ASUS has issued its updated ROG line, all complete with the latest AMD Ryzen processors. While mostly refreshes, they sport a host of quality-of-life improvements which include optimisations for cooling solutions.

But the standout member in this lineup is an oddball by gaming standards, though par for the course when you consider that ASUS is more experimental than most.

ROG Flow X13

The ROG Flow X13 seems more like a slimline laptop.

That would be the ROG Flow X13, which feels more power-user laptop than gaming laptop admittedly, but that’s down to its slim 15.8mm profile and 360-degree style hinge. It only weighs 1.3kg, much like any typical laptop. the X13 folds like any convertible laptop and works with a stylus (ASUS Pen) if you want to take notes. It’s also Pantone validated so if you’re a gamer and an artist, you’d appreciate this laptop twice as much.

But once you attach that RTX 3080, the X13 becomes a full-fledged gaming beast.

The XG Mobile is rather small for what it does.

The ROG XG Mobile, which is the eGPU unit that effectively turns the X13 into a gaming machine, is fairly small and connects via a custom PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, which ASUS says is faster (63Gbps) than Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps). The module, which also doubles up as a power brick, is also equipped with additional inputs (4x USB-A 3.2, SD card, ethernet, DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0a) to expand its usability.

Interestingly enough, you might feel inclined to use the X13 in stand or tent mode (keyboard facing outwards) while gaming because the airflow is better this way – ASUS claims it can lower temperatures by up to eight degrees. Part of it is down to a combination of new cooling tech, including liquid metal thermal compounds for more efficient heat transfer, better-designed heat pipes, and new Dual Arc Flow design fans that improve airflow without increasing noise.

It’s the yin to the yang of the Zephyrus Duo – both are essentially do-it-all, productivity and lifestyle machines with gaming roots, but with very different approaches.

ASUS ROG Flow X13. Image: ASUS

Display: 13.4″ 60Hz IPS (3,840 x 2,400) Pantone validated
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5980HS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
eGPU: XG Mobile NVIDIA GForce RTX 3080 (1810 HmHz at 150W)
RAM: 32GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 354.9 x 259.9 x 22.69-27.2 mm
Weight: 2.3kg
Price: Available now at $5,498. Also available without XG Mobile (5800HS processor, 512GB storage, 16GB RAM) for $2,548

ROG Strix Scar 15 & 17, Strix G15

The Strix Scar 15 should be the sweet spot for serious gamers

Most gamers will likely be interested in the 300Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time of the screens, which is highly desired by competitive players who appreciate every little improvement in responsiveness.

The emphasis on responsiveness can also be seen on the new optical-mechanical keyboard, which reduces debounce delay from 5ms in conventional membrane-style keyboards to 0.2ms, thanks to an infrared laser trigger. The travel distance of each key is 1.9mm to optimise feel and feedback, and the new design also sees an improvement to the lifespan of each mechanical switch, which is rated for 100 million presses. The keyboard also features CoolZone tech, which places vents around the WASD keys to keep your fingers cool.

Though you might not need it as much, mobility has been improved with a higher capacity 90Wh battery that provides about 12 hours of web browsing time on the Scar 15, while the fast charging feature lets you charge the battery up to 50 per cent in 33 minutes. Considering that you’re powering a GTX 3080, that doesn’t sound too bad.

The SCAR 15 has a see-through design that’s quite striking.

Though looks may not always be at the top of the list for gaming laptops, the Strix SCAR also features a see-through design, though interestingly enough the exposed areas have not been strategically lit with a wall of LEDs.

Strix SCAR 15
Display: 15.6″ 300Hz, 3ms IPS (1,920 x 1,080)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5900HX
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM: 32GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 354.9 x 259.9 x 22.69-27.2 mm
Weight: 2.3kg
Price: $3,598 ($4,798 for RTX 3080)

ASUS Strix SCAR 17. Image: Asus

Strix SCAR 17
Display: 17.3″ 300Hz, 3ms IPS (1,920 x 1,080)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5900HX
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM: 32GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 395 x 282 x 23.4-27.5 mm
Weight: 2.7kg
Price: $3,798, available in April

Strix G15
Display: 15.6″ 144Hz IPS (1,920 x 1,080)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5800H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 16GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 354.9 x 259.9 x 22.69-27.2 mm
Weight: 2.3kg
Availability: $2,498 in April

Zephyrus Duo 15 SE

Still the priciest ROG laptop ASUS makes.

The original was quite the beast , and yet it gets a very visible hardware update right here – the Duo gets a 4K 120Hz main display with a 3ms response time. The secondary ScreenPad Plus display tops out at 4K 60 Hz, however, but you will get more utility out of it with more apps like Adobe, FL Studio and XSplit Gamecaster optimising the secondary display to enhance usage.

The cooling system has also been updated with the new Arc Flow fans that improve airflow by up to 13 per cent, and the AMD CPUs get the liquid metal compound treatment as well. And the fact that this monster can now fast charge as well – charge up to 50 per cent in 30 minutes – is massively convenient.

Zephyrus Duo 15 SE. Image: ASUS

Display: 15.6″ 120Hz, 3ms IPS 4K UHD Pantone validated
Secondary display: 14.1″ 60Hz IPS (3,840 x 1100) touchscreen
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5900HX
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
RAM: 32GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 2x M.2 SSD slot, 2x 1TB M.2 NVMe (supports RAID 0)
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 360 x 268 x 21 mm
Weight: 2.4kg
Availability: $6,998 in April

Zephyrus G14, G15

The Zephyrus G14 is always ready to make a statement.

The slim gaming laptops of the ASUS range are still able to offer considerable performance despite their size. The G15 is equipped with a Ryzen 5900 processor and a 165Hz display. Meanwhile, the G14 is equipped with a Ryzen 5800 and paired with an RTX 3060 and 144Hz display. The G14 also features the programmable AniMe Matrix mini LED display on its shell if that’s your jam.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. Image: ASUS

Zephyrus G14
Display: 14″ 120Hz IPS (1,920 x 1,080) Pantone validated
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5800HS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM: 16GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 324 x 222 x 17.9 mm
Weight: 1.7kg
Availability: $2,898 from 17th March

Zephyrus G15
Display: 15.6″ 165Hz IPS (2,560 x 1,440)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7-5900HS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
RAM: 16GB 3200Hz DDR4
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
WiFi: Wi-Fi 6
Dimensions: 355 x 243 x 19.9 mm
Weight: 1.9kg
Availability: $2,898 from 2nd April ($3,398 for RTX 3070)