ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) overview: Not only for avid gamers

ASUS’ newest is an extremely versatile and classy all-rounder. However for many who need one thing even beefier, there’s the . Not solely does it characteristic a extra highly effective Intel Core Extremely 9 CPU, it helps as much as NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics playing cards. That’s not all. Its OLED show refreshes twice as quick at 240Hz and it has surprisingly good audio system in addition to a full-size SD card reader for rapidly transferring recordsdata from a digital camera. So regardless of being geared toward avid gamers, the G16 is healthier geared up to function a conveyable modifying rig, which makes this a terrific system even for individuals who don’t care about bunny-hopping and fragging.

Design

The G16’s new all-aluminum chassis is just incredible. That’s as a result of along with being a contact lighter (about 0.1 kilos) and thinner (about 0.2 inches) than the earlier mannequin, it feels even sturdier. For 2024, ASUS ditched the dot matrix show on its lid for a single diagonal slash with white (not RGB) LEDs working down the middle, which supplies the laptop computer a way more refined look with out changing into boring. It’s like a young person who grew up and realized to decorate correctly with out dropping contact with their gamer roots. On the within, there’s a backlit keyboard with rainbow lighting (although it’s single-zone and never per-key) flanked by some surprisingly punchy audio system with a fully huge touchpad under. All instructed, it’s a fantastically designed system that appears pretty much as good because it feels.

ASUS has additionally included the proper mix of connectivity choices. The G16 options two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A slots, two USB-C ports (one among which helps Thunderbolt 4), HDMI 2.1, a full-size SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack. That is the form of association that allows you to journey freely without having to fret about further dongles or adapters. Plus, because of ASUS’ new Slim Energy Jack, you don’t should hog some other ports whereas charging. And in a pinch, you too can juice up the G16 by way of USB-C, albeit at slower speeds (as much as round 100 watts) than with the included 240-watt brick.

Show

The G16’s 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600) OLED display is likely to be the very best part right here. It’s vivid and helps an enormous coloration gamut (one hundred pc of DCI-P3), whereas its 240Hz refresh charge makes it nice even for avid gamers trying to squeeze out each final aggressive benefit. Although brightness is simply common at round 400 nits in normal definition mode or 450 nits in HDR, I didn’t actually have any bother seeing the display except the G16 was in direct daylight. One final bonus for photograph and video editors is that ASUS does embody a couple of calibrated viewing modes in its Armoy Crate app for sRGB, D65 P3 and DCI-P3 so you’ll be able to extra precisely regulate hues or coloration grade footage.

Efficiency

The G16’s efficiency is fairly stable because of an Intel Core extremely 9 195H CPU, as much as 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage and NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics. Nevertheless, right here’s the place some trade-offs for the G16’s slim chassis consider. In comparison with similarly-sized rivals just like the , the G16 includes a decrease general TDP (complete machine energy), which suggests even when they seem to have the identical listed parts, there’s nonetheless a distinction in capabilities. For instance, on our overview unit with an RTX 4080, the quantity of energy despatched to the GPU caps out at 115 watts versus 175 watts for the Razer. The G16’s RAM can be soldered in, so you’ll be able to’t add extra post-purchase.

In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p and extremely graphics with ray-tracing on, the G16 hit 68 fps, which is simply barely forward of what we noticed from a smaller (66 fps), regardless of the latter having a decrease tier RTX 4070 however with an identical wattage. That mentioned, these figures are greater than ample to maintain AAA video games working easily. And let’s not overlook that the Blade 14 mannequin I referenced prices $2,700, which is similar value as our G16 overview unit. This makes it an apt comparability even when Razer’s laptop computer has a smaller footprint.

Battery life

One of many principal benefits of a bigger system is having further room for an even bigger battery. On PCMark 10’s Open Workplace rundown take a look at, the G16 lasted 9 hours and 17 minutes versus simply 5:12 for the smaller G14. That’s a stable mark contemplating it’s additionally higher than an (8:31) we reviewed. Nevertheless, general longevity depends upon your workload, as a result of once I ran the battery take a look at a second time solely utilizing the GPU as an alternative of counting on NVIDIA’s Optimus graphic switching characteristic, that point dropped to only 3:08. Which means the system will final all day should you’re utilizing fundamental productiveness app, however for extra demanding duties like gaming or video modifying, you’ll wish to preserve ASUS’ 240-watt energy brick shut by.

Wrap-up

Similar to its smaller sibling, is an nearly very best thin-and-light gaming laptop computer. It’s bought a smooth all-aluminum construct, a stunning 240Hz OLED show and longer battery life. Granted, it won’t be fairly as highly effective as a few of its rivals because of lower-wattage parts, however it’s nonetheless bought sufficient oomph to deal with virtually something you’ll be able to throw at it. And because of a full-size SD card reader, it makes for a fair higher moveable modifying workstation. However most significantly, with a beginning value of $1,750, the G16 is extra approachable than lots of its high-end (and bulkier) opponents, which makes it a terrific decide for individuals who desire a bigger system that received’t weigh them down.