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Asus ROG Notebook: i7-4710HQ/8GB/1TB/2GB GTX850/15.6" Fullhd/Win 8.1 $1,299 Inc Post @ Wireless1

900
ROGSPECIAL

Went over to check out this headphones deal and saw the massive banner advertising $700 off their current price of $1,999 for this laptop. Only other place I could find with stock of this is JB at $1,998.

Wasn't in the market for one, but have googled the reviews and they seem pretty good: review and review. In summary, at the $1,299 pricepoint this looks like really good bang for portable gaming buck.

Banner says online only, so guessing you can't walk into their Parramatta store to purchase at the same price? Postage is free though. Might pop in to see it in the flesh and then order online. Not sure when the deal expires. Will update on look/feel and expiry when I go in and find out tomorrow.

Link to Asus info page is here

Obligatory specs rehash below those to lazy to click through :) Have a great weekend all!

Brand: Asus
Model: G550JK-CN474H
Condition: New
Operating System: Windows 8.1
Screen: 15.6" Full HD IPS (1920x1080)
Processor: Intel i7-4710HQ 3.5GHz
Memory: 8GB RAM
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX850 2GB
Optical Drive: Super-Multi DVD
Camera: HD Web camera
Networking: 802.11ac (Dual Band) and 10/100/1000 Mbps
Bluetooth: Bluetooth V4.0
Card Reader: SD MMC
Ports: 1 x HDMI Port, 1 x mini Display Port, 3 x USB 3.0 Port(s), 1 x Headphone-out & Audio-in Combo Jack
Battery: 59WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion Polymer Battery Pack
Color: Black
Dimensions: 38.3 x 25.5 x 2.77 (W x D x H)
Weight: 2.70 KG (with 4 cell battery)
Warranty: 1 Year Warranty

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closed Comments

  • +6

    Last years model

    • +2

      anybody know if this is matte or glossy?

    • +19

      I dont think any gamer cares about touching their screen, in fact I would imagine the majority would hate the thought of having smudge marks.

      • I use a windows 8.1 laptop when I teach (high school math) and occasionally run some games that rely on logic such as "Flow" type or Sudoku type game. In these cases touch screens are quite useful for being able to stay seated at my desk while students can manipulate it when projected through an interactive whiteboar. Also I use OneNote heavily in my classroom and handwriting math is much faster than typing :) these are some examples when a touch screen has really made my job easier :)

        • +1

          To each their own. But if I was doing work on my gigabyte p35gv2 and someone touched my screen to ask a question I'd have to resist the urge to smash their face for leaving fingerprints on my screen. You can point at it without touching the screen

        • +1

          Or you could go old school and use chalk on a blackboard! What a concept…

      • -1

        But it's a laptop. Touch pads suck. Touch screens are soo much easier than getting a mouse out.

        Plus a touch screen gaming machine gives you an excuse to dust off Civ 5 (witch is never a bad thing).

    • -1

      not sure why the comment was neg mobbed for stating a fact that impulse buyers might overlook.

      • Shouldn't that be mob negged?

  • +2

    Good price for the specs

    • I disagree.
      GTX850, meh.

  • Does it have a msata port?

    • +1

      Nah it doesn't

  • +3

    I'm actually looking at refurbished Asus multimedia laptops on eBay. Two I'm particularly interested in is this $1159 N550JK-CM213H also from Wireless1 and this $1199 R552JK-CN203H from SydneyTech.

    Almost the same specs but the:

    • N550 has i7 4700HQ, 12GB, Bluray writer, 802.11bgn
    • R552 has i7 4700HQ, 8GB, Bluray writer, 802.11bgn, 4GB GTX850M

    The G550 seems to have the same all aluminium body except in the sexier black/red combo. Not sure if the extra $100/$140 ($123/$164 factoring cashrewards) is worth the new condition (when they all come with 1 year warranty anyway), negligibly better cpu, better wireless (802.11ac) but worse optical drive.

    • +1

      Whats the battery life on these laptops?

      • you would not get more than 3 to 4 hours

      • +1

        1 hr playing a game

    • $100 extra for a new laptop is probably worth it. This is a big discount, whereas refurbished is usually around that price.

      • there's no doubt the $700 discount is appealing.. i'm just thinking that there isn't really any benefit since the warranty period is still the same and both with asus.. i think the 4GB gfx + bluray writer is worth more than the faster cpu and better wifi card

        • +2

          The warranty period is the same, but how many laptops break within a year anyway? A new laptop will likely last longer and is guaranteed not to have any wear and tear. 4GB graphics is a nice bonus for modern games, but you're probably not going to be playing with max settings at 1080p with that card anyway. A bluray drive may be appealing if you want to watch bluray videos and don't already have one, but watching them on a 15.6" screen is kind of a waste (unless you hook it up to a TV) and no-one uses optical storage (even PC games still come on DVDs). But you save $100 and the CPU and wifi difference is negligible, so personal preference really. I will say that going from 2 to 4GB graphics is definitely better than 8 to 12GB RAM.

        • yeah i agree with everything you said

          i would definitely pick the 4GB gfx vs 12gb as you can't upgrade VRAM

          but yeah so undecided still ><

          thank you for the input

        • @CVonV: 2gb vs 4gb graphics refers to the ram on the graphics card and won't make a huge difference. End of the day they are still the same card. What you need to look for is on laptops even if the gfx card is the same model some will have their own very fast dedicated graphics ram that won't take away from your system memory. Others will be shared memory with the system which is much slower and actually just makes that ram unusable to the OS so you will see "system memory 8gb (4gb usable)" in the system properties in Windows. 2gb dedicated vram is way better than 4gb shared. I'm on my phone in bed so you'll have to see if it's the case or not in those models but if it says 4gb ddr3 for the video card, avoid.

        • @Agret:

          dude, i know all that already. you have misunderstood my post. it's most likely 4GB DDR3 VRAM as i said 2 posts below.

          we were talking about comparing the N550 12GB system ram + 2GB vram vs the R552 8GB system ram + 4GB vram. my preference would be to pick the R552 with the 4GB vram as you can easily upgrade the system ram but you can't do that with vram.

          also, shared ram is only usually with integrated gfx cards not dedicated.

    • Is it that GTX850M has both a 2 and 4 go version??

      • yep.. most likely DDR3 not GDDR5 though

        • +1

          In my view, I would not consider this as a true gaming laptop if its equipped with a GTX850M.

          Too many people look at cost savings such as …. $800 off RRP …. $1000 off RRP … makes you think that you are scoring a bargain. Are you really scoring a gaming laptop??? $1300 is not really cheap

          If you want a laptop that can play decent games and can be a little more future proof, it has to be GTX870 …. 970 …. or above hence GTXx70+ for the Nvidia models

          This laptop has the "H" processor which is BGA and not ZIF socket hence not really customisable.

          I would look at also the memory bit bandwidth of the VRAM alongside the speed

          Cheers

  • +1

    highly recommended if you are looking for a high quality laptop. a good looking one with ips mon. I am still stuck with hp envy touch 's shitty monitor

  • Check the size of the N550 and R552 not only the specs.

    • yeah….. they're all exactly the same dimensions and weight…

      • Yea, you are right. I saw the N550 but it looks bulky.

        • all the same body.. but yeah i don't like how it's silver keys on a silver chassis.. and then the backlit keys are white.. no contrast -_-

        • removed

        • @wangsk:

          i haven't yet.. and yeah just saw that in my email too!

          cpu is a bit weak.. only dual core but ultra low voltage.. gfx card is good for as the specs say 4gb GDDR5.. full hd screen but not IPS unfortunately.. hmmm

          edit: why did you remove it? Acer V Nitro i7-5500u/8gb/1tb/4gb gddr5 gtx950m @ Centrecom $1318.45 delivered

        • +1

          @CVonV:

          I found out it is dual core only…and the non-ips monitor after posting it, so I removed it. I thought i7s are all quad core.
          Acer V 15 Nitro has a 4K ips one on ebay but it costs $19XX.

  • +1

    GTX850M is only equivalent to 2012's GTX660M

  • -2

    Can we fix the graphics details up?
    It's not a GTX850 its a GTX850M.
    The former is for a desktop and the latter for a laptop.

    Either way, +1 for awesome deal and great graphics card. Just thought it might be a bit misleading.
    Here's a link for benchmarks, games are further down the bottom:
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-850M.107795.…

    • +10

      Well there is no such thing as a GTX 850, (remember there was no 800 series for desktop Nvidia GPUs?), so it's pretty clear that it's a laptop graphics card. Secondly, considering that this is a laptop, you can't fit a desktop GPU in it, so it's pretty clear that it's a laptop graphics card.

      • https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/763296/geforce-mobi…
        When I google searched it I saw results for it, my bad.
        And yeah I know that desktop cards don't fit into laptops but does everyone know that? Maybe I took high school too seriously and treat everyone (markers) as dumb :\

        +1 for the info though.

        • +3

          Regardless, I've thrown an M on the end of the graphics card model just for some clarity :) thanks for the suggestion!

        • +2

          @acek47:
          I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY.
          I just looked at the website and it said "M" and I was thinking maybe I was too tired! haha :)

        • @acek47:

          you're an employee from W1?

        • @CVonV: Yes I am

        • @acek47:

          would you be able to tell us the stock level?

        • +2

          @CVonV:

          Low? When I went in today (Parra) they told me that they're selling fairly quickly? I'm assuming because of this post on OzB lol
          Also they said they can take payments in-store but they'll still have to ship out the laptops due to the price drop being sponsored by ASUS and having to comply with their conditions.

        • +1

          @bich.light:

          Yes, we have a limited stock amount at this price. The unit has been well received and will soon be sold out if not already. We may keep some reserve units in store but at this point I'm not sure about the pricing or count.

      • -1

        If there is no such thing as a GTX850 the specs shouldn't list it as having a GTX850

        And instead list it correctly as having a GTX850m

    • -1

      Well it seems misleading according to notebook check.
      It stipulates that the card comes with 4G GDDR5 however the Asus ROG has only 2GB.
      Cost cutting is already reflected with this notebook …. :-)

      Regards

      • -1

        It's not the Wireless1's fault that notebookcheck fails to mention that there are two types of GTX 850M; a 4GB GDRR5 model, and a 2GB GDDR3 model.

        • Johnno,

          IMO Asus has played these little tricks with their graphics card before with previous notebooks.
          The G53SW had the GTX460M with the 192 bit memory.
          The G53SX had the GTX560M with the 128 bit memory. hence watered down bandwidth.

          So looking at the G53SX had the "newer" graphics card GTX560M would be faster? Wrong!

          All cost cutting and that's my point.
          Nothing against Wireless1, I was making a point how Asus likes to play their little tricks in the particulars to save on costs.
          My point wast to compare the "default" Notebook Check specs vs the "watered" down Asus graphics.

          Regards

  • +2

    Nice price, but I don't think those specs are worth the initial $1,999 price.

    • neither!

      • I've noticed that the N550JK model has similar/better specs (and a more reasonable RRP)?

        Are there any advantages of the G550JK beside the 'ROG' theme?

        • nope, just marketing imo

    • +1

      Yeah for initial price of $1,999 CPL has it with 256gb ssd instead of 1tb hd, 16gb memory, and 4gb graphics.

    • ROG is overpriced. But not as overpriced as Alienware.

      • Alienware can be quite reasonable recently, read up on Whirlpool.

      • +1

        Alienware is only overpriced if you don't haggle, I picked up a alienware 15 with a 970m for $1800. The next cheapest alternative was for $1900 at affordable laptops and it didn't even have a SSD unlike the alienware.

        • Whom did you hassle for that price?

        • @ash7503:
          Try dell sales support, obviously YMMV.

        • @Synk: Whats the model number and listed price of the laptop you bought? When was this? Cheers

        • @ash7503:
          Model was Alienware 15 2015, listed price was something like $2,200ish and I bought it 10 weeks ago.

  • -5

    Why would anyone consider to buy laptop as gaming purpose.
    PC is much more customizable & powerful

    • +7

      Desktop is too heavy to carry around when you are traveling for work.

    • +1

      I see no one want to answer basic questions.. only negs!

      Gen Y and Z don't prefer desktops (unless of course there is no choice). There is not a lot of difference these days between laptops and desktops, and If you can use it fo you gaming as well as studies and/or work, it works. Also, laptops are best for LAN parties, easy to carry and takes less space!

      • -1

        The price difference between laptop and desktop has dropped.
        Desktop is worthwhile if you are IT savy and can swap out your GPU CPU mobo every 3 years.
        But most aren't comfortable doing this.
        So for them desktop isn't as worthwhile.

        • +1

          Note though that a Desktop can dissipate more heat, so you can run them faster; A Desktop i3 is often faster than a Laptop i7. This is especially true for GPUs. If you tried to fit a top end triple crossfire rig into a normal Laptop chassis it would be mainly useful for cooking eggs.

    • laptop is fine for light gaming. oh did i mention it's portable, and you can have everything on one device?

    • +1

      You guys have a point.
      Well , each to their own.

      But personally, I will stick to PC.
      Then use Microsoft Surface Pro 3 as a portable device since it's much less bulky and light / Buy the second-hand Laptop (preferably ThinkPad Classic Model) STRICTLY as a work purpose (Help people with focus problem, ADHD , proscacination)

      Anyway GTX 850M performance is 1/3 than R9 270x , Don't be tricked by GTX 8xxxxx . Anyway once again , each to their own . If you play light-weight game such as LOL / CS:GO / Dota 2/ GW 2/ Heartstone then this laptop is sufficient enough

      • -1

        No one is getting tricked here.. everyone knows a mobile gfx card gets smashed by desktop ones

        Anyway GTX 850M performance is 1/3 than R9 270x

        I don't really see why you're comparing the performance of a mobile gfx card to a desktop one.. just to point out it is in fact 1/3rd of the performance? Maybe comparing it to the R9 M270 would be better (when benchmarks finally appear)

        Those preferring laptops do know that you get much better value for gaming if you use a desktop

  • The rrp of $2000 is out dated.
    $1300 is about right.

    I got the MSI GE60 2 years ago for $900. It came with i7 and GTX 860M.

    Asus ROG is better build than MSi GE series, hence more expensive.

    But if you have cash, get yourself the MSi GT series Ghost :-)

    • Wow, amazing price you paid, where did you get the MSI laptop? MSY does quite decent price too but not as good as what you paid for

      • I got it from Megabuy. It was on special at the time.

        Since then I got the GT60 Dominator (GTX 870m, 3K screen) $2000 (computer alliance).

        GT series has better build than the GE series, but GT is heavy :-(

        Regretting that I didn't get the ghost.

        The 3K screen isn't used much…

        • I agree, the high resolution like 3k is not likely useful in most cases

        • omg what a deal that was! was it posted on here??

        • @CVonV: No. At the time I thought that price was average… but looks like prices haven't decline much in recent years…

        • @congngo:

          yeah cos they've actually increased :/

        • @CVonV:

          Yeah I think so too… Moore's law is slowing down…

  • +11

    Beware Lads, this computers BIOS is out of date and many many issues arise around the nvidia and intel chipsets when gaming. Also suffers from having bad chasis design allowing for easy dust clots in ports, as well as "loose" connections making for loss of sound. got this last year at the same price. is decent enough for what it does but after a few months the vid card either vomits bsods at you or just ceases to function for minutes on end forcing the intel card to kick in and lower your frame rates.

    I actually had to RMA one after 3 months because it was sent to the centre too often, always for motherboard issues.

    I went to get a replace of the same one- its a striking design and seemed to be one of those lemons you hear about from angry people. they didnt have one though so my option was the "entertainment" version of the same laptop the N550. only difference is processor (4700hq- 4710hq) and no GPU tweak utility. so far no issues out of box. its $1250. weight is indeed an issue for both though, as well as suffering from the crappiest hinge design known to man(clicks then the hinge weakens on one side causing screen to flex when opening.

    to note also, the unit should come with Bluray player not dvd player.

    edit: if this was $2k, then it was 600 over price anyway, this is merely a re-leveling- the SSD model was 2.1k at the time.

    • Well said.

    • I also found that my Asus laptop has issues updating it's AMD graphic card drivers as it seems to reject the official from AMD. I had to use the drivers from the Asus website in order to get it updated and after a while, Asus stopped updating the drivers for all components of the mobo. Just to take note for gamers who are looking at buying an Asus laptop.

    • had the same issue with my clevo. nvidia kept crapping itself. LBO said i need to update the BIOS to fix it, but if something went wrong while updating the BIOS, i wasnt covered by their warranty. so i left it, and now it's fine. it may have been overheating, or it may have been the nvidia drivers being buggy. the card still runs games at 20 fps sometimes, which is annoying, but still playable

    • hmm this —> http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2380023 may not be that uncommon then :/

    • +1

      I really wish to know how much of a common issue these are? My relative had previously bought a RoG laptop (can't remember which one) and deeply regretted it. Within a year dust clogged up and overheated the computer. The battery off the charger was terrible (as expected of gaming laptops though).

      So two questions:
      1 - How common of an issue is this? A quick google search doesn't seem to reveal it to be an all too common issue?
      2 - If you could go back in time with this experience, would you buy this again for the cheap, not-so-cheap price of $1300?

  • +1

    I have buy r552 for my wife and use it for gaming while traveling last year for the same price,so this deal is not great just remember gtx 900 series are killer, don't get me wrong this is great laptop , just beware the hdd super slow, so you want to upgrade it to ssd, but don't buy the ssd version, buy your own ssd and install it then use bracket from eBay to replace the Blu-ray with the hhd, then buys bracket again from eBay and make the Blu-ray external drive. At least that what I do.

    • -1

      This does not have any blu ray and this not for gaming at all. where is yours for this price?

    • where did you get the R552 from? is it a matte or glossy screen? do you know if the wireless card is Intel or Atheros?

  • edit, my mistake

  • +3

    Decent machine for basic gaming, not a real gaming machine.

    If you don't need the mid-range GPU, get something that won't chew the battery life.

  • -2

    This is a good price for daily use machine, but dont think about anything that needs graphics card!
    this is even less than a 660m machine!

  • Doesn't JB price match?
    Worth a shot for over-the-counter sale if your local store has stock.

  • I'll probably just wait for the Asus G501.
    The laptop isn't that bad for this price, but here's what you should expect gaming to be like http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-850M.107795.…

  • -1

    Time for these machines to step up resolution of thier displays. 1080p so outdated.

    • +5

      Is there any point for a 4K display when there's barely any content that actually uses it? A lot of games on this gen consoles don't even run at 1080p, but just a scaled version, so what exactly is the point besides the 'ooooh, pretty screen'?

      • designers + artists + "photographers"
        Also designing to future-proof devices because 4k is expected to be the future.

      • -4

        Well using a macbook retina I wouldn't go back to anything less. Everything less than "retina" looks blurry.

        Its like using VGA screen vs a 1080p screen on your smartphone. Chalk and cheese.

        • +4

          You sound like an isheep. The difference is way less than vga vs 1080p

        • -2

          @trumpedup:

          On a 3.5"/4" screens of 2008 vs say a 4.5" 720p in 2012 and 5" 1080p its very comparable

          I suppose u don't know what your missing out on if you never used it before.

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