Asus announced its newest and largest gaming laptop at CES 2023, the ROG Strix Scar 18, and PCMag went hands-on with the behemoth in a private meeting before the show. We should note up front that what we saw was a pre-production model, so the final retail version will look different—including the translucent deck (though we're not opposed to more see-through PCs!) and some other aspects of the frame. Even so, we were able to check out the jumbo screen and base chassis, as well as the internal components (with model names redacted with stickers for now). Check out the video above for a first look, with written details below.
A Desktop-Like Laptop: An All-New 18-Inch Display
The Strix Scar 18 is not the only 18-inch laptop we saw at CES this year, which likely means it's just the beginning of a new screen-size trend. Most 17.3-inch gaming rigs are bulky desktop replacements rather than travel companions, and it seems manufacturers are doubling down on that idea with even roomier screens.
Obviously, the new Republic of Gamers flagship puts power over portability: the Scar 18 is a beefy 1.2 inches thick and weighs just over 7 pounds. That's heftier than almost anything else on the market these days, as even 17-inch laptops have opted for trimmer builds. While it will share the size, the pre-production model seen here isn't the final look, so don't read too much into its aesthetics.
The benefits of a plus-sized laptop start with the desktop-worthy display. The 18-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio panel aims to deliver a monitor-like experience. It's also one of Asus' premium ROG Nebula displays, meaning a mini LED screen with a 3-millisecond response time and a colossal 1,100 nits of brightness. You can choose between full HD resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate or a QHD panel with 240Hz refresh. Asus also plans a smaller 16-inch version of the laptop.
You can get a closer look at the see-through keyboard above, but again, it will probably not be a feature of the final product. Asus says the final design will be more opaque.
A Big Chassis Means Big Power
As gorgeous as the screen sounds, the chief reward of a giant laptop chassis is the power that fits inside. A larger body can hold bigger, better cooling setups for more power-hungry components. Hulking machines like this are meant for peak performance, driving home the desktop-replacement concept.
We'll have to hold off on the specifics, but expect this monster to carry the latest 2023 components from Nvidia and Intel. It should go without saying that the Scar 18 will offer the top GPU and CPU options in the chipmakers' new generations, going all-in on power to drive that spacious display with record frame rates.
The ROG Strix Scar 18 will support processor TDP up to 65 watts plus a max TGP of 175 watts for the GPU. A MUX switch and Nvidia Advanced Optimus are included for superior performance and both manual and dynamic swapping between integrated graphics and the dedicated GPU. All of Asus' ROG laptops will include Liquid Metal conductive material for improved cooling.
Stay tuned for details on pricing and release timing throughout the first quarter of 2023, as well as benchmark testing and a full review when production units become available.