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,