The Asus ROG Zephyrus S laptop was one of the most compact gaming laptops with a 15.6 inch display when it launched last year. Now Asus is making it smaller… and more powerful.

The new 2018 ROG Zephyrus S features an Intel Core i7-8750H hexa-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics, and a 144 Hz display with 3ms response times.

But despite the spec bump, the new model is thinner than last year’s model and has smaller screen bezels. Asus says the 2018 model is about the size of a typical 14 inch laptop (although that’s a distinction that’s becoming meaningless as we see a growing number of slim-bezel designs).

Last year’s ROG Zephyrus S measured 17.9mm (0.7 inches) at its thickest point. This year’s model is 15.7mm (0.6 inches).

Last year’s model has a 120 Hz display, this year’s has a 144 Hz screen. And last year’s supported up to a Core i7-7700HQ quad-core processor, while this year’s model has a Core i7-8750H hexa-core chip.

On the other hand, last year’s model was also available with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q graphics, so the fact that the new model lacks that option seems like a bit of a downgrade.

It’s the design differences that you’ll notice first though. In addition to the more compact design, the 2018 ROG Zephyrus S has an unusual feature to offer improved cooling: it’s thinner when closed than it it when you open it. That’s because opening the lid causes a vent to open at the back of the laptop, pushing the rear up a little and improving airflow to help keep the system cool.

One defining characteristic that does carry through form last year’s model: the unusual keyboard placement. The keyboard is at the front of the laptop, which means there’s nowhere to rest your palms while typing. The system is apparently designed to help offer better cooling, but it does look kind of awkward.

To the right of the keyboard is a touchpad that can also be used as a numeric keypad.

The laptop goes on sale August 31st, with a top-tier model featuring 16GB of RAM, 512GB of PCIe NVMe storage, and NVIDIA GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics expected to run $2,199.

The company also plans to sell some slightly cheaper configurations with less powerful specs.

via The Verge, Engadget, Gizmodo, and AnandTech

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2 replies on “Asus updates its ROG Zephyrus S gaming laptop with slimmer design, faster CPU”

  1. My Acer R7 has a front-forward keyboard and I prefer it over the regular arrangement. It puts the screen at a more comfortable distance, the viewing angle isn’t as sharply downward, and the front edge doesn’t press into my forearms.

    1. that’s exactly what I thought… I thought it didn’t make sense that people were complaining about this… well the people that this is aimed at. Sure it is a “lap”-top but this product was engineered toward gamers and yes the keyboard is placed “unusually” for a laptop but makes perfect sense when you think about how and where you are going to use it… (on a desk/coffee table at a LAN party).

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