ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) Review: A Deep Dive

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) is an intriguing addition to the gaming laptop market, aiming to strike a balance between performance, design, and portability. In this review, we will explore its features, specifications, pros and cons, and how it stacks up against its competitors.

Design and Build Quality

The ROG Zephyrus G16 stands out with its sleek and thin design, measuring just 14 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches and weighing approximately 4 pounds. This makes it exceptionally portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop, allowing gamers to take it on the go without much hassle. The chassis is made from an aluminum alloy that exudes a premium feel, enhanced by a striking design, including a reflective diagonal line across the lid that lights up when the laptop is in use.

However, the keyboard design might leave some users wanting more. The keyboard feels cramped due to design choices that allocate space for the audio system, causing smaller arrow keys and an uncomfortable typing experience. Also, while the overall design is appealing, the hinges’ weakness may lead to a wobbly screen when raised.

Display

One of the standout features of the Zephyrus G16 is its 16-inch OLED display, boasting a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels with a 240Hz refresh rate. The display is lauded for its stunning color depth and brightness, achieving 388 nits. This is particularly beneficial for both gaming and media consumption, as the rich colors and deep blacks provided by the OLED technology enhance the visual experience.

In terms of color reproduction, the G16 covers 78% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which is slightly below the gaming laptop average, but not significantly . This display allows for an immersive experience, making games and videos look vivid and engaging.

Performance

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 is equipped with powerful hardware options, depending on the model chosen. The reviewed configuration features an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD ensure that multitasking and loading times are optimized, providing a solid gaming experience for most modern titles.

However, the performance can be a mixed bag. While it achieves impressive multi-core performance scores on benchmarks, in gaming scenarios such as Elden Ring: Shadows of the Erdtree and Cyberpunk 2077, frame rates can drop below competitive levels, particularly under max settings. For example, it manages an average of 40 fps in Elden Ring, which some users might find disappointing compared to similar models.

Battery Life

In terms of battery performance, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 does not excel. It achieved 4 hours and 46 minutes on continuous web browsing tests, which is average for gaming laptops but still less than desirable for users who need extended usage away from an outlet. Compared to competitors like the Razer Blade 14, which can reach over 6 hours, the G16 falls short in this vital area.

Audio and Connectivity

Audio performance is adequate, featuring a solid speaker system capable of delivering clear sound during gaming and movie playback. However, the audio clarity can diminish during music playback, leading to a less balanced sound experience. The laptop’s fan noise can also intrude during quiet moments, adding a layer of distraction.

In terms of connectivity, the G16 features a reasonable selection of ports including Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, and an audio jack on one side, and a microSD slot along with additional USB ports on the other side. However, the limited number of ports might be a drawback for users who require more extensive connectivity options.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Stunning OLED Display: The vivid color depth and high refresh rate make it a pleasure for gaming and multimedia viewing.
2. Sleek and Lightweight Design: Highly portable for a gaming laptop.
3. Solid Audio Performance: Delivers clear sound during gaming and media playback.
4. Strong Processor Performance: High benchmark scores, particularly in multi-core tasks.

Cons:

1. Weak Gaming Performance: Frame rates can be lower than competitors in demanding games.
2. Battery Life: Below average, struggling to last through extended sessions away from a power source

What are the performance specifications of ASUS Zephyrus G16?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) offers impressive performance specifications designed to meet the needs of gamers and content creators. Here are the key performance specifications:

1. Processor Options:

• Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16 cores, 22 threads, up to 5.1 GHz boost).
• Also available with AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS.

1. Graphics Card:

• Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU.
• Other options include RTX 4080 and RTX 4070.

1. Memory:

• Up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM (2x16GB modules).
• Max capacity configuration available based on specific models.

1. Storage:

• Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD.
• Dual M.2 slots for potential storage expansion.

1. Display:

• 16-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels (WQXGA), a refresh rate of 240Hz, and covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

1. Battery:

• 90WHrs, 4-cell lithium-ion battery.

These specifications position the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 as a powerful machine capable of handling modern gaming titles as well as demanding creative applications, providing users with both performance and versatility.

What are the available graphics card options?

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) offers several graphics card options to cater to different performance needs and budgets. Here are the available graphics card options:

1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
4. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (in some models)

These options enable users to choose a configuration that best suits their gaming and content creation demands, with higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4090 providing the best performance for demanding games and applications, while the lower-tier options still deliver solid gaming experiences.

Can I upgrade the graphics card in the future?

No, the graphics card in the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 is not upgradeable. Most gaming laptops, including the Zephyrus G16, have the GPU soldered onto the motherboard, which means that you cannot replace or upgrade the graphics card once you purchase the laptop.

If you are looking for a laptop with upgradeable components, you might want to consider desktops or specific models of gaming laptops that are explicitly designed for component upgrades. However, these options are generally less common in the gaming laptop market.

When purchasing a laptop like the Zephyrus G16, it’s essential to choose the configuration that best meets your current and anticipated future needs, as the GPU will be a critical component for gaming and graphics performance.