G551VW-FY212T vs GL551VW DS71

[kennyreid95]

I bought the fy212t, is it any different compared to ds71?

 

[Bill_Bright]

You could wait until your question on the ASUS forums is answered. Or you could find the answer almost immediately with your friend, Bing Google. Since these similar models come with different options (CPU and drives, for example) and since you didn't specify what yours has, no one can really answer your question anyway!

And by the way, cross-posting the same question across multiple sites is not considered good forum etiquette. So make sure you don't leave any threads dangling by going back to every place you asked this question and posting the answer.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

I see you've searched for that answer on several forums with no replies yet. When I search for specs, I only see them showing the G551VW designation.

However I DID find one site that lists the GL model as having a plastic lid, while the G model has an aluminum lid. Thus I have to assume the only difference is something mostly cosmetic. Aluminum IS a bit more durable and does effectively shield from interference though.

http://www.gadgetdetail.com/asus-rog-gl551vw-gl552vw-gaming-notebooks-launched-india/

 

[Bill_Bright]

Aluminum IS a bit more durable....

It also bends and dents easily while plastic either totally repels the abuse, or cracks.

 

[kennyreid95]

Actually I think there is a difference in storage. The G551VW has 5200rpm while gl551vw has 7200rpm correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Actually I think there is a difference in storage. The G551VW has 5200rpm while gl551vw has 7200rpm correct me if I am wrong.

I doubt something like that would affect model number, as those are often configure options. Not 100% sure though, as you also often have no choice on drives in laptops.

 

[Bill_Bright]

As seen here, you have the choice of 8 drives, including SSD, HD or hybrid drive. 2 different Blu-Rays or a DVD. You could also choose an i5 or an i7.

 

[kennyreid95]

I bought this laptop used from ebay last week. So the seller must had chose hybrid hdd when he bought the laptop.

 

[kennyreid95]

Ok guys I won't ask around Internet anymore there is absolutely no differences between 2 laptops. It's weird though asus would release 2 exact same laptops with different model numbers. It's a head scratcher. I called asus support and the rep told me only differences between 2 laptops are the location and the warranty that's it. The laptops are identical wow.

 

[Kursah]

Ok guys I won't ask around Internet anymore there is absolutely no differences between 2 laptops. It's weird though asus would release 2 exact same laptops with different model numbers. It's a head scratcher. I called asus support and the rep told me only differences between 2 laptops are the location and the warranty that's it. The laptops are identical wow.

Not surpising at all, it happens a lot. Another example of Asus doing this is with routers. They have a TMobil AC1900 and then the Asus AC-RT68U. There's other examples of this very thing happening in technology, automotive, food, and other markets. So not at all surprising that you're seeing it with laptops. Sometimes it takes a little digging to confirm that is the case though.

 

[kennyreid95]

I reviewed my Asus laptop on amazon, let me know if my review is helpful. I feel my review is very helpful


https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RNS0ZX0U49SUG?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl&tag=tec06d-20

 

[Bill_Bright]

Sadly, you have let your biases show through with your Con #1. Just as with every Windows version since Windows 3.x, users who given the latest version a real chance and taken the time to get used to it end up liking it better - with a couple exceptions (notably Windows Me, Vista and W8). The same holds true with W10. By far most W10 users like it better than W7, once they learned how to maneuver the differences - after which, it becomes second nature. And for those who still liked the W7 desktop/start menu, Start10 or ClassicShell took care of that.

You say the build quality is poor, attributing that on the use of plastic. IMO, that is an invalid conclusion. Has yours cracked already? Many plastics are stronger and more resilient than many metals. And being flexible means they don't dent like metals and are often more resistant to scratches. Plastics can actually absorb abuse instead of passing it along to the components inside.

And let's not forget a primary reason for using plastics - they tend (with some exceptions) to be lighter than metals - a primary concern in notebooks, and a characteristic you praised as a pro. I would NEVER want a notebook case made of metal. Carbon fiber? Sure. Metal cases can look really nice, but aesthetics are not an indication of build quality.

When I think of build quality, I look at how the hinges move, how do the parts "fit" together. Are seam lines straight and evenly spaced? Do covers fit tight, but not too tight? Are parts rolling around inside when I turn it over? Do all the keys on the keyboard have a consistent, solid and reassuring feel to them? Does the notebook wobble when sitting flat on the desk? Do batteries and slide in device slide in and out smoothly?

W10 is easier on battery life than any previous version of Windows but again, it seems you let your bias against W10 taint your review of the hardware.

I get about 3-4 hours 50% brightness doing no heavy tasks.

I saw on the ASUS site the expected battery run time was "up to 5 hours". Of course "up to" tells us little but with you running at 50% brightness and no heavy tasks, it seems you should get better than 3 - 4 hours. That said, Li-ion batteries do improve their run time a little bit once they've gone through a few charge/discharge cycles. Hopefully, yours will too.

Why is there a link to a Seagate HD in the review?

Having said all of the above, I do think it was an over-all good review. Please don't take my criticisms as anything other than minor observations from someone who used to do comparative reviews as part of my job.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Ok guys I won't ask around Internet anymore there is absolutely no differences between 2 laptops. It's weird though asus would release 2 exact same laptops with different model numbers. It's a head scratcher. I called asus support and the rep told me only differences between 2 laptops are the location and the warranty that's it. The laptops are identical wow.

Don't trust everything an ASUS rep tells you to be true. While for the most part they may indeed be identical, just the fact that they're sold in different parts of the world might necessitate different power bricks to match whatever voltage wall outlets that part of the world has. This, along with different refresh rates used, is why TVs have different model numbers in the US, than in Europe.