Solved! Should I consider this refurbished Asus Gaming Machine?

[xuchenxixu]

Hey guys, I'm looking forward to purchase an gaming machine at / under $1200, I have two options,

1) get G51JX-x1 which is $1400 right now and wait for the price to drop to $1200. How likely is this going to be?
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz)
Screen 15.6"
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 500GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Communication Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 14.60" x 10.30" x 1.30" - 1.60"
Weight 7.26 lbs.
Other Features 30days Zero Bright Dot LCD
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core i7
CPU Speed 720QM(1.60GHz)
Chipset
Chipset Intel HM55
Display
Screen Size 15.6"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Resolution 1920 x 1080
LCD Features LED backlight
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR5 VRAM
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 500GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Memory
Memory 4GB
Memory Speed DDR3 1066
Memory Type 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Max Memory Supported 8GB


2) I can get a refurbished G71GX-RX05 at around $900,
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1
CPU Type Intel Core 2 P8700
Screen 17.1"
Memory Size 6GB DDR2
Hard Disk 500GB
Optical Drive Super Multi DVD RW
Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR3
Dimensions 16.16" x 11.79" x 2.36"
Weight 8.80 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed P8700(2.53GHz)
CPU FSB 1066MHz
CPU L2 Cache 3MB
Display
Screen Size 17.1"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Display Type Wide XGA+
Resolution 1440 x 900
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Video Memory 1GB GDDR3
Hard Drive
HDD 500GB
HDD RPM 5400rpm
HDD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory 6GB
Memory Speed DDR2 800
Max Memory Supported 6GB



In terms of gaming, which one should I choose? The only drawback with the G71 is the screen resolution, which would you guys choose?

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
ASUS G72 has a better VGA and more RAM but G51 has a better CPU and HDD so in terms of gaming the second one would be better but i myself never buy a refurbished product,but that's my idea

 

[xuchenxixu]

Thanks for your help

the second one has a DDR2 ram at 800MHz, where the first one is at 1088GHz DDR3. is this a big deal?

 

[deadlockedworld]

I'm not sure I would buy a refurbished laptop. Desktops don't get dropped very often... laptops endure a lot more abuse.

At the very least get an expensive warranty with it.

Maziar is exactly right on the answer.

 

[xuchenxixu]

Im getting it from newegg, i dont think i can get extended warranty on it. or can I?

 

[Maziar]

Thanks for your help

the second one has a DDR2 ram at 800MHz, where the first one is at 1088GHz DDR3. is this a big deal?

 

[deadlockedworld]

The DDR3 is better, but I dont think the difference is enough to cancel out the graphics difference between them.

 

[lostandwandering]

I think I agree with what Deadlocked and Maziar have already stated. I'm not sure I would take the risk of spending almost a thousand dollars on a refurbished product. Newegg doesn't allow for refunds on refurbished items, only a "replacement". Also, you would be stuck with the 90 day warranty from Asus unless you can get something more directly from them.