Asus is one of the most renowned brands in gaming laptops, right there with Alienware and other heavyweights in the field. With its TUF series and the premium ROG (Republic of Gamers) line, the Taiwanese manufacturer has something for everyone, from entry-level models to powerful machines loaded with the latest GPU and CPU technology.
Despite its premium specs, the ROG Strix Scar 16 is a portable device. Its 17-inch screen has an 144Hz to 240Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, which is adequate for a resonant experience. The battery can last for 6-8 hours with mixed use, and the fans are quiet when under load.
The Scar 16’s design has some gamer aesthetics but isn’t excessively flashy. Its lid with a prismatic design is its most distinctive feature. It catches the light and shines through tiny holes to create an effect of rainbows. The laptop’s display pivot lifts the chassis which helps improve airflow. It also slopes the keyboard towards you. Asus calls it its ErgoLift hinge.
This is a great laptop to play games, but it’s also capable of handling other processing-intensive tasks, such as video editing or image manipulation. It comes with a variety of ports – USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.0b, 3.5mm combo jack, and Gigabit Ethernet — and a dedicated SD card slot. The speakers are strong, but can distort or become loud at high volumes. You’ll need to pair them with headphones. You’ll need to delete some unwanted software, such as McAfee Personal Security or the Dolby application.