ASUS G71Gx-A2 17-Inch Black Gaming Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This laptop is incredibly good. Just from turning it on and viewing the 1080 High Definition LCD screen will make any gamer drool. It runs Aion on literally the highest settings without any flaws. The only time the laptop experienced difficulty with the game was after 6 hours of straight play due to it heating up fairly well. It is uncomparable to other laptops because it trumps them. Try building the Alienware M17x with the specs of 620GB Hard Drive, 6GB of RAM, nVidia GeForce GTX 260M Video Card with 1 GB of dedicated memory, and an Intel Duo Quad Core 2.0GHz processor and it will run you over $2400. This laptop was and still amazes me. Plus it comes with a Razor Copperhead Gaming Mouse and an Asus Laptop Backpack. If you put the $1800 into this machine you will love it's power and portability. The only dislike I have about this machine is the sheer power of it is it's double edged sword. Since it is so powerful, it drains the battery rather quickly. (Aion on full settings usually drains the battery in an hour and fifteen minutes.) Another minor annoyance that I don't mind but other people mind is that when the laptop is charging there are LEDs on the left and right side portion of the screen that blink. Family members complain, but you won't even see them while you're destroying the souls of your enemies on whatever game is blessed enough to run on this machine. If you buy this, enjoy it. If not, keep on wishing you did/could because you won't regret the purchase.

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More than just a high definition entertainment notebook, the ASUS G71Gx packs the muscle to propel users into a world of immersive gaming and emerge victorious at the end of every encounter. Powered by an Intel Quad Core processor, the ASUS G71Gx is highly capable of delivering maximum entertainment enjoyment while out and about. The G71Gx is also the world's first notebook to feature the NVidia GTX 260M Graphics Engine. With a mind-blowing 3DMark (2006) score of up to 10,000, further complimented by NVIDIA PhysX, as well as CUDA, the NVidia GTX 260M provides users with an unprecedented visual extravaganza. Equipped with a 17-inch WUXGA display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, and supported by ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, which provides users with 6 pre-set settings which enhances images, videos and in-game graphics, the G71Gx is the perfect choice for those who want to be ready for any game anytime. The G71Gx also comes with the ASUS 360 service program with a 2 year global warranty, one month zero bright dot guaranty, free two-way standard overnight shipping and twenty-four hour tech support seven days a week. In addition,a One Year Accidental Damage Warranty is included, protecting your notebook from drops, fire, spills and surges. The package contains 2 year warranty card, notebook, gaming backpack, and gaming mouse.

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ASUS Republic of Gamers G73JH-A1 17-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In short this computer is amazing. You wont find anything else under $2000 that can beat this. It comes with a standard 2 year warrant and 1 year accidental damage warranty plus a 30 day zero bright dot policy. The included mouse and bag are also great. So far I have been playing crysis and bad company 2(a great game for your new computer) on near full detail with amazing frames with the ati radean 5870(best single graphics card for laptops), 8gb of 1066mhz ram, and the new blazing fast core i7 processor. Although the computer is the size of some 18 inchers, I found that it looked and felt amazing. The whole back, palm rest area, and keys are rubberized which provides a great feel and grip. The keys are also back lit and the speakers on the computer are very loud and provide good audio The one thing I did not like about this computer was the touch pad buttons (not the touchpad its self which is great) are combined under a plastic cover which is really hard to press down on.
Pros:
Best for the price
Back lit keyboard
rubberized feels great
Best single graphics card ati 5870 with 1gb gddr5 ram
8gb of ram is more than enough
Great processor
Cool unique look
and i can just keep going on and on..
Cons:
Touch pad buttons I find hard to press down on
Number pad on keyboard feels squished
Overall 10/10
And as I said before this is the best!
Update after about 3 months
of use
I have already lost nearly all the rubber feet which do not seem attached well (medium problem). The keyboard has a lot of light bleeding through under the ` key (minor). And the worst problems i have experienced, my computer overheats! It shuts its self down randomly and i do not believe that the fan over the CPU is working (very major). I have sent it in for RMA with asus and will post an update later.
If i could change my rating I would give it 3.5-4 stars.

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The Stealth Fighter of Gaming Laptops Take a giant leap ahead of the competition. The Republic of Gamers (ROG) G73Jh gaming notebook takes the latest games to the next level of realism with Full HD graphics at a blistering fast framerate.Featuring an Intel Core i7 processor, graphics powered by an extremely powerful DirectX 11-enabled ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics processor with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM, and 8GB DDR3 of system memory, the G73Jh-A1 unleashes its hypersonic performance on your demand to render today’s and tomorrow’s most demanding games with ease. This subtle yet imposing gaming machine was inspired by the hard lines and silent, cool, efficiency of astealth-fighter jet, with a matte black finish and aft-venting cooling system that keeps it running cool and quiet.Plus, its 17.3-inch Full HD widescreen lets you experience the latest blockbuster movies.The G73Jh-A1 breaks away from the routine, of traditional gaming laptops with built-in overclocking feature through the exclusive ASUS CPU Level Up technology and the Power4Gear Hybrid utility –instantly giving you extreme power with a push of a button. Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to. Experience ASUS FastBoot Technology, the unique performance boost for Windows 7 made possible by ASUS's close partnership with Microsoft. With exclusive ASUS FastBoot Technology, this Windows 7-enabled ASUS notebook starts up in a staggering 30 seconds.The ASUS G73Jh is also protected with a One Year Accidental Damage Warranty protecting the notebook from drops, fire, spills, and surge.** The G73Jh-A1 also boasts 1TB of 7200RPM hard drives (500GB x 2), high-speed wireless N (802.11 b/g/n @2.4GHz), ASUS CPU Level Up performance boost, Blu-ray combo drive, Bluetooth v2.1, HDMI connectivity, a 2.0Mp camera, DirectX 11 support, and Altec Lansing speakers with EAX Advanced HD 4.0 sound.With a 3DMark06 score of 13,667* the G73Jh-A1 is the tool to get to obliterateyour enemies. The Republic of Gamers (ROG) is the leading brand in PC gaming innovation. Birthed from the finest ASUS products dedicated to our gamers across the world, ROG is now a signature for highly innovative, gamer-centric notebooks, video cards, and motherboards.Through extensive research and development, ROG products feature not only superior graphics, design, and performance but specialize in delivering unique features that optimize them for the highest level of gaming at the best value.


Key Features

Stealth fighter inspired design with rear venting thermal design for minimum frontal heat signature (Learn more)
Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology to boost base speed from 1.6GHz to a maximum Turbo Boost speed of 2.8GHz (Learn more)
ASUS CPU Level Up and Power4Gear Hybrid to save battery life and delivers extreme performance on-demand (Learn more)
Brilliant 17.3-inch Full HD LED-backlit widescreen for an vibrant and immersive cinematic experience with resolution up to 1920 x 1080 (Learn more)
Latest and best mobile graphics processor powered by ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM for unprecedented gaming performance with DirectX 11 support (Learn more)
64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium for a faster and more reliable operating system
8GB of DDR3 RAM for ultra-fast gaming and multitasking computing (Learn more)
1TB (2x 500GB) 7,200RPM hard drives for fast and convenient storage for all your games and media (Learn more)
Blu-ray combo drive for watching the latest Blu-ray movies in Full HD and brilliant clarity
High-speed Wi-Fi networking (802.11 b/g/n @2.4 GHz) + Bluetooth v2.1
Integrated 2.0 megapixel webcam and Digital Array Mic for video calls with your friends and family
Illuminated and slanted ergonomic gaming keyboard with numeric keypad gives you complete control in any lighting environment for comfortable gaming hours-on-end (Learn more)
Altec Lansing speakers and EAX Advanced HD Audio to bring out the best in environmental simulation in surround sound technology (Learn more)
Complimentary Republic of Gamers backpack and 3200DPI laser gaming mouse
Warranty: 2 year ASUS 360 global warranty and 1 year Accidental Damage Warranty with 30-day Flawless Display Guarantee

Learn More
Uncompromised Performance for the Next-Gen Gamer
Enjoy Vibrant Media
Aerodynamic Design
Built with one of the World’s Most Intelligent Notebook Processors
ASUS Makes Your Windows 7 Experience Better
ASUS 360** -- 2 Year Global Warranty
ASUS ADW** -- 1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty**
What's in the Box
ROG G73Jh-A1
Deluxe Republic of Gamers Backpack
Deluxe ROG Laser Gaming Mouse (3200DPI, adjustable DPI)
AC Adapter
8 cell Battery Pack
Warranty Information Card
Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Display: 17.3-inch Full HD LED-backlit Widescreen (1920 x 1080)
CPU: Intel Core i7 processor 720QM (1.60GHz-2.8GHz Quad-Core)
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Wireless: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz), Bluetooth v2.1
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Memory: 8GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM, 4 x SODIMM (up to 8GB)
Storage: 1TB 7200RPM hard drive (500GB x 2) dual HDD
Optical Drive: Blu-ray combo drive (BD-ROM + DVD-R/W)
Camera: 2.0 Megapixel
Speakers: Altec Lansing speakers with EAX 4.0 sound
Microphone Digital Array Microphones
Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory stick/MS Pro/MS-Duo/MS-Pro Duo)
Input/ Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Headphone-out, 1 x VGA port/Mini D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, 4 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x Gigabit LAN,1 x HDMI, 1 x Kensington Lock
Battery Pack: 8 cell
Dimensions: 12.56 x 16.38 x 2.25 ~ 0.08 –inches
Weight: 7.48 lbs. (with 8 cell battery and single HDD)
Color: Matte Black * Score may vary. Tested with Intel Core i7-720QM processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM, ATI Mobility Radeon HD5870 with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM. ** For notebooks purchased on or after Sept. 10, 2007. The ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty covers “ASUS” brand notebooks only, and does NOT extend to: “Built on ASUS,” “ASMobile,” “Powered by ASUS,” the Eee PC, or some other models. These retailers are currently among the companies that do NOT participate in the ASUS 360 Notebook Service Program and Accidental Damage Warranty: Best Buy, MicroCenter, and The Source by CircuitCity in Canada. Limit of one claim per notebook for Accidental Damage Warranty. ASUS reserves the right to discontinue this program and to modify the terms and conditions thereof at any time. ASUS Accidental Damage Warranty Program starts from the date of your ASUS notebook purchase, when all the requirements are met. One incident covered per notebook. † According to RESCUECOM's consumer reliability report Q1 2009 and Q2 2009.Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com’s Service & Reliability Report 2009. Rated number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Viiv Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

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ASUS G73JW-XT1 17.3" w/ 8GB RAM, BluRay & 2 YR War Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)4.5 Star Rating
In my humble opinion, this is a fine piece of equipment (ASUS, Model: G73JW-XT1).
Out of the box, it has a Windows Experience Index rating of 5.9, and the breakdown goes as follows:
* Processor: 7.1
* Memory: 7.4
* Graphics: 7.1
* Gaming graphics: 7.1
* Primary hard disk: 5.9
I'll try to concisely review some of the key elements that may not be apparent (in no particular order):
Equipment:
It has a 7200rpm 500gb Seagate hard drive. Some of the other G73J laptops have 2 hard drives. This one comes with only one, so it has an empty hard drive bay to which I plan to add a solid state drive.
Performance:
I removed many of the apps ASUS threw on it, and reduced the time it takes it to go from off to fully booted and ready, from about 80 seconds down to 60-65 seconds. I installed Office 2007 and it takes about 1 second to launch any app in the suite...even while multiple apps are open. It quickly connects to my home network (802.11n) which has an Apple Airport Extreme router connected via Ethernet to the wireless router that comes with AT&T U-Verse. I have 3 Airport Express' being used as signal extenders. I experience blazing fast web browsing and download rates on this laptop. Performance-wise it is very fast and solid.
Feel:
It is predominately rubber coated, so the shell feels very comfortable and it doesn't leave prints. Feels very solid and sturdy so no concerns there.
Size:
Don't kid yourself on this one, it is VERY large and heavy. Finding a bag/backpack that will contain this beast can be tricky. Don't assume that it will fit into a bag just because it claims to fit 17.3" laptops. I found the laptop bag selector tool at ebags.com to be quite useful. I'm not necessarily for or against purchasing there, but at least use their tool to find bags that will work. Going to local retail stores (i.e. Best Buy, Staples, MicroCenter, Office Depot, etc.) turned out to be a waste of time for me. This is what I ended up with: Targus XL Backpack Designed for 17 Inch Notebooks TXL617 (Black with Blue Accents)
Battery life:
Expect to get about 2 hours on a full charge.
Usability:
The trackpad is very large and offers multi-touch functionality as well as vertical and horizontal scrolling on the right and bottom edge, respectively. Unfortunately they did not provide tactile partitions along the scrolling areas, so I often have to look down to find the right spots. I'll soon be avoiding this altogether via a bluetooth mouse with a scroll-wheel.

Capability:
I found the Blu-Ray movie playing capability to be awful (0.5 star demerit). It would not play the first movie I put in. The play of the second one was very concerning to say the least. It took about 6 mins after insertion to begin playing the first preview. It proceeded to go through lengthy load sequences after each preview. It then stalled for another 4-5mins on the title screen of the feature movie and then didn't respond for another 3mins after selecting play. Both movies played perfectly on my PS3.Bottom line:
This is a stellar, well-designed laptop that leaves little to be desired. It is lightning fast and displays an amazing picture. Not sure if the issues related to Blu-Ray movie play are software related (CyberLink PowerDVD comes pre-loaded), but it is terrible, and quite frankly an unacceptable feature function on a laptop of this caliber. That's my biggest issue, and since I didn't get it for that purpose, I'm not terribly disappointed and it doesn't affect my satisfaction level much at all. I would easily recommend it to a friend with interests similar to mine. If you have any questions...post a comment! I will certainly try to be of assistance.

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Every gamer knows that the latest games demands the best performance. But ASUS didn't believe in just meeting the minimum requirements, they believed in obliterating them. That's why they've made sure that the ASUS G73JW-XT1 Laptop Computer is jam-packed with one-of-a-kind innovation that propels mobile gaming performance to unseen levels. Featuring the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine that comes with a massive 1.5GB of DDR5 VRAM, the ASUS G73JW-XT1 Laptop Computer leads in DirectX 11 gaming for advanced tessellation and faster graphics rendering. This gaming powerhouse, powered by the Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor, soars while performing several tasks simultaneously.

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ASUS USB-N13 Wireless-N Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This simple little device works exactly as advertised. We have two of them, one on a Windows XP machine, and the other on a Windows 7 machine, and they both are great performers that work flawlessly.

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ASUS USB-N13 - 802.11n Network Adapter - Secure and Consistent connection- 2-in-1 device for wireless connection sharing - PSP Xlink Kai Support - EZ WPS

Get 23% OFF

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ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First, Amazon Prime is awesome. I received my computer in 1 day (28hrs) for $4 shipping (15lbs). Wow!
I researched a few weeks before deciding on the XA1. I liked the A1 also but for $300+ less I couldn't resist the XA1.
What I like:
1. The case is flat black and will never show fingerprints (finally a finish for gamer's (and diets))!
2. The illuminated keyboard is super handy.
3. This computer is FAST, COOL and QUIET. Excellent cooling out the back as described in specs.
4. Low profile decorative lighting.
5. The DVD drive is on the left side of the computer so doesn't interfere with my mouse (right handed).
What I don't like:
1. The DVD drive has no drive status or drive in-use light. You have to rely on the software to tell you it is in-use.
2. Since the cooling out the back is so agressive, all the ports (USB/VGA/HDMI etc.)are on the sides. This crowds the sides if you want to use a video cable.
3. I think the hard drive status light is hard to see as it is right under the touch pad.
4. At certain angles, one can see the LEDs under the keys on the keyboard and and they are bright and distracting.
Differences between the A1 and XA1:
1. Yes, it's verified, the XA1 does NOT come with a back pack or ASUS gaming mouse as does the A1.
2. The XA1 has 8GB of 1033Mhz memory as reported by the CRUCIAL memory tester program (although the outside of the box states 1333mhz). The A1 has 8GB of 1333MHz memory.
3. No blue-ray player in the XA1. The A1 has one.
4. Did I mention that the XA1 is more than $300 cheaper?
5. Only 1 year warranty but it is still covered for accidental drops and spills for that whole year (ASUS Global Warranty). The A1 has a 2 year warranty.
6. Oh, almost forgot, the hard drive installed is 750GB and is 7200rpm (verified). It is pre-partitioned to a 250GB OS partition and a 500GB data partition. The A1 has two 500GB 7200RPM drives.
My first impression is that I can't believe I got this much computing power for < $1500. The computer has a quality feel and fit and seems to be thoughfully designed. I have only had mine for a few days but would highly recommend this to others. I'll post more info as I gain more experience.

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They'll Never Know What Hit'em Every gamer knows that the latest games demands the best performance. But we don’t believe in just meeting the minimum requirements, we believe in obliterating them. That’s why we made sure that the Republic of Gamers (ROG) G73Jw-XA1 was jam-packed with one-of-a-kind innovation that propel mobile gaming performance to unseen levels. Featuring the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine that comes with a massive 1.5GB of GDDR5 VRAM, the ROG G73Jw-XA1 leads in DirectX 11 gaming for advanced tessellation and faster graphics rendering. This gaming powerhouse, powered by the Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor, soars while performing several tasks simultaneously. And while others struggle to find the keys in dimly lit areas, the backlit gaming keyboard gives you the edge in the dark to put you ahead of the competition. The ROG G73Jw-XA1 showcases a stealth fighter-inspired design with a unique thermal design that promotes airflow and keeps the air away from you. Plus, its 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display lets you experience the latest in high-definition entertainment brilliant 1080p playback.The ROG G73Jw-XA1 breaks from the heard of traditional gaming notebooks with built-in overclocking feature through the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility – instantly giving you extreme power with a push of a button. The ROG G73Jw-XA1 also boasts 750GB 7200RPM hard drive, 8GB DDR3 system memory, high-speed wireless N, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Super Speed USB 3.0 connectivity, Bluetooth v2.1, HDMI connectivity, 2.0 megapixel camera, and Altec Lansing speakers with EAX Advanced HD 4.0 sound.

Key Features
17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display for immersive cinematic experience with resolution up to 1920 x 1080 (Learn more)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM for unprecedented DirectX 11 gaming (Learn more)
Intel Core i7-DD740QM processor with Intel Turbo Boost technology to automatically boost speed to your task at hand (Learn more)
ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid that innovatively saves battery life and delivers extreme performance (Learn more)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfers than USB 2.01
750GB 7200RPM hard drive and 8GB of DDR3 system memory for smooth computing and ample storage for all your games and media files (Learn more)
Backlit gaming keyboard with ergonomic tilt-up design for comfortable control in any lighting environment (Learn more)
Altec Lansing speakers and EAX Advanced HD Audio for premium gaming sound (Learn more)

Learn More
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources2, readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. ASUS relentlessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. ASUS backs a commitment to quality with the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUSGlobal Warranty3 Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars tothe price of competing laptops:
1year global warranty
30 day Flawless Display Guarantee
2-way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support

1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty (ADW)3 Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year after purchase.
Covers accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
Target 3 business day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
1-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
24/7 toll-free phone support

What's in the Box
ROG G73Jw-XA1
AC Adapter
8 cell Battery Pack
Warranty Information Card

Specifications
OperatingSystem: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Display: 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display (1920 x 1080)
Processor: Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor (1.73 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
Chipset: Intel HM55
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM
WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz), Bluetooth v2.1
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
Memory: 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz RAM, 4 x SODIMM (expandable to 8GB)
Storage:750GB 7200RPM hard drive (1x HDD, 2x bays in total)
Optical Drive: Super Multi DVD
Camera: 2.0 megapixel
Speakers: Altec Lansing speakers with EAX 4.0 sound
Microphone: Digital Array Microphone
Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory stick/MS Pro/MS-Duo/MS-Pro Duo)
Input/ Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Headphone-out, 1 x VGA port/Mini D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Kensington Lock
Battery: 8 cell
Dimensions: 16.6 x 12.8 x 0.08 ~ 2.3 –inches
Weight: 8 lbs (with 8 cell battery)
Color:Black

© 2010 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. Allspecifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please checkwith your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not beavailable in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos.

1All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status. 2Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2010. Rated number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Q2 2010's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/2010-2nd-Quarter-Computer-Reliability-Report.html 3ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. Certain retailers do not participate in ADW coverage. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360 and adw.asus.com/.

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ASUS G73JH-X5 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The professional reviews of this series are correct. The cooling system is quiet and very effective. The screen is nice, but does pick up reflections in bright light. The machine is fairly heavy and you will need to buy a bag or sleeve meant for 18" screens because the thickness of the laptop prevents it from fitting in most 17.3 bags. The battery dies fast and furious, though you can squeeze out over an hour of use if you are just web browsing and turn down the screen backlighting. I wanted an ATI powered rig, not NVIDIA, and this fit the bill. I've had a couple of the grey bars of death screens that apparently are common with this series. That has been the most disconcerting issue. Hopefully some future 5870 drivers will clear that up. I wiped the drive and installed Windows 7 Ultimate. The laptop includes a utilities installation disk.
Update 1/13 - The computer continues to function pretty well. I haven't used it for gaming recently, but I have not had any more of the "grey bars" crashes. All drivers and bios are updated.
A different issue has developed: the built-in touch pad seems to loose sensitivity and/or malfunction periodically. This is very annoying as I use the laptop in multiple locations and rely on the touch pad - I do not carry around an extra mouse with me. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, and updating the driver did not solve the issue. It goes through periods of not working, automatically resizing the window when I do not want to and other irksome issues.
Update 2/10 - Over the last several days I have been using this laptop for gaming. Nothing major - mostly "Two Worlds" on maxed settings. "Two Worlds" is a perfectly dull, buggy game I would not recommend to anyone, but it does have graphics that will push the mobile 5870 card a bit on maxed settings. When I first received the laptop (before updates) it was a game that gave me a couple of my GSODs. Anyway - no GSODs now. Updating everything seems to have worked. I haven't had a GSOD (knock on wood) since December. Now I will have to try a game that is actually worth playing! (I have a tower I have dedicated to major games - and it's hooked to a 60" Sony TV, so it is hard to use my newest stuff on the laptop for long periods when I can use the larger system instead.)
Overall still highly recommended. I would buy this again over the Toshiba gaming laptops if I had it to do over.

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Take a giant leap ahead of the competition with the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) G73JH gaming notebook. The G73JH takes the latest games to the next level of realism with Full HD graphics at a blistering fast framerate. Featuring an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, graphics powered by an extremely powerful DirectX 11-enabled ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics processor with 1GB GDDR5 VRAM, and 8GB DDR3 of system memory, the G73JH unleashes its hypersonic performance to render today’s and tomorrow’s most demanding games with ease.The G73JH boasts 640GB of 7200RPM hard disk space (320GB x2), high-speed wireless N (802.11 b/g/n @2.4GHz), ASUS CPU Level Up performance boost, Bluetooth v2.1, HDMI connectivity, a 2.0Mp camera, Blu-Ray combo drive, DirectX 11 support, and Altec Lansing speakers with EAX Advanced HD 4.0 sound. With a 3DMark06 score of 13,667* the G73JH will help you obliterate your competition.The G73JH comes with a 1 year ASUS 360 global warranty and 1 year Accidental Damage Warranty with 30-day Flawless Display Guarantee.

Get 17% OFF

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ASUS G73JW-A1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First, Amazon Prime is awesome. I received my computer in 1 day (28hrs) for $4 shipping (15lbs). Wow!
I researched a few weeks before deciding on the XA1. I liked the A1 also but for $300+ less I couldn't resist the XA1.
What I like:
1. The case is flat black and will never show fingerprints (finally a finish for gamer's (and diets))!
2. The illuminated keyboard is super handy.
3. This computer is FAST, COOL and QUIET. Excellent cooling out the back as described in specs.
4. Low profile decorative lighting.
5. The DVD drive is on the left side of the computer so doesn't interfere with my mouse (right handed).
What I don't like:
1. The DVD drive has no drive status or drive in-use light. You have to rely on the software to tell you it is in-use.
2. Since the cooling out the back is so agressive, all the ports (USB/VGA/HDMI etc.)are on the sides. This crowds the sides if you want to use a video cable.
3. I think the hard drive status light is hard to see as it is right under the touch pad.
4. At certain angles, one can see the LEDs under the keys on the keyboard and and they are bright and distracting.
Differences between the A1 and XA1:
1. Yes, it's verified, the XA1 does NOT come with a back pack or ASUS gaming mouse as does the A1.
2. The XA1 has 8GB of 1033Mhz memory as reported by the CRUCIAL memory tester program (although the outside of the box states 1333mhz). The A1 has 8GB of 1333MHz memory.
3. No blue-ray player in the XA1. The A1 has one.
4. Did I mention that the XA1 is more than $300 cheaper?
5. Only 1 year warranty but it is still covered for accidental drops and spills for that whole year (ASUS Global Warranty). The A1 has a 2 year warranty.
6. Oh, almost forgot, the hard drive installed is 750GB and is 7200rpm (verified). It is pre-partitioned to a 250GB OS partition and a 500GB data partition. The A1 has two 500GB 7200RPM drives.
My first impression is that I can't believe I got this much computing power for < $1500. The computer has a quality feel and fit and seems to be thoughfully designed. I have only had mine for a few days but would highly recommend this to others. I'll post more info as I gain more experience.

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They'll Never Know What Hit'em Every gamer knows that the latest games demands the best performance. But we don't believe in just meeting the minimum requirements, we believe in obliterating them. That's why we made sure that the Republic of Gamers (ROG) G73Jw-A1 was jam-packed with one-of-a-kind innovation that propel mobile gaming performance to unseen levels. Featuring the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine that comes with a massive 1.5GB of GDDR5 VRAM, the ROG G73Jw-A1 leads in DirectX 11 gaming for advanced tessellation and faster graphics rendering. This gaming powerhouse, powered by the Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor, soars while performing several tasks simultaneously. And while others struggle to find the keys in dimly lit areas, the backlit gaming keyboard gives you the edge in the dark to put you ahead of the competition. The ROG G73Jw-A1 showcases a stealth fighter-inspired design with a unique thermal design that promotes airflow and keeps the air away from you. Plus, its 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display lets you experience the latest in high-definition entertainment with a Blu-ray combo drive for brilliant 1080p playback. The ROG G73Jw-A1 breaks from the heard of traditional gaming notebooks with built-in overclocking feature through the ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid utility – instantly giving you extreme power with a push of a button. The ROG G73Jw-A1 also boasts 1 terabyte storage (2 x 500GB 7200RPM hard drives), 8GB DDR3 system memory, high-speed wireless N, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connectivity, Bluetooth v2.1, HDMI connectivity, 2.0 megapixel camera, and Altec Lansing speakers with EAX Advanced HD 4.0 sound.

Key Features
17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display for immersive cinematic experience with resolution up to 1920 x 1080
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM for unprecedented DirectX 11 gaming (Learn more)
Intel Core i7-740QM processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology to automatically boost speed to your task at hand (Learn more)
ASUS Power4Gear Hybrid that innovatively saves battery life and delivers extreme performance (Learn more)
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfers than USB 2.01
1 terabyte storage (2 x 500GB 7200RPM hard drives) and 8GB of DDR3 system memory for smooth computing and ample storage for all your games and media files (Learn more)
Backlit gaming keyboard with ergonomic angled design for comfortable control in any lighting environment (Learn more)
Altec Lansing speakers and EAX Advanced HD Audio for premium gaming sound (Learn more)

Learn More
Leading Gaming Power for the Next Generation
Definitive Multitasking
Enjoy Vibrant Media
Aerodynamic Design
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources,2 readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. We tirelessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
2 Year ASUS 360 Global Warranty3
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing laptops:

2 year global warranty
30 day Flawless Display Guarantee
2-way free standard shipping
24/7 tech support

1 Year Accidental Damage Warranty (ADW)3 Whether your notebook is damaged by accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire, ASUS will fix it or replace it for you during the first year after purchase.


Covers accidental drops, spills, power surges, and fire damage
Target 3 business day turnaround time for repair / replacement; not including receiving and shipping time
1-way shipping (from ASUS to the user) at no additional cost
24/7 toll-free phone support

What's in the Box
ROG G73Jw-A1
Republic of Gamers Backpack
Optical Gaming Mouse (By Razor)
AC Adapter
8 cell Battery Pack
Warranty Information Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Display: 17.3-inch LED-backlit Full HD display (1920 x 1080)
CPU: Intel Core i7-740QM quad-core processor (1.73 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
Chipset: Intel HM55
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM
Memory: 8GB DDR3 1333 MHz RAM, 4 x SODIMM (expandable to 8GB)
LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz), Bluetooth v2.1
Storage: 1 terabyte storage (2 x 500GB 7200RPM hard drives)
Optical Drive: Blu-ray combo drive
Camera: 2.0 megapixel
Speakers: Altec Lansing speakers with EAX 4.0 sound
Microphone Digital Array Microphones
Card Reader: 8-in-1 card reader (MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory stick/MS Pro/MS-Duo/MS-Pro Duo)
Input/ Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Headphone-out, 1 x VGA port/Mini D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x Gigabit LAN, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Kensington Lock
Battery Pack: 8 cell
Dimensions: 16.6 x 12.8 x 0.08 ~ 2.3 –inches
Weight: 8 lbs (with 8 cell battery)
Color: Black

All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos. 1 All figures theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on device and system status. 2 Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2010. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Q2 2010's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/2010-2nd-Quarter-Computer-Reliability-Report.html 3 ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. Certain retailers do not participate in ADW coverage. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360 and adw.asus.com/.

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ASUS OPlay - TV HD Media Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's not much to look at coming out of the box, but boy, does the O!Play pack a wallop! It's an outstanding first effort from Taiwan-based Asus, a company known more for Eee Netbook and notebook computers than home entertainment devices. With Asus being a newcomer to the media player field and my having tested so many bad players, I was a bit hesitant to order the O!Play, but now I'm a believer. With its exhaustive list of supported video codecs and network connectivity, it is nearly the perfect player, capable of playing everything from VCD to DVD to Blu-ray/HD DVD rips. Most notably, it supports RMVB, an important feature to fans of Asian shows and one that most of the major-brand players lack, including the otherwise superb WD TV HD Media Player and WD TV Live Network-ready HD Media Player. ASUS seems to be very actively developing firmwares and I'm impressed by their diligence.
SETUP:
Setup is easy and literally takes 30 seconds. On the side is 1 USB port and 1 eSATA port to connect local hard drives should you need them. HDMI and optical cable (S/PDIF) are not included, so you'll need your own. I really appreciate Asus using a 2-prong power cord instead of a wall-wart that blocks neighboring outlets. True to Asus's PC pedigree, the AC adapter looks like a PC laptop's AC adapter. It's very small (about the size of a Hostess Twinkie) and has a pleasant (and VERY BRIGHT) blue LED. Upon boot-up, the device asks you to configure it with TV settings, network settings, time and date, etc. After plugging in the LAN cable, it found my NAS units (D-Link DNS321 Gigabit Network Storage Enclosure and D-Link DNS323) right away. The O!Play did have a problem interpreting non-Roman characters on my NAS, so folder names and files got garbled. Some files did not show up on the O!Play until I removed the offending non-Western characters (Chinese and Japanese).
With the new firmware, UPnP has been added, along with some slightly improved icons. With UPnP, the O!Play sees Chinese and Japanese filenames properly, but none of my MKV's showed up, a problem I had on all networked players I've tested. Only a fraction of my total library was listed. If you want to see your entire list, don't use UPnP.
INTERFACE AND USABILITY:
From a total off and unplugged state, the O!Play takes 10 seconds to boot to the home screen, compared to as many as 40 seconds for the Iomega ScreenPlay Plus HD Multimedia Player 1 TB. The home screen is bright and attractive, but the folder navigation scheme leaves a bit to be desired. It's spartan, white text on black, and not nearly as attractive as the WDTV or WDTV Live, but it gets the job done. The remote control is big and solid, though the buttons seem to be bizarrely grouped and scattered about, forcing me to look down each time to make sure I'm pushing the right button. The bottom group of buttons is arranged in a circle around the music button for example, mixing different functionality into one area: volume controls (+/-) with subtitle (Aa), audio track (head icon), repeat mode (circular arrows), picture zoom (magnifying glass), file display mode (Mode), and device setup options (Setup). "Mode" is a file listing filter, toggling between Movies, Music, and Pictures. With it, you never need to go back to the home screen. Unfortunately, there's no "Show All" mode which lists every file together at the same time. To PageUp or PageDown long directories, use the |< and >| buttons.During video or image playback, the picture can be zoomed up to 8x. During video playback, the fast-forward/rewind can go up to 32x. The inclusion of volume control buttons is very thoughtful and useful. You can turn video preview on or off. Pausing over a file for a second will play it in a smaller window on the right (with audio). There is a slight delay of a second or two when reading the file's metadata off a drive or the network, during which time you can't push the play button. This can be a potential problem for people and gets annoying. For music, pausing over the file displays the ID3 info (song name, artist, album name, year, etc).
One cool feature is the ability to adjust the device options while playing back a movie. The menu overlays on top of the movie and you can adjust your settings (Brightness, Contrast, Aspect Ratio, etc) and resume. There's also a Noise Reduction option, but I suggest turning this OFF. It caused strange and distracting frame shimmering in some movies. Lastly, O!Play also remembers where you left off on each movie and can resume the next time you play the file.FORMAT SUPPORT:
This is where the O!Play really shines. It played all of the 100+ random files I threw at it, except for a few stray (and poor quality) .WMV files I got from the internet. MKV, AVI, MPG, DIVX, RM, TS all played flawlessly, both standard def and hi-def 720p/1080i/p content. It even plays Flash Video (FLV), a feature rarely encountered. DTS and Dolby multi-channel audio is downsampled to stereo, so there's no need for an audio receiver if you just want to output through the TV for convenience.
The Asus also plays .IFO/VOB files with DVD chapters, menus, and all disc features as if it were the original DVD. That's great news for users looking to make a centralized DVD collection on a server or a big hard drive. The only problem is there doesn't seem to be a button to get back to the menu. You have to stop the movie and start it again.
For photos, the ASUS has a problem displaying progressive JPEGs. Images will fit to screen and can zoom up to 8x, but there's no 1x view to see it at the original size.
EXTERNAL SUBTITLES:
I tested external .SRTs and internally embedded subtitles in .MKV's in a number of languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, English, French, and others. All worked when saved as UTF-8. For multilingual families and fans of foreign film, this is great news. You can also set the interface to one of 10 major world languages. Subtitle files can be downloaded from sites like DivxStation.
With firmware 1.11, external and internal subs are both recognized if both types co-exist for a movie. Previously, only embedded subs were seen when a movie had both types. Now, pushing the subtitle button pops up a submenu where you can select the subtitle, change its encoding, font size, position, color, and importantly, syncing (many downloaded subtitles are off by a few seconds). This is very useful! No more re-saving. Just cycle through the available encodings or adjust the timing until the sub looks right (but you should still re-save to avoid doing this every time). Where multiple external subs existed, the O!Play did not recognize their names, showing only a number (like "Subtitle: 2 (SRT)", even when named according to the movie's filename (e.g. "Batman.mkv" -> "Batman - English.srt"). Pushing the info button a second time shows extended info like codec, resolution, and bitrate. It is better to mux the subtitle into the file using something like mkvmerge GUI and metatag the language name onto it. Subtitle line-spacing is a bit of an issue (too much). You can change the font size and color, but not the gap. Lastly, I wish for a thick black outline around the text like the WDTV Live. Sometimes the subtitle blends into the movie, no matter what color you set it to.
10/100 NETWORK INTERFACE:
This is a weak point for the device. With no gigabit Ethernet, it is less future-proof against monster 8GB+ .MKV files and other bandwidth intensive HD content. Also lack of wireless connectivity means I do not have freedom to locate this device wherever I want.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The O!Play is truly a multimedia beast. It plays nearly everything under the sun and as a WDTV and WDTV live owner, I can safely say that Western Digital has some serious competition here. At $99, it is a very capable device at a fantastic value, and its homely interface is forgivable. It is, however, rather boxy and brick-like, taking up as much space as a 3.5" external hard drive or an average Bible. It's 2x the size of the WDTV. Lastly, WDTV Live has Flickr, YouTube, and Pandora streaming. O!Play has no internet playback capabilities as of the current firmware release, though that can quickly change. ASUS has already added substantial improvements like the subtitle fixes and UPnP.
If wireless connectivity could be added with a firmware update, then this player will be all things to all people. (WDTV Live supports third party WiFi dongles). This is THE player to get if you want MKV, RMVB, and DVD .IFO support and don't care about wireless. Great value coupled with a great firmware support attitude makes this a highly recommended buy, and I hope ASUS surprises us with more software features down the road.UPDATE #1: Dec 10/09: Firmware 1.17 is now available, which adds BD .iso support and lets you jump forward by 5/10/15/30 mins.
UPDATE #2: Feb 15/10: Firmware 1.21 has just been released. It adds MAJOR internet content connectivity as well as the option to wirelessly connect your R1! This is something users have been clamoring for since this product's release and a giant leap forward. With a compatible USB dongle, this thing does everything the Air does, except the media...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS OPlay - TV HD Media Player (Black)

ASUS O!Play is the most convenient way access your media files on your TV. This device is easy to use and highly compatible with many video and audio formats. Equipped with an eSATA, USB, and LAN port, you can access your files from an external hard drive, PC, or NAS. The O!Play even supports HDMI so you can display your content in 1080p.

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Zinwell ZIN-5005HD "ZinTV" 3-in-1 Networking-Ready 1080p Full HD Multimedia Player/Streamer/Torrent Downloader, Free Internet TV/Radio, Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have the Zinwell and a pair of Western Digital TV Live so I'll compare and contrast.
Setup is super easy with both. Connect to your TV or receiver via HDMI cable, attach an external hard drive (not included) and go into the menus to configure your audio and video option. You can also connect these to a wired network and Western Digial has certified a number of USB wireless adapters that require a bit more knowledge to setup. The documentation from both companies could be a lot better so I'll call this one a tie.
The WDTV Live is a bit slower to start up but directory changes are much-much faster than the Zinwell. I suspect because the WD indexes and caches directories of any external drives while the Zinwell has to reread it each time. The difference in speed is absolutely huge. Basically performance wise the Zinwell feels really-really doggy to me. Advantage WDTV Live.
The WD has a much cleaner and better looking interface compared to the Zinwell's ugly menus over a /Linux/like/file/system/. I can live with ugly as long as it works but in 2011 I shouldn't have to. Advantage WDTV Live.
The WDTV Live outputs 5.1 audio in DTS format over HDMI, toslink or coax; the Zinwell outputs raw bits or stereo over HDMI. If your Receiver supports DTS then advantage WDTV.
The Zinwell's remote is a tad better but much larger. Both media players work seamlessly with Harmony remotes. Advantage Zinwell.
Both play nearly every popular audio and video format either from your own external hard drive or across a wired network. However both struggle trying to play hi-def video across a network connection. I find that hi-def vidio from an external hard drive works pretty well with the WDTV Live but never could get the Zinwell to output anything but stereo without the sound breaking up. Advantage WDTV Live.
The Zinwell promises access to the full DVD/BD menus but I never could get menus to work and found the separate audio selection button to be stubborn. With the Western Digital you do have to get used to using the "options" button to access audio and subtitle choices but they work. Slight advantage WDTV Live.
Bottom line the network media player market is still immature with many newer products coming down the pike but for now I consider the Zinwell a no-go for my needs.

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ZinTV (ZIN-5005HD) is an advanced "Networking" multimedia player that brings full high-definition movies with fidelity audio to 1080p Full HD display. It can play media files stored on any USB storage devices (NTFS/FAT-16/32/EXT-3/HFS+ format) and can enjoy Free & best Internet TV/Radio stations from 210 countries

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ASUS Internal 4x Blu-Ray Reader SATA Optical Drive BR-04B2T (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you're shopping around for BD-ROM drives, you should be aware that the software required to play bluray movies can cost as much as the drive itself. It's therefore pretty crucial to find a drive which includes some software if you're on a budget. Keywords in the product description like "BULK" or "OEM" can indicate that software may not be included, so bear that in mind when choosing. The amazon page for this product does not give details on the included software, so I took a chance.
I'm relieved to report that this drive comes in a retail box which includes four screws and PowerDVD 9 software. I had been tracking prices of BD-ROMs on this and other sites for about a year, and at the time of purchase this was the least expensive option for a BD-ROM with software that I had ever seen.
As for the quality of the PowerDVD 9 software, I'm sure you can get an earful from its product page. For my purposes, it is able to play blurays, and I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. A notable difference between PowerDVD 9 and 10 is that only 10 will support 3D movies. If you're interested in watching 3D movies with this drive, know that you'll have to shell out some extra money for the upgraded software. Of course, if you're a 3D movie enthusiast, you're probably used to shelling out extra money.
Please note that a SATA cable is NOT included. Go ahead and add it to your cart now; you won't want to wait another week for amazon to ship it, nor will you want to shell out twenty bucks at Best Buy for one. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but also make sure your power supply has available SATA power cables and your motherboard has available SATA slots.
I can't really review the comparative performance of this drive verses other drives. I expect higher speeds are more useful when it comes to ripping blurays or using data BDs, but the 4x speed is sufficient to play movies. The mild imperfections I observe when watching movies (more to the sound than the video) I'm more willing to attribute to my modest supporting cast (a 1.8 GHz Core2Duo, Radeon HD 3450, for reference).
Anyway, five stars for meeting my expectations of the drive, coming with software, and VALUE!

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ASUS BR-04B2T - Enjoy High Definition Movie Playback. BR-04B2T is a Blu-Ray disk drive capable of high definition playback. It provides you with a superior read quality of BD-ROM (SL/DL), BD-R (SL/DL), and BD-RE (SL/DL) discs as well as a wide range of CD and DVD formats.

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