ASUS ROG Strix laptops just got serious: should you upgrade now?

ASUS quietly turned its ROG Strix gaming laptops into desktop-level rigs with RTX 40-series power, faster screens, and cooler thermals. But which model actually makes sense in the US right now, and what are reviewers really saying?

If you have been waiting for a gaming laptop that finally feels as fast as your desktop without sounding like a jet engine, the latest ASUS ROG Strix lineup is exactly where you should be looking. Bottom line up front: the 2024 ROG Strix G16, G18, Scar 16, and Scar 18 are landing in US stores with serious RTX 40-series GPUs, new Intel and AMD chips, and some of the best 16:10 displays you can get on a gaming notebook.

You get desktop-class performance in a machine you can still throw in a backpack, plus higher refresh rates for competitive play, quieter fans, and better battery life than older Strix generations. If you are eyeing a new gaming PC this year, you will want to understand how these machines stack up before you spend a dollar.

What users need to know now: which Strix model actually fits your budget and play style, and which ones reviewers say to skip.

Analysis: Whats behind the hype

The ROG Strix name covers several closely related performance laptops, but in US retail right now the spotlight is on four core families:

• ROG Strix G16 / G18 - the more affordable performance line, great for mainstream PC gamers and students who also want a work machine.
• ROG Strix Scar 16 / Scar 18 - the halo models, tuned for esports and creators, with higher-end displays and more aggressive cooling.

Across recent reviews from outlets like PCMag, Toms Hardware, and YouTube channels such as JarrodsTech and GizmoSlipTech, there is clear consensus: ASUS is pushing performance and thermals harder than most competitors in this price tier. The bigger 16:10 panels give you more vertical space not only for games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Apex Legends, but also for timelines in Premiere Pro or complex Excel work.

To keep things concrete, here is a snapshot of the kind of configuration US buyers are actually seeing on Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon right now. Exact specs and prices vary per SKU, so treat this as a representative example, not a universal template.

Model (example US config)	CPU	GPU	Display	Memory & Storage	Typical US street price*
ROG Strix G16 (2024)	Intel Core i7 or i9 14th Gen	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or 4070 Laptop GPU	16-inch, 16:10, up to QHD+ 240 Hz	16 to 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD	Commonly around mid to high USD 1,000s depending on config
ROG Strix G18 (2024)	Intel Core i9 14th Gen	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 or 4080 Laptop GPU	18-inch, 16:10, high-refresh IPS or mini-LED on select SKUs	32 GB RAM, 1 to 2 TB SSD	Typically somewhere in the low to mid USD 2,000s range
ROG Strix Scar 16 (2024)	Intel Core i9 14th Gen	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090 Laptop GPU	16-inch Nebula HDR, QHD+ ~240 Hz, mini-LED	32 GB RAM, 1 to 2 TB SSD	Generally falls in the mid to high USD 2,000s and above
ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024)	Intel Core i9 14th Gen	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090 Laptop GPU	18-inch, 16:10, fast QHD+ (select SKUs with premium panels)	32 GB RAM, 1 to 2 TB SSD	Often in the upper USD 2,000s to USD 3,000s+ tier

*Prices vary by retailer and configuration and change frequently in the US market. Always check current listings for up-to-date pricing.

US availability is generally strong: Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, and ASUSs own US storefront are carrying multiple ROG Strix SKUs right now. What matters is matching your use case to the specific GPU tier and screen, not just chasing the most RGB lighting.

Performance priorities: FPS, thermals, and noise

Reviewers who have tested the RTX 4060 and 4070-based Strix G16 models call them some of the strongest midrange gaming laptops of this cycle. In current AAA titles at 1440p with high settings, frame rates are consistently strong enough to drive the 240 Hz class panels for fast-paced shooters if you lean on DLSS or comparable upscaling.

Jump to the Scar models with RTX 4080 or 4090 and you are realistically in desktop-replacement territory. Benchmarks from outlets like Toms Hardware have shown performance that rivals or beats many older desktop RTX 3080 rigs, particularly when the laptop is plugged into wall power and profiles are set to Turbo or a custom performance mode.

The trade-off is thermals and fan noise. Users on Reddits r/GamingLaptops and r/ASUS have been mostly positive about temperatures under heavy load, calling the 2024 Strix chassis a noticeable step up over earlier generations. However, in Turbo mode you should still expect clearly audible fans. Balanced or Performance modes give a more reasonable noise profile while still keeping frames high enough for smooth gameplay.

Display: why 16:10 matters more than you think

One of the subtle but important upgrades in modern ROG Strix laptops is the shift to taller 16:10 displays. The added vertical space genuinely changes how the machine feels in daily use: you see more of web pages, code, and documents without constant scrolling.

For gamers, the move to QHD+ (2560 x 1600 class) with 240 Hz on many SKUs gives both sharpness and speed. Reviews consistently praise the Scar models with Nebula HDR mini-LED panels for high brightness and punchy contrast, making them stand out for HDR gaming and Netflix.

Color coverage on the Nebula panels is also good enough for creators who need to grade video or edit photos, which is a common reason US buyers pick the Scar 16 over a cheaper G16.

Keyboard, trackpad, and build: RGB with some caveats

Across YouTube and written reviews, the Strix keyboard gets strong feedback: deep key travel, clear actuation, and dedicated media keys that are surprisingly handy for quick volume changes on Discord calls. Full per-key RGB and an RGB light bar along the chassis edge are very much on-brand if you like that esports aesthetic.

Build quality is described as solid but not ultrabook-premium. There is some flex if you go hunting for it, and the all-plastic sections do not feel as tank-like as some metal-heavy competitors, but nothing stands out as a structural red flag. The bigger 18-inch models are undeniably bulky, so if you commute or travel frequently, the 16-inch options are easier to live with.

One common user note from US owners: the trackpad is large and accurate, but most gamers will be on a mouse 99 percent of the time anyway. It is more than good enough for productivity work in a coffee shop.

Ports, connectivity, and upgradability

Modern Strix laptops are well-equipped on ports. Typical US configs include multiple USB-A ports, at least one USB-C with DisplayPort support, HDMI out, Ethernet, and a combo audio jack. High refresh external monitors at 1440p and 4K are no problem as long as you use the right port for the dGPU path when available.

Wi-Fi 6E or better is standard in current models, and Bluetooth is there for controllers and headsets. Crucially, RAM and storage are often at least partially upgradable, so you are not totally locked into the configuration you buy on day one. Many US buyers are grabbing a 16 GB SKU and adding another stick themselves later, according to Reddit threads and forum guides.

Battery life: acceptable, not amazing

No one buys a ROG Strix for battery life alone, and reviewers are aligned on this. In mixed use like web browsing, video, and light productivity, 5 to 7 hours is common on the 16-inch models when you let the system switch to integrated graphics and lower-refresh modes.

Start gaming on battery and that number drops quickly. Serious play sessions will still demand a power outlet, which is standard for this category. If you need true all-day unplugged performance, a lighter productivity-focused laptop and a desktop GPU may still be a better combo.

How it fits in the US market

In the United States, the ROG Strix series is competing directly with machines like the Lenovo Legion Pro, MSI Raider, and Alienware x16 and m18. Based on recent price tracking and review roundups, ASUS is hitting a strong balance of raw FPS, display quality, and thermals at each price tier.

US buyers benefit from decent retailer variety: you can find exclusive SKUs at Best Buy with specific GPU and storage combinations, while Amazon frequently runs temporary discounts that bring midrange Strix G16 models into more affordable territory. ASUSs US warranty support and regional firmware updates also make a difference compared with importing a configuration meant for another market.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Across major US and international outlets, the ROG Strix series is landing in a very good place for 2024 buyers. The Scar 16 and Scar 18 in particular are widely praised for combining top-tier GPUs with bright, fast displays and stronger cooling than many direct rivals.

What experts like:

• Performance headroom - RTX 40-series GPUs and current-gen Intel or AMD CPUs give you high frame rates today with room for more demanding titles tomorrow.
• Excellent displays - 16:10 QHD+ panels, especially the Nebula HDR variants, are standouts for both gaming and content creation.
• Thermals and tuning options - multiple performance profiles let you choose between maximum FPS or a quieter experience.
• Port selection and upgradability - good range of I/O and the ability to upgrade RAM and storage on many SKUs.
• Value at each tier - midrange G16 configs in particular often undercut competitors at similar performance levels.

What experts and users criticize:

• Bulk and weight - especially on the 18-inch models, portability takes a back seat to performance.
• Fan noise in Turbo - manageable but clearly audible under sustained heavy load, which is common for this class.
• Battery life - fine for mixed use but not a strong point for long unplugged sessions.
• Design language - the loud RGB and gaming aesthetic might not fit every professional environment.

If you are in the US and primarily care about smooth, competitive gaming with some content creation on the side, a well-specced ROG Strix G16 or G18 is one of the safest buys this generation as long as you are okay with the size. If you want the absolute best screen and highest GPU tiers available in a laptop without going fully custom, the Scar 16 and Scar 18 sit right at the top of the recommendation lists from many reviewers.

The key is not to buy purely based on the ROG Strix name, but to lock in the exact GPU, display resolution, and refresh rate that match how you actually play and work. Do that, and the latest ASUS ROG Strix laptops deliver the desktop-class performance jump many US gamers have been waiting for.