By Administrator Introduction
The Asus G73S. Just the name evokes a certain feeling, a nostalgic pang for a time when gaming laptops dared to be different, when aesthetics were bold and unapologetically angular. This machine wasn’t just a laptop; it was a statement, a mobile gaming rig designed to resemble a stealth bomber taking flight. While modern gaming laptops chase sleek profiles and minimal bezels, the G73S stood apart, a testament to a different design philosophy. It might be considered ancient history in the rapidly evolving world of technology, but the Asus G73S, with its distinctive design and potent components, left an indelible mark on the gaming laptop world, solidifying its place as a true legend, even if it does show its age by modern standards.
Design and Build: Stealth Inspiration Takes Flight
The defining characteristic of the Asus G73S is undoubtedly its design. Inspired by the iconic Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, its sharp angles, matte black finish, and aggressive lines set it apart from the competition. This wasn’t a laptop trying to blend in; it demanded attention. Every contour seemed to scream performance, hinting at the power lurking beneath its surface.
The top lid, angled and textured, mimicked the stealth bomber’s wing profile, while the rear vents, strategically placed to resemble engine exhausts, further emphasized the theme. The design language was consistent throughout, from the sharply defined edges of the chassis to the recessed keyboard deck. Compared to the smooth, rounded designs of many modern laptops, the G73S appears almost brutish, a purposeful deviation from the norm. Its uniqueness in the face of today’s minimalist designs makes it all the more remarkable.
In terms of materials and construction, the G73S primarily utilized plastic, a common choice for laptops of its era. While not as premium as the aluminum or magnesium alloys found in some higher-end models today, the plastic felt sturdy and well-assembled. The chassis exhibited minimal flex, and the hinges felt robust, suggesting a decent level of durability. The matte finish helped to resist fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a relatively clean look even after extended use.
Of course, the bold design and robust construction came at a cost: portability. The Asus G73S was not a machine designed for on-the-go productivity. Its dimensions were substantial, and its weight was considerable. Lugging it around required a sturdy backpack and a strong back. This was a desktop replacement, intended to provide gaming-grade performance in a form factor that could be moved from room to room, or perhaps to a LAN party. For users accustomed to the ultrabooks of today, the G73S would feel like a dinosaur, a behemoth from a bygone era.
The port selection was fairly generous for its time. It featured several Universal Serial Bus ports, allowing for connection of multiple peripherals such as gaming mice, keyboards, and external storage devices. An High-Definition Multimedia Interface port enabled connection to external displays, allowing for gaming on larger screens. Standard audio jacks were present for headphones and microphones. The port placement was generally logical, with commonly used ports easily accessible on the sides of the chassis.
A critical design element was the rear-facing cooling system. The G73S featured large vents at the rear, strategically positioned to exhaust hot air away from the user. This design was effective at keeping the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring consistent performance. The rear exhaust also helped to minimize noise, as the fans didn’t have to work as hard to dissipate heat. While not entirely silent, the G73S managed to keep noise levels relatively manageable, even under heavy load. This cooling system was a key factor in the laptop’s ability to sustain high performance levels for extended periods.
Hardware and Performance: A Powerhouse for its Time
Under the hood, the Asus G73S packed some serious firepower for its time. It was offered with various Intel Core i7 processor options, providing ample processing power for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks. These processors were the top-of-the-line offerings from Intel at the time, capable of handling even the most computationally intensive workloads.
The graphics card was an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M, a mid-range GPU that offered a respectable level of gaming performance. While it couldn’t handle the latest games at maximum settings, it was more than capable of running most titles at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. Games of that era, such as “Crysis,” “Battlefield: Bad Company 2,” and “Mass Effect 2,” were all within its reach. The combination of the Intel Core i7 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M made the G73S a formidable gaming machine, capable of delivering a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
The memory, random access memory, was a crucial component for multitasking and gaming. The G73S typically came with a generous amount of Double Data Rate 3 memory, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. The Double Data Rate 3 memory also improved gaming performance by providing faster access to game assets.
Storage was handled by a mechanical hard disk drive. While hard disk drives offered ample storage capacity for games, movies, and other files, their slow read and write speeds could impact loading times and overall system responsiveness. The hard disk drive was a significant bottleneck in the system, and upgrading to a solid state drive would dramatically improve performance. Many users of the G73S opted to replace the hard disk drive with a solid state drive, resulting in significantly faster boot times, application loading times, and game loading times. This simple upgrade breathed new life into the aging machine, making it feel much more responsive and modern.
The display was a key factor in the gaming experience. The G73S featured a screen with a resolution of one thousand nine hundred and twenty by one thousand and eighty pixels. While the resolution was adequate for gaming, the panel type was a Twisted Nematic panel. Twisted Nematic panels were known for their fast response times, which made them suitable for gaming, but they also suffered from poor viewing angles and less accurate color reproduction. The display was bright enough for indoor use, but it struggled in direct sunlight.
The audio system was surprisingly capable for a laptop of its era. The G73S featured stereo speakers that provided a decent level of sound quality. The headphone jack delivered clear and crisp audio, allowing users to immerse themselves in their games or movies. While the audio system wasn’t audiophile-grade, it was more than adequate for casual gaming and entertainment.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Input for the Bomber Pilot
The keyboard was a full-size chicklet-style keyboard with a comfortable key travel. The keys were well-spaced and responsive, providing a satisfying typing experience. The keyboard also featured backlighting, allowing users to game in dimly lit environments. The backlighting was adjustable, allowing users to customize the brightness to their liking.
The trackpad was a decent size and featured a smooth surface. The trackpad was responsive and accurate, making it easy to navigate the operating system and applications. The trackpad buttons were located beneath the trackpad surface.
Battery Life: Short Flights Only
Battery life was never a strong point of gaming laptops, and the Asus G73S was no exception. The battery capacity was relatively small, and the power-hungry components drained the battery quickly. Real-world battery life during typical usage was short, lasting barely an hour or two. Gaming drained the battery even faster. The G73S was best used plugged in, as battery life was simply too limited for extended use on the go.
Software and Features: A Touch of the Past
The Asus G73S originally shipped with Windows seven. The operating system was stable and reliable, but it lacked some of the features found in modern operating systems. The G73S came with some pre-installed software, mostly consisting of utilities and drivers. One can use modern operating systems on this laptop now, such as Windows 10 or 11, but compatibility can be varied and might require specific drivers to be sought.
The Asus G73S did not have a lot of unique features, but it was a well rounded gaming laptop.
Comparisons to Contemporary Laptops
Compared to other gaming laptops of its time, the Asus G73S stood out for its unique design and strong performance. While other laptops might have offered slightly better performance in some areas, the G73S offered a compelling combination of style and substance. Its stealth bomber-inspired design set it apart from the competition, while its powerful components ensured a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
Legacy and Impact: A Lasting Impression
The Asus G73S left a lasting impact on the gaming laptop market. Its bold design and powerful components inspired a generation of gaming laptops. It’s remembered fondly by many gamers as a classic gaming machine that delivered a truly immersive gaming experience. Its influence can still be seen in some of Asus’s current ROG laptop designs, which continue to push the boundaries of performance and aesthetics.
Conclusion: A Gaming Legend Revisited
The Asus G73S was more than just a laptop; it was a statement, a symbol of a time when gaming laptops dared to be different. Its stealth bomber-inspired design, powerful components, and comfortable keyboard made it a true gaming legend. While its age is showing, and modern laptops offer significantly better performance and portability, the G73S remains a beloved classic, a reminder of the past and a testament to the enduring appeal of great design and powerful performance. It stands as a proud example of a generation of laptops that prioritized performance and distinct aesthetic over all other considerations, and for that, it is forever remembered. Though technology marches on, the memory of the G73S continues to inspire nostalgia and fondness in the hearts of those who experienced its glory.
