Solved! Which is Best for my money? (ASUS G53 model comparison)

[Klosteral]

Greetings Tom's Hardware,

I am interested in purchasing an ASUS G53JW (or equivalent) for gaming and I want to get the best value for my money. I have discovered that the G53 comes in at least 3 different forms with different extras for each.
Please tell me which of the three ASUS G53 models from this page is best for my money.
http://affordablelaptops.com.au/co [...] -size.html

If you CBF reading through them, the differences are:
1) $1869AUD 6GB RAM, 1366x768 screen, 500GB HDD
2) $1969AUD 6GB (upgradeable to 8GB or 12GB), 1920x1080 screen, 750GB HDD, "free" mouse and bag
3) $2229AUD 8GB RAM, 1920x1080 screen, 2x500GB HDDs, "free" mouse, bag and headset, Blu-Ray reader

Thanks,
-Klosteral

 

[WR2]

Video card the same in each model?

 

[lostandwandering]

Video card the same in each model?

Yes, they all use the GTX 460M.

Personally, I think the second one is the better deal, but you need to chose whether the Blu-ray is worth the money to you.

 

[Klosteral]

I do not need Blu-Ray or the mouse/bag/headset items. If I was to get them, I would throw them up on E-Bay.

After further considerations, I am looking at something a little lower-market.
ASUS N61
ASUS G51
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/notebook.pdf

I like everything about the N61 except the 16" screen. I would prefer 15".

 

[Maziar]

G51 has a more powerful VGA than N61(GT 360M vs 5730M)

 

[Klosteral]

G51 has a more powerful VGA than N61(GT 360M vs 5730M)

Yes, that is true, however the G51 is also almost $400 more expensive than the N61. Hence the question of value for money.

 

[Maziar]

For $400,it's not worth it because the difference isn't worth that much.

 

[Klosteral]

There is also the difference of N61 has LED while G51 has LCD screens. G51 also has an extra 2GB (6GB total) RAM. It does not specify whether or not the N61 has a DVD-RW but I thought it was assumed it did...

Do I get the cheaper one and use the extra cash to upgrade my desktop computer?

 

[Maziar]

Yes,that's a good choice because you can do most of the gaming on your desktop and use the laptop as a portable machine for all purposes.

 

[BeefBravo]

Asus G series is are made for gaming and perform quite well. If you don't need the BR player than the middle one is the better deal. It's worth the upgrade for the higher resolution alone. Just my 2 cents, but if you want a gaming laptop then the G series is the way to go.

 

[BeefBravo]

IMO it's better to spend the $400 and get the better laptop. Asus laptops can not have their graphics cards upgraded (not very easily or affordably anyway). I think it's best to get the better performing laptop now and wait to upgrade your desktop, than to get the cheaper laptop. You never know, later on down the roadyou may find yourself considering laptop upgrades and wishing that you went with the better laptop up front. Just my 2 cents, but desktops can always be upgraded, laptops can't.

 

[Klosteral]

As I am constantly doing research on this, I am finding more laptops.
Take a look at the HP Envy here:
http://www.affordablelaptops.com.au/contents/en-us/d360_gaming-laptop-notebook-cheap-budget.html

The only cons I have with this are overheating and lack of built-in optical drive.