The G74SX comes with a bunch of preinstalled software, but most of it is useful; among other items, you get Asus's 122-page eManual, Live Update, and Splendid Utility, as well as CyberLink's Blu-ray disc suite and Nvidia's 3D Vision.

This "mobile" gaming machine really does have everything you need for on-the-go power-computing, even though it weighs almost as much as a lightweight desktop. Asus packs a lot of power into the G74SX, and the system has a fairly svelte body to boot. Now, if only we can get a review model that doesn't have a faulty LED backlight.