Gaming Netbook Review – Asus G51VX-A1 15.6-inch
There is no doubt that the market segment for gaming notebooks is on the rise and Asus is cashing in on this trend by seemingly being one step ahead of the rest. A few years ago, it was unthinkable for a laptop to make a fitting replacement for the desktop as a gaming device. Today, gamers have access to awesome portables due to technology advances.
At the very least, a notebook for gaming should have topnotch processing capabilities, a dedicated graphics chip, and a hefty RAM. The processor should be extremely powerful to handle steep requirements. Arguably, a dedicated graphics chip is what every gamer out there would need for a truly great gaming experience. The RAM has to be big enough for the games to run without apparent glitches.
In this regard, the Asus G51VX-A1 is perfect since it has a GeForce GTX 260M dedicated graphics chip with 1GB of VRAM. With a 14.6″ x 10.3″ x 1.3″-1.6″ measurement and a weight of 7.26 lbs., the Asus G51VX-A1 is far from what would be considered to be very portable.
Even without knowing its specs, a glance at the Asus G51VX-A1 would indicate that it is what is – a gamer’s laptop. Its graphics and the logo in the center that says “Republic of Gamers” should do the trick, if nothing else.
This laptop has a full-sized keyboard with number pads that are independent of each other. Its palmrests are lined with rubber and the trackpad has metal buttons.
The Asus G51VX-A1 is packed with serious features such as a 640GB of hard disk space, a DVD Super Multi drive, and exterior ports that include USB (4), HDMI, FireWire, VGA, Ethernet, eSATA and an ExpressCard. It is also equipped with wireless bgn capability, Bluetooth and a multiple card reader.
Also filling gaming needs to a T is its 15.6-inch display that has a 16:9 aspect-ratio and a 1920×1080 resolution. Preloaded software include Asus’ proprietary software like Data Security manager, Winflash, Splendid Utility and Smart Logon Manager.
Definitely, the Asus G51VX-A1 is capable of supporting office applications. For gaming, some gamers argue that the GeForce GTX 260M doesn’t perform as well as dual 280M graphic chips found in the most expensive models but we think that it does the job well. Battery life lasts for 2.5 hours but with heavy gaming, the power would go out after 1.5 hours.
SPECS – AVAILABLE OPTIONS (From Asus’ website)CPU – Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)RAM – 4GB DDR2-800 SDRAM (2GB x 2)Screen Size – 15.6 inch WUXGA FHD LCD display 1920x1080Operating System – Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)Battery Life – Around 2 and a half hoursGraphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB GDDR3 memory
Pros
We like the Asus G51VX-A1 for its gaming capabilities and its sturdy build. Notable also is the laptop’s 1GB of VRAM. The price paid for the laptop is certainly worth it.
Cons
For a gaming laptop this great, we’d want more unplugged time. It would have been awesome if they had worked to extend its power.
Conclusion
The Asus G51VX-A1 meets the minimum requirements for a gaming laptop. What surprises us is its lower price when compared to other gaming laptops that bear similar specs. If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop, the Asus G51VX-A1 merits a second look.