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I’ve been an Apple user for quite a while, but I couldn’t afford to replace my aging Macbook Pro with a new model. All of the software I depend on is cross platform, and I’m not religious about any particular platform, so I decided to go the PC route. I wanted to find something with comparable specs (core i7 quad core, discrete graphics, etc.), but at a much lower price. I do web development and multimedia work, including video editing, so having a powerful machine is a must for me. I’m not a big gamer, but being able to play games at decent settings is a plus for me. This laptop seemed to have everything I was looking for. There wasn’t a ton of info online about it, but I’ve had a really good experience with an ASUS netbook, so I felt like it would be a solid choice. I wasn’t disappointed.

PROS:
It’s fast. Photoshop and Premiere work like a charm, and basic programs like Word launch almost instantly. Starcraft 2 performs very well at high settings, as does Fallout 3. The full HD screen is fantastic, and gives you plenty of real estate for media work. I thought this laptop would ship with a glossy screen, but mine had a matte finish, which professionals generally prefer (I don’t really care either way). For a PC, it’s not a bad looking machine either — the metal lid is a nice touch. It’s not close to the external polish of a Macbook Pro, but it feels like a premium computer. The speakers are loud enough to fill a room, which is a nice change from my frustratingly quiet Macbook Pro. Both Apple laptops I’ve owned (a 2004 Powerbook and a 2007 Macbook Pro) had a tendency to reach painfully high temperatures, so I was pleasantly surprised by how cool this thing runs. The exhaust fan seems to kick in often, but it isn’t too loud, and as long as it keeps the computer cool, I’m fine with it. The inclusion of USB 3.0 is a nice touch, and one you can’t get on a Mac for now. I’ve only had it for about a week, so my impressions could change. But for now, I’m extremely happy with the ASUS N53SV-EH72. It does what I want it to do well, and it costs about a grand less than a comparable Macbook Pro. Well done, ASUS.

CONS:
It’s kind of chunky. Not a big deal to me, because I was primarily looking for a desktop replacement, but you might want to look elsewhere if portability is your number one concern. While the speakers reach a nice volume, and generally sound pretty good, I’ve heard some distortion at certain frequencies. I’m a bit of an audiophile, so it annoys me quite a bit, but I generally use headphones or external speakers anyway. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the keyboards on the N53SV series, and I agree that the layout IS a little odd. I wish ASUS had just skipped the numpad and given the rest of the keyboard some breathing room. But honestly, I got used to it in about a day. It seems that older models had issues with excessive keyboard flex, but I haven’t really noticed anything like that on mine. ASUS unfortunately loads their computers with a lot of seemingly-sketchy bloatware, and this model isn’t an exception. Again, not a big deal, and this is apparently a common practice in the PC world. It would have been nice if this laptop had shipped with a Blu-Ray drive (although it is loaded with Blu-Ray software), but since I’m mainly measuring this against the Macbook Pro, it doesn’t seem like much of a flaw (there are currently no Apple computers with Blu-Ray drives).

CONCLUSION:
This is an awesome computer, at an awesome price. I have some minor annoyances, but as a whole, it’s a joy to use. I had much larger problems with my Apple laptops out of the box, and they both cost $1500 more. I haven’t seen anything at this price point that can touch its capabilities. It might not be ideal for a hardcore gamer, or a road warrior, but if you want a powerful, versatile desktop-replacement laptop that won’t drain your bank account, this is the one. If you’re thinking of buying it, go for it. You won’t regret it.

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