The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) recently introduced its latest lineup of gaming laptops in Singapore yesterday. Particularly, there are two new models, which are the 17 inch and 15 inch ROG Zephyrus S. The current ROG STRIX SCAR II gaming laptop series have also been refreshed. All these new laptops will be powered by the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics processor, and will boast new real-time ray-tracing and AI compute capabilities. Here are more details:
- The ROG Zephyrus (GX701) 17-inch gaming notebook
GX701
Right side ports
Aerodynamic Cooling System
Left side ports
Dedicated Webcam
Webcam clipped on to main display
The ROG Zephyrus S GX701 is a 17-inch high performing gaming notebook that comes in the size of a usual 15-inch notebook. It is equipped with some of the best hardware in the market today. Starting off, it is powered by the Hexa-Core Core i7-8750H processor from Intel. To ensure that the notebook stays portable and capable of running the latest games, ASUS has adopted the RTX 2080 Max-Q design for this notebook. It is also equipped with a 17.3″ 144Hz display panel, 24GB of DDR 4 RAM and 1TB of PCIe SSD. This gaming notebook system is simply designed without any compromise.
In order to reduce the size of the bezels of the display of this gaming notebook, ASUS has decided to remove the integrated webcam. Instead, they have packed a dedicated webcam in the package. This also allowed for the introduction of a better webcam that is suitable for game streaming and other general video work. The webcam, that is capable of 1080p 60Hz recording, can also be clipped onto the main display of the notebook as well.
- The ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) 15-inch gaming notebook
GX531
GX 531-Rear Ports
GX531-Ports on the right On the other hand, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) is the little brother to the larger ROG Zephyrus S (GX701). This notebook also comes with similar hardware specifications that makes it capable of supporting the latest game titles of today. Locally, the GX531 comes with a RTX 2070 with Max-Q design instead of the faster RTX 2080 with Max-Q design (this model is also available with the RTX2080 Max-Q in other countries).
- The ROG STRIX SCAR II gaming notebooks for FPS GamersThe ROG STRIX SCAR II gaming notebook series are also now refreshed with the new NVIDIA RTX 2070 graphics solutions. These are the full RTX 2070 chips, and are not limited by the Max-Q design. As compared to the Zephyrus series, they will be slightly heavier, but will perform extremely well too. You can find out more about the ASUS ROG STRIX Scar II gaming notebook here!
Here’s the official press release:
Republic of Gamers Releases the Latest Series of NVIDIA GeForce RTX Powered Gaming Laptops in Singapore
The ROG Zephyrus S series (GX701/GX531) and ROG Strix SCAR II Edition series (GL704/GL504) are updated with the all new NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics
Singapore, January 24, 2019 – ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today introduces its latest lineup of gaming laptops in Singapore, including the ROG Zephyrus S series (GX701/GX531) and ROG Strix SCAR II Edition series (GL704/GL504). All have graphics powered by the latest NVidia GeForce RTX engines. This full top-to-bottom lineup is filled with updates that elevate your portable PC gaming experience.
Meet the Republic of Gamers GeForce RTX Gaming Laptop Family
After raising the bar for desktop gaming performance and visual quality, the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ series is poised to do the same for laptops. The new Turing architecture is going mobile, and Republic of Gamers has a diverse lineup to meet any gamer’s needs.
More than just vehicles for the latest GPU, ROG’s NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ lineup showcases their commitment to enhancing every aspect of gaming laptops. They feature incredibly fast displays framed by amazingly slim bezels, amplifying immersion to draw you deeper into your favorite games. Advanced cooling ensures maximum performance with minimal acoustics and lets you choose between system profiles tuned for different scenarios. Add cutting-edge components and exclusive ROG features, and you have the right foundation for a full family that stands apart from the rest.
Gamers have different priorities and ROG gaming laptops follow suit. It is joined by the ultra-slim ROG Zephyrus S series (GX701/GX531) that is augmented to go beyond gaming. The ROG Strix SCAR II Edition series (GL704/GL504) reprise their roles in the e-Sports arena with portable form factors filled with competition-grade hardware.
The ROG Zephyrus S (GX701): Sets the Standard for Slimness
ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) Gaming Laptop
The ROG Zephyrus S (GX701), an ultra-slim gaming laptop that takes hardcore gaming to the next level with the new NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 GPUs with Max-Q design and 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor. The ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) features a 17-inch display with a 144Hz 3ms refresh rate, and frames it with super-narrow bezels. It also adds NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ and Optimus™ technology into the mix.
Even with these upgrades and a much larger screen, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) maintains an impressively slender profile and surprisingly compact footprint. It is more immersive, powerful, and versatile than any ROG Zephyrus before without sacrificing the portability that defines the family.
Get GeForce RTX Graphics under the Hood
Pushing frame rates high enough to saturate the screen requires a powerful GPU, so the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) is configured with a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2080 with Max-Q Design. NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 2080 graphics provide the ultimate gaming experience. Powered by the new NVIDIA® Turing™ GPU architecture and the revolutionary RTX platform, these processors bring together real-time ray tracing, artificial intelligence, and programmable shading.
A small Footprint with Plenty of Punch
A potent processor allows the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) to tackle any task with confidence. The 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H CPU boasts six cores and 12 threads with a peak Turbo clock of 3.9GHz. It has ample resources for demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking like mixing gaming with streaming, recording, and separate voice chat.
There is 24GB of fast DDR4-2666 system memory and 8GB of separate GDDR6 VRAM. Superfast storage is supplied by an NVMe SSD with 1TB of capacity and four lanes of PCI Express® 3.0 bandwidth.
ROG created the first gaming laptop capable of being powered by DC or USB Type-C™ (USB-C™) input, and the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) has the same technology. With support for USB Power Delivery, it can handle everyday work powered by a 65W Type-C adapter that is much smaller than the required AC adapter for maximum gaming performance. The Type-C port is also capable of driving an external monitor via DisplayPort 1.4. Together with HDMI 2.0b output, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) can support dual 4K displays running at 60Hz.
Intel’s latest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) gigabit Wi-Fi module with 2×2 MU-MIMO lets the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) delivers faster wireless throughput when paired with compatible routers like ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. Staying connected is easy thanks to ROG RangeBoost, a patented wireless technology that constantly scans surroundings and automatically shifts between two pairs of antennas to maintain the best signal.
Smart amplification expands the range of the dual 2.5W built-in speakers so they can produce louder sound with less distortion. Most users will opt for their favorite headset via the 3.5-mm audio jack or one of the USB ports. The ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) can simulate surround sound for stereo devices like headphones, USB DACs, and VR headsets. It also has audio features designed specifically for streaming and recording, including automatic volume stabilization and noise and echo cancellation.
The ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) fits most conventional laptop bags and backpacks thanks to its slim 6.9mm bezels that allow the massive 17.3-inch screen to squeeze into a body just 15.7 inches wide. It is the most compact 17-inch gaming notebook around, and at only 18.7mm, it is also the thinnest.
Experience the Best of Both Worlds with NVIDIA G-SYNC and Optimus
Performance varies constantly depending on the game and what is happening in the scene. Most displays refresh at a consistent rate, which creates problems when new frames are not ready at the right time, but the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) uses NVIDIA® G-SYNC technology to compensate. It synchronises the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the GPU to eliminate visual tearing that distracts from immersion.
Although G-SYNC delivers the best gaming experience, it requires the GPU to be active at all times, which increases power consumption and decreases battery life. That is fine when the laptop is plugged to a power source, but potentially problematic when working on battery power. NVIDIA® Optimus technology provides the solution by defaulting to the CPU’s power-efficient integrated graphics and only turning on the discrete GPU when it is needed for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
ASUS engineers developed an exclusive GPU switch that lets users go between G-SYNC and Optimus modes. With a few clicks and a reboot, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) transforms from a gaming powerhouse with buttery smooth graphics to a productivity workhorse with longer battery life.
A Premium High-refresh-rate Display
Since the original ROG Zephyrus, ASUS works closely with panel providers to push the limits of gaming laptop displays. Much of this collaboration has been in the pursuit of performance, which is why the screen found on the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) runs up to a super‑smooth 144Hz. In addition, the 3ms GTG response time makes the picture especially sharp at speed, whether lining up targets in a fast-paced shooter or quickly scrolling through web pages on the desktop.
This display is not only perfect for playing the latest blockbuster games, but for creative content work where accurate colours are critical. It is carefully tuned at the factory to ensure each one meets stringent PANTONE® Colour Validation requirements for accuracy and uniformity. ProArt™ TruColor Technology guarantees colour accuracy that is better than most desktop monitors.
Run Fast and Stay Cool
Ultra-slim chassis leave little room for airflow, which makes cooling the CPU and GPU incredibly difficult. To avoid compromising performance, the innovative Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) exposes a large intake when the lid is lifted to increase airflow compared to traditional designs. It draws additional air through vents above the keyboard, and dual fans propel it all through four heatsinks and exhaust vents flanking the rear corners to ensure the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) runs cool in all conditions.
Dust and other particles inevitably get sucked into laptop fans, but this self-cleaning cooling system helps to avoid accumulation inside. Each fan has a special anti-dust tunnel that catches particles and directs them out the back of the chassis, preventing buildup on the heatsink fins that could reduce performance and stability over time.
Fan speeds are controlled by an intelligent algorithm that responds automatically to temperature changes. Users can choose between three expertly tuned profiles via a convenient keyboard shortcut to quickly adapt to different usage scenarios. With the highest fan speeds, Turbo mode is the best for maximum performance. Balanced mode optimises performance and cooling to lower noise levels for casual gaming, while Silent mode goes even further to take acoustics for lighter work and entertainment.
Shifting the keyboard forward improves cooling by not only leaving more room for the fans, but also moves users’ hands away from warmer regions around the CPU and GPU. Surface temperatures on the keyboard are much lower than with traditional designs, especially after hours of heavy gaming.
Light It Up, or Not, with Keyboard Personalisation
Each key is illuminated by an independent RGB LED capable of producing a brilliant glow at peak brightness. Users can easily customise the intensity and configure colours and effects to suit different scenarios, like identifying important keys for specific games and choosing a subtler look for serious work.
Lighting extends to the touchpad on the right, which turns into a numberpad at the touch of a button, and to the integrated volume roller, which sits within easy reach of the user’s left hand. Familiar from desktop gaming keyboards like ROG Strix Flare, the volume wheel makes quick adjustments easy. The brightness of the backlighting even changes automatically based on the volume.
With Aura Sync, it is easy to coordinate RGB colours and effects with compatible peripherals like the ROG Gladius II Origin mouse and Delta headset. Synchronised lighting can make a gaming setup look a lot more cohesive and professional, and it only takes a few clicks in the intuitive Armoury Crate software.
The ROG Zephyrus S (GX531): Ultraportable Gaming
ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) Gaming Laptop
The updated ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) equipped with the latest Intel® Core™ i7-8750H CPU and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 graphics, making it ideal for work or play. Super-narrow bezels squeeze a 15.6-inch display, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, into a 14.2-inch display laptop chassis. The all-metal chassis is strong enough to meet military-grade durability standards without compromising on design, with sleek lines and a premium finish. An advanced cooling system ensures optimal performance of all components, incorporating the proprietary Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) — a design and engineering hallmark of the Zephyrus series.
ROG Strix SCAR II – Set Up for Shooters
ROG Strix SCAR II (GL704) Gaming Laptop
Built for the FPS side of the e-Sports arena, the ROG Strix SCAR II Edition (GL704/GL504) series comes in 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch flavors available with the same 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. Both versions are draped in a shooter-inspired motif that uses splashes of camouflage to create a unique aesthetic fit for the battlefield. Highlighted WASD keys further reinforce the SCAR’s roots and ensure that you can easily find the home row for FPS gaming.
With up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2070 graphics, it give the 15-inch ROG Strix SCAR II (GL504GW) and 17-inch ROG Strix SCAR II (GL704GW) enough horsepower to drive triple-digit frame rates in popular shooters, providing performance headroom for competitive gaming, demanding AAA titles, and cutting-edge VR experiences. Choose between a larger 17-inch display that is more immersive and a compact 15-inch display that is more portable.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The 17-inch ROG Strix Scar II Edition (GL704GW) and 15-inch ROG Strix Scar II Edition (GL504GW) will be retailing at $3,598 and $3,498 respectively starting from 29 January, while the 17-inch ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) and 15-inch ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) will be retailing at $4,998 and $3,698 respectively starting from mid February. All models will be available at all ASUS Brand Shop and authorised retailers.
