Asus ROG Strix GL753VD Connectivity
Connectivity is another area where this particular Republic of Gamers laptop impresses. It offers pretty much every connection you would expect from a machine in its price class. On the left, this constitutes the power socket, RJ45 LAN jack, full size HDMI port, mini DP (DisplayPort) 1.2, two standard USB 3.0 connectors, and, in a nice touch, a USB 3.1 Type-C port.
The HDMI port appears to be version 1.4, as it does support UHD (3840 x 2160) output but only up to 30Hz. Obviously the GeForce GTX 1050 could not support 3D gaming at those kind of resolutions in anything but the most basic titles anyway, but it would be nice to have 60Hz UHD support for desktop use when hooked up to a UHD TV that does not offer DP, as most don’t. Likewise these specs will not support HDR output, though given the currently abysmal state of HDR support on PC that’s no great loss.
I would also have loved to have seen the Type-C port supporting Thunderbolt 3, so that the ROG Strix GL753VD’s graphics chips could have been beefed up with an external solution such as the aforementioned Razer Core. However, that’s not usually a realistic expectation on a value-oriented machine such as this.
On the laptop’s right side we find the remaining connections: another USB 3.0 port and a single USB 2.0 (it might have been nice if there was colour coding to indicate the difference such as making this port black instead of red, but at least the icon gives a visual indication). This is followed by the tray-loading DVD drive and Kensington lock slot.
The front houses a full-size SD card reader tucked discreetly out of the way. Thankfully this is one of those models where the card goes all the way in rather than half sticking out, which on a laptop is a potential recipe for disaster (yes we’re looking at you, Microsoft Surface Book).
Asus should also be applauded for fitting all the other connections into the side and having none at the back, which can make laptops impossible to use in tight spaces such as on buses, planes, etc. Above the screen there are array microphones and a basic webcam.
Asus ROG Strix GL753VD Power Delivery
While we wait for USB Type C and its successors to eventually standardise power delivery connectors across all mobile devices large and small, most current laptops still use clunky and non-universal chargers. The GL753VD’s 19v/6.3A power brick measures 16 x 7.5 x 2.5mm, and adds a not insignificant 400g to the laptop’s 3kg weight. It takes a standard clover-type power cable.
Seems more like a good laptop for content creation than a gaming laptop to me.
Not that the gaming framerate is not acceptable, but I think as well that if you say a laptop is for gaming you need something that can give a more consistent performance in modern games.
Honestly f performace, the first question with laptops should always be “Can you keep the damn thing cool, so you can use it to its potential ? ” I checked and it seems this model has only 1 fan(unless I got the wrong one, feel free to correct me). Kind of worrying in my book.
good question.