Asus ROG Strix G16 review: quick and budget-friendly, but with some trade-offs.
Asus ROG Strix G16
MSRP: $2,500.00
“The Asus ROG Strix G16 is a highly performant laptop, but its display is lacking.”
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Appealing gaming design
- Strong gaming capabilities
- Excellent for creative tasks
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- Unsatisfactory IPS display
- Average keyboard and touchpad
- Bulkier and heavier than competitors
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I have reviewed two laptops equipped with Intel’s Arrow Lake-HX chipsets and Nvidia’s second-fastest Blackwell GPU, the GeForce RTX 5080. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i and Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 are both exceptional gaming laptops, yet they are priced above $3,000.
If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, the Asus ROG Strix G16 fits the bill, powered by AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D chipset and Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti, delivering excellent speed. However, its display does not match the quality of the other two models, making it somewhat less recommendable, even with its lower price tag.
Specifications and configurations:
Asus ROG Strix G16
Dimensions: 13.94 x 10.39 x 0.89-1.20 inches
Weight: 5.51 pounds
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600
Display: 16.0-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS, 240Hz
Storage: 1TB SSD
Touch: No
Ports: 2 x USB4, 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 1G RJ45, 1 x 3.5mm audio
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
Webcam: 1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello
Operating system: Windows 11
Battery: 90 watt-hour
Price: $2,000+
The Asus online store currently lists several ROG Strix G16 configurations as unavailable. The base model, priced at $2,400, includes the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, and a 16.0-inch QHD+ IPS display. Choosing the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D chipset increases the price to $2,500. That’s the configuration I reviewed, but both models are out of stock currently. The one configuration available features an AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX chipset and retails for $2,000.
These are reasonable prices for a high-performance gaming laptop. While the display may not be as impressive, and the midrange GPU is slightly slower, you'll need to spend significantly more for better speed.
Design:
The ROG Strix G16 resembles the larger Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 I previously reviewed, especially with its per-key RGB backlit keyboard and the RGB LEDs illuminating the front of the laptop. Upon closer inspection, it features a unique aesthetic, lacking the AniMe Vision LEDs found on the lid of larger models, presenting a more simplified logo. It has aggressive geometric venting on the back and additional vents on the sides, giving it a minimalist appearance, while still exuding an aggressive gamer vibe.
The lid is slightly offset from the rear, a common trait in larger laptops. Inset speakers are located near the inside rear edge, accompanied by some retro-style LEDs indicating power and storage usage, which I found somewhat distracting. Overall, the design works well for gamers, but those seeking a more subtle appearance might prefer alternatives like the more MacBook-like Razer Blade 16.
The ROG Strix G16 features a plastic chassis with an aluminum lid. While the lid has some flex, the bottom chassis and keyboard deck are quite rigid. Some users may prefer a more premium feel like that of the Razer Blade 16, but this is not a major issue. The plastic can help keep the palm rests cooler than aluminum would.
This laptop is notably thick, measuring up to 1.2 inches, and weighs 5.51 pounds. The top and side bezels are narrow, but the bottom chin is quite prominent, contributing to its overall size, making it cumbersome to transport, particularly with its large power brick.
To manage heat, Asus has incorporated an efficient cooling system featuring Tri-Fan technology,
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Asus ROG Strix G16 review: quick and budget-friendly, but with some trade-offs.
The Asus ROG Strix G16 provides a somewhat more budget-friendly option in the realm of contemporary gaming laptops. However, there is a significant trade-off you will need to accept to achieve this.