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ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 GU603 (2021-2022)

GU603Hx, GU603Zx

Processor:

Graphics Card:

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

Looking to sell your ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 (GU603) for cash? You're in the right place — and if you didn't know Gadget Salvation buys gaming laptops outright, our gaming laptop trade-in service pays you directly instead of forcing you to list, haggle, and ship to a stranger. The GU603 is the thin-and-light 16-inch Zephyrus that packed a 16:10 QHD+ display into a 1.9–2.0 kg chassis, and it was sold across two model years under the same GU603 code: the 2021 generation (11th-gen Intel, RTX 30-series, DDR4) and the 2022 generation (12th-gen Intel, RTX 30-series Ti, DDR5). Because those two generations differ significantly under the hood, your exact model code and configuration determine the final resale price. This page is specifically the GU603 M16 — it is not the redesigned 2023 M16 (GU604 chassis), not the smaller Zephyrus G14 or G15, and not the newer Zephyrus G16. Confirm your generation below, then select your components using our tool above to view an instant cash offer for your exact device.

Which GU603 generation do you have?

Both years wear the same "Zephyrus M16 GU603" name and share an identical outer chassis, so the fastest way to tell them apart is the full model code on the bottom cover. The middle letters after GU603 reveal the generation:

2021 — GU603Hx

Codes beginning GU603HR / GU603HM / GU603HE. The "H" denotes 11th-gen Intel (Core i7-11800H / i9-11900H), NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti / 3060 / 3070, and DDR4-3200 memory. Ships with Windows 10.

2022 — GU603Zx

Codes beginning GU603ZE / GU603ZM / GU603ZW / GU603Z-X. The "Z" denotes 12th-gen Intel (Core i9-12900H), NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti / 3060 / 3070 Ti / 3080 Ti, and DDR5-4800 memory. Ships with Windows 11.

Core hardware configurations

Processor (CPU)

  • 2021 (GU603H): Intel Core i7-11800H (8 cores) or Core i9-11900H (8 cores, up to 4.9 GHz)
  • 2022 (GU603Z): Intel Core i9-12900H — 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores), 20 threads, up to 5.0 GHz, with liquid-metal cooling

Graphics (GPU)

  • 2021: NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti (4GB) / RTX 3060 (6GB) / RTX 3070 (8GB)
  • 2022: NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti (4GB) / RTX 3060 (6GB) / RTX 3070 Ti (8GB) / RTX 3080 Ti (16GB)
  • All GDDR6. GPU tier is the single biggest driver of resale value
  • 2022 configs add a MUX Switch alongside Optimus; 2021 configs are Optimus-only

Memory (RAM)

  • 2021: DDR4-3200 — 16GB on-board (soldered) + one SO-DIMM slot, up to 48GB
  • 2022: DDR5-4800 — 8GB or 16GB on-board (soldered) + one SO-DIMM slot
  • Partially soldered: base memory is fixed; only the single SO-DIMM slot is user-accessible. Max is 48GB when starting from 16GB on-board, but 40GB when starting from 8GB on-board

Storage

  • M.2 NVMe SSD — 1TB or 2TB factory capacities
  • 2021: PCIe 3.0 (RTX 3050 Ti config) or PCIe 4.0; 2022: PCIe 4.0 across the range
  • Two M.2 slots for dual-drive setups — but note: only single-sided SSDs fit due to surface-mounted components near the slot

Display & audio

Display

16-inch QHD+ 16:10 (2560×1600, WQXGA) IPS-level anti-glare panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, 3ms response, 100% DCI-P3 gamut, Adaptive-Sync, and Pantone Validated color. On the 2022 generation ASUS brands this the "ROG Nebula Display" with up to 500 nits brightness; the 2021 panel is the same resolution and refresh at ~400 nits. No touch layer on any GU603.

Audio

Six-speaker system with Smart Amp tech, Dolby Atmos, and a built-in array mic with AI noise-canceling. The 2022 generation adds Hi-Res headphone certification and a tweeter-plus-dual-force-woofer arrangement.

Ports & connectivity

The port layout is nearly identical across both years, with a small USB arrangement difference. Both include Thunderbolt 4 and a physical Ethernet jack — strong value points for a thin gaming laptop.

Left Side
  • 1× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (DisplayPort + Power Delivery, up to 40Gbps)
  • 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort + Power Delivery, up to 10Gbps)
  • 1× RJ-45 Gigabit LAN
  • 1× HDMI 2.0b
  • 1× 3.5mm combo audio jack
Right Side & Extras
  • 2022: 2× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps)
  • 2021: 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps) + 1× USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5Gbps)
  • 1× microSD card reader (UHS-II, 312MB/s)
  • Charges via the 240W barrel adapter, with 100W USB-C PD charging for lighter loads

2021: Wi-Fi 6 (AX) dual-band 2022: Wi-Fi 6E (AX) tri-band Bluetooth 5.3

Battery, build & more

Battery & charging

90Wh 4-cell lithium-ion battery on every GU603. Most configs ship with a 240W barrel charger (180W on the entry 2021 RTX 3050 Ti unit). Both generations also support 100W USB-C Power Delivery charging for travel.

Camera & mic

720p HD webcam at the top of the display. The 2022 generation upgrades this to an IR camera with Windows Hello face login; the 2021 generation is a standard 720p webcam without IR.

Keyboard & touchpad

Backlit chiclet keyboard with 1-zone RGB and a large touchpad. No dedicated numpad — the space beside the keys is reserved for the speaker array.

Build & design

Magnesium-alloy hybrid chassis in matte black with a CNC-perforated lid (8,279 holes). Ergolift hinge design. A fingerprint reader is present on 2021 configs; 2022 units rely on IR face login.

Weight

2021: 1.90 kg (4.19 lb). 2022: 2.00 kg (4.41 lb) — slightly heavier due to the beefed-up cooling for 12th-gen and Ti-class GPUs.

Dimensions

35.5 × 24.3 × 1.99–2.29 cm (13.98" × 9.57" × 0.78"–0.90").

Note on bundled extras: some GU603 configs originally shipped with an ROG backpack, ROG Delta headset, and ROG Chakram Core mouse. These are noted for context only and are not counted toward your device's resale value.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I confirm I have the Zephyrus M16 GU603 (and which year)?
Flip the laptop over and read the model code on the bottom cover. It will start with GU603. The letter right after that tells you the year: GU603H… is the 2021 (11th-gen Intel) generation, and GU603Z… is the 2022 (12th-gen Intel) generation. Because both years look physically identical, this code is the only reliable way to tell them apart — and it matters for your quote, since the 2022 units carry DDR5, RTX Ti-class GPUs, and a MUX switch. Make sure you're not looking at the 2023 M16, which moved to the different GU604 chassis. Our ASUS model-number guide shows exactly where to find the code.
02 Can I trade in a GU603 with a cracked screen, dead battery, or thermal issues?
Yes. Gadget Salvation buys the Zephyrus M16 in every operational state. Whether yours runs flawlessly or has a cracked QHD+ panel, a swollen or non-charging 90Wh battery, loud or failing fans, throttling from aged thermal paste, or worn keyboard lettering, just reflect the condition in the grading above and we'll lock in a firm cash value. Gaming laptops of this class hold value well even with wear, so it's worth getting a quote.
03 Should I wipe or remove my NVMe SSD before shipping?
We recommend backing up your games, saves, and personal files to an external drive or the cloud, then signing out of your Microsoft account before boxing the laptop. You do not need to open the chassis or pull the M.2 drive yourself — our technicians run certified, multi-pass data sanitation on every incoming SSD. Full details are on our data erasure protocols page.
04 How does the Gadget Salvation trade-in work, and which specs raise my M16's value?
A lot of sellers don't realize there's an alternative to marketplace listings and lowball offers — Gadget Salvation is a dedicated trade-in service that quotes you instantly, ships a free prepaid label, and pays you fast once your laptop is verified. On the GU603, the GPU tier drives value most: a 2022 RTX 3080 Ti or 3070 Ti config commands a much stronger payout than an entry RTX 3050 Ti. A 12th-gen i9, larger DDR5 capacity, a 2TB SSD, and the higher-brightness 2022 Nebula Display all lift the final figure. New to selling laptops online? Our first-time seller's guide walks through the whole process.
05 How and when do I get paid?
Once your Zephyrus M16 arrives at our facility and passes functional testing, payment is approved within about two business days. You can be paid by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp, or by a physical check mailed to you. Shipping to us is always free and fully insured with a prepaid label. Want the step-by-step first? See how it works. Selling several devices at once? Reach out through our bulk selling program.