As a gaming laptop, it’s no surprise that it boasts a unique, strong exterior along with top-notch specifications. The Asus Rog Strix G18 is the latest gaming laptop from Asus, equipped with a potent Intel 13th Gen processor and a dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4000-series graphics card, offering a leading-edge configuration that smoothly handles even the most demanding games and complex tasks.
If you still need to decide about the advantages of the Asus Rog Strix G18 and whether it’s the best gaming laptop to buy right now, join us as we delve into a detailed review with some of its key highlights!
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Table of Contents
ASUS ROG Strix G18 Specs And Features
- Model name: ASUS ROG Strix Gaming Laptop
- Processor: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- Graphics Coprocessor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- Display: 18-inch QHD
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- RAM: 64GB DDR5
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Hard Drive: 2TB SSD
- Webcam: 720p
- Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 3 x USB-A 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Headset (headphone and microphone combo), 1x RJ45 Ethernet port.
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Battery: 90 wHr
- Dimensions: 15.71 x 1.21 x 11.57 inches
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Price: $3199.99
Design and Exterior
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 continues to be an icon of uniqueness in the ROG product line. With its sharp frame design, unique RGB highlights, and a gaming experience unlike any other, the Strix G18 stands out independently in the crowd. Compared to the Scar 2022, the Strix SCAR 2023 edition is special with its rear RGB LED strip, creating an image like a powerful beacon for the Asus ROG Strix G18.
Originating from its distinctiveness, the ASUS ROG Strix G18 does not follow the common “aggressive” design of gaming laptops. Instead, it brings a sporty and versatile design with three different color options, creating aesthetic and stylish highlights for users. The bold gaming style of the ASUS ROG laptop series reflects not only power but also sophistication, without being overly ornate while still exuding the essence of true strength.
Performance
The Asus ROG Strix G18 showcases its prowess beyond gaming with its high-end capabilities in handling video encoding and file transfers. Equipped with the robust Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, it topped the Geekbench 5.5 multi-core benchmark test with a score of 18,568, surpassing the Alienware m18 and Razer Blade 18, which scored 18,070 and 14,070 respectively.
In terms of file transfer speed, the ROG Strix G18 demonstrated a fast rate of 1,178 MBps in the 25GB file copy test. However, it was slightly outperformed by its competitors, with the Alienware m18 and Razer Blade 18 showing faster transfer rates.
The laptop’s video encoding efficiency was tested using Handbrake, where it transcoded a 4K video to 1080p resolution in just 2 minutes and 52 seconds. This was marginally slower than the m18’s 2 minutes and 35 seconds but significantly quicker than the Razer Blade 18, which took 4 minutes and 56 seconds.
Gaming performance is where the ROG Strix G18 really shines. It is positioned as a gaming beast, offering a sweet spot between performance and price. For instance, in the gaming benchmark for titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Grand Theft Auto V, the ROG Strix G18 managed to deliver above 90 fps at 1080p, showcasing its capability as a reliable gaming rig. Although it does not always maintain the 60 fps mark at maximum settings, reducing resolution and detail slightly yields a visually stunning experience with a steadier framerate.
The Asus ROG Strix G18 holds its ground well, proving that it can deliver a high level of gaming performance at a more accessible price point. The performance statistics confirm that the Asus ROG Strix G18 is not only a formidable contender in the realm of gaming laptops but also a versatile performer for a range of demanding computing tasks.
Display & Audio
The Asus ROG Strix G18 features a large 18-inch screen with a perfect 16:10 aspect ratio, offering a more comfortable viewing angle for users. The high resolution of 2560 x 1600 and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, along with a brightness of 500 nits, provide significantly sharp and true-to-life image quality. A refresh rate of 240 Hz ensures excellent image quality and smooth, accurate display in high-resolution, fast-response games. This allows gamers to have a better gaming experience, avoiding lag and stutter during gameplay. The ultra-wide 100% DCI-P3 color coverage helps you create graphic products with minimal color deviation.
Regarding sound quality, it is average; in most games and videos, the dual-speaker system still manages to provide a fairly good cinematic experience. It supports Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio, which adds richness and sophistication to movies and games.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard has a spacious layout, including a full-sized numeric keypad and full-sized arrow keys. It is also equipped with an LED lighting system, featuring stunning per-key RGB effects. This makes the typing experience more enjoyable and increases accuracy when working or playing in low-light conditions. The standard keyboard of the device has a good bounce, providing a comfortable and smooth typing experience, which enhances the ability to glide over keys when gaming and working.
Users can enjoy improved comfort and daily usability with the touchpad, which is over 10% larger than the previous generation. This provides more space for better control and cursor movement. The surface of the touchpad is coated with a layer of glass, reducing friction for all your hand movements, and ensuring an optimally smooth experience.
Ports
The Asus ROG Strix is equipped with various connectivity technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, providing high-speed wireless connectivity for online gaming activities. Additionally, the device integrates multiple ports including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI, USB 3.2, LAN (RJ45), and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, offering versatility and convenience for connecting various devices.
Specifically, gamers will find I/O options with both types of USB ports available and enough slots to plug in 4 devices. The addition of a Thunderbolt 4 port is also an interesting feature, meaning gamers can quickly transfer large game files at speeds up to 40Gbps (gigabits per second), instead of sitting and waiting for their games to download on Steam.
For video or game display, the G18 also gives you multiple options. The Thunderbolt 4 port allows you to stream video to two 4K displays or a single 8K display at a 60Hz refresh rate, or you can also use the laptop’s HDMI 2.1 port.
Webcam
The laptop is equipped with a modest 720p webcam instead of the more desirable 1080p. While it delivers adequate performance, it falls short of being exceptional, with some images occasionally appearing blurry. This aspect could be a slight drawback for users who prioritize high-quality video calls or content creation, where sharper image clarity is essential.
Battery
The Asus ROG Strix G18 serves as a prime example of the balance between high performance and battery life in the premium gaming laptop segment. When gaming, the device maintains power for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes after a full charge, a fairly common outcome compared to similar models like the ROG Strix Scar 18 and Razer Blade.
However, for everyday tasks such as web browsing at medium screen brightness, the ROG Strix G18 demonstrates its superiority with an impressive battery life of about 7 hours and 20 minutes. This surpasses both the Alienware m18 and the Razer Blade 18, as well as its sibling, the ROG Strix Scar 18.
While the laptop operates quite smoothly when running resource-intensive games and demanding computational tasks, its heat dissipation is a concern. The laptop can reach high temperatures, specifically 131.7 degrees on the rear-left underside during testing with Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition. Therefore, users should consider placing it on a desk rather than directly on their laps.
Conclusion
Through a detailed review of the Asus ROG Strix G18 laptop, I find it to be one of Asus’s premium and high-class laptop lines, promising to deliver distinctive experiences for users. With its superior advantages characteristic of the Asus ROG G18 gaming laptop series, this laptop has successfully reinforced its brand and secured a strong position in the gaming laptop market. Therefore, choosing an Asus ROG G18 is not only an investment in an excellent product but also an opportunity to experience the exclusive privileges and outstanding performance it offers.
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