I used a gaming laptop computer for the primary time (and I used to be blown away)

Because the very starting, I have been a

console gamer
through-and-through. My first online game system was the hand held Nintendo Sport Boy Advance SP — a tool I nonetheless maintain pricey to my coronary heart to this very day. I later graduated to the

GameCube
and Wii techniques, finally branching out and exploring different dwelling consoles just like the

Xbox 360
as effectively. Today, I stay a devoted sport console fan, however I’ve additionally developed an curiosity within the PC aspect of the gaming business.

PC gaming
has intrigued me for a while — the huge potential for personalisation, the liberty to decide on {hardware} elements, the ability to regulate efficiency and graphics metrics, and the flexibility to modify between platforms are all compelling PC attributes. Lately, I had the chance to check out a

Windows 11
gaming laptop computer, marking my first-ever foray into the world of PC gaming.

With an open thoughts, I lifted the lid on the state-of-the-art Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 gaming laptop computer, and pressed its energy button. After testing the machine for a number of days, listed below are my preliminary ideas, observations, and impressions as somebody who operates (decisively exterior) the sphere of PC gaming.

1

The SCAR 18 basks in RGB glory

The gaming rig is decked out with RGB lights from head to toe

I’ve all the time related PC gaming with multicolored

RGB LED lights
, and the Asus Strix SCAR 18 affirms this explicit preconceived notion. From the second I powered on the SCAR 18, the laptop computer was embellished in hues of blue, crimson, inexperienced, orange, and purple. A number of elements of the PC pulse with mild throughout operation: the keyboard deck, the ROG emblem and consumption grills on the lid, and the underside part of the machine.

General, I’ve combined emotions on the subject of RGB setups on PC. The minimalist in me finds the multicolored aesthetic to be garish and gaudy, although I recognize the ‘gamery’ vibe of the entire thing. Fortunately, each Asus and Microsoft present loads of software program customization instruments to light up the LEDs as I see match. The previous gives a devoted part inside its Armoury Crate app, whereas the latter gives a

Dynamic Lighting page
inside the primary Settings app.

Associated

4 reasons I ditched my iPad Pro for the Asus ROG Flow Z13

The Asus ROG Movement Z13 is a flexible gaming pill that made me rethink my iPad.

2

The SCAR 18 is a monstrously sized laptop computer

I may get used to having a transportable 18-inch show

Through the years, I’ve grown accustomed to ultrabook-style laptops, which privilege a skinny and light-weight type issue over efficiency. Switching over to the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18 was fairly a tradition shock. By advantage of its huge 18-inch show panel, its beefy internals, and its strong cooling system, the laptop computer is constructed much less like a sedan, and extra like a Mack truck.

The SCAR 18 measures in at 15.71 x 11.73 x 0.93 ~ 1.26-inches (39.9 x 29.8 x 2.35 ~ 3.20 cm), and it suggestions the scales at a whopping 7.05lbs (3.2kg). Throughout my time utilizing the PC, I usually left it sitting stationary at my desk — the machine is just too unwieldy to stow away in my backpack when heading for an impromptu espresso store pitstop. I can see why handheld PCs (together with

Asus’ own ROG Ally line
) have been gaining steam in recent times. After all, the extra {powerful} internals of the SCAR 18 demand a big and in-charge casing; there is not any escaping physics right here.

Associated

Asus ROG Ally X’s new features aren’t convincing me to upgrade

There is a recent mannequin of the Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming console on the best way, however is there sufficient right here to justify an improve? I am not satisfied.

3

The SCAR 18 is a powerhouse, after which some

It eats benchmarking apps for breakfast

Talking of internals, Asus has kitted the ROG Strix SCAR 18 with cutting-edge silicon. The machine is powered by the high-end Intel Core Extremely 9 275HX CPU, and is supplemented by the equally-powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. Different notable specs embrace as much as 32GB of DDR5 RAM, two slots for PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 strong state drive (SSD) storage, and a couple of Thunderbolt 5 ports. The LCD show can also be suitably premium, with its 2.5K 2560 x 1600 pixel decision, its Dolby VIsion HDR and G-SYNC certifications, its 500 nits of brightness, and its lightning-quick 240Hz refresh price.

Now, I will be the primary to confess that I did not even come near tapping into the SCAR 18’s uncooked energy potential. When you’re invested in

AAA gaming experiences
, whether or not or not it’s by way of Steam or in any other case, then this laptop computer is good; it could sustain with essentially the most intense computational workloads, offered you plug it right into a wall outlet. For good measure, I ran Geekbench 6 benchmarking exams: the PC’s CPU landed 3,001 in single-core and 13,424 in multi-core. The GPU, in the meantime, achieved an OpenCL rating of 131,398. Even whereas conducting these artificial exams, the end-to-end vapor chamber, tri-fan design, and sandwiched heatsink labored to maintain fan noise to a minimal.

Associated

9 Asus ROG Ally tips and tricks: Level-up your handheld console

The Asus ROG Ally is a robust handheld PC, and with the following tips and methods, you will get much more out of your gaming expertise with it.

4

The SCAR 18’s charger is huge and brauny

The included charging brick is an absolute unit

Understandably, the ROG Strix SCAR 18 ships with a beastly charging brick within the field. The PC’s 90Whr battery tops up by way of a 280W AC adapter, and it makes use of a proprietary port that appears rather a lot like a scaled-up USB-C plug. I recognize the delicate ROG styling on the brick’s exterior, however I do want the adapter provided a further USB port for topping up my cellphone or different equipment on the similar time.

USB-C
would’ve been a handy inclusion, however the usual at the moment maxes out at a theoretical 250W of energy throughput. If nothing else, the SCAR 18’s demanding energy necessities are a testomony to only how {powerful} its internals are.

Associated

4 reasons why gaming laptops are actually great

Consoles and handhelds are nice, however there’s solely to this point they’ll take you.

5

The SCAR 18 comes with helpful software program

Asus gives a ton of configurability out of the field

On the subject of

Windows
, I am usually not a fan of built-in third-party OEM software program, as I discover many such apps to be clunky and bloated. Within the case of a gaming laptop computer just like the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 18, nevertheless, the included MyASUS and Armoury Crate packages are welcome. The previous makes it straightforward to look at CPU and reminiscence hundreds, whereas displaying and monitoring the present inner temperature. The latter app, nevertheless, is the place the actual magic occurs.

Armoury Crate is a helpful little bit of software program that allows you to dig deep into the customization aspect of the PC. Other than monitoring the rotations per minute (RPMs) of each the CPU and the GPU followers, the app enables you to configure sport visuals, dictate energy profiles, tweak RGB mild synchronizations, lock and unlock the keyboard and trackpad, and extra. I do want the app itself felt extra native to Home windows 11 and utilized Fluent Design principles, however I’ve a sense I am within the minority on this one, and that many would not recognize having their settings reorganized.

Associated

Best gaming laptops: The top gaming machines available today

These laptops are all about energy, worth, and portability. Oh, and dazzling designs.