The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 is a colossal, flashy creation that embodies gaming extravagance. Adorned with RGB lighting, it unmistakably declares, ‘I’m a gamer.’
I am a gamer—have been one all my life—and experiencing powerful yet pricey devices has been interesting, to say the least. As a console gamer primarily, I find it fascinating to see how the PC gaming laptop is constantly evolving.
Price
Before delving into the laptop's specifics, let's address the price tag. Positioned in the premium segment, the Strix SCAR 16 starts at ₹2,89,990 in India, featuring the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB VRAM. An upgraded variant, equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU boasting 16GB VRAM, commands a price of ₹3,29,990.
Design and Display
ASUS excels, as it always does, in the design department with the Strix SCAR 16. The laptop's exterior showcases a matte-finish, aluminium-lidded masterpiece featuring an RGB backlit ROG logo. The chassis, constructed from durable plastic, maintains a cool touch and exhibits robust build quality. The translucent keyboard deck, customisable RGB backlighting, and enlarged glass trackpad contribute to an aesthetically pleasing design.
The laptop's 16-inch mini LED panel impresses with QHD+ resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, HDR support, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a rich colour gamut. Boasting TUV Rheinland certification and Pantone validation, the display delivers deep blacks, vivid colours, and exceptional brightness, making it ideal for both gaming and content creation.
Specifications and Software
Under the hood, the Strix SCAR 16 houses the 14th-gen Intel Core i9 14900HX processor. The base configuration includes 32GB DDR5 RAM, expandable up to 64GB, and a 2TB PCIE Gen4 performance SSD. Connectivity options abound, with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2, and dual USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports. The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 11 and features ASUS ROG software like Armoury Crate, Aura Creator, and MyAsus for comprehensive system control and RGB customisation.
Performance and Gaming
The laptop's true strength lies in its exceptional gaming performance and efficient cooling system. Equipped with either the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 GPU, the ROG Strix SCAR 16 delivers smooth gameplay and impressive frame rates even during extended sessions. The inclusion of three fans and a liquid metal thermal paste ensures effective heat dissipation.
Speakers, Camera, Touchpad, and Keyboard
While the laptop excels in gaming performance, its speakers fall short of expectations, lacking in volume and bass. The 720p web camera proves outdated and subpar. On a brighter note, the touchpad functions well, supporting multi-touch gestures, and the keyboard, offering 2mm key travel, proves comfortable for extended use.
Battery Life
As expected from a gaming laptop, battery life is limited, with the 90Wh battery lasting approximately two hours during regular tasks. However, the rapid-charging capability allows the laptop to reach 50% in just 30 minutes.
In conclusion
Priced at ₹3,00,000, the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 (2024) stands as an outstanding choice for gamers seeking a high-end, portable gaming experience. While its bulky form may hinder mobility, the laptop's performance, cooling, and feature-rich design make it a worthy investment, potentially replacing the need for a dedicated gaming PC.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
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