Up Close And Technical: ROG G75VW Features Detailed

May 01, 2012 Written by:ROG Article

Intel pulled the wraps off its new 3rd Generation Core processors just this week and that means it's time for ROG to launch the new ROG G75VW gaming laptop! The G75 is the 17 inch version, replacing the existing G74SX, with not only a brand new chassis but also entirely new internal hardware including the aforementioned 22nm quad-core CPU and either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2GB or GTX 670M 3GB graphics. The new 5th generation G series (the 'G5') is thinner a slightly lighter than the previous G74. Still, it integrates some existing styling like the understated matte finish, recessed logo and the gently sloping keyboard that improves ergonomics so you don't feel like you're typing over the edge of a brick.

We'll take this from the top

Aluminum keyboard built for strength and backlit when you need it

The matte covering is highlighted inside by a similar brushed aluminum keyboard to the G74, although the G5 now extends this flair over the edge and around the sides as well. The metal keyboard surround helps solidify it so the backlit keys can take more of a hammering in your gaming session. The touchpad also has 'scissor feet' buttons to make them more responsive and definitive in their click as well.

Backlit keeeeys. Who needs room lights?

[gallery include="" size="medium" link="file" template="file-gallery"]

Airflow Design

The design follows previous G series,  with hot air being sucked in from the front/underneath, across the motherboard and hot components, then vented directly out the back to avoid the user. There are slight differences between the G75 and G55, as the G75 has its vents split either side while the G55 has both in the middle. This doesn't change the cooling potential or performance, it simply the result of finding the best design for each chassis size.

G75 butt

SonicMaster Lite

For the first time the G series has had the ASUS Sound and Sensibility Lab give it the ear over for an upgrade. SonicMaster Lite represents not only better speakers with larger chambers but also the fact it's a true 2.1 design, with a subwoofer covering low frequency tones built right into the chassis itself.

Vibrating the table is not against the rules at LAN tournaments, right?

While you can only see the cone through the grill in the base, taking a look inside shows the more extensive volume of speaker chamber and amplification electronics.

G75 subwoofer from inside

The stereo tweeters are then placed towards the back so they reflect sound off the hard table and surfaces behind, creating a greater sense of spacial sound.

Memory and Storage

Space has been made for up to four SO-DIMM and two HDD/SSD. For performance evangelists, those two 2.5" HDD/SSD spaces can be setup in RAID via the BIOS, and there is support up to 32GB of memory, although please check the QVL for compatibility (available on the G75VW and G55VW product pages).

The removable battery is 8-cell 74WHr

The battery is replaceable, 8-cell 74WHr. G75 Right Side Continued on Page 2.

Externally connecting

External connectivity includes four Super-Speed USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, mini-DisplayPort, VGA (d-sub), Gigabit Ethernet, an SD/MMC slot and 3.5mm headphone and microphone. There's also a Blu-ray/DVD-RW combo so you can watch movies on the HD display. Of these, the ROG team expects the included range of popular, fast connectivity (four super-speed USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet and Intel dual-band 802.11n Wireless) to satisfy most users needs. This, including the ports listed above are available on all models. Intel Thunderbolt equipped G5s are slightly delayed from this launch time however, due to the requirement of Intel Thunderbolt hardware certification for each device that uses it. This is required by Intel to guarantee a quality user experience, so while this certainly benefits the consumer in the long-run and is a necessary formality, it has also slightly delayed our Thunderbolt equipped G5 as it completes this process. For customers specifically requiring these models, after certification we will announce their availability. And turn to your left, please

Display options: No gloss here!

Yes, they are non-glossy! There are three display options to choose from:

  • HD+ (1600 x 900)
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080)
  • Full HD 120Hz with Nvidia 3D Vision with LightBoost 3D

Now instead of seeing yourself in the shine, you can see the game!  

Fight the fluff with fan filters!

Another more subtle feature is the fan filters. It requires popping off the covers on the underside to get to them (we'll cover this in our upgrading article), it's worth noting they are there to protect your fans from dust, dirt and hair sucked in from the many surfaces your laptop ends up on. While cleaning a PC fan is a simple affair of unscrewing it and wiping the blades clean, a laptop cooler is nigh on impossible to remove and clean, so the ROG team decided that prevention is better than a cure and dropped in the removable filters instead.

[gallery include="" size="medium" link="file" template="file-gallery" columns="2"]

Check your local retailer!

Globally, hardware requirements can vary significantly and ASUS respects that its local retail partners know their customers' needs more precisely, so please be sure to check the spec list before you buy. This means that specific memory sizes, HDD spec, display resolution and eventually Thunderbolt inclusion varies depending on what your local retailer chooses to stock. However, even if you buy a model with a basic spec though, you can still upgrade at a later date and we'll have an guide to show you exactly how to drop in new hardware soon.