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MagyarReview Asus G2Pc Notebook
G2P once again. After first impressions of the Asus G2P at the CeBIT, the opportunity to take a closer look at this notebook in our laboratory and make comprehensive measurements of the display and the emissions, was provided. Here you can read how Asus' flagship gaming notebook scores in our tests and what you can expect besides a striking design.
This link redirects you to our short review of the Asus G2, which was generated from our first impressions at the CeBIT 2007 in Hannover.
Case
After examining the Asus G2P gaming notebook's case again, we still agree on this: this notebook looks rather fancy with its red inlays and its variety of surfaces, which differ regarding appearance as well as regarding haptics.
Even if the "lights" at the edges of the displays are deactivated, the case looks uneasy. While there's no doubt that a whiff of aggression can be helpful at sports and computer games, we feel that the randomly red blinking lights at the case irritate too much.
But now enough from that, if you are annoyed by the lights, you can simply deactivate them with the Asus Direct Console by selecting "Asus Direct Flash" and continue playing games more relaxed.
In general the Asus G2's workmanship convinces. The big number of different parts, which differ in design as well as in choice of material, lead also to a high number of gaps, however, these are accurately assembled.
Also the pressure and flexural rigidity is sufficient. The only weak part is at the bottom side next to the optical drive, where deformations under pressure can be detected next to the edges. However, because a desktop replacement notebook is likely to be used most of the time at a fixed place, the demands regarding case robustness are rather limited.
The large display is attached by two seemingly stable hinges and an additional central support. Adapting the display's position is possible without facing any see-saw.
The displaycover is out of plastics, but with aluminum look, and rather flexural rigid. Although the cover yields a little bit under pressure, it still sufficiently protects the display.
The Asus G2P provides a variety of ports which are ideal for a multimedia use. Most of them are at its back side and at its left side. Among others, a DVI-D port, an optical sound out, and a video in are provided.
Input Devices
First of all the striking A, W, S, and D keys with big red letters attract ones attention. For all those who are not game enthusiasts: These keys are usually used to control the hero and his weapons in virtual worlds, which are mostly populated by all kinds of dangerous, wicked characters, and all kinds of beasts. So, the G2 emphasizes its game character.
Besides that, the keyboard appears clear, because of its size, however, it is not especially structured in any way, besides a slightly separated cursor block. Nevertheless, the layout of the keyboard is ideal, the keys are ordinarily located.
Typing is soft, but, still with a clear point of action and slightly elastic stop. This should make the keyboard even fit for forceful hits, which might occur during some computer games.
Right above the keyboard is the small standard Asus molding which provides some hot keys. These can be used to switch between different pre-defined performance profiles, or to easily deactivate the touch pad.
The touch pad works alright. It reacts well and allows a precise control of the mouse pointer. Its surface feels alright and user-friendly too, the same is true for its buttons.
Display
The measurements of the reflecting (Color Shine) 17 inch WXGA+ display with a resolution of 1440x900 pixels approved the first impression we gathered at the CeBit. A maximum brightness of 347.3 cd/m² measured in the center of the display's upper part is absolutely excellent. Also the average brightness of 293.9 cd/m² is perfect. Despite an illumination of 69.9% seems to be poor at the first glance, this is negligible, because of a brilliant minimum brightness of 242.8 cd/m².
Also the color diagram is alright. All three color curves are nearly ideal und ensure a colorfast picture presentation. All these aspects of the Asus G2P together with the integrated digital TV tuner (remote control and further equipment are provided) make it also a usable TV.
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Brightness Distribution: 70 %
Contrast: 630:1 (Black: 0.5 cd/m²)
The black value of 0.5 cd/m² (minimum brightness) and the excellent maximum brightness of above 300 cd/m² give a very good contrast ratio of 695:1.
Also regarding speed of reaction the Asus G2's display did not show any weaknesses during legibility and scroll tests.
The excellent brightness also allows an outdoor use. However, you'll face reflections in very bright environments like in the sunshine.
Besides refections at too acute angles the display is horizontally surprisingly stable to the vantage point. The display even scores very good vertically, which is usually rather moderate. While looking from top downwards hardly causes problems, you'll face the usual darkening looking from bottom upwards.
Performance
The Asus G2Pc is equipped with an Intel T7400 CPU with 2.1 GHz and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 video card. Although the G2P rates somewhat above-average regarding performance in comparison with the usual 15.4 inch multimedia notebooks, it is clearly outperformed by other 17 inch game notebooks.
The X1700 video card is the main cause of the lower performance. Alternative video cards available for this notebook class, e.g., a X1900 or a NVIDIAs 7900GS or even a 7950GTX, make the X1700 look rather pale.
Whilst the benchmark test are yet promising, especially, the performance during game tests could not completely convince. However, it is noteworthy, that error messages about problems of the "Catalyst Center" had an impact on these tests. Maybe, optimizing the driver and updating the ATI software can help improving the performance of the X1700.
The 160GB Seagate Momentus hard disk scored positive during the hard disk benchmarks. Above-average transfer rates and low access times argue for itself. A capacity of 160GB is currently definitely more than adequate.
Further information about the video card can be found here or in our comparison of mobile video cards. Detailed information about the Core 2 Duo CPU can be found here.
Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.
| 3DMark 2001SE Standard | 12922 points | |
| 3DMark 03 Standard | 7253 points | |
| 3DMark 05 Standard | 4396 points | |
| 3DMark 06 Score Unknown Setting | 2272 points | |
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| PCMark 05 Standard | 4718 points | |
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Emissions
Loudness
Even without load you have to accept a low noise level by this notebook. The fan runs all the time and causes a minimum noise level of 35.9dB, which is subjectively acceptable.
However, increased load causes noise levels of up to 44.4 dB, which are also clearly audible during playing games and rather annoying in quiet environments.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 32.4 / 41.3 / 41.3 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 37.9 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 36.5 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 0 / 41.3 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  (15 cm distance) | ||
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 35.9 / 35 / 38.5 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 37.1 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 44.4 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 0 / 38.4 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min: , med: , max: (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
Under load we measured only a slight temperature increase at the top side of the notebook. At its bottom side we measured a maximum temperature of up to 43.8°C. In total, the temperature increase is alright, thanks to the hard-working fan.
Upper side
palmwrist: 31.3°C max: 40.2°C avg: 35.3°C
Bottom side
max: 43.8°C avg: 41.6°C
Speakers
The Asus G2P can convince by a good sound and volume. Even the basses are great. The maximum volume is sufficient, but, by no means sensational.
Battery Runtime
The solid hardware equipment and especially the bright display demand a lot of energy, also without load. In total, this causes a relatively poor battery runtime of a little more than one hour up to a maximum of about 2.5 hours. So, it is hardly possible to work without power adapter.
| Off / Standby | 0 / 0 Watt |
| Idle | 42.1 / 51.3 / 54.6 Watt |
| Load |
93.8 / 86.1 Watt |
   
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Verdict
In total the Asus G2Pc is a felicitous game notebook, whose design also contributes to appear like it. The workmanship is alright, even if the big number of differently designed surfaces makes the total appearance look uneasy.
Also the input devices are ideal for daily intensive game session, because they can also stand a somewhat ruder use, by gently absorbing shocks. The comfortable in use touch pad can also be deactivated by a hot key, e.g., to avoid interfering during playing games.
A special highlight is the very bright display with measured values of up to 347.3 cd/m². But, not only the brightness is excellent. Also the color representation and the contrast can hardly be criticized in any way. The stability to the vantage point is, too, note-worthy.
However, the performance could be better. Although the benchmark results are honorable, the video performance could clearly be improved. A X1700 video card is compared to other available video cards currently rather a middle class model.
While the temperature emissions are alright, the noise emissions, which are clearly audible under load, have to be mentioned. A maximum noise level of 44dB is acceptable, but absolutely not ideal.
Besides these undesirable noises the Asus G2P also provides you with a good sound. Sound playback convinces by a clear and saturated sound.
Good performance and a bright display take their toll: The battery runtime is rather poor. In total a battery runtime between a little more than one hour and somewhat more than 2 hours is possible, so, it is hardly possible to work without power adapter. However, this does not really mind, as the G2P should be used at the desk anyway, also because of its big weight of 4.4 kg.
