The Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX531 units out to be the smallest, thinnest and quietest Nvidia Max-Q machine ever created. Due to slimmer display bezels, thinner physique and a a lot improved construct, this gaming laptop has succeeded the unique Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501 in virtually each approach whereas fixing many issues we disliked concerning the unique.
Value and availability
Out there in two flavors at launch within the US (however just one within the UK), we received our fingers on the costlier and highly effective GX531GS model of the Asus ROG Zephyrus S geared up with a Nvidia GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics card. This specific model will solely be obtainable at Amazon for $2,199 (about £1,730, AU$three,Zero30). At this worth level the gaming laptop computer comes impressively geared up with an Intel Core i7-8750H processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD and a Full HD 144Hz show.
Outdoors of Amazon, Asus might be promoting a lower-tier GX531GM model geared up with a Nvidia GTX 1060, however nonetheless the identical processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD for $2,099 or £1,999 (about AU$2,890). This would be the solely mannequin obtainable within the UK.
These are pretty affordable worth factors, and the Asus ROG Zephyrus S might be obtainable for preorder on August 31st with models transport out on September 15th.
A comparably-equipped Razer Blade rings up for $2,599 (£2,329, AU$three,999) with all the identical specs, besides it solely has a 512GB SSD. The $1,999 (£1,799, AU$three,339) MSI GS65 Stealth Thin mirrors the Razer Blade’s specs with a further 1TB arduous drive to be probably the most inexpensive, skinny gaming laptop computer.
Design
The unique Asus ROG Zephyrus wowed us with how skinny and light-weight a gaming laptop computer may very well be with virtually no compromise to efficiency, and the Zephyrus S has us much more impressed. Due to chipping away on the display bezels and slicing down much more on thickness, this machine is now a 15-inch gaming laptop computer in a 14-inch physique on the identical degree because the Dell XPS 15 and Gigabyte Aero 15 X.
The Zephyrus S measures 12 x 10.6 x Zero.59-Zero.62 inches (30.6 x 26.eight x 1.49-1.57cm; W x D x H), whereas its predecessor was wider and thicker at 14.9 x 10.three x Zero.66-Zero.7 inches (37.9 x 26.2 x 1.69-1.79cm; W x D x H). Asus has additionally minimize off some weight down from Four.85 kilos (2.2kg) to Four.63 kilos (2.1kg).
Across the display are noticeably thinner display bezels which have been diminished by virtually half. The 7.5mm bezels are a fantastic enchancment over the unique Zephyrus’ 15.7mm bezels. Though the display continues to sport a 15.6-inch, 1,920 x 1,Zero80 Full HD panel operating at 144Hz, this new show boasts a brand new blazing-fast 3ms response time.
In fact, the Zephyrus S isn’t only a smaller model of its predecessor, it’s additionally undergone some important design modifications.
The obvious of those is the marginally hinge-forward design that offers this 15-inch pocket book a little bit of a rear lip when the display is open – plus a silhouette similar to the Alienware 15. In the meantime, the 2 little arms connecting the display to the laptop computer’s principal physique are similar to the cabinet-style hideaway hinges seen on the HP Spectre 13.
Name the Zephyrus S spinoff if you would like, however these new parts work nicely with its sharp and trendy squared-off design. Even up towards the suave MSI GS65 Stealth Skinny, this is among the most sophisticated-looking gaming laptops because of its futuristic styling and copper trimmed all-black exterior.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus S additionally has the distinctive Energetic Aerodynamic System, which principally opens up and lowers a part of the laptop computer’s backside to extend airflow. The mechanism nonetheless engages routinely as you open the display lid as on the unique Zephyrus, however now the hole is a little bit smaller at 5mm (against 6mm). Asus claims this area permits for 22% higher airflow than typical designs.
Beforehand we complained that the AAS panel felt a little bit flimsy, and Asus has strengthened the design right here as nicely. Fairly than having the entire backside aspect of the laptop computer drop right down to create a ramp, the mechanism is restricted to about three-fifths of the pocket book’s complete depth. Additionally, as an alternative of a plastic panel, Asus has gone with making the underside of its latest gaming laptop computer out of a a lot sturdier magnesium alloy.
Thanks to those enhancements there’s barely any noticeable flex on the Zephyrus S backside panel or virtually wherever.
Efficiency
Throughout our quick hands-on time with the Asus ROG Zephyrus, we didn’t get an opportunity to truly play with it past navigating across the Home windows 10 interface. Asus additionally informed us that its pre-production unit was not tuned for efficiency testing.
That mentioned, we’re trying to get extra time with the unit at Gamescom with our protection starting on August 20th, so keep tuned.
Provided that this laptop computer is provided with the identical Intel Core i7-8750H CPU and Nvidia GTX 1070 Max-Q GPU because the Razer Blade, MSI GS65 Stealth Skinny and numerous different thin-and-light gaming laptops, we might anticipate efficiency to be on par.
Sadly, within the course of of constructing the Zephyrus S as skinny because it rivals, it might now not assist the Nvidia GTX 1080 Max-Q as a configurable graphics choice. This gorgeous a lot leaves the Acer Predator Triton 7000 and Alienware 15 as your solely choices to get Nvidia’s strongest and thinnest cellular GPU.
Asus developed new lower-profile blades and fan modules constructed out of a particular liquid-crystal polymer that forestalls flexing at excessive RPMs. In keeping with the corporate, every fan blade solely measures Zero.2mm at its thickest level, and that is the way it managed to extend the variety of fan blades from 71 to 83.
We’re hoping all these fan blades will make the machine quieter underneath load than its earlier iteration.
Asus didn’t point out something about battery life, which is a little bit worrying. In keeping with the specs, the Zephyrus S nonetheless makes use of a Four-cell 50WHr battery, which solely noticed the unique Zephyrus by way of a most of two hours at finest.
Early verdict
The Asus ROG Zephyrus S seems to be to be an total higher gaming laptop computer than its predecessor with smaller dimensions total, a extra responsive display and higher construct high quality. We’re followers of the design modifications, and the addition of Intel Coffee Lake H-series processors additionally brings it updated with all different thin-and-light gaming laptops.
Nevertheless, we’re unsure of all of Asus selections, particularly limiting this laptop computer to Nvidia GTX 1070 Max-Q as its finest graphics choice. We even have considerations over battery life that would doubtlessly final for a most of two hours once more.
It’s too early to inform if the Asus ROG Zephyrus S might be among the finest gaming laptops, however we definitely can’t wait to play with it extra at Gamescom and get our fingers on a assessment unit quickly.