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ASUS ROG GU501

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The ASUS ROG GU501 is a 2018 gaming laptop from ASUS's Zephyrus M line, built for players who wanted a real discrete GPU without carrying a brick-thick chassis. ASUS sold it primarily as the GU501GM, with the GU501GM-BI7N8 being the configuration most commonly seen in the US. It paired a 6-core Intel processor with a GTX-class GPU and ASUS's self-lifting cooling hinge, a combination that was unusual for a laptop this thin at the time. Six years on, it still runs modern games at 1080p on lowered settings and handles everyday computing, video, and light creative work without strain. If you have one sitting in a drawer, pick your condition and function above for an instant cash offer. See how the process works, or start with our page to sell your ASUS laptop, for more on what we buy and how payouts work.

Confirm you have the GU501

The fastest way to confirm your exact model is through Windows itself. Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. The "System Model" field will show GU501GM or the full GU501GM-BI7N8 string. You can also flip the laptop over and read the model sticker on the bottom panel directly, which lists the same string along with the serial number. If you would rather not open a system tool, our model finder can walk you through it.

GU501GM

  • Base model designation, Zephyrus M series
  • Intel 8th generation Core i7-8750H
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060

GU501GM-BI7N8

  • Most common US retail SKU
  • Full HD IPS-level display
  • Same core chip and GPU as the base GU501GM

Prefer a visual check? Flip the laptop closed and look at the bottom panel. The rear edge should lift slightly when you open the lid, part of ASUS's self-elevating cooling hinge, a design shared across the Zephyrus family. The lid carries the ROG logo with the eye emblem, and the keyboard deck is a copper-and-black finish rather than the plain black of most ROG Strix models.

Core hardware

Processor

  • Intel Core i7-8750H, 6 cores
  • 8th generation "Coffee Lake" mobile chip
  • Soldered to the motherboard, not upgradable

Graphics

  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
  • Dedicated GDDR5 video memory
  • Drives most of the resale value on this model

Memory

  • 16GB DDR4 as shipped
  • Check msinfo32 to confirm installed capacity on your unit

Storage

  • NVMe PCIe SSD via a single M.2 slot
  • 512GB on most US units
  • No secondary 2.5-inch bay on this chassis

Display & audio

Display

A 15.6-inch Full HD IPS-level panel with wide viewing angles, matte finish, and thin bezels for its era.

Audio

Stereo speakers tuned with ASUS's Smart Amplifier technology, fine for game audio and calls, thin on bass compared to a dedicated sound bar.

Security

No fingerprint reader or IR camera on this model. Login is by password or PIN through Windows Hello software, not biometric hardware.

Ports & connectivity

The GU501 keeps a full-size port selection for a laptop this thin, including wired networking, which many later ultraportables dropped.

Left side
  • Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
  • HDMI
  • USB-C (DisplayPort capable)
Right side
  • USB 3.1 Type-A ports
  • 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack

Core i7-8750H GTX 1060 NVMe SSD Self-lifting hinge Gigabit Ethernet USB-C with DisplayPort

Battery, build & more

Build

Brushed metal lid and deck with a copper-toned keyboard tray, part of the Zephyrus family's signature look. The chassis is notably thin for a laptop carrying a GTX-class GPU.

Cooling

ASUS's Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) tilts the base panel up slightly when the lid opens, pulling in extra air for the fans underneath. This is the feature to check when confirming authenticity.

Software

Shipped with Windows 10 and ASUS's Armoury Crate/ROG Gaming Center utilities for fan curves, lighting, and macro keys.

Market positioning

A mid-to-upper gaming tier laptop when new, now valued mainly for the GTX 1060 and 6-core CPU, both still usable for esports titles and general gaming at reduced settings.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number or exact configuration?
Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter, then check the "System Model" field for GU501GM or GU501GM-BI7N8. The same string is printed on a sticker on the bottom panel along with the serial number. If Windows won't boot, the sticker is your only option, so check there first before assuming the unit is unidentifiable. Our guide to finding your ASUS model number covers this in more detail if the sticker has worn off.
02 How do I tell it apart from the GM501 Zephyrus M?
Check the model sticker on the bottom panel first, since GU501 and GM501 look nearly identical from the outside and both use the same self-lifting hinge design. The GM501 is a slightly thicker chassis and was offered with higher-end GPU options, including cards above the GTX 1060 found in the GU501. If the sticker is worn away, msinfo32 will still report the correct system model as long as Windows boots.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a weak battery, or a locked account?
Yes, in most cases. Cracked screens, a battery that no longer holds a charge, and units that won't power on can still be sold, and the quote adjusts to reflect the condition once we test it. What you cannot skip is account removal: sign out of any Microsoft account tied to the laptop and remove it from your account online before shipping, since a device still linked to an account can't be resold or fully tested. If the laptop won't boot at all, note that in the condition picker above and describe the issue when you ship it.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
A working screen and a healthy battery matter most, since those are the costliest parts to replace on a thin gaming chassis like this. Beyond that, a fully functional GPU and keyboard backlighting help, since a dead GTX 1060 or non-lighting keyboard signals deeper board issues to a buyer. Original charger, clean vents free of dust buildup, and a system that boots straight into Windows without errors round out the biggest factors. Cosmetic scuffs on the lid matter far less than whether the hardware runs correctly.
05 How do I erase it, remove my accounts, and get paid?
Go to Settings → System → Recovery, then choose "Reset this PC" and select "Remove everything" with a full drive clean. Before you reset, sign out of and remove the device from your Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts, and if BitLocker is enabled, suspend it so the reset completes cleanly. Once the reset finishes and the account is removed, the laptop is ready to ship. Shipping is free and insured, and payment goes out after testing by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check. Full steps are on our data erasure protocols page.