ASUS 1st with true quad-core gaming notebook

ASUS on Tuesday set out to claim a first for notebooks by launching the 17-inch G71 notebook. The system is the first gaming-oriented notebook to have the option a true mobile quad-core processor rather than using a large, hot-running desktop part. The shift not only lets ASUS produce a reasonably-sized system but also removes some of the barriers on performance; although the stock Core 2 Extreme chip runs at 2.53GHz, the lack of hardware restrictions lets owners overclock the processor to levels that more closely match desktops.

The electronics maker also vows higher-end performance in other areas, including a 512MB GeForce 9700M GT for video and an LCD is unusually quick for notebooks with an 8ms pixel response time. As many as two 500GB hard drives also supply desktop-level storage space.

As with most ASUS introductions, the company doesn't list availability or price but describes a base system as having as little as a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, a single 200GB, 7,200RPM hard drive and a DVD burner. Better-equipped versions also carry as much as a 3.06GHz Core 2 Extreme dual-core processor as well as 4GB of DDR3 memory, a Blu-ray drive and the option of WiMAX to match the standard 802.11n Wi-Fi.

ASUS commonly releases its G-series notebooks in North America and bundles the system with a backpack, mouse and headset.

Filed under: computers
Other story tags: Intel, ASUS, NVIDIA, Core 2, GeForce, WiMAX