Asus G70S Review

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Introduction:

Asus launches a new version of its multimedia notebook / player G70S format 17'', the Asus G70S-7T051G. Asus G70SG70S with Asus enters the closed circle of manufacturer’s portable players. Accustomed graphics Ati and nVidia, the Taiwanese manufacturer launches very strong in the mobile gaming with a PC and boosted the desired finish.

It has a processor Core 2 Duo T9500 (2.6 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 667 MHz, 2 SATA 320 GB 5400 rpm, 2 graphic cards Geforce 8700M GT 512MB GDDR3 SLI, an 8ms 17''WUXGA screen with a resolution of Colorshine 1920 × 1200, a 2.0 megapixel webcam, a combo drive Blu-Ray/graveur dual layer DVD, card reader 5 in 1, 4 Altec Lansing speakers compatible with Dolby Home Theater, a keypad interface and Wi-Fi / b / g / n, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, HDMI, Firewire, ExpressCard54, e-SATA, VGA, Headphone, Microphone, Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0 (x4).

Based on the Centrino 2:

At the Centrino 2, the G70S is happy with the first version of the mobile platform from Intel. The processor is a Core 2 Duo T9500 clocked at 2.6GHz. It comes with 4GB of RAM DDR2 667MHz in dual channel and arranged. On PCMark Vantage, the G70S comes in second with a score of 4064 points. Side storage, there are two hard drives of 320 GB each, giving a total of 640 GB available.
We regret all the same configuration as that price, Asus has not opted for discs with a speed higher than the 5400 rpm. Apart from this detail, we observe that the optical part of this PC is occupied by a combo Blu-ray burner. The G70S is the only notebook in this test to provide such an advantage.

The Good Blu-ray:

Coupled with PowerDVD, it is convincing. However, there was a grain persistent image, but the quality is the rendezvous. The slabs will also G70S. In a 17-inch diagonal, it can display up to 1920 x 1200 and features native 720p and 1080p. During our test with the Blu-ray Casino Royale, the sound proved very weak. After a tour conducted in the settings of the computer, the problem persisted. We have to admit that the two Altec Lansing speakers present were not sufficient to make the sound needed to play a movie in good conditions.

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Correct 3D performance:

Next comes the graphic part of the computer. It consists of a GeForce 9800M GTS with 1GB of GDDR3 video memory. For comparison, this graphics chipset or less corresponds to a GeForce 9600 GT desktop. A mid-range surprises still pleasantly with his performance in.
3DMark Vantage, it reached 3496 points and taking the top of the table compared to other models. Yet its GPU, a G94 is not one of the most swift. All our games test run correctly on the G70S. Of course, once the filters are enabled, the performance drop, but as long as it is not too demanding higher resolutions, the G70S does nicely as a gamer machine.

A Graphics Card Unofficial:

As stated in the introduction to this article, the Asus model does not meet the configuration available in stores. Instead of having the 8700M GT SLI stipulated in the specifications of the machine, Asus sent us a G70S with the famous 9800M GTS, more powerful and less energy. This version of the portable gamer might one day be on the stands (note: we doubt we Asus has concocted a version just for us). However, the manufacturer has not asserted or denied this possibility.


Autonomy distorted:

Of course, all this also distorts the test of independence. On the model reached the drafting, it has been measured longevity 1h40 fully loaded, processor, memory and 3D driven to maximum capacity. Although we can multiply by 2 this time for desktop use, it is mainly the first value that we are interested in this case. It was therefore reasonable autonomy for equipment of this type. As mentioned above, it takes a bit less for the model currently sold.

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A Closure to the former:

Level of aesthetics of the product itself, we can only give a subjective opinion, tastes and colors do not debating. A blue backlight around the machine by a halo of light, but not illuminating the keyboard. The hull is the most beautiful effect. In brushed steel, she exudes strength and affirms the quality of finish throughout.

Hinges, sensitive point of a laptop, are secure and offer good support for the screen. When closed, it is held by a clip that prevents sloshing of the whole. A good initiative, although unsightly, but effective. All this has a consequence of weight. A 4.7 kg machine, we refer instead to carry. Added to this are its dimensions which classify rather than 20 inches in 17 inches.

Note also a too large thickness that does not grip optimized for gaming too high, the arm tends to go numb, besides the space bar is like any other key, though pressed, it which is detrimental in a FPS, for example.

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Why not start with the big piece in the tests with Crysis CPU and GPU 1600 x 1200 (High) and 1920 x 1200 (High), although very high resolutions and often unusable but representative of the capabilities of graphics cards.

Confirmation of what we saw in the first synthetic workbenches, poor GeForce 8700M GT in SLI could not even face a single GeForce 8800M GTX and the gap widens even more the resolution is higher since 1600 x 1200 in the gap of 38.21% and climbs to 78% in 1920 x 1200!

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Conclusion:

It is difficult to comment on this product up as successor to Asus G2S but especially on a segment that is becoming very competitive and where performance need to be related to the amount invested by the potential customer purchase.

Offered at a price already high therefore rely € 2250, he established himself at the same price level as the Dell XPS M1730, which offers all the same price for two GeForce 8800M GTX SLI while one of these graphics cards is much more powerful than the GeForce 8700M GT torque offered on the G70.

Despite an exemplary finish and flawless as Asus do so well known, the lack of graphics power you will not enjoy good conditions in the latest demanding games of the moment not to mention Assassin's Creed or Race Driver: GRID and therefore let alone Crysis.

Too bad because a single GeForce 8800M GTX has already allowed the laptop to join the G70 sky high end machines at the best price / performance ratio as Asus announced during the launch, "designed to meet the players most demanding in terms of system performance. "Like how to integrate what is best is not within the reach of all manufacturers, even for Asus.

At the risk of not pleasing to some, you obviously realize that we cannot advise you buying this laptop that does not offer graphics performance that we expect from such a product.

We therefore grant him two stars, two stars lost by a lack of obvious and embarrassing graphics power for a laptop to a segment in which this defect can be acceptable and a star for a prohibitive price despite the wealth of equipment.