Asus is known for its powerful gaming laptops, and its ROG Strix Scar 16 is one of them, giving both muscles to perform and the flexibility to do all types of work. Powered by the Core i9 14900HX and the RTX 4080 graphics, the laptop comes with all the modern specs you could ever ask for.
With all the lights all around, it’s a big boy with flashy looks and a breathtaking display to both game and work on professional things. I have previously used the older versions of this ROG Strix Scar 16, and no doubt they were quite good, so this 2024 iteration is more of a hardware upgrade only. Should you buy this one? Let’s find out:
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 (2024) Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9 Processor 14900HX, 2.2 GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.8 GHz, 24 cores, 32 Threads)
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 SO-DIMM with | Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD
- Graphics: Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, 12GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Display: 16-inch QHD+ 16:10 (2560 x 1600, WQXGA), 240Hz Mini-LED Anti-glare display, ROG Nebula HDR Display, 1100nits 100000:1, 100% DCI-P3 %, Pantone Validated
- Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet Keyboard Per-Key RGB
- Design: 2.26 ~ 3.04 cm | 2.65 Kg weight | 90WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion | 4-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology | AI noise-cancelling technology, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res certification (for headphone), Smart Amp Technology, Support Microsoft Cortana near field/far field
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home with lifetime validity | Software Included: Pre-Installed Office Home and Student 2021 | 1-Year McAfee Anti-Virus
- I/O Port: 1x 2.5G LAN port, 1x Thunderbolt 4 support DisplayPort / G-SYNC, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort/Power Delivery/ G-SYNC, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
Design
Asus has designed the ROG Strix Scar 16 well. An RGB-lighted ROG logo and a slash pattern with “Republic of Gamers” are on the lid. Aluminum lids with matte finishes are discreet. It collects dust and fingerprints but cleans easily. Light, sturdy plastic makes the laptop chassis cool to the touch. The aluminium lid and keyboard have little flex. This laptop is sturdy.
The lid opens to a translucent keyboard deck that displays the internals at the top but becomes opaque at the touchpad. A ten-keyless keyboard with 2mm key travel, RGB backlighting, and five macro buttons is included. The glass trackpad below the keyboard is 10% larger than last year’s. It also has a touch Numpad.
A simple power button is in the upper right corner. The laptop’s display hinges are strong, and I never had any trouble opening or closing the lid. The side and top bezels are small, but the bottom chin is broader. The display’s top has a webcam in its bezel. A wraparound RGB light strip illuminates the laptop’s front. RGB lighting is behind the keyboard deck. Aura Sync controls all laptop lights. Lighting can be turned off by app or keyboard brightness toggle.
Display
Let’s discuss the display. The ROG Strix Scar 16’s 16-inch mini LED screen offers double the dimming zones of the previous year’s display. The panel has QHD+ resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, HDR support, 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 2048 dimming zones, 3ms response time, 500 nits brightness, and Nvidia G-Sync and Dolby Vision support.
The display has deep blacks, vibrant colors, and plenty of brightness. Movies and games are visually appealing. Video editing is wonderful with the display’s TUV Rheinland certification and Pantone color accuracy, and overall, in my daily usage, the display did satisfy most of my cravings, and it’s the same as last year, so, it shouldn’t be a problem anyways.
Here are some of the display benchmark results ran on our SpyderX Pro:
As you see, the results are quite good, and we have a high brightness, making it ideal for professional users. Even in terms of color accuracy, the display is 100% sRGB color accurate as well. Overall, the ROG Strix Scar 16 (2024) with its miniLED display makes it generously usable enough in 2024 as well.
Performance & Gaming
Performance and durability are the most crucial aspects of a gaming laptop. Putting in the latest gear doesn’t guarantee performance. Asus excelled here. After a long gaming session, the ROG Strix Scar 16’s performance and cooling system keep everything going smoothly.
Asus employed Conductonaut Extreme Liquid Metal thermal paste, which boasts 17 times more thermal conductivity than ordinary thermal paste, and three fans on the laptop. A large heatsink, three fans, and liquid metal thermal paste prevent laptop fires. They also boost frame rates throughout long game sessions. You can find benchmark figures online, but the ROG Strix Scar 16’s performance will not disappoint.
From Geekbench 6 to other benchmarks, the ROG Strix Scar 16 puts up some serious numbers, though the performance bump from 13th Gen to 14th Gen is not very substantial, but having the latest processor, now, optimized with AI capabilities, does help a lot for professionals.
In terms of gaming, I had no lag or choppiness in my short hours of playing. From Marvel’s Spider-Man to God of War and even Cyberpunk 2077, it ran at 60+ FPS in ultra-high graphics at QHD+ resolution. Gamers should use the ROG Strix Scar 16 for optimal performance. The fan turns on when you start a game and keeps the keyboard deck cool, but it’s loud. A big heatsink lies behind the side exhaust vents. Meanwhile, air is drawn in from all directions.
I/O and Connectivity
There are several outputs, however, if you’re a maker rather than a player, the laptop has no card slot, making media transfer problematic. The laptop’s left side has a Thunderbolt 4 connector with DP 1.4 and G-Sync, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2 port with 100W PD, an HDMI 2.1 port, an RJ-45 LAN port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and the power input port.
You also get dual USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports on the right. In terms of wireless connectivity, this includes dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of I/O and connectivity here, the laptop pretty much gets the job done without any issues, and overall, you will have no complaints on this side.
Audio & Webcam
ROG Scar Strix 16 features an old 720p web camera, four Dolby Atmos speakers, and a 90Wh 4-cell Li-ion battery. The laptop’s four speakers are moderate and lack bass. I expected a loud sound from something so big and pricey. The speakers support Dolby Atmos, and the Dolby Access app lets you adjust settings, but it’s nothing special.
Even the webcam is bad. Why laptop makers don’t incorporate a higher-resolution web camera instead of the obsolete 720p webcam is beyond me. Why not deliver an excellent web camera after spending so much? Laptop web cameras produce noisy, uninteresting images and videos.
Battery Life
A gaming laptop won’t have amazing battery life. The ASUS ROG ROG Strix Scar 16‘s 90Wh battery lasts 2 hours for typical use. The battery option allows gaming but runs out of juice in less than 45 minutes.
This laptop is supposed to sit on the desk, be plugged in, and be ready to game. The provided 330W adapter can charge the laptop to 50% in 30 minutes; however, it requires refrigerator, AC, and washing machine outlets. The left-side USB Type-C connector enables 100W PD on the laptop.
Verdict
Now, should you buy the 2024 ROG Strix Scar 16? Well, as an upgrade from last year, you do not have much of a change except in terms of hardware, but, even in 2024, coming at a hefty price of ₹2,89,990, it does not seem very cheap but is a premium option to consider if you are serious about gaming or productivity-related work.
Buy this ROG Strix Scar 16 from Amazon India: https://amzn.to/49NGVYL
