Pros: Huge performance increase coming from intel's e8500 @ 3.8 to this @ 4.1 ghz. I couldn't ask for a better processor for the price and overclocks like a champ. I was hesitant at first to actually upgrade, but eventually decided to take the plunge; the difference is absolutely noticeable in everything coming from a dual core solution.

Cons: Like others have said, the stock cooler is not good enough to achieve speeds higher than 3.4~ ghz. If you don't plan on overclocking then the stock cooler will do. What matters is the processor, so there's no point to take eggs off for this.

Overall Review: Highly recommended to purchase some kind of after market air or water cooler; Newegg has some great choices and there are plenty reviews online to go against. This processor will not disappoint you.

Pros: Worked flawlessly out of the package, I couldn't be happier. Lots of USB ports; love the board layout. Will continue to stick with ASUS in the future as I have for the past 3 years.

Cons: None

Overall Review: Newegg as always is phenomenal. If you're looking for a mid-budget board that can overclock easily for socket 1366 look no further.

Pros: I was actually expecting lower performance based on the specs of the machine and I was actually very surprised by how well it ran games. I have a e8500/9800gx2 desktop, so sure my desktop destroys this laptop but for this being portable it is more than enough powerful to play games pleasantly even coming from a performance freak like me. It even makes me wonder why I even spent so much on upgrading my desktop after getting this. The screen is absolutely gorgeous, blows my 1440x900 acer lcd away for my desktop. Vista runs very well on this machine (5.2 rating out of the box). Very sleek design that ASUS came up with for the G50, the orangish color is more of a red despite what photos tell you otherwise. Air circulation is very good; pad can get a little bit hot when the GPU is chugging away but it could be a lot worse.

Cons: Overclocking feature out of the box for me caused bsod's; a pain to upgrade to xp, but vista isn't *that* bad, I will probably stick with vista since this machine runs it so freaking well. Battery life I guess, but if you're using this for college work -- 9 times out of 10 you will be near an outlet anyways, plus at LANs you will have one. The cons don't even come close to warrant a rating hit here.

Overall Review: Warhammer can be maxed out at 1650x1050 with very little hit to fps (60+ fps almost always); it runs VERY well. TF2 ran like an absolute dream (so source games in general will run very well). I haven't ran Crysis yet but I'm sure it can run it on Medium no problem. If you're really looking for something more powerful than this (why you don't get a desktop anyways if you're looking for that kind of performance has me wondering) it's probably going to be a lot more bulkier, heavier, and less portable with more heat. Not to mention a great backpack with the absolutely fantastic MX518 logitec mouse that comes packed in. This is the PERFECT combination of performance/weight/size/price/value in its class right now and you will not be disappointed with your purchase of this machine (or the A1/A2).

Pros: This processor is extremely fast, if you're a serious pc gamer and you don't own either this or one of the other wolfdale's/quads -- you cannot call yourself a serious pc gamer. My frame rates doubled with this processor over the athlon x2 6000+. If you have a high end video card and you're not using one of these or a high end quad from intel you're oblivious and no one can save you from your own stupidity.

Cons: Didn't get E0 stepping, but not a big deal.

Overall Review: Very easy to overclock, at 3.8 right now with mine on regular voltage ---- cannot go higher due to clock speeds on ram. I think the price is worth it for the 8500 over the 8400, especially if you're using pc6400 ram (like me) where the 1:1 ratio will give you 200mhz more core speed. Another note -- I recommend buying an aftermarket cooler, whatever it may be; I use the arctic 7, zalman's are great as well.

Pros: Overclocks like a champ, fantastic performance, great price/performance ratio right now. No problems with heat in a full tower.

Cons: This is obvious, but the card is very very very long.

Overall Review: Make sure you have a good processor to feed this thing, the AMD X2 6000+ just isn't giving the card what it needs in order to reach its absolutely fantastic potential. Simple fact of the matter is don't buy this card unless you can match it with a good processor. Another note is make sure you have a PSU that has a 6 and 8 pin pcie connections (6 and 6 pin will work but will need a 6+2 connector that evga does not include).

Pros: Great timings for a low price from a great company. Will buy from OCZ again, thanks.

Cons: Trying to think of a con.