ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) review: a handsome machine on the outside, powerful on the inside

So, do the external aesthetics of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 really stand in the way of the performance promised by the manufacturer? Channel 24 presents a comprehensive review where we highlight the most important aspects of this extraordinary laptop.

Design and body

Zephyrus laptops have always been characterized by a restrained design, unlike the usual gaming machines, which “shout” about their capabilities with their appearance, sometimes even very loudly. Instead, the calm and measured Zephyrus G16 2024 is about action, not words.

The G14 has no eye-catching LED matrix, instead a single diagonal RGB strip adds to the elegant style. This bright panel with 28 fully customizable RGB mini LEDs remains the only external element reminiscent of the device’s gaming origins.

Diode strip on the cover of the Zephyrus G16 / Photo by 24 Channel

The high-quality aluminum body has a clean business look with gentle curves and a simple design that will fit into any modern interior.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) / Photo 24 Channels

While some gaming laptops look like castles under siege, the Zephyrus G16 stands out with its elegance. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s fragile. The case is reassuringly solid and you can feel confident in its durability from the first touch.

The body not only withstands pressure, but also resists fingerprints (by the way, the laptop is presented in two gray shades, so you can choose the option to your liking).

Zephyrus G16 case is made of aluminum on a CNC machine / Photo 24 Channels

But the Zephyrus G16 isn’t just about aesthetics. The placement of the ports is well thought out and the cooling system adapts to the desired configuration; It’s a thoughtful touch that highlights the laptop’s versatility. This is a machine with which you can create spreadsheets, edit videos, create content, and visit game worlds with equal pleasure.

A few words about the screen

Before getting to the heart of the matter, it would be useful to talk a little about the Nebula show. Developed in conjunction with Samsung, it’s a gorgeous 240Hz OLED panel with G-Sync support, and it’s truly impressive. Due to the nature of OLED, blacks are inky and colors are reflected on the screen with a vibrancy that LCDs can only dream of. Whether the owner of the device is immersed in a fantasy role-playing game or watching a new science fiction movie, the image on the screen will be simply fascinating.

Zephyrus G16 OLED screen / Photo 24 Channels

In the meantime, it will be important for gamers to know that the high refresh rate ensures excellent image fidelity in dynamic games, while the size and clarity create a truly immersive viewing experience.

It’s not the brightest screen on the market, but it’s more than enough for indoor work and even casual travel unless you plan to use your laptop directly in front of the scorching summer sun. It’s a great display for content creation, media viewing, and gaming.

Professional by day, actor by night

Zephyrus G16 is designed to be a powerful gaming platform by day and a powerful workhorse by night.

The laptop is available with RTX 4050 – RTX 4090 graphics, Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor (or Core Ultra 7 155H in a weaker configuration). These are the latest and best components on the market, and packing top-of-the-line iron into this ultra-thin body is an incredible feat of engineering.

Features

The performance of the device is truly impressive for its size. Few laptops with such a thin body (only 1.7 centimeters thick) are able to demonstrate at least approximate characteristics and capabilities. Even larger competitors with high-end processors and RTX 4090 don’t fare well in practice.

The real performance of Zephyrus G16 guarantees smooth gameplay. The laptop can handle just about anything, easily delivering 100 FPS at 1080p and a steady 60+ FPS at QHD+.

Indeed, hardcore gamers who demand unrivaled performance should pay attention to full-fledged gaming desktops. But the Zephyrus G16 is more than enough to play modern games with comfortable settings.

Features

The devil is in the details; Let’s take a look at the seemingly small but very important features of the Zephyrus G16.

Cell

Owners of this device will eventually have to forget about 720p video calls; Zephyrus G16 has a sharp 1080p webcam for crystal clear conferencing. The camera unit also has infrared sensors for facial recognition, which guarantees additional security for user data if configured and Windows Hello is used.

Keyboard

Below the screen is a seamless, clicky keyboard that has everything a smart user could want (except maybe the numpad). This isn’t the usual flat keyboard of an ultrabook; It offers 1.7mm of key travel with a nice level of resistance. All switches have large sizes and a comfortable location.

Zephyrus G16 keyboard / ASUS photo

Touchpad area is large enough for all kinds of tasks / Photo 24 Channels

The G16 keyboard practically absorbs the space between Alt and Ctrl, transitioning seamlessly into a massive touchpad that stretches the entire length of the workpad. It’s a true haven for productive tasks, enabling precise navigation through menus and documents. Gamers will of course reach for their trusty mouse, but casual users are guaranteed to appreciate the advantage of such a huge space for manipulation.

ports

The port selection is quite wide. Everything you need is here except Ethernet, which has long since left most laptops in a similar form factor.

On the left side, there is a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, an HDMI 2.1 port, a headphone jack, and a power jack.

The laptop is equipped with all necessary ports / Photo 24 Channels

On the right side there’s another USB-C port with DisplayPort support and power, another USB-A, and a large, high-speed SD card reader. This thoughtful placement ensures easy cable management regardless of configuration.

A place was found for the card reader / Photo 24 Channel

Cooling Systems

We should point out that the Zephyrus G16’s cooling system is connected to the iron under the hood. The configuration with RTX 4090 and 4080 can feature a premium cooling system with vapor chambers supported by two fans. Lower-spec models use a simpler heat pipe system, complete with three fans. Such a non-standard approach shows that ASUS has prioritized effective cooling throughout the Zephyrus G16 series.

Sound

The acoustic system deserves special attention. Gaming laptops generally pair well with headphones (a symphony of fan noise often results when these components are connected), but the G16 is truly amazing. The sound coming from the speakers has a lot more bass than you’d expect from such a thin device. All in all, this is an engaging sound system that just needs to be heard; It is guaranteed to impress its owner.

Speakers are located on both sides of the laptop / Photo 24 Channels

Verdict: A versatile machine for work and play

So who is the ROG Zephyrus G16 for? This stylish machine is the perfect partner for creative professionals and gamers who value versatility. It will help work with multimedia during the working day and smoothly switch to games in the evening. While the device may not rank high on performance charts, pure power isn’t everything.

The stunning OLED display, slim design and surprisingly powerful speakers will surprise you even more and give you a more unforgettable experience than chasing the Holy Grail at 200+ FPS. Additionally, the compactness of this device makes it a great mobile platform with many features.

Zephyrus G16 offers a unique balance between power and portability on the market, making it ideal for those who like to game right after work without having to switch devices.