ASUS ROG G751JY Laptop Review: G-Sync Gaming On The Go
Intro To The ASUS ROG G751JY
Laptops are mostly static devices. What we mean by that is, for the vast majority of laptops, what you get at the time of purchase is what you get, and that's that. Unlike a desktop system, in which each individual component is upgradeable without too much fuss, only certain parts of a laptop are user replaceable, at least without some serious deconstruction and maybe even a bit of modding . Typically, laptop makers provide easy access to the RAM and storage, though everything else is either soldered in place or otherwise proprietary for various reasons (whitebooks not withstanding, of course).
Since laptop purchases are largely one-and-done transactions, it's important to buy the highest end configuration you can afford, otherwise you'll just be right back in the market before many of the parts are obsolete. This is especially true if you're a gamer -- if you go cheap and buy a well equipped laptop with a weak-sauce GPU, you might find yourself regretting that decision in a year when newer games prove too taxing. It won't matter that you have a fast CPU or a burly storage scheme, because neither one will pick up the slack when your GPU coughs up a hairball.
Update 11/3/2015: ASUS just recently announced the follow-on model of their ROG G751 series, aptly dubbed the G752. "Asus showed off the ROG G752VL, G752VT and G752VY at IFA Berlin 2015. As it turns out, the hardware is generally the same in all three models, with the exception of the graphics. The systems have Intel Core i7-6700HQ processors and up to 64GB of DDR4-2133 memory. And they have 17.3-inch LED-backlit, IPS displays at a resolution of 1920x 1080 (and with G-Sync). Of course, the high-end model, the G752Y, has an optional 4K display." - All of these new models are built on Intel' Skylake CPU architecture and platform for notably better performance-per-watt across the board. Stay tuned for our full review of this new beast, as we'll have it in shortly for testing.
ASUS alleviates these concerns with its ROG G751JY-DB72. It's a 17.3-inch desktop replacement that's crammed full of drool-worthy hardware, like a Core i7-4720HZ processor that clocks up to 3.6GHz, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, a heaping 24GB of DDRL-1600 RAM, and a 256GB PCIe-based solid state drive with a 1TB HDD in tow for bulk storage chores. There's even a Blu-ray writer for optical duties.
Those specs alone make the G751JY an impressive laptop, slightly more so than the 2014 model we reviewed last October. However, ASUS didn't just upgrade the CPU and call it a day with this model; it partnered with NVIDIA to offer a G-Sync panel for silky smooth game play. That's right folks, G-Sync technology on the go!
We'll get into that a bit later on, but for now, let's have a look at the full spec sheet.
Here's our original video review of the first generation ASUS G751, also with a GeForce GTX 980M GPU on board, but sans G-Sync, just to give you a flavor for the machine itself...
Note: Video review based on non-Gsync enabled version. However, all other physical aspects are the same.
There's really not a weak spot to be found on this laptop, save for the OS, though we received this unit before Microsoft launched Windows 10. Future revisions will likely ship with Windows 10 out of the box, but even if you snag one that comes with Windows 8.1, like the model reviewed here, you can upgraded to Windows 10 for free.
In terms of portability, we should mention the elephant in the room -- the laptop's weight. At 8.4 pounds, the G751JY is an elephant compared to today's Ultrabooks and ultra-thin notebooks. It's also far more capable. As mentioned, this is a desktop replacement gaming machine, and so ASUS makes no apologizes for its size and weight, nor should it. The G751JY is built for serious gaming in a package that's portable in the sense that you can tote it around with far less fuss than packing up an actual desktop PC.
Since laptop purchases are largely one-and-done transactions, it's important to buy the highest end configuration you can afford, otherwise you'll just be right back in the market before many of the parts are obsolete. This is especially true if you're a gamer -- if you go cheap and buy a well equipped laptop with a weak-sauce GPU, you might find yourself regretting that decision in a year when newer games prove too taxing. It won't matter that you have a fast CPU or a burly storage scheme, because neither one will pick up the slack when your GPU coughs up a hairball.
Update 11/3/2015: ASUS just recently announced the follow-on model of their ROG G751 series, aptly dubbed the G752. "Asus showed off the ROG G752VL, G752VT and G752VY at IFA Berlin 2015. As it turns out, the hardware is generally the same in all three models, with the exception of the graphics. The systems have Intel Core i7-6700HQ processors and up to 64GB of DDR4-2133 memory. And they have 17.3-inch LED-backlit, IPS displays at a resolution of 1920x 1080 (and with G-Sync). Of course, the high-end model, the G752Y, has an optional 4K display." - All of these new models are built on Intel' Skylake CPU architecture and platform for notably better performance-per-watt across the board. Stay tuned for our full review of this new beast, as we'll have it in shortly for testing.
ASUS alleviates these concerns with its ROG G751JY-DB72. It's a 17.3-inch desktop replacement that's crammed full of drool-worthy hardware, like a Core i7-4720HZ processor that clocks up to 3.6GHz, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, a heaping 24GB of DDRL-1600 RAM, and a 256GB PCIe-based solid state drive with a 1TB HDD in tow for bulk storage chores. There's even a Blu-ray writer for optical duties.
Those specs alone make the G751JY an impressive laptop, slightly more so than the 2014 model we reviewed last October. However, ASUS didn't just upgrade the CPU and call it a day with this model; it partnered with NVIDIA to offer a G-Sync panel for silky smooth game play. That's right folks, G-Sync technology on the go!
We'll get into that a bit later on, but for now, let's have a look at the full spec sheet.
 |
|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-4720HQ (6MB cache, 2.6GHz to 3.6GHz) |
| Operating System | Windows 8.1 64-bit (free upgrade to Windows 10) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M w/ 4GB GDDR5 |
| Memory | 24GB DDR3L 1600MHz DRAM |
| Display | 17.3-inch IPS (1920x1080) w/ G-Sync |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe G2-based SSD; 1TB HDD |
| Optical | Blu-ray writer |
| Ethernet | GbE LAN |
| Wireless Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Interface (Left) |
Kensington Lock; 2 x USB 3.0; memory card reader (SD and MMC) |
| Interface (Right) |
Headphone out + S/PDIF combo; Microphone in; Audio in; 2 x USB 3.0; DisplayPort/Thunderbolt; HDMI 1.4; GbE LAN; VGA |
| Webcam | 1.2MP HD camera |
| Battery | 88Whr (8-cell) lithium-ion |
| Dimensions | 12.50 (L) by 16.40 (W) by 1.70 (H) inches |
| Weight | 8.4 pounds |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1-year limited w/ accidental damage protection |
| Pricing: | $2,129 As Tested - Other Configurations Available |
Here's our original video review of the first generation ASUS G751, also with a GeForce GTX 980M GPU on board, but sans G-Sync, just to give you a flavor for the machine itself...
Note: Video review based on non-Gsync enabled version. However, all other physical aspects are the same.
There's really not a weak spot to be found on this laptop, save for the OS, though we received this unit before Microsoft launched Windows 10. Future revisions will likely ship with Windows 10 out of the box, but even if you snag one that comes with Windows 8.1, like the model reviewed here, you can upgraded to Windows 10 for free.
In terms of portability, we should mention the elephant in the room -- the laptop's weight. At 8.4 pounds, the G751JY is an elephant compared to today's Ultrabooks and ultra-thin notebooks. It's also far more capable. As mentioned, this is a desktop replacement gaming machine, and so ASUS makes no apologizes for its size and weight, nor should it. The G751JY is built for serious gaming in a package that's portable in the sense that you can tote it around with far less fuss than packing up an actual desktop PC.
