ASUS [Smartchoice] ROG Strix G16, 16″(40.64cm) FHD+ 165Hz, 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX, Gaming Laptop

When it comes to high-performance gaming laptops, ASUS has always been at the forefront, offering cutting-edge technology and exceptional build quality. The ASUS ROG Strix G16, equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, is no exception. This gaming laptop is designed to deliver top-tier performance, catering to both hardcore gamers and content creators. In this review, I’ll share my experience with the ASUS ROG Strix G16, covering all the aspects that make this laptop a formidable contender in the gaming market.

Highlight Features

Before diving into the detailed review, let’s take a quick look at some of the standout features of the ASUS ROG Strix G16:

• Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX with 14 cores (6 P-cores and 8 E-cores) and up to 4.9 GHz clock speed.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM.
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 RAM, expandable up to 32GB.
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD.
• Display: 16-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 165Hz refresh rate, IPS-level, anti-glare.
• Battery: 90WHrs 4-cell Li-ion battery.
• Weight: 2.5 kg, making it relatively lightweight for a gaming laptop.
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home with pre-installed Office Home and Student 2021.

Product Description

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a gaming laptop designed to meet the demands of modern gamers and professionals who require robust computing power. With its sleek design, powerful internals, and immersive display, the ROG Strix G16 promises an exceptional gaming experience. The Eclipse Gray color scheme gives the laptop a sophisticated and aggressive look, perfect for those who want a device that stands out without being overly flashy.

Specifications

The ROG Strix G16 boasts an impressive list of specifications that ensure it can handle even the most demanding tasks:

• Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX, 2.6 GHz base clock, up to 4.9 GHz boost clock, 24M Cache, 14 cores.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM.
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 SO-DIMM, 4800 MHz, expandable to 32GB.
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD.
• Display: 16-inch FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200) IPS-level display, 165Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, 250 nits brightness, anti-glare coating.
• Battery: 90WHrs, 4-cell Li-ion.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, 3 x USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0b, Ethernet port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port.
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home with lifetime validity.
• Dimensions: 42.5 x 33.5 x 10.6 cm.
• Weight: 2.5 kg.

Display Features

The display on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is nothing short of spectacular. The 16-inch FHD+ screen offers a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, which is particularly useful for gaming and productivity tasks. The 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, while the 7ms response time reduces motion blur, making fast-paced games more enjoyable.

The anti-glare coating on the screen is a nice touch, especially if you’re gaming or working in brightly lit environments. The display also supports 100% sRGB color gamut, making it ideal for content creation tasks such as photo and video editing.

Processor and Memory Features

The 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX processor is the heart of this machine, and it delivers outstanding performance across the board. With 14 cores (6 P-cores and 8 E-cores), this CPU can handle multiple tasks simultaneously without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or running demanding software like Adobe Premiere Pro, the ROG Strix G16 handles it all with ease.

The 16GB of DDR5 RAM further enhances the laptop’s performance, allowing for seamless multitasking and faster data processing. The RAM is expandable up to 32GB, which is more than enough for any gaming or professional workload. The 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD ensures fast boot times and quick access to your files and games.

Port and Slot Features

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 comes equipped with a comprehensive array of ports and slots to cater to all your connectivity needs. It includes three USB 3.0 ports, which are perfect for connecting peripherals like gaming mice, keyboards, and external storage devices. The HDMI 2.0b port allows you to connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV, making it easy to set up a dual-screen gaming or productivity station.

Additionally, the laptop features a USB Type-C port, which supports data transfer, display output, and charging. The Ethernet port ensures a stable and fast internet connection, which is crucial for online gaming. The 3.5mm headphone jack provides high-quality audio output, and the Wi-Fi 6 support ensures fast wireless connectivity.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a backlit chiclet keyboard with 4-zone RGB lighting. The keys are well-spaced and offer good travel, providing a comfortable typing experience. The RGB lighting can be customized using the ASUS Armoury Crate software, allowing you to personalize the lighting effects to match your gaming setup.

The touchpad is smooth and responsive, with accurate tracking and multi-touch gesture support. While most gamers prefer using a dedicated gaming mouse, the touchpad is more than adequate for everyday tasks and casual use.

Hardware and Performance

When it comes to hardware and performance, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 truly shines. The combination of the Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU makes this laptop a powerhouse for gaming and content creation. The laptop handles AAA games at high settings with ease, delivering smooth frame rates and stunning visuals.

The 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD provides fast read and write speeds, ensuring that games and applications load quickly. The 16GB DDR5 RAM ensures that multitasking is a breeze, allowing you to run multiple applications simultaneously without any lag.

The cooling system on the ROG Strix G16 is also worth mentioning. The laptop features an advanced cooling solution with multiple heat pipes and fans, ensuring that the internal components stay cool even during extended gaming sessions. This helps maintain optimal performance and prevents thermal throttling.

Noise, Heat, Connectivity, Speakers, and Others

One of the common issues with gaming laptops is noise and heat management. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 addresses these concerns with its efficient cooling system. While the laptop does get warm during intensive gaming sessions, it never becomes uncomfortably hot. The fans are relatively quiet, even when running at full speed, which is a significant improvement over some older gaming laptops.

In terms of connectivity, the ROG Strix G16 offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support, ensuring fast and stable wireless connections. The inclusion of multiple USB ports, an HDMI port, and a USB Type-C port ensures that you have all the connectivity options you need for gaming, streaming, and productivity tasks.

The laptop’s speakers are decent, offering clear and loud audio. However, as with most laptops, the bass response is somewhat lacking. For the best audio experience, especially in games, I recommend using a good pair of headphones or external speakers.

Battery Life

Battery life is often a concern with gaming laptops, but the ASUS ROG Strix G16 manages to deliver a respectable performance in this area. The laptop is equipped with a 90WHrs 4-cell Li-ion battery, which provides up to 6 hours of usage on a single charge under normal conditions. Of course, gaming will drain the battery faster, but for a gaming laptop, this battery life is quite impressive.

The laptop also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. This is particularly useful if you’re on the go and need to recharge the laptop quickly between gaming sessions or work tasks.

Key Features: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Powerful Performance: The combination of the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU ensures top-notch performance for gaming and professional tasks.
• High-Quality Display: The 16-inch FHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate delivers smooth and vibrant visuals.
• Advanced Cooling System: Keeps the laptop cool and quiet, even during intense gaming sessions.
• Ample Storage: The 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD provides fast storage with plenty of space for games and applications.
• Customizable RGB Keyboard: The 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard is both functional and visually appealing.

Cons:

• Weight: At 2.5 kg, the laptop is a bit on the heavier side, making it less portable compared to ultrabooks.
• Battery Life: While decent for a gaming laptop, the battery life could be longer, especially for non-gaming tasks.
• Audio Quality: The built-in speakers are adequate but lack depth in bass, which might disappoint audiophiles.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is an impressive gaming laptop that excels in both performance and design. It’s packed with powerful hardware, including the latest Intel processor and NVIDIA GPU, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games and applications. The high-refresh-rate display, advanced cooling system, and customizable RGB keyboard are just a few of the features that make this laptop a great choice for gamers and professionals alike.

While it’s not the most portable laptop due to its weight, the performance and features it offers more than make up for it. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop that can double as a powerful workstation, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 should be at the top of your list. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a content creator, or someone who needs a reliable machine for heavy workloads, this laptop delivers on all fronts.