ASUS G74SX: Noteworthy Updates to ASUS' G7 Series

Marking the fourth time we’ve taken ASUS’ G7 gaming series for a spin, the G74SX actually changes up the formula from the last-iteration G73Sw in some meaningful ways. Superficially, the two notebooks look the same, but when you crack open the spec sheet and take a closer look you’ll find some nice updates. It’s pretty easy to list what exactly has changed: the keyboard layout is better—nearly perfect in my opinion—and ASUS has finally decided to ship a high-end notebook with an SSD + HDD storage combination. ASUS also bumps the GPU up to the GTX 560M from the GTX 460M, and memory in our test unit checks in at a hefty 16GB (4x4GB).

There’s one remaining update we expected to see that’s still missing, however: NVIDIA’s Optimus Technology. This tends to be a polarizing technology, and while the best-case solution would be a GPU that can run as fast as the GTX 560M when needed but drop down to HD 3000 power use levels when it’s not, for the time being such a solution doesn’t exist. ASUS has taken the “safe” approach of using only the discrete GTX 560M GPU, which means you sacrifice battery life and Intel’s Quick Sync technology, but you gain some simplicity at the same time. Is the end result worth your hard earned pennies? Read on.

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Noteworthy

Updates

• Acer Updates Iconia Tablets to Android 4.0
• Intel Updates Sandy Bridge Graphics Drivers
• Firmware Updates Bring Lion Internet Recovery to 2010 Macs
• Apple Updates AirPort Utility, AirPort Base Station Firmware - Adds iCloud Remote Access
• Zalman Updates the CNPS Line, Shows Off Cases
• Lenovo Updates Its HTPC Remote, Adds Backlit Keys And Optical Trackpad
• iPod Nano and iPod Touch Receive Small Updates
• How to Avoid Being Penalized By Consistent Google Panda Updates
• Updates in github.com/awilliam code
• More Bumblebee updates -- automatic switching with acpi_call
• Google updates new commenting feature for Google Docs
• Raptr Updates Gaming Client - Sees Major Performance Improvements
• Microsoft Announces a Host of Windows Phone 7 Updates

Series

• Samsung launched two Series 5 Ultra notebooks in India
• XFX 1000W Pro Series 80 Plus Platinum
• LaCie 2big Thunderbolt Series Now Available
• Review: LaCie Little Big Disk Thunderbolt Series 240GB SSD
• Data Storage Company Nexenta Scores $21 Million In Series C Funding
• Review: Samsung Series 8 S27A850D
• Hands-on with the Samsung Series 9
• Intel New Processor Ivy Bridge will release in Q2 2012- New Series Processor
• ASUS Maximus IV Extreme -Z - LGA 1155 - Z68 - Republic of Gamer Series - ATX Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 2200 Motherboards (Personal Computers)
• Samsung Announces Series 7 and Series 9 Monitors
• OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom (Personal Computers)
• AMD and Felicia Day Bring You “Dragon Age: Redemption” Web Series
• OCZ ZS Series 650W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom (Personal Computers)
• Corsair Professional Series 650-Watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply compatible with Intel and AMD Platforms - CMPSU-650HX (Personal Computers)
• OCZ Technology 240 GB RevoDrive X2 Series PCI-Express x4 Solid State Drive (SSD) OCZSSDPX-1RVDX0240 (Personal Computers)
• OCZ Technology ZS Series 650 Watt 80PLUS Bronze Performance Power Supply OCZ-ZS650W (Electronics)
• OCZ ZS Series 650-Watt 80 PLUS Bronze Performance ATX 650 Power Supply (OCZ-ZS650W) (Electronics)
• Sony Z series , Apple Air, Samsung 9 series Specification, Feature and Price
• Sony VAIO Z series 2011 includes hybrid graphics option via a docking station
• GIGABYTE A series mobos play Crisis 2 at 40 frames per second…
• GIGABYTE officially launch AMD Llano A series Motherboards
• Coolaler.com Forums: Llano graphics out-paces AMD 6 series VGA card
• AMD A75 Microsite details GIGABYTE A series motherboards
• Sony Vaio Z Series Announced