If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed at CES every year, it’s a new batch of high-end gaming laptops. Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is more than just an incrementally updated, massive gaming laptop. It caught my attention thanks to its new user-friendly design, Intel Arrow Lake processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU. It’s a complete package of new high-end gaming hardware inside and a design change that could make gaming laptops a much more viable option for desktop gamers.
Best gaming laptop of CES 2025: Asus ROG Strix Scar 18
Why does he win
Gaming laptops have been working hard on RGB aesthetics and translucent panels this year, but one laptop has been hard at work customizing RGB and LEDs while also offering a convenient DIY solution and upgradeability.
Not only that Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 A high-end desktop-replacement laptop with the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 processors, the Strix Scar also features 64GB of DDR5 5600MHz memory, a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, a clicky keyboard, and AnimeVision LED backlighting. backlight and Nebula mini LED display.
What really sold us on the Strix Scar was the special easy-open latch that makes it easy to upgrade your memory to 6400MHz memory and PCIe Gen 5 storage, or even clean out the intake fans. While laptops still don’t have the upgradeability of desktops, we like that manufacturers are offering easier access for simple upgrades.
Release and Availability Summary
The Strix Scar 18 is a desktop-replacement monster laptop with top-notch specs and a price to match. The Strix Scar 18 (2025) G835 costs $3,299 and is expected to go on sale by March 31, 2025.
GPU | Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 for mobile devices |
CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
Display | 18 inches, 2560 x 1600 pixels, DCI-P3 100% |
RAM | Up to 32 GB |
Storage | Up to 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD |
Ports | 1 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 2.5G LAN, 2 Thunderbolt 5, 1 3.5mm audio |
Size | 15.7 x 11.7 x 0.9 ~ 1.3 inches |
Weight | 7.7 lbs |