This massive ASUS gaming laptop is priced equivalent to three new MacBook Pros.

      Asus’ premier gaming laptop returns, larger, brighter, and exceptionally expensive.

      Varun Mirchandani / Digital Trends

      Building on the impressive performance of the ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025), ASUS has unveiled a successor that looks even more extravagant when you examine the specifications. The ROG Strix Scar 18 (2026) is far from a compact café laptop. This flagship gaming device features a substantial 18-inch 4K miniLED display and hardware that rivals most desktop PCs.

      However, all of this comes at a steep price, so brace yourself.

      Reasons Why the ROG Strix Scar 18 is Excessive

      Varun Mirchandani / Digital Trends

      The SCAR 18 is equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and can include an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The GPU has a power draw of up to 175W, while the laptop can reach a total system power of up to 320W in Manual mode. This is comparable to entry-level gaming PCs in terms of power consumption.

      To keep the powerful components cool, it includes a comprehensive vapor chamber, a compact heatsink, rear exhaust vents, and a tri-fan cooling system that draws air through the keyboard.

      It’s obviously pricey.

      Even the pricing is mind-boggling, with the entry-level variant starting at $4,299. This model features the RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. In the UK, the RTX 5090 variant is priced at an astounding £5,299, boasting 64GB of memory and a 2TB SSD.

      For perspective, you could purchase about seven base MacBook Neos or roughly three MacBook Pros. While this laptop serves a different function, such a comparison illustrates just how outrageous the costs are.

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      Your portable desktop alternative

      There are numerous practical enhancements here. It can support up to 128GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and up to 8TB of PCIe Gen 5 storage, featuring a tool-less bottom panel for simple upgrades. Its performance extends beyond gaming, making it suitable for various workflows, including high-end creative tasks.

      ASUS designed the ROG Strix Scar 18 for users seeking a large display and top-tier performance in a portable package, not just for gamers.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware coverage.

      Asus has set the price of its RTX 5080 gaming laptop higher than that of a previous-gen RTX 5090 model.

      The previous-gen RTX 5090 model is currently $200 cheaper on Amazon.

      Asus has discreetly introduced an RTX 5080 option for the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) in the US, which is priced at $4,799. This is peculiar because last year’s ROG Zephyrus G16 with the more robust RTX 5090 is listed on Amazon for $4,599. Somehow, Asus has priced a less powerful GPU higher than its predecessor equipped with a superior GPU.

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      AI tools making it easier for students to cheat are proliferating, and detectors struggle to keep pace.

      A report from The New York Times reveals that cheating tools are evolving quicker than the software designed to identify AI-generated writing.

      A surge of new applications promoted on TikTok and YouTube is making it almost impossible for teachers to discern whether students are completing their own assignments or delegating them to AI. The New York Times notes that tools referred to as humanizers and autotypers have bridged the gap that used to indicate AI-written homework, and sometimes, the companies supplying detection software are also those aiding students in bypassing it.

      The tools circumvent the checks that educators rely on.

      ASUS enthusiasts can now spend $16,578 on its 20th-anniversary gaming collection.

      ASUS’ Republic of Gamers brand is marking its 20th anniversary by launching an impressive collection of gaming hardware priced in the five figures. The company has announced that its ROG 20th Anniversary Family Bucket Collector’s Edition, a massive bundle, costs 112,026 yuan, approximately $16,578. This collection is reportedly available through an offline flash sale in Shanghai from June 20 to July 19, with buyers selected via a lottery.

      This isn't your average PC upgrade; ASUS is offering the complete ROG lifestyle starter pack, likely appealing to collectors seeking the next limited edition bundle.

      Read more.