I’ve been reviewing my fair share of ASUS ROG laptops lately, and if one thing has stayed consistent with each device, it’s their high quality and ability to play video games incredibly well. If so, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the latest laptop on my docket, the ROG Flow X16, also hits the mark when it comes to a very good gaming laptop, even if these unique features and design points that make it more than just a piece of hardware for gaming.
But before I get into the various features the Flow X16 brings to the table, let’s talk about technology. This review unit is a bit of a beast, as it comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and 32GB of DDR5 RAM clocked at 4800MHz. All of this makes for a computer that can run the most demanding games on the highest graphics settings while still delivering frame rates in excess of 70. Forza Horizon 5, for example, clocked in at an average of 72 fps on extreme settings and even went as high as 82 average fps when the cooling solution was set to Turbo. It should be known that this is the case when connected to the mains as the frame rate is halved when running on battery power alone.
This all works really well as the screen is a QHD panel meaning you get 2K graphics (1440p), which even supports HDR for extra vivid and color ranges. But since the Flow X16 also has a display that runs down to 165Hz, the option to lower graphics settings for better performance is present, and this also works like a dream for the system.
However, the really unique thing about this device and its display is that it is also a touchscreen, which is attached via a full 360-degree hinge. Essentially, this means you can go from a standard laptop to a tablet by simply pushing the screen all the way around. And the touchscreen nature of the screen is also incredibly well done, being responsive and fast, even working with certain games (you can play As Dusk Falls in full without ever touching the keyboard or plugging in a controller). This is a bit of a stark contrast to the touchscreen that the ROG Zephyrus Duo offered, as that device’s touchscreen came across as more of a niche and gimmick feature. The Flow X16, on the other hand, looks more like a jacked-up gamer version of a 2-in-1 laptop, and while it’s quite big and bulky compared to regular tablets, it works quite well.
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As has been consistent in other ASUS ROG laptops, the Flow X16 has a pretty impressive cooling solution. A triple fan module, the Pulsar heat sink, Frost Force technology and Ambient Cooling technology ensure that the laptop remains at a reasonably low temperature even under stress. And because the largest exhaust vents are on the right and back of the Flow X16’s body, the heat dissipation never starts to get uncomfortable when you rest the laptop on your legs. It’s not always the quietest device when gaming, in fact when you set the cooling to Turbo it’s actually quite loud, but this works in reverse meaning that when you’re not under stress (i.e. when you’re using it web browsing, video streaming or processing) the Flow X16 is almost inaudible, especially when the cooling is set to Silent.
As for audio, the Flow X16 comes with a quad speaker system and Dolby Atmos support, all of which combine for great audio clarity when playing without headphones connected. In fact, this system itself does a lot to counteract any noise the laptop produces, as the speaker system is powerful enough to drown out the hum of the fans on most occasions.
It should also be noted that the Flow X16 has a fairly wide range of connectivity options. You get an HDMI port, as well as two Type-A USBs, one Type-C USB, a 3.5mm audio jack, an SD card slot and a ROG XG mobile interface port to give the PC a little extra look when you’re on the go. are interested in it and have the appropriate supporting hardware. And all this on a chassis that is generally quite thin and quite light for gaming laptop standards. There’s a noticeable lack of an ethernet port, and all this technology puts a lot of strain on the 90Wh battery too, meaning you won’t really get much game time if you plan on playing without a power source connected, but still, this system isn’t. to mock if you’re looking for a device that strikes a good balance between productivity and playtime options.
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And that pretty much sums up my experience with the ROG Flow X16. While the majority of the ROG lineup I’ve tested impressed me, this one does in a way the others don’t, because it really feels like ASUS has done a good job when it comes to a good one. balance between hardware and productive functions. From a purely technological standpoint, it’s hard to beat this laptop, and it’s very easy on the eyes too, with a great color palette of silver and black giving it a premium look. That said (and this was the case with many ASUS ROG’s lineup), this device isn’t cheap, and it will cost you an arm and a leg, but if you have the money and are looking for a truly premium and fairly future proof system, you can’t go wrong with the Flow X16.
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