First Look: Are the Asus ROG Flow X16, Scar 17 SE Laptops Worth $2,000+?

Asus revealed a line of new ROG gaming products on Tuesday, led by the new ROG Flow X16 and the ROG Strix Scar 17 SE laptops.

The Flow X16 represents a new larger screen size for the unique 2-in-1 convertible gaming device that we’ve tested before, while the Scar 17 is a souped-up special edition (hence the SE) traditional clamshell laptop that goes all-in on power. These are two premium products, so budget shoppers beware!

We were able to preview these two gaming fiends in a private session with Asus prior to their unveiling, which you can watch in the video below. Read on for the astronomical pricing and other features you can look forward to if you're in the market for your next premium gaming laptop.

The Flow X16: Asus Supersizes the Gaming Convertible

If you’re unfamiliar with the Flow line, it’s a relatively new and unique product from Asus. The general idea is a gaming tablet with discrete graphics, but with a connection for an external graphics processor (eGPU). This way, you can have a midrange dedicated GPU on the go, and hook up to an even more powerful external GPU box (sold separately) at your home desk. But the two Flow devices available so far have gone about this in different ways.

The first was the Flow X13, a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that can fold its keyboard back to shift into a tablet. Since the keyboard isn't detachable, this is technically a laptop that can be used like a tablet in a pinch, rather than an alternative to the Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface. Given its portable size, you can easily take it on the go, use it while in transit, and do some gaming on the road with its moderately powerful built-in GPU. If you bring the XG Mobile eGPU with you, you could even set up for a more powerful experience where you're going.

The Asus ROG X16 flows from the earlier X13's formula as a convertible laptop, rather than one with a detachable keyboard.

The Flow Z13 was the second effort, launched earlier this year, and it inverted the formula. It's the same core concept as the X13, but the Z13 is a full tablet that can become a laptop, rather than the opposite. That is to say that by default this device is only a tablet, but you can attach and detach a keyboard like with the Microsoft Surface. All components are located behind the display, which makes its top-end parts and performance impressive, though we questioned its usefulness over a laptop in our review.

(Photo: Raffi Paul)

That brings us to the X16. As you may note, the X rather than the Z means it flows from the X13's formula as a convertible laptop. As the 16 denotes, the screen size is larger here (16 inches measured diagonally) for an even fuller experience. That also means that, fundamentally, it won’t be too different from the X13, with the size and component upgrades the main draw.

A Larger Display and Superior Parts

The 16-inch display uses a 16:10 aspect ratio with a QHD resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, very fitting for gaming. Asus also rates the mini LED panel option with “Nebula HDR” technology for a whopping 1,100 nits of maximum brightness, though we will have to test that ourselves when we get the chance.

Given the X16's ability to transform into a tablet, this is a touch screen, though a 16-inch tablet is quite large and a bit unwieldy to hold. With the larger screen factored in, it measures 0.76 inches thick and weighs 4.4 pounds.

That’s a much roomier gaming experience, but what’s powering this larger system? The X16 makes use of its larger chassis by offering up to an RTX 3070 Ti and Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, which is high-end for any type of system. Convertible gaming laptops aren’t too common, and power like this will give you a versatile system for the road.

(Photo: Raffi Paul)

You’ll also have much less reason to plug in to Asus’ external GPU enclosure, the XG Mobile, if you buy an RTX 3070 Ti model—there isn’t much higher your performance can go, and it wouldn’t be worth the added cost. Liquid metal thermal solution is used to keep the system cool.

As mentioned, this is a premium system. The ROG Flow X16 starts at $1,949.99 and runs up to $2,699.99 for the top configuration. Watch the video above for a closer walkthrough, and check back for a full review when it becomes available; Asus has not yet decided on a hard launch date.

Meet the Scar 17 SE: Pure Power at a Price

In our briefing, Asus described the Scar 17 SE as a bit of a love letter to its hardcore ROG fans. Looking at the components, it's easy to see why: This system is outfitted with the best of the best modern parts, going all-in on performance for the deep-pocketed enthusiasts out there.

(Photo: Raffi Paul)

To start, the machine can pack up to a Core i9-12900HX CPU, the latest high-performance processor platform from Intel. It’s mainly meant for mobile workstations and powerhouse gaming laptops like this, so it’s difficult to achieve any greater performance tier in the laptop space right now. In the laptop’s Turbo mode, this chip has up to 55 watts of power available.

(Photo: Raffi Paul)

On the graphics side, to no surprise the Scar 17 SE can go up to an RTX 3080 Ti, the most powerful laptop GPU currently available. It can push up to 175 watts, which is also notably higher than most gaming laptops and has a significant impact on gaming performance.

This should be an unparalleled gaming machine if your primary concern is pushing all of the latest titles to maximum settings. A vapor chamber and liquid metal combine to cool this monster.

(Photo: Raffi Paul)

The display is no slouch either, a 17-inch panel with a couple options. It’s an IPS display that you can choose in either a full HD 360Hz or QHD 240Hz variation. The QHD is more demanding, so perhaps a better fit for a top-end configuration, should you choose. But one could also argue for matching top components with a 360Hz display as well, to maximize frame rates.

This will, of course, cost you—we weren’t exaggerating the need for deep pockets. The Strix Scar 17 SE starts at $3,499.99 and goes up to $3,699.99. The exact launch date is still to be decided, but will be available sooner than the X16.

For more details, including a closer look at the chassis and features, check out the preview video above. Visit PCMag for a full review when units become available.