Asus is one of the top names in gaming laptops, right up there with Alienware and other industry heavyweights. With its TUF series and the premium ROG (Republic of Gamers) line, the Taiwanese manufacturer has something for everyone from entry-level models to high-end models packed with the latest GPU and CPU technology.
Despite its high-end specs, the ROG Strix Scar 16 is a portable device. Its 17-inch screen features a 144Hz-240Hz refresh rate, and comes with 1080p resolution, which is sufficient to provide an immersive experience. The battery can last for 6-8 hours of multi-use and its fans don’t sound too loud, even under load.
The Scar 16 has a design that’s a little gamer-like but not too flashy. Its most notable characteristic is its prismatic lid, which is able to catch light and shine it through 8,279 tiny holes for a rainbow-like appearance. The hinge that displays the laptop’s display lifts the back of its chassis, which increases airflow and allows the keyboard to slope towards you. Asus calls it the ErgoLift hinge.
This laptop is ideal for gaming, but can be used for other tasks that require processing like editing video or image manipulating. It’s got plenty of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.0b, 3.5mm combo jack, and Gigabit Ethernet — plus a dedicated SD card slot. Its speakers are loud but they can be noisy and distort when you play them at high volumes and you’ll likely prefer to pair it up with headphones. It’s necessary to eliminate unwanted software, for instance McAfee Personal Security or the Dolby app.