Gaming laptops are commonplace nowadays, however not all of those pricier, extra highly effective PC alternate options are price paying a premium for. To my delight, that is not the case with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which manages to face out from the group due to a completely sensible show and the most recent power-packed {hardware}. There isn’t a lot to complain about, and when you’ve got a couple of thousand {dollars} to drop, that is the gaming laptop computer to beat.
It is massive, however not outsized
One of many first issues that you simply’ll discover concerning the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is simply how massive it’s, regardless that it by no means feels outsized. Regardless of the 18-inch display screen dimension and a chassis giant sufficient to suit a ton of souped-up {hardware} that would not match right into a slimmer and extra fashionable design, the laptop computer really does an awesome job of managing its dimension and weight.
Regardless of its massive footprint, the ROG Strix Scar 18 solely weighs in at 6.77 kilos. That feels like so much, particularly in comparison with the load of my regular each day driver, a MacBook Air 15-inch that weighs roughly half as a lot, however we’re additionally speaking a few gaming machine with much more oomph, due to the Thirteenth-Gen Core i9 processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 strapped inside.
The 18-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS show is a giant a part of that dimension equation, however it isn’t onerous to justify the related additional weight (and value) when you get an excellent have a look at it. Not solely is it 2K decision, however the show is brilliantly coloured and affords a blazing 240Hz refresh charge.
All issues thought-about, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 isn’t a really transportable laptop computer. You possibly can actually tote it round, however the nearly 7-pound physique, in addition to the hefty energy brick required to cost it, make it a bit an excessive amount of to deal with—however that’s prone to be an issue with any laptop computer with a big show, and this one feels trim in comparison with its capabilities.
Killer specs justify the load (and the associated fee)
For those who’re anxious that weight will not be price it, the specs would possibly change your thoughts. The actual variation I examined runs to round $4,000 and a few change, based mostly on my greatest estimates after twiddling with the customization instruments on Asus’ web site.
For $4,000, a gaming laptop computer has to ship a number of efficiency to make it price buying. This one positively does. Listed below are the specs for the system that I examined out, however you’ll be able to decide and select from the configurable choices on the Asus web site.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 specs:
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Processor: Intel Core i9-14900HX at 2.20 Ghz
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Ram: 32GB
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Drive sort: SSD
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Display screen Measurement: 18 inches
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Decision: 2560 x 1600
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Panel sort: IPS
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Refresh charge: 2560 x 1600
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Variable refresh help: G-Sync
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GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
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Graphics reminiscence: 16GB
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Wi-fi: 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
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Weight: 6.77 lbs
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OS: Home windows 11 Professional
Asus has loaded this laptop computer up with all the pieces it’s essential reach any recreation that you simply throw at it. With a gaming laptop computer like this, efficiency isn’t a problem—and it seemingly received’t be for an excellent few years. That’s a pleasant perk whenever you’re spending this a lot. The ROG Strix Scar 18 additionally comes geared up with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, in addition to a microphone port.
Plastic in every single place
Regardless of my reward of the load and the specs, there may be one facet of the ROG Strix Scar 18 I do not love: There’s simply a lot plastic. I get it; constructing a high-powered gaming laptop computer geared up with all the most recent and best {hardware} whereas balancing supplies price and weight has received to be a problem. Nevertheless, Asus depends on plastic for just about each seen part of the ROG Strix Scar 18.
Credit score: Joshua Hawkins
It’s a very disappointing transfer, particularly contemplating the prices we’re speaking about, and the truth that extra steel is utilized in different equally priced laptops, resembling the brand new MacBook Professionals. (No, the MacBook Professional isn’t precisely a “gaming machine,” however it does fall into the identical high-powered class of laptops.)
The great factor, a minimum of, is that the plastic doesn’t really feel low cost. The outside of is roofed from high to backside with RGB and each actual and pretend grilles for the cooling system. It provides the machine a singular look that screams “I’m a gamer” (which could possibly be a plus or minus, relying in your perspective). Personally, I’m enamored of less complicated, extra understated design language, however not everyone seems to be like me, and Asus has at all times tended to favor a little bit of a aptitude in relation to its ROG lineup.
These quibbles apart, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 nonetheless appears like a premium system in all of the essential methods. The keyboard is easy to sort on, and gaming on it’s a dream. Even the trackpad performs nicely, although severe players will certainly wish to go for a correct gaming mouse.
Efficiency and battery life
As you’d anticipate from a laptop computer as packed to the brim as this, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is an absolute beast. I examined it with a number of video games, together with Cyberpunk 2077, Star Citizen, and Helldivers 2, all of which carried out exceptionally nicely, which is not at all times the case—particularly with a title as resource-intensive as Star Citizen.
Credit score: Joshua Hawkins
I by no means skilled dips in efficiency whereas gaming, and I used to be simply capable of join my SteelSeries headset with out situation, permitting me to staff up with my pals on Discord. I examined on-line gaming principally by way of wifi, and the connection was at all times steady and speedy. Whereas working the Strix Scar 18 related to an exterior 4K monitor, I used to be capable of get incredible efficiency even with probably the most demanding video games.
The tradeoff for all that energy is battery life. This factor sucks up a number of juice, and when you’re not working it in one of many decrease energy modes—like balanced or energy saver—then you definately’re going to want to high up typically. Working solely on the battery, I used to be capable of play Cyberpunk 2077 for simply over two and a half hours earlier than I began having to search for an outlet. For those who actually wish to eke extra out of the battery, you’ll should fiddle with the settings—however I wished to see how onerous I might push it throughout my exams.
If you’re not gamily, the efficiency is extra typical. Our pals at PCMag have carried out an intensive breakdown of the battery, and report the machine can run for round 8 hours whenever you persist with video playback.
The underside line
When all is claimed and executed, I am very impressed with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18. Yeah, the design selections will be lower than stellar—I actually want there was extra steel within the construct—however it by no means appears like the worth tag is lower than justified both.
Battery life could possibly be higher, however that show is gorgeous, and the {hardware} packed into even the most affordable variant is greater than sufficient to maintain you gaming at top-level settings for years. Nevertheless, when you do plan to put money into a ROG Strix Scar 18, I like to recommend splurging just a little on extra RAM and extra inner storage.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 begins at $3,587 on Amazon, with the worth various based mostly in your alternative of storage and RAM.
