Fremont, CA: Nov. 10th, 2006 – ASUS today announced its fist two notebooks designed for mobile gamers. Based on the latest Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology with advanced graphic solutions, the G1 and G2 revolutionize the way games are played: blistering speed and true-to-life video and audio performances - on the go! Available in two sizes, 15.4″ and 17″, featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processors and NVidia GeForce Go7700 with 512MB Physical VRAM (G1) or ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 512 MB Physical VRAM (G2), the widescreen notebooks are display design details that elevate the overall gaming experience, including an OLED instant display, side/ front speakers, hotkey highlights, and sidelights.

To offer the best total gaming experience, ASUS has designed two notebooks that carry design details designed specifically for the gaming experience inside out.

The LCD cover with special in-mold decoration design not only gives the notebook an instant game machine identity that stands out from generic notebook designs, but also makes the surface more resistant to paint chipping.

With Direct Flash sidelights, gaming spirit is shared when DirectX 9 support is activated for intense moments. Get a boost and bring the game on anywhere!

A built-in high-resolution webcam and speaker allow wire-free video conferencing anywhere without the hassle of tangling wires. Gamers can now see and talk to teammates or opponents around the world, making gaming more real than ever before!

The ASUS Direct Messenger information side display updates instant messages, system status and reminder alerts with zero distractions to accommodate full screen gameing. This OLED window can also be customized to show personal messages and even caller IDs when the Power4 Phone function is activated.

A full-sized keyboard makes mobile gaming ergonomically comfortable while the W, A, S and D keys are especially marked with color squares to match the rest of the notebook color scheme for convenient access at one glance.

To satisfy the most demanding viewing standards, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology integrates different multimedia data sources to reduce noise and conversion rate for a vivid display. Users can enjoy vivid images with better contrast, brightness, skin tone and color saturation for all video applications. The “Game” and “Night View” modes are great for extra gaming effects that not only sharpen image details but also enhance outlines required for underlying stealth actions.

Bluetooth 2.0 enhanced data rate transmits three times faster than standard Bluetooth for increased connectivity and synchronization between digital devices. In addition, a complete range of input/ output ports offers dynamic data transfers and storage including USB ports, a TV-out port, and card reader and express card slots.

Enjoy high-speed wireless Internet for data access and transfers with integrated WLAN 802.11 a/b/g. In addition, ASUS’ exclusive Net4 Switch Utility detects available networks in the surrounding environment and allows users to select and make a switch anywhere, ensuring smooth connection transitions on the go.

Mobility is further fueled by the units’ extended battery life, empowering better productivity. ASUS Power4 Gear+ power management extends battery life up to 20-25%, providing a reliable and continuous operation power.

G1 & G2 Gaming Notebook Series Specifications

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7600/T7400/T7200/T5600/T5500
- Mobile Intel® 945PM Express Chipset
- Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Genuine Windows® XP
- Genuine Home
- Genuine Professional
- Genuine Media Center (G2)
DDRII 533/667MHz, up to 2GB
15.4″ WXGA/WSXGA (G1)/ 17″ WXGA (G2); Color Shine LCD
ASUS Video Intelligence Technology
NVidia GeForce Go7700 512 Physical VRAM (G1)
ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1700 512 MB Physical VRAM (G2)
SATA 80/100/120/160 GB HDD
DVD Super-Multi, Light Scribe
Built-in 1.3M pixel webcam
ASUS Direct Flash+ ASUS Direct Messenger
10/100/1000, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth V2.0+EDR (optional)

Asus Press Release.

Asus G1 and G2 Reviews

CNET gives Asus G1 6.9-out-of-10 rating and writes: “Laptop-loving gamers are often stuck with portable systems that are nearly as bulky as the desktop computers they so studiously avoid. Recently, Asus has scored with interesting design ideas such as the leather-bound ultraportable S6F, and the company’s industrial-flavored G1 is also something you don’t see every day: a midsize laptop marketed as a gaming system. While high-end 17-inch gaming rigs from Dell and Alienware can easily set you back more than $3,000, the Asus G1 gives you a decent set of specs–a couple of steps down from the top-of-the-line–squeezed into a 15.4-inch form factor for a reasonable $1,799. Too bad the gaming scores weren’t up to snuff. If you need more video-card muscle, or if the black-and-green design doesn’t appeal to your sensibilities, a few hundred dollars more will get you a better 3D chip and larger display in Toshiba’s Satellite P105-S9722.”

Laptop Magazine: Reviewing Asus G1 gaming laptop, Laptop Magazine gives it 3.5 out of 5 stars and writes, “For all but the most hardcore gamer, the G1 provides an appealing mix of portability and performance at a reasonable price. If you’re one of the many mobile gamers who balks at paying an exorbitant price for a backbreaking rig destined for obsolescence, Asus has a proposition. The G1, part of the company’s new gaming line, is a solidly built machine tuned for gaming, with parts slightly below top-of-the-line, and attractively priced at well under $2,000. This isn’t a machine for the hardcore, but most gamers will find that price and portability can be as appealing as frame rates.

The 13.9 x 11.1 x 1.3-inch case features military styling appropriate for a gaming laptop. The lid and keyboard area are skinned with a mesh decal; hinge accents and a handful of green lights add to the serious appearance. An unnecessary button featuring the Asus gaming logo distracts from the comfort of the mouse pad, but we don’t mind the clearly labeled WASD keys. Despite the handful of stylistic touches, the G1’s restrained appearance doesn’t immediately mark it as a gaming machine. Neither does the weight, which comes in at 6.8 pounds without the power adapter.

The 15.4-inch display features a native resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels; it looks great while working with media or documents, browsing the Web, and watching movies. For gaming, we found that Nvidia’s Go 7700 graphics-a few steps behind the top-of-the-line GPUs-limited the playable resolutions to 1024 x 768 pixels. On autodetect, F.E.A.R. displayed a respectable if not impressive 55-fps average. With settings maxed, our tests suffered a significant frame rate reduction to 30 fps.

Outside of a professionally competitive multiplayer environment, the G1’s performance is ample for most players. The 2.0-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 7200 CPU and 2GB of DDR2 RAM provide a solid performance base. We’d like a faster drive than the 160GB 5,400-rpm SATA, however, as that speed could become a data bottleneck.

If you’re considering buying the G1, you’ll have to ask yourself the following question: How hardcore are you? If frame rates are the bottom line, pass up this option and go straight to machines by Alienware, Dell, or Voodoo. Gamers willing to settle for a very playable 30 fps on the most demanding games, however, will find that the G1 has plenty to offer and that the light weight and long battery life mean more gaming in the long run.”

PROS and CONS of the Asus G1 according to Laptop magazine

• Good performance for most gamers
• Relatively long battery life
• Affordably priced for the components
• Lags behind top-flight gaming rigs
• Lackluster speakers
• Rear-mounted USB ports

This entry was posted on November 13, 2006 and is filed under ASUSTeK Computer, News.