Asus introduces new laptops for gamers

As every year, it’s an all-out battle on the manufacturers’ side before the launch of CES, the annual high-tech gathering. It’s Asus’ turn to unveil the new face of the Republic Of Gamers gaming series. On the menu: the latest generation of hardware, a completely redesigned cooling solution and the generalization of the Nebula label.

The first new features apply to the entire Asus gaming catalog. The first information is about a new cooling technology called “Tri-Fan” which is a giant heatsink and fan technology. It should provide a significant benefit in heat dissipation, albeit a modest one, given the hardware they’ll be carrying (see below).

Another important development is the democratization of the Nebula standard. Recall that this is a special label that designates Mini-LED panels with high refresh rate, good color reproduction and comfortable brightness. All ROG laptops featured here will now have it.

Strix

The firm begins by announcing the Strix variety, which is at the top of the food chain in terms of raw yield. The chassis has been redesigned to accommodate large 16- and 18-inch screens in 16:10 format. The 16-inch model in particular will benefit from a new QHD Mini-LED 240 Hz screen.

As you might expect, the manufacturer didn’t do things by halves on the hardware side. These new Strixes will have the highest level of current hardware; they can be equipped with an Intel Core i9-13980 HX or the new Ryzen from AMD. On the GPU side, they can upgrade to the titanic RTX 4090. Not surprisingly, there isn’t the slightest concern on the raw performance side.

Marshmallow

With the Zephyrus series update, there’s also something new on the side of machines that are a little less flashy, but more mobile. Asus especially insists on the new Zephyrus M16 “redesigned from the ground up”.

Again we will find the new Nebula screen. In this case, it’s a QHD 240 Hz panel that can offer an incredible 1100 nits of brightness, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut.

Like the Strix, this smaller model will be able to carry the i9-13980 HX – RTX 4090 pair. Even more than the larger machines in the Strix series, this will be a very interesting test for the new device. We can’t wait to see if Asus can use this super powerful hardware without a huge performance bottleneck.

Other members of the Zephyrus family also changed their faces. It starts with the new G16, which comes with an i9-13900H and a portable RTX 4070 version. The hardware is a little less monstrous than its older brothers, but still promises to put its cooling capabilities to the test. This model will also have the new Nebula QHD 240 Hz display.

The G14 has also been updated. The 2022 edition was a great machine, and this new version looks at least as attractive with the addition of the new Nebula display. However, note that unlike the G16 model, this little thumb will be able to carry an RTX 4090. A graphics card that seems quite out of proportion for a small 14 inch machine that can currently run all AAAs. Still, the new cooling system will have to respond.

It should also be noted that Asus has updated its dual-screen laptop ROG Zephyrus Duo.

Flow

Finally, the Flow models have also been improved. For example, the small ROG Flow X13 is now equipped with an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 processor and a portable RTX 4070. This is an extremely important improvement at the graphics level.

And yet – you’ll realize that this is a recurring theme for this new generation of laptops – there’s reason to be a little skeptical; Is it really reasonable to integrate such a powerful and greedy card into such a small machine? The answer will largely depend on temperature management and battery life.

The Flow Z13, by comparison, feels more balanced; its new RTX 4060 seems more suited to a 13-inch machine. And since the new Nebula has a QHD display, it’s a pretty interesting looking model.

The patriarch of this new Flow range will be the X16 equipped with i9-13900H and RTX 4070 Portable. Its Nebula HDR Mini LED touchscreen is enhanced with 1100 nits maximum brightness and 240 Hz refresh rate.

Notably, these three devices are also equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass DXC coating, a special coating that increases hardness by 40%, significantly reducing surface reflections. Good news for those who tend to struggle with light.

Finally, this Flow 2023 family is also accompanied by the new ROG XG Mobile. As a reminder, this is an eGPU that can be attached to a relatively modest laptop to boost graphics performance to the level of a very high-end desktop computer. This new version will be eligible for RTX 4090; enough to turn any ROG laptop into a true racing beast.

Availability and pricing of these products have not yet been announced; at least we’ll have to wait until the official announcement at CES.