I evaluated the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2024) nearly a year ago, and I was quite impressed. It was a hefty chunk of a gaming laptop, yet I couldn’t shake the sensation that it felt somewhat outdated.
After spending some time working with the latest model, that perception seems to have shifted. Not in terms of size and weight, though—not significantly, at least. 18-inch high-spec laptops remain substantial pieces of hardware, so don’t assume that the revamped Strix Scar 18 is light enough to lug around all day—unless you’re built like Schwarzenegger, naturally.
And internally it boasts an impressive array of components, now upgraded for the latest generation. This includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 24-core CPU and up to an RTX 5090 GPU—with a 175 W maximum TGP.
Phew. I’ll officially state that I’m willing to eat my hat if this device isn’t extremely loud at full volume. Just like its predecessor, although to be fair, it was considerably quieter than the MSI Titan 18 HX A14V.
In any case, the internal components may have received an upgrade, but it’s the exterior design that truly captivated me when I saw it firsthand.
The Strix Scar 18 now feels streamlined, and that makes a significant difference. The keyboard is flush with the top of the inner deck, without any indent in the chassis to accommodate it. The finish appears and feels somewhat satin-like, and seems astonishingly resistant to fingerprints—which is a pet peeve of mine on nearly all gaming laptops.
The ostentatious lighting bar on the underside has been replaced by a uniform RGB strip that looks far more like a nightclub than a county fair. The outer lid now features an AniMe Vision (yes, that’s accurate) display utilizing 810 LEDs to showcase animations on the exterior. I’m not entirely sure why one would want that, but it’s quite impressive in person.
Overall, this laptop now presents itself as special, although considering that Asus has priced this beast at a $3,300 MSRP, it certainly ought to be.
Nonetheless, as our Jacob Ridley highlighted, it even includes a tool-free upgrade system that makes plenty of sense as well. It seems that Asus has genuinely invested time ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the Strix Scar 18, and I’m eager to assess one myself.
Large, hefty laptops may not be the most practical of devices, but if you ask me, this one now possesses an appeal that simply cannot be overlooked.