When Asus approached us to review the ROG Strix Scar 18, we were initially skeptical about the idea of an 18-inch gaming laptop. However, upon closer examination, we discovered a device that could captivate a specific audience with its expansive display, Intel Core i9 processor, and Nvidia’s RTX 4090 GPU. The ROG Strix Scar 18 is a pro-grade laptop that delivers the raw performance expected from a high-end gaming machine. In this review, we explore its features and performance.
Design and Aesthetics
The ROG Strix Scar 18 is a laptop designed for those who prioritize aesthetics. Wrapped in a sleek black shell, it features a glow-in-the-dark Republic of Gamers (ROG) logo on the back of the display. The front of the chassis is adorned with a strip of multicolored RGB lights, adding a vibrant touch to the overall design. The transparent plastic sides and vents give it an extra flair. Opening the device reveals Asus’ signature keyboard with RGB lettering and a generously sized trackpad. Notably, a semi-translucent section on the deck provides a glimpse inside the machine, creating a cool visual effect.
Build Quality and Portability
Constructed primarily of plastic, the build quality of the ROG Strix Scar 18 is decent but falls short of alternatives like the Alienware 18 and Razer Blade 18, which employ magnesium alloy. Weighing 3 kg, the laptop is undeniably heavy, but considering its massive 18-inch display and powerful specs, it feels relatively lightweight. During our travels, we found it to be a bit cumbersome and struggled to fit it in a standard backpack. The power brick also adds to the weight, though its size is justified by the power-hungry components it supports. The laptop offers a solid selection of ports spread across three sides, including USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, and more.
Display and Visual Experience
The star of the show is undoubtedly the 18-inch QHD+ IPS panel display with a smooth 240 Hz refresh rate. Supporting 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and reaching 400 nits of peak brightness, it delivers a satisfying viewing experience for both gaming and multimedia consumption. The larger screen size adds a new dimension to gaming, as we experienced during our sessions with Halo Infinite. The slim bezels surrounding the display enhance the visual immersion. While the 18-inch display offers excellent color performance, it falls short when compared to laptops equipped with advanced OLED or mini-LED screens.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard on the ROG Strix Scar 18 is perfectly suited for this type of laptop. Typing feels comfortable, with each key providing optimal feedback. The keys are silent and well-spaced, and there are dedicated keys for volume control, mic mute/unmute, and programmable keys that can be customized using Asus’ pre-installed Armoury Crate software. The presence of a full number pad is a welcome addition. The trackpad is also noteworthy, offering a large size and responsive performance.
Performance and Gaming
Equipped with top-of-the-line components, our review unit of the ROG Strix Scar 18 featured the Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, and Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU. This configuration ensured impressive gaming performance and overall speed. We tested games like Halo Infinite, Dirt 5, and Forza Horizon 5, and they all ran smoothly with enhanced graphics settings. The laptop also handled multitasking effortlessly, smoothly running 30 Chrome tabs simultaneously. However, it’s worth noting that the laptop tends to get hot, and the fans can become loud during intensive gaming sessions. Extended use of high-quality graphics may also make the keyboard uncomfortable to use.
Battery Life, Speakers, and Webcam
As expected from a laptop with an 18-inch display, an Intel Core i9 processor, and an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, the battery life of the ROG Strix Scar 18 is not remarkable. On average, it lasted around four hours, which is typical for gaming laptops. One drawback is the necessity of carrying the power brick along, negating the convenience of an all-in-one system for on-the-go use. Additionally, the laptop’s speakers failed to deliver an impressive audio experience, lacking depth and volume. The 720p webcam performed adequately for basic video calls but struggled in low-light conditions. Considering the premium price of the laptop, these shortcomings are disappointing.
Verdict
The ROG Strix Scar 18 delivers on its promise of high performance. However, what truly sets it apart is its ability to bring an 18-inch laptop into a portable form factor, making it surprisingly travel-friendly. It wouldn’t be fair to compare this laptop to a MacBook Air, as they cater to different audiences. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a market for an 18-inch laptop, and the Scar 18 fulfills that niche. While it showcases polished functionality, it still retains some of the common issues found in gaming laptops.
Disclaimer: This article includes sponsored content. The views expressed are those of the sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our publication.