ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition - This Gaming Laptop Runs Cool! 👌

Summary

In this review, Matthew Mona discusses the Asus ROG Strix Hero Edition, a budget gaming laptop priced at $1,175 with a GTX 1050 Ti GPU. He critiques the design, calling it bulky and heavy at 2.6 kg, while appreciating the RGB lighting on the logo. Performance-wise, it runs cool thanks to a solid cooling system, though fan noise is a drawback. The 15-inch 120Hz TN panel is decent for gaming but less ideal for color work. Mona highlights solid build quality but notes it scratches easily. He recommends the laptop for users prioritizing cool temperatures over design and fan noise.

Takeaways

• 💻 The ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition is a budget gaming laptop priced at $1175, featuring a GTX 1050 Ti graphics card.
• 🎨 The design includes a two-tone finish with an RGB-lit ROG logo, but the reviewer prefers a more uniform design.
• ⚖️ The laptop weighs 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs), making it heavier than most competitors in its price range.
• 🔌 The port selection includes power, RJ45, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, four USB 3.0 ports, and a USB Type-C that doesn't support Thunderbolt 3.
• 🔧 The laptop offers easy upgrade options, with a 5400 RPM hard drive and a 128GB m2 SSD, both of which can be replaced.
• 🔋 Battery life is around 4 to 4.5 hours, which is standard for a gaming laptop but not enough for full-day usage.
• 🖥️ The 15-inch 1080p display has a 120Hz refresh rate but is a TN panel, resulting in color shifting depending on viewing angles.
• 🔊 The sound quality is decent, with strong low and mid-range performance, but the highs could be clearer.
• 🎮 Performance-wise, the i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and GTX 1050 Ti handle most games well, maintaining cool temperatures even during long sessions.
• 📢 The major downside is the loud fan noise (61 decibels) and potential coil whine, which can be bothersome for some users.

Q & A

What is the model and price of the laptop being reviewed?

The laptop being reviewed is the ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition, and it retails for $1,175.

What GPU does the ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition have?

The ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition comes with a GTX 1050 Ti GPU.

How does the reviewer feel about the laptop's design?

The reviewer is not a big fan of the laptop's design. While it's not terrible, the two-tone finish and different patterns are not to their liking. They wish the design had one consistent pattern.

How much does the ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition weigh, and how does that compare to other laptops?

The laptop weighs 2.6 kilograms or 5.7 pounds, which is on the heavier side compared to other laptops in the same price range. It is comparable to the Helios 300 but heavier than options like the Lenovo Y530, Y730, and the Omen 15.

What ports and connectivity options does the laptop offer?

The ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition has a barrel connector for power, an RJ45 port, a mini DisplayPort, a full-sized HDMI port, four USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port (non-Thunderbolt 3), an SD card slot, and an audio input jack.

How easy is it to upgrade the storage and RAM in this laptop?

Upgrading the laptop is fairly easy. It has a 2.5-inch 5400 RPM hard drive that can be swapped for an SSD, and an M.2 SSD (128 GB) that can also be upgraded. The RAM can be expanded up to 32 GB.

What is the battery life of the ASUS ROG Strix Hero Edition?

The laptop has a 64-watt-hour battery, providing about 4 to 4.5 hours of usage before needing a recharge. It can last through a couple of classes but not an entire day.

What type of display does the laptop have, and how is its performance?

The laptop has a 15-inch, 1080p, 120Hz TN panel. While not an IPS panel, it offers good color accuracy for a TN display, though it suffers from some color shifting at different viewing angles, making it less ideal for color-sensitive work.

How does the reviewer rate the keyboard and typing experience?

The keyboard is full-sized with a numeric keypad, but the reviewer finds the arrow key placement awkward. Typing feels a bit mushy due to keyboard flex, although the keys themselves have good actuation. The RGB lighting with Aura Sync is a plus.

How does the laptop handle performance and cooling?

The laptop performs well for its price, running games like Overwatch and Fortnite at high settings smoothly. It has an efficient cooling system with three heat pipes and fans placed on opposite sides of the CPU and GPU, keeping temperatures between 70-75°C even during extended gaming sessions.