Redefining expectations with faster displays, best-in-class cooling, NVIDIA Turing graphics, and 9th Generation Intel Core processors.
KEY POINTS
- ROG Mothership: The desktop replacement form factor reimagined, with display options for both gamers and creators
- ROG G703: Mothership performance in a traditional design, with cutting edge features and specifications
- ROG Zephyrus S: GX701, GX531, and GX502 feature the Active Aerodynamic System (AAS), a choice of display sizes, and ROG Boost
- ROG Strix Scar III & Hero III: Up to Intel® Core™ i9-9880H, up to 240Hz display, up to NVIDIA GeForce RT 2070 with ROG Boost,
- ROG Strix G: The essentials at the right price, up to 144Hz display, up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, and up to Intel Core i7-9750H CPU
TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 23, 2019 — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced a top-to-bottom update of its entire gaming laptop family. The ROG Spring 2019 collection mixes all-new models with refreshed systems to deftly balance the performance required by gamers, content creators, and power users with the convenience of creature comforts that enhance everyday use.
The lineup splits along chassis lines, with powerful desktop replacements, lithe ultraportables, and evolved expressions of a more traditional laptop form factor. There are different levels to match performance requirements and the appetite for more engaging gaming experiences. S-class laptops offer a premium experience fit for professionals, while M-tier designs scale back slightly to find the sweet spot for savvy users. The new G series focuses on core essentials to improve affordability and welcome more gamers into the brand. Esports-specific models have special requirements and are treated differently, as are top‑end desktop replacements available only with high‑performance hardware under the hood. Regardless of the chassis or target audience, ROG gaming laptops are guided by an Intelligent Cooling philosophy that combines the right thermal hardware with smart software to ensure optimal performance and acoustics for what’s happening in the moment.
Meet ROG Mothership: the future of desktop replacements
Conventional clamshells limit cooling and lock into a fixed position in order to fit a form factor that can sit on a lap. That’s a good compromise for a lot of laptops, but desktop replacements are too heavy to sit comfortably, so ROG reimagined the form factor to improve the experience. Instead of lying flat on a desk, ROG Mothership stands tall to give the cooling system unrestricted access to airflow at the back. The keyboard separates and folds for maximum flexibility, giving freedom to position it for the perfect stance, and connecting wired or wirelessly depending on the scenario. Detaching the keyboard reveals a row of four speakers that are aimed directly at the user, creating an effective sound bar right beneath the display.
The improved airflow from the upright design lets ROG shave down the chassis without sacrificing speed. At 29.9mm, ROG Mothership is surprisingly slim for the power it provides. Some of the credit goes to the CNC-machined body, which is milled with precision for a perfect fit. It takes nearly 20 hours to carve all the pieces from solid blocks of aluminum, resulting in chiseled lines and precisely formed pieces that reflect the care and attention to detail during the manufacturing process.
ROG Mothership has display options for both hardcore gamers or serious content creators. An ultrafast FHD panel refreshes at 144Hz with a 3 ms response time to satiate gamers who want to experience true triple-digit FPS for fast-paced play. The 60Hz 4K UHD alternative offers the best balance for creative pursuits, with incredible detail and full Adobe RGB color space coverage for a wide-gamut color palette.
G703 carries the torch for desktop replacement clamshells
While ROG Mothership represents the future, G703 takes the present into the next generation. Sticking to a traditional laptop form factor requires stronger cooling and a thicker chassis, so G703 employs larger heatsinks and fans to achieve the same cooling performance as ROG Mothership.
Sticking to a familiar design imparts a different sort of versatility. G703 can sit on a lap in a pinch, which for some will mean the difference between making and missing a deadline, especially when on location or on the road. Despite being rooted in tradition, G703 still incorporates enough technology and features to ride the cutting edge.
Go big and stay slim with Zephyrus S GX701
With its thin 18.7 mm chassis and super‑narrow bezel design, Zephyrus S GX701 is the most compact 17‑inch gaming laptop ever. It’s available with up to a GeForce RTX™ 2080 GPU pushed to 1230MHz at 100W with ROG Boost, which surpasses the specs of typical ultraportables.
Its PANTONE® Validated display is calibrated at the factory to guarantee the color accuracy, and features a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms grey‑to‑grey response time. The ROG‑exclusive GPU switch allows users to toggle between NVIDIA G-SYNC™ mode for a better gaming experience and Optimus mode for longer battery life, while a bigger 76Wh battery further extends run times.
A special version of Zephyrus S GX701 is also available with an HDR panel that boasts over a billion colors with full coverage of the BT.709 color space. It has higher brightness, better contrast, and localized dimming across 15 backlight zones. HDR only works in Optimus mode, so there’s no GPU switch or NVIDIA G-SYNC on this model, and gaming with high dynamic range is limited to titles that support the native Windows API for HDR.
Per-key RGB backlighting comes with the ability to personalize profiles for productivity and play. There’s an integrated volume roller conveniently within reach of the left hand, complete with backlight brightness that changes automatically to match the volume. Instead of compromising with a basic webcam in the bezel, ROG designed a much better external unit that captures high-resolution 1080p footage at a silky 60 fps.
Zephyrus S GX701 is more than a gaming laptop: its versatility appeals to content creators, developers, and other professionals who need a powerful system they can take anywhere.
Zephyrus S GX531 sets the standard for slimness
Putting high-end gaming components into an ultraslim laptop is exceedingly difficult, especially when targeting a thinner chassis than ever before, but Zephyrus S GX531 delivers with a remarkably compact body that’s a testament to ROG’s engineering prowess. The slender profile measures just 15 mm thin, and incorporates a 15.6‑inch display with super-narrow bezels to squeeze into a smaller footprint, so it easily fits into bags normally used for smaller laptops.
Zephyrus S lowers its profile without scaling back on specifications. Innovative AAS cooling is effective enough to take the GeForce RTX 2080 up to the same ROG Boost speed as the larger GX701. There is also a choice of cutting-edge displays depending on whether a faster 240Hz refresh rate or higher dynamic range is preferred. The smaller Zephyrus S GX531 is a more focused alternative for people who prioritize portability above all.
Versatility reigns supreme in Zephyrus S GX502
While Zephyrus S GX701 and GX531 have a forward keyboard position that leaves more room for cooling and reduces skin temperatures where hands normally rest, the all-new GX502 adopts a more traditional layout that works better in cramped quarters and on a lap. It’s the most versatile Zephyrus yet, tailored to satisfy both hardcore gamers and professional content creators.
The palm rest hides honeycomb reinforcements that make the chassis stiffer where it’s needed most. The process starts with molten magnesium alloy and uses a combination of die-casting and machining to create the sturdy piece, which resists the flexing that makes some other ultraslim gaming laptops feel flimsy and cheap. Soft-touch paint adds a smooth finish that repels fingerprints and adds a subtle sparkle.
Augmented AAS cooling allows the top GeForce RTX 2070‑equipped model to scale up to 1540MHz at 115W with ROG Boost in Turbo Mode, a clock speed and wattage typically reserved for full-sized laptops. Zephyrus S GX502 keeps up with the larger Strix SCAR III, and can also be outfitted with the latter’s 240Hz/3ms panel. The esports-grade PANTONE Validated display makes fast-paced shooters silky-smooth and crystal-clear, while guaranteeing accurate colors for content creators. The ROG‑exclusive GPU switch can toggle between NVIDIA G-SYNC for a better gaming experience and Optimus for longer battery life.
At just 18.9 mm thin and weighing only 2.0 kg, the machine is remarkably portable for something so powerful. Despite the compact chassis, there’s room inside for dual M.2 SSDs that can be configured in a RAID 0 array that maximizes performance. Upgraded audio uses an ESS SABRE DAC that reduces noise and distortion for the headphone output, enabling high-fidelity sound with wider dynamic range. And the RangeBoost-infused gigabit-class Wi‑Fi is backed by a gigabit Ethernet jack for choice between wireless convenience and wired performance.
Strix splits the difference in standard sizes
The latest Strix series laptops are available in 15.6‑inch (G531) and 17.3‑inch (G731) sizes with ultra-narrow bezels that make the footprints more compact. These mid-sized models are available in SCAR III and Hero III versions optimized for esports dominance, along with affordable Strix G configurations that focus on core gaming features.
Inspired by a collaboration with BMW Designworks Group to imagine the future of gaming laptops, the new Strix series catches the eye with raised ridges that race across the laptop’s spine and down the deck. Scissor-door hinges sit slightly forward to make more room for the extra ventilation in the 3D Flow Zone at the back, and an asymmetrical cut-out under the display avoids interfering with surrounding airflow. The hinges disappear into the laptop’s frame when closed, reducing exposure that can lead to cracking.
The personalized style enabled by Aura Sync lighting extends into the environment with an optional light bar that wraps around the front and sides of the body. It casts a customizable glow onto the table below, allowing to set an illuminated accent that fits any mood, from a neon vaporwave fade to something more subdued.
Flipping the chassis reveals standard Phillips screws that don’t require special tools to remove. They’re all within reach, and along with smaller hooks under the hood, make it easier to separate the bottom panel and get inside. Opening the chassis exposes dual SO-DIMM slots with support for up to 32GB of RAM, and both M.2 and 2.5‑inch drive bays with lots of flexibility for different storage specs.
Pick your esports champion: Strix SCAR III or Hero III
Strix SCAR III reflects its shooter inspiration with a Gunmetal Grey motif and carbon wave pattern on the interior, while Hero III wears Midnight Black punctuated by stealthy cyber text slashed across the palm rest. Both designs split contrasting surfaces on metal lids that add a more premium feel.
The collaboration with BMW Designworks Group on the Face Off concept also inspired the transformative nature of the new ROG Keystone, which docks neatly with the chassis and offers a more personalized link to the laptop. This NFC-enabled device acts like a physical key; docking one can change system lighting and other settings based on Armoury Crate profiles, and grant access to a secret Shadow Drive that hides and encrypts important files.
Working with professional esports teams and top tournaments provides insight on the needs of professional players who increasingly demand 240Hz displays. The high refresh rate display found in SCAR III provides a competitive edge in high-level play, especially in fast-paced FPS games. The 144Hz alternative is still incredibly fast; its 3ms grey-to-grey response time matches the 240Hz panel and produces a particularly clear picture in motion, with minimal blurring or ghosting.
ROG Boost takes the GPU up to 1440MHz at 115W, which helps sustain the high frame rates needed to saturate the screen. CPU options scale up to the Core i9-9880H, whose eight-core design adds multitasking prowess that can help with gaming and streaming on the same machine, along with more serious work like video editing and 3D rendering.
Focus on the fundamental with Strix G
Strix G provides an affordable foundation that distills the essential elements of the core ROG experience. Its low-profile design blends into casual environments such as classrooms and coffee shops just as well as at a LAN party later in the evening.
The GeForce GTX 16 series has the right price-performance ratio to fit the Strix G’s profile, complete with an upgraded video encoder that enables smooth, high-quality capture for streamers. Strix G can be configured with up to an Intel Core i7‑9750H CPU with six cores and 12 threads, and a GeForce GTX 2070 GPU and 144Hz display.
It’s available with up to four-zone Aura Sync lighting for the keyboard, and comes with the same great Strix cooling and all the essentials, including RangeBoost for the Gigabit Wi-Fi, HDMI 2.0b output for 4K monitors and TVs, and support for G-SYNC monitors via DisplayPort over USB-C on models with GeForce RTX graphics.
By concentrating on vital features and components that define the gaming experience, ROG Strix G offers excellent value in a versatile laptop that can handle work and school in between gaming sessions.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
Fresh form factors and new hardware help the spring 2019 collection of ROG gaming laptops cater to a wide range of gamers, creators, and power users with different needs and budgets. Details about local availability, configurations, and pricing will be announced shortly.
