My admiration for gaming laptops has persisted since I first owned one nearly ten years ago, the Alienware M11x. These machines offer unique power but often come with high price tags. Over the years, I’ve owned several gaming laptops, predominantly from Alienware, and have also invested significant time in constructing gaming PCs. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 brings back memories of those late-night gaming sessions. This model is not only impressive in appearance but also excels in performance, complete with RGB lighting that unmistakably announces its gaming credentials.
As a lifelong PC gamer, having access to a premium gaming laptop filled with desirable features is a pleasure. After using the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 for more than a week, here is my perspective.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Pricing in India
Before diving into the features of this laptop, let’s address its price. High-end gaming laptops tend to be costly, and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is no exception, starting at Rs. 2,89,990 in India. This base model includes the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU with 12GB VRAM. Additionally, there is an option featuring the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB VRAM, which is priced at Rs. 3,29,990.
The review focuses on the base variant equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, available in a sleek black matte finish.
In the package, you will find a 330W charging adapter that is relatively hefty compared to many other lightweight laptops, along with a user guide and a customizable Armour cap.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Design and Display
The design of the ROG Strix Scar 16 is commendable. The lid features an RGB backlit ROG logo and boasts a distinctive slash design with “Republic of Gamers” emblazoned on it. Constructed from aluminum with a matte finish, the lid presents a stealthy aesthetic, though it can attract dust and fingerprints, which are easily wiped away. The chassis is made from lightweight, robust plastic to help maintain a cool surface temperature. The keyboard and lid demonstrate minimal flex, indicating strong build quality.
Upon opening, the laptop unveils a translucent design on the keyboard deck, revealing parts of the internals at the top, transitioning to a solid opacity as it reaches the touchpad. The tenkeyless keyboard features 2mm key travel, customizable RGB backlighting, and five programmable macro keys. The touchpad is larger than in the previous version, providing a comfortable experience and incorporating a ‘touch Numpad’ feature.
Conveniently, the power button is positioned at the top right. The sturdy display hinges function flawlessly, allowing easy lid operation. The laptop features slim bezels, with a slightly thicker lower chin. A webcam, discreetly housed within its bezel, is centered at the top of the display.
For lighting, an RGB strip wraps around the edges of the laptop, and additional RGB zones are situated behind the keyboard deck. These lighting features can be managed via the Aura Sync application, enabling users to turn lights on or off and adjust brightness through the app or a keyboard toggle.
Regarding upgradeability, the bottom panel is easy to remove, allowing upgrades to both RAM and storage. The bottom panel also offers excellent ventilation for the cooling system, which is emphasized by ROG branding. The laptop’s aesthetics are appealing from all angles.
Next, let’s discuss the display. The ROG Strix Scar 16 features a new 16-inch mini LED panel, boasting double the dimming zones compared to its predecessor. It offers a QHD+ resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, HDR support, and a 240Hz refresh rate, alongside a 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut, 2048 dimming zones, a 3ms response time, and 500 nits brightness. G-Sync and Dolby Vision compatibility are also included. This display excels in delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors, making it a delight for both gaming and movie-watching. Additionally, it holds TUV Rheinland certification and is Pantone-validated for color accuracy, ideal for video editing.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Specifications and Software
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is robust in specifications, featuring the 14th generation Intel Core i9 14900HX processor. Users can choose between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB DDR6 VRAM or the RTX 4080 with 12GB DDR6 VRAM, with both options supporting a maximum TGP of 175W.
The laptop is equipped with 32GB (16GB x 2) DDR5 RAM clocked at 5,600MHz, which can be expanded up to 64GB. For storage, it features a 2TB PCIe Gen4 performance SSD and includes two additional PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots supporting up to 4TB of storage.
Connection options are ample, but content creators may find the lack of a card slot limiting. On the left side, there is a Thunderbolt 4 port with DP 1.4 and G-Sync support, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with 100W PD support, an HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ-45 LAN port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and the power input. On the right side, there are dual USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports. Additionally, the laptop supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Furthermore, the laptop is equipped with a 720p web camera, four speakers supporting Dolby Atmos, and a 90Wh 4-cell Li-ion battery.
In terms of software, the laptop comes with Windows 11 pre-installed and offers various Asus ROG applications, including Armoury Crate, MyAsus, and Aura Creator for RGB control. Armoury Crate functions as a central hub, allowing users to adjust CPU and GPU performance, lighting, and more. It also provides multiple operating modes. Additionally, the Aura Creator app enables further customization of the RGB lighting, while MyAsus provides options for checking system health, warranty status, updates, and more.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Performance and Gaming
Performance is crucial in a gaming laptop, and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 excels in this domain. It combines high-quality hardware with an efficient cooling system to maintain optimal performance during extended gaming sessions.
Although I did not conduct extensive benchmark tests, I played a demanding AAA title for a couple of hours and enjoyed smooth gameplay without any lag. Playing Marvel’s Spider-Man on ultra-high settings at QHD+ resolution consistently yielded 60+ frames per second. For optimal performance during gaming, it’s advisable to keep the laptop plugged in. The fans engage instantly upon launching a game, producing noticeable noise but effectively cooling the keyboard area. The exhaust vents are situated on the sides, supplemented by a large heatsink at the back, with airflow intake distributed across the device.
Asus has incorporated three fans into the design and utilized Conductonaut Extreme Liquid Metal thermal paste, which provides significantly enhanced thermal conductivity. This innovative cooling solution ensures that the laptop remains operational without overheating, delivering maximum frame rates even under prolonged load. While specific benchmark results are available online, it’s evident that the ROG Strix Scar 16 holds up against its competition with aplomb.
Overall, gaming on this laptop is highly enjoyable, thanks to its robust performance. The ROG Strix Scar 16 can handle virtually any game you choose to play, making it a formidable option for gamers.
The capabilities of the Intel Core i9 14900HX processor also lend themselves well to tasks such as video editing, providing excellent performance across various applications.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Speakers, Camera, Touchpad, and Keyboard
While the ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 impresses with its gaming capabilities, the same cannot be said for its audio and camera performance.
Although it is equipped with four speakers, they lack volume and depth, failing to deliver the powerful sound expected from such a premium device. Despite supporting Dolby Atmos, the audio quality is not remarkable, especially when compared to competitors. Even my older MacBook Air M1 outperforms the ROG Strix Scar 16 in terms of loudness and bass. While adequate, the sound experience does not match the price point of the laptop.
The 720p webcam leaves much to be desired, showing signs of being dated. Many users may question the lack of a more advanced camera, especially considering the laptop’s price tag. The images and videos captured by the built-in webcam appear grainy and lacking detail.
The touchpad operates well and supports multi-touch gestures, though many gamers will prefer using a mouse during gameplay. It serves well for tasks outside gaming, particularly in the absence of a dedicated mouse.
The keyboard design offers a pleasant typing experience, featuring 2mm key travel and adequate spacing between keys. Although I am typically not fond of laptop keyboards, this one allowed me to write the entirety of this review comfortably. Additionally, five customizable macro keys are conveniently located on the top left, accessible through the Armoury Crate application.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Battery Life
Given that this is a gaming laptop, high battery life should not be an expectation. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 features a 90Wh battery that lasts approximately two hours for casual tasks. When gaming, the battery life diminishes to around 45 minutes. This is acceptable, as the laptop is primarily designed for desktop use, typically plugged into a power source. The included 330W adapter charges the laptop to 50 percent in a mere 30 minutes, although it requires a hefty socket typically used for larger appliances. The laptop also supports 100W PD charging via the USB Type-C port.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 Review: Conclusion
If you have around Rs. 3,00,000 to invest in a high-end gaming laptop that remains portable, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2024 is an outstanding choice. While alternatives may arise from Lenovo, Alienware, and MSI with comparable specifications, the primary differentiating factor will be performance, particularly cooling capabilities.
Although the laptop weighs nearly 2.7 kg and may not easily fit in standard backpacks, its portability allows for gaming anywhere. However, it seems Asus envisions this model as a centralized system for desktop use. Without a doubt, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is a powerhouse capable of replacing a high-end gaming desktop setup.
