Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (G733): First-Class Gaming

A cinematic experience from a bruiser of a laptop

- CHARLES JEFFERIES

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (G733)

STARTS AT $1,999; $2,499 AS TESTED

EXCELLENT

Asus has revamped its flagship 17.3-inch gaming laptop since we last reviewed it. Besides a refreshed design, the ROG Strix Scar 17 packs the latest Intel “Alder Lake” Core i9 processor and Nvidia’s refreshed GeForce RTX 3000-series graphics, paired with a high-resolution screen and quiet cooling fans. The system’s most glaring omission is a webcam, but if you can live without that, this big-screener rolls out the red carpet everywhere else, even earning good marks in our battery life test. It’s our Editors’ Choice honoree among high-end 17.3-inch gaming laptops.

THIS SCAR CUTS A DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

The ROG Strix Scar 17’s hulking, edgy chassis pegs it as an archetypal gaming laptop. Traveling with this beast—it’s 6.4 pounds and measures 1.1 by 15.6 by 11.1 inches (HWD)—isn’t something you’ll want to do every day, and don’t forget to factor in another two pounds for its 280-watt power adapter. That said, its size isn’t necessarily a con; this laptop does have enough room for an expansive 17.3-inch screen, after all. It’s just something to realize going in.

RGB effects on the front and sides, and another strip under the screen’s bottom edge, virtually guarantee the ROG Strix Scar 17 will be seen. The ROG lid logo and the backlit keyboard are also RGB-infused. You can choose from preset lighting effects in the Asus Armoury Crate app or mix your own in Aura Creator. All the lighting can, of course, be turned off, but where’s the fun in that?