The ROG Zephyrus G16 Laptop Review: A Game-Changer

The ROG Zephyrus G16 Laptop Review: A Game-Changer

I've shared this story before, but in case you missed it, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 saved my bacon. It powered our live streams at Computex 2024, got me through some nasty bosses in Elden Ring, all on battery life. Simply put, the Zephyrus G16 has changed how we at Robit Tech think about thin and light laptops, and it should change how you think about them too. But is the Zephyrus the perfect portable device—the monarch of mobiles?

It does have some of the best speakers we've ever heard on a laptop. The display is positively stunning, gaming on it is spectacular, and the battery life is on point. But opinions don't tell the whole story. By the end of this article, you're going to know a whole lot more about the 2024 Asus Zephyrus G16 and whether it’s right for you.

Design and Build

Measuring 13.94 x 9.59 inches and weighing 4.3 lbs, the Zephyrus G16 falls into the thin and light category, though it is packed with features. The model reviewed here costs $ 899.99 at the time of this article, but we did find a version for $ 2,000. The CPU is an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, similar to the Core Ultra 71 55H but with slightly ramped-up speed and power.

Display and Graphics

The Zephyrus G16 features an RTX 480 mobile GPU while the higher-end $ 2,000 model boasts an RTX 4070 mobile. If neither of these meets your needs, a model with an RTX 490 mobile is available. Each model sports a 16-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, a 2ms response time, and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. This display is also G-Sync enabled, making it one of the prettiest displays we have ever seen on a laptop.

Speakers and Build Quality

The Zephyrus G16 comes with an aluminum CNC machine chassis which feels premium. It does, however, attract fingerprints. The laptop features six speakers, including two subwoofers that offer an exceptional audio experience, rivaling even the new 16-inch MacBook Pro's audio.

Memory and Storage

This model comes with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM that’s soldered onto the motherboard, meaning you won't be able to upgrade it. Storage, however, is a different story. It comes with a standard 1TB NVMe SSD along with another NVMe slot for an additional drive. However, accessing this slot involves some maneuvering.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The Zephyrus G16 has a good number of ports for a thin and light laptop, including a full-size HDMI port. It does lack Wi-Fi 7 and an ethernet port, which could be a downside for some. The battery life averages about 8 hours and 7 minutes during productivity tasks and can handle a 2-hour live stream or about 2 hours of gaming like Elden Ring on battery.

Performance

In terms of gaming, here are the performance benchmarks at 1600p:

• Cyberpunk 2077: 77 FPS
• Forza Horizon 5: 140 FPS
• Modern Warfare 3 (Single-player): 142 FPS
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 148 FPS
• Tiny Tina’s Wonderland: 155 FPS
• Apex Legends: 188 FPS
• Modern Warfare 3 (Multiplayer): 194 FPS
• Fortnite: 206 FPS

Thermals and Acoustics

The Zephyrus G16 does run warm, with CPU temperatures averaging 91°C under full load. However, this laptop is tailored towards silent operations which is why the cooling system might take a bit longer to fully engage. Acoustic performance is good with the laptop running at an average of 45.2dB while idle, and 58.8dB under load.

Conclusion

The 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is a luxury laptop that offers significant advantages in terms of audio and display quality, gaming performance, and battery life. While it is expensive, it delivers a premium experience that can meet a variety of needs, from gaming to productivity.

Keywords

• Zephyrus G16
• Asus
• Thin and light laptop
• OLED display
• RTX 4070
• Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
• Battery life
• Gaming performance

FAQ

1. Is the ROG Zephyrus G16 good for gaming? Yes, it has excellent gaming performance with frame rates in high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Modern Warfare 3, thanks to its powerful GPU and high-refresh-rate OLED display.

2. Can I upgrade the RAM on the ROG Zephyrus G16? No, the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, so it is not upgradable.

3. What is the battery life of the Zephyrus G16? It offers an average of 8 hours and 7 minutes during productivity tasks and can handle a 2-hour live stream or about 2 hours of gaming on battery.

4. Does the Zephyrus G16 have good audio quality? Absolutely. The laptop features six speakers, including two subwoofers, providing a rich and full audio experience.

5. How difficult is it to upgrade the storage on this laptop? It is possible to upgrade the storage, but accessing the additional NVMe slot involves some maneuvering and the right tools.

6. What ports are available on the Zephyrus G16? The laptop includes a variety of ports, including a full-size HDMI port, although it lacks Wi-Fi 7 and an ethernet port.