ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) made a significant splash at the virtual CES 2021 event, unveiling a compelling lineup of new gaming laptops and exciting upgrades to their existing series. Headlining the announcements was the highly innovative ROG Flow X13, an AMD-powered convertible gaming laptop.
Beyond the Flow X13, ASUS also refreshed its flagship Zephyrus DUO and other popular models, equipping them with the latest-generation processors, stunning, vivid displays, and cutting-edge designs. Let’s dive into some of the most anticipated features of these new ASUS ROG gaming laptops for 2021.
2021 ASUS ROG Gaming Laptops: What’s New?
The 2021 upgrades across the ASUS ROG range focus heavily on delivering a superior visual and performance experience. Key improvements include:
- Advanced Thermals: The latest ROG gaming laptops incorporate improved cooling technology, including liquid metal and redesigned fans, to lower noise levels and maintain optimal performance under load.
- Enhanced Displays: Offering options with high resolutions, wide color gamuts, faster refresh rates, and quicker response times for smoother and more immersive visuals.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs: All new and upgraded models are powered by GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs built on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture. These GPUs deliver more realistic ray tracing graphics and advanced AI features for a cutting-edge gaming experience.
- AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Mobile Processors: Many models feature the latest AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs with the Zen 3 microarchitecture to provide the most immersive gaming and demanding workload performance, offering up to 8 cores and 16 threads.
Here’s a quick overview of the announced models:
- ROG Flow X13
- ROG Strix Scar 15/17
- ROG Zephyrus Duo 15SE
- ROG Zephyrus G15
- ROG Zephyrus G14
ASUS ROG Flow X13
The ROG Flow X13 marks ASUS ROG’s entry into the 2-in-1 convertible gaming laptop market. Claimed as the world’s most powerful and ultra-slim device in its category, the Flow X13 combines top-tier performance with exceptional versatility. Its 360° hinge allows seamless transformation between a lightweight laptop and a convenient tablet. Weighing just 2.8 lbs (1.3kg), it can easily adapt to various usage scenarios: “tent mode” for tight spaces, “stand mode” for presentations, and “tablet mode” with optional stylus support.
Under the hood, the new ASUS ROG Flow X13 gaming laptop packs up to an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics for impressive performance. The optional XG Mobile external GPU provides high-end gaming capabilities and expanded connectivity for users demanding even more graphical power. Utilizing a PCI Express 3.0×8 link, the XG Mobile connects directly to the CPU, ensuring optimal bandwidth for the GPU. Display options include a choice between a crisp 4K UHD panel for stunning detail or a smooth 120Hz FHD panel for a superior gaming experience.
In conclusion, the ROG Flow X13 is a groundbreaking ultraportable, versatile, powerful, and compact laptop, making it ideal for gamers and content creators who value mobility.
ROG Strix Scar 15 /17
The ROG Strix Scar series is designed for esports gamers and hardcore enthusiasts seeking uncompromising performance. These laptops are available in 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch sizes and have the latest high-performance internals, including AMD Ryzen 5000 mobile CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 3000 series GPUs. Both models boast high refresh rate displays up to 360Hz and feature an optical mechanical keyboard, along with up to 64GB of RAM. Notably, the top-tier 360Hz/3ms panel is exclusive to the 17.3-inch model, while the 15.6-inch version offers a still incredibly fast 300Hz/ms display.
The latest ROG Strix Scar (2021) has undergone a redesign focused on enhanced portability, with ASUS claiming a seven percent reduction in the laptop’s footprint. Customization is a key aspect of the new design, featuring vibrant RGB lighting, interchangeable thermal cover caps for personalization, and even 3D printer source files for users to create unique designs. Battery life is also improved, with a larger 90Wh battery compared to the previous generation’s 66Wh.
Overall, the Strix Scar lineup caters to esports professionals prioritizing high-end performance paired with a stylish design.
ROG Zephyrus DUO 15SE
ASUS ROG continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the Zephyrus DUO 15SE, showcasing the undeniable benefits of a dual-screen gaming laptop. This year’s iteration reinforces the value of a secondary display, particularly for content creators and streamers, and provides a unique advantage for gamers.
The Zephyrus DUO 15SE remains an ultra-thin device featuring a 14-inch IPS touchscreen as its secondary display, available in FHD or UHD resolutions. The main screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate, doubling the speed of the Ultra HD display options. Both panels are Pantone Validated with full Adobe RGB color coverage, making them ideal for creative professionals. The secondary screen provides valuable real estate for extra menus, maps, inventory management, and more, enhancing the gaming experience. It also offers a competitive edge by allowing gamers to display shortcuts and monitor their stream using the Xplit Gamecaster integration while gaming on the primary display.
Internally, the Zephyrus DUO 15SE is powered by next-gen AMD Ryzen CPUs and the latest NVIDIA RTX 3000 mobile GPUs. ASUS’ cutting-edge technology makes this model an exceptionally powerful and innovative gaming computer.
ROG Zephyrus G14
The ROG Zephyrus G14 continues its legacy of offering a potent yet ultraportable gaming laptop that remains accessible to different types of users.
The 2021 version receives significant upgrades with the latest hardware components, including:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS processor (3.0GHz)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900H (3.1GHz)
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Overall, this gaming laptop boasts an impressive set of specifications at an attractive price point. And for a deeper dive, be sure to check out our dedicated post on the 2021 ASUS Zephyrus G14.
ROG Zephyrus G15
The new ASUS ROG gaming laptop, the Zephyrus G15, stands out as a lightweight gaming laptop with exceptional performance. ASUS offers various configurations to suit different needs and budgets. This particular model combines up to an AMD Ryzen 9 500HS processor with up to a GeForce RTX 3080 GPU for a truly immersive gaming experience. The display options include a 15-inch WQHD resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time. Featuring Pantone Validated panels, the display balances speed and detail, making it excellent for both gaming and creative work. The super-narrow 4.6mm bezels contribute to an immersive 85 percent screen-to-body ratio, and the ErgoLift hinge elevates the keyboard for a more comfortable typing angle, even allowing it to tilt up to 180 degrees.
In summary, the Zephyrus G15 is a highly versatile, lightweight laptop packed with premium hardware, making it an excellent choice for both gamers and creators on the go.
How Much is a Used ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop Worth?
If you’re thinking about upgrading your current ASUS ROG gaming laptop, Gadget Salvation offers a convenient Asus trade-in for cash program! Here are some examples of potential trade-in values, depending on the condition and specifications of your computer:
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 AMD Ryzen 9 with RTX 3070 GPU (Flawless, Fully Functional): Up to $975*
- ASUS ROG Strix GL703 Series Intel Core i7 7th Gen (Flawless, Fully Functional): Up to $318*
- ASUS ROG GX800 Series Core i7 7th Gen (Flawless, Fully Functional): Up to $277*
Visit Gadget Salvation today for an instant quote on your pre-owned ASUS ROG gaming laptop!
Bottom Line: The Future of Gaming Laptops is Here
CES 2021 has delivered exciting news for gaming enthusiasts with the powerful announcements from ASUS ROG gaming laptops. Featuring the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and RTX 30-series graphics cards, these well-designed, lightweight, compact, and powerful gaming laptops are poised to deliver exceptional experiences for creators, streamers, and gamers alike. 2021 looks like the perfect time to upgrade your gaming rig!
