 LCD/CRT/TV-out switch display
Fn+F10 Volume on/mute
Fn+F11 Volume down
Fn+F12 Volume up
Fn+Ins Numeric Key Pad on/off
Fn+Del Scroll Lock on/off

Camera (1.3MP)



The System:



Closed Front



Right Side



1. 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
2. PCMCIA 2.1 Compliant Card Slot
3. Mini IEEE 1394 Firewire Port
4. SPDIF Output / Heaphone Output Combo Jack
5. Microphone Input Jack
6. Audio Input Jack
7. S-Video TV Out Jack
8. 10/100/1000 Lan Port
9. RJ11 Model Jack

Left Side




The Left side has Kensington Lock Support and a DVDRW Drive with Lightscribe Capability

Back




1. 4 USB 2.0/1.1 Ports
2. DVI Display Output
3. VGA D-Sub Display Output
4. Cooling Vents

Bottom / Inside

(closed)



(open)





1. Seagate 160GB SATA Hard Drive
2. 2GB DDR2 667 Ram Modules (2 Dimms)
3. Intel 802.11 A/B/G Wireless Card
4. Processor with Copper Heatsink
5. Name Card Slot



Out of the box performance Specs



HD Tune (160GB 5400RPM SATA)





3DMark '05
Using stock nVidia Driver
Score (Stock) - 4256 (450 Core / 400 Memory)
Score (Overclocked) - 4743 (474 Core / 458 Memory)
3DMark '06
Using stock nVidia Driver
Score (Stock) - 2389 (450 Core / 400 Memory)
Score (Overclocked) - 2612 (474 Core / 458 Memory)
(!!Overclock at your own risk!!)

Battery run time (with standard 8 cell & all devices enabled)

Screen 50% Brightness: 3 Hour and 31 Minutes
Screen 75% Brightness: 3 Hour and 20 Minutes
Screen 100% Brightness: 2 Hour and 58 Minutes

Software

The G1 comes with Windows Media Center Edition pre-installed on the system. Some software that is included with the G1 is Norton Internet Security, Nero with Lightscribe, Virtual Drive, Asus Notebook Probe, Asus Direct Console, Asus Live Update, Asus Splendid, Asus Net4Switch, Power4 Gear, LifeFrame, MultiFrame & Asus DVD.

Conclusion

Overall this a good laptop that is unique and has numerous features & accessories at a good price. The performance is great, and I would consider this to be a good portable gaming computer.

Pros:

-Solid build and attractive overall look & design
-Very little flexing
-Built in 1.3MP Camera
-DVI & VGA Output's
-nVidia 7700 512MB
-Good gaming performance
-The "coolness" factor
-Packed with accessories and many features at a good price
-Decent Battery Life
-Laptop runs very cool & quiet
-Good Port Layout

Cons:

-Would like to see a 9 Cell Battery
-Programming of Direct Messenger can be difficult-
-More options with the flashing indicator lights
-Would like to see Instant On DVD Playing with Front Audio DJ

This review was done by www.xoticpc.com