ASUS: G70SA-A1 - XP Pro?

[GoodbyeDell]

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I finally decided that, compared to other models and brands, the Asus G70SA-A1 was the closest to making my laptop dreams come true.

I was all super excited 'n stuff as I was filling out the order form, but then got all super sad 'n stuff because XP Pro wasn't an OS choice, only Vista.

My employer's proprietary software is not Vista-compatible, so I have to use XP Pro.

I called Xotic, who verified that XP Pro is a no-go on this model, as there are driver issues.

I called GenTechPC because their order form included "XP Pro disks" but didn't specifically say they'd install it. Over the phone, they said they do install XP Pro on this model and to look at their product review (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=269794) showing their results with an XP Pro install. They said it was indeed hard to do, especially with finding some of the drivers, but that they did get it to work. The link above shows their screenshot of Device Manager with no yellow triangles, indicating no non-functional devices with XP Pro.

The only thing that they were not able to make work was the "Direct Console 2" program, which they said was the ability to overclock. I have no need for overclocking. I hope the Direct Console 2 program is not related to the secondary LCD status screen, as that was one of the primary reasons I wanted this model.

So, to get XP Pro, I now have to decide whether to:
- Buy the G70SA from Gentech.
- Buy a butt-ugly XPS from Dell.
- Discuss XP Pro further with Xotic regarding the G70SA.
- Buy an M70 instead with no cool blue lights, no blue LCD status screen, no gorgeous brushed-chrome lid, etc.

Whaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Anewbus]

Well, I know having a cool looking lappy is a very nice thing indeed, but which is more important, Performance & Funtionality or Looks?
If you go with the M-70, you could get it from XoticPC and continue to experience the excellence in service and support. :)
There is however, another option: If you still want a snazzy looking lappy with the M-70, you could always have skinned or even painted with your order. Just a thought.
(Maybe you wouldn't have the pretty blue lights, I know I am attracted to blue lights myself, but at least you would have a fancy looking lappy in some way).

I do know, you don't want to go with Dell, that would result in your being really disappointed. (Have you ever tried getting customer service or support at Dell? Don't bother wasting the energy).

[GoodbyeDell]

AESTHETICS VS PERFORMANCE:
It sounds silly and superficial but, for me, aesthetic design of a shiny new gadget is equally important as function and performance, and I could not happily sacrifice one for the other.

It's kinda similar to design expectations of high-performance luxury cars. Porches, Ferraris and even Mini-Coopers are designed on the outside to be sleek, exciting and reflect the quality of what's under the hood, rather than looking like an AMC Pacer or El Camino.


DELL HELL:
Regarding Dell support, I've been shockingly lucky. Of all the new Dell servers, workstations and laptops I've installed at work or personally owned in the last 10 years, I've only had to call Dell support *once* for a hardware issue.

That one call occurred 6 months ago, after a lightening strike came into the house through my coax cable and cable modem, sizzling like bacon everything it touched from the splitter outside to the on-board LAN card in the laptop I'm using to type this post.

After slogging through all the long and worthless steps in the Dell dude's support manual, his final suggestion was that I wipe the drive and reinstall the OS to restore the LAN drivers. No friggin way would I agree to do that, because the hardware was fried and no amount of drive reformats and reinstalls would help.

I was charged by the minute for that waste of time and money with Dell support in India. Fortunately, my Dell experience has been that their hardware is infinitely more reliable than their support staff.


ASUS M70 VS G70:
ANewBus, you're absolutely right about the Asus M70. In fact, my bitty brain has been in overdrive and overclocking with smoke spewing outta my ears all week, debating whether to go M70 or G70. Inner components of both models were the ultimate in power and speed, so design, placement and function of the inner deck was the only thing left to sway the decision.

At first, I didn't like the two-tone G70 wrist area design at all and was leaning heavily towards the M70 with a custom finish from top to bottom. Design of the M70 deck area above the keyboard is superbly sleek and elegant with no trendy, clunky or cheap effects, with well-placed, beautiful speakers.

However, as I watched G70 videos, I grew to love it. I didn't care for the blinking blue lights that resemble a carnival sideshow, but found the solid blue lights against the brushed chrome to be very attractive. Other reasons I went with the G70 were:

* Customized LCD status window, the #1 factor in the decision.
* 4 speakers (sadly, no subwoofer like the M70)
* Brushed chrome metal lid.
* Chrome metal reinforcements around the keyboard.
* Super-skinny, well-placed slices of blue light on chrome lid and sides.
* Blue-light buttons on left, which may be custom configurable.
* Audio mute and other handy buttons on front lip. (M70 appears to have no audio buttons on front lip, with audio functions imbedded in touch pad. I disable touch pads and never use them, which means losing ability to quickly mute volume from the front of the M70).

Tonight I'm gonna start yet again from scratch, evaluating the Asus M70, Asus G70 and Dell XPS, and what it'll take to get them with XP Pro.

I want this decision over with by tomorrow, so I can finally get the shiny-new, blazing-fast, beautifully locked-n-loaded laptop into my grubby paws, instead of just drooling over pics and videos from afar.

[caocao]

How about getting the G70 from xoticpc with no os installed? You coud get XP on your own and install it yourself.

[GoodbyeDell]

Yep, installing XP myself is certainly an option, Caocao.

Ideally, though, I'd like a $3,000+ laptop to arrive with the OS already installed, bootable and usable right of the box.

Thanks much,
-GoodbyeDell

[Anewbus]

I'm a little confused on your issue. You can get the M70VM-C2 with XP pro. :)
If you really want the G70SA-1 your only option if you want XP is to see if the fine folks at Xotic can get it to you with no OS and install XP yourself as suggested earlier.
Otherwise its back to that alternative of getting the M70VM-C2 and having it skinned or painted or something. Uh, by the way I just remembered, if you like chrome you can get that as well. Look in the section about skinning and paint jobs, its in there. :)

[GoodbyeDell]

Yep, ANewBus, you are correct; Xotic does indeed offer XP Pro on the M70.

Though I found myself drooling over the gorgeous, sleek and elegant design of M70's inner deck, I ultimately got the G70 after very long and careful consideration. At first, I actually did not like G70 cosmetics, but the more videos/pics I saw, the more I grew to love it. A few of the reasons for going G70:

1. Customizable LCD status display above keyboard. I love, love, love that little extra high-tech touch.

2. M70 has no external front-lip audio controls that I could see, and instead moved audio controls to the touch pad. Because I don't use touch pads and thus disable them, I'd have no way to quickly mute audio from the front of the unit. I use the front mute button at least 10 times a day during work. G70 has these external audio buttons.

3. Brushed chrome metal lid and inner trim, further reinforcing the solid feel and good looks. Weight is not a big concern as I don't travel as much anymore, so I like having the extra metal. With the M70, I would have done a gorgeous custom finish that's not necessary with the G70. I have no doubt that Xotic's custom paint jobs are drop-dead gorgeous and equal to or better than automobile quality. Had I got the M70, I would have happily paid extra for it.

4. The super-skinny slits of blue light on the lid and external mouse. I don't care for flashing lights, but love the solid blue lights on lid and mouse when not blinking like a silly circus sideshow.

Two other vendors offer XP Pro preinstalled on the G70, with one vendor providing important screenshots showing successful install.

After much research and discussion, I feel comfortable running XP Pro on the G70 and don't expect technical issues because of it. The only thing that doesn't work with XP Pro is the ability to overclock the G70, which doesn't apply to me anyway.

Thanks much,
-GoodbyeDell

[Anewbus]

Well there ya go then. :) Congratulations on your order!