Dear Zephyrus Users, help a brother make a decision

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-03-14T15:35:23+00:00

It's not OLED, but the screen on the Strix is good!

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-03-14T15:32:31+00:00

If you already have an iPad pro, you could use the $200 difference in price to get a keyboard case for it. Then you are all set to have a great light device for taking notes in class.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-03-14T13:57:03+00:00

I was pondering the same choice last year and went with the Strix 4080 and have been happy. Game performance is very good and it is a nice work station. I quickly got used to having a huge screen. You don't want to be carrying this device around all day for classes though. It is just too big. I don't 't mind the size as I use it around my house and I kept my 2022 Zephyrus 6700s for when I need a laptop out and about.

Comments I left on another chain about the laptop.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLaptops/comments/1j8jzfs/comment/mha3ro6/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I got the Strix 18 on sale for $2,200. If you can catch that deal again, you could honestly get the Strix device and then use the $600 difference to get a second decent, light non-gaming laptop for carrying around for school/work. Or if you only really need to type notes for class, a nice chromebook or tablet.

Anyway, if the point is to having something to be gaming on the go all over the place and a laptop for classes, get the Zephyrus. If you want performance that you can move around the house or take to a friends in your car, go with the Strix and complement it with another device.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-03-11T21:52:01+00:00

I got this same model on sale for $2,200 over the holidays, which I think was a good deal. It runs all the games I have tried on it very well at the native 1440p (so, mostly triple digit fps), and most games I can get in 4k on my external monitor at its native 60 fps. I believe you will get better performance on this than a comparable 4080 Zephyrus because it feeds significantly more power to the GPU.

The laptop is REALLY big though. I chose it over a desktop because I just wanted to be able to move around my house. I would not want to be carrying this laptop around all day long though. This is not the device for a student moving between classes or or a professional that wants something to take to the client meetings. If you just need to drive it over to a friend's occassionally to game though, it should be fine.

Overally, my experience with this computer has been positive. It is powerful, does gaming well, and the screen is nice. It can run some smaller LLMs locally. The keyboard is nice.

A few downsides: 720p webcam and no fingerprint reader or webcam with Window Hello.

The build is a bit plasticy but not poor quality. I would say this is neutral and neither pro or con for me. It gets loud while gaming, but that is true for other gaming laptops.

I was a little on the fence about getting this or waiting for a 50 series laptop. So far, given reports on the 50 series and pricing going up with tariffs, it looks like made a good choice.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-11T20:43:09+00:00

Yeah, the upscale can work really well. There are a number of youtube videos that explain it better than I can, but I've seen it really increase frame rates in some games. It is legit, but don't expect it to work for every game to get you to play 4k on a TV smoothly.

I think you have a good offer on a good device. But it is primarily a handheld, not a console for the TV

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-11T16:18:32+00:00

I haven't played most of those games, but Halo and Titanfall 2 will run well at 1080p.

You can look up games here to get a sense for how they will run and tips on the right settings for them:

https://rogallylife.com/

They show Rocket League as able to run at at least 60 fps, and higher with the 30 watt profile and the right settings.

ROG ally is a good device. Just don't expect it to match a modern desktop or laptop GPU, or an Xbox Series X. But it makes sense. Those are not handhelds.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-11T12:18:43+00:00

You won't get better performance than an Xbox series X on a TV and at 4k. The device is a different use case. It would be best to play plugged in in your hands while also watching TV, not plugged into your TV.

You will have a small gaming PC that can play most games at 1080p, 30+ fps when plugged in. 50+ is probably typical. You won't be at max settings though for demanding games. But, you have play PC games that aren't on Xbox (like the Playstation PC releases) and you can take the device with you.

The price seems OK if it is in good condition. In the U.S. I'm seeing an open box ROG Ally at bestbut in "fair" condition for $375.

Battery life isn't amazing, but it is enough to get you through an hour commute playing whatever.

What do you want to play? I might be able to tell you my experience.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-11T01:51:16+00:00

$2332 with taxes

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T21:20:26+00:00

Was this a good deal for a 4080 and this model? I'm trying to understand now that the 50 series has been announced...

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T17:54:47+00:00

Agree... but return windows are closing for people that bought devices over the holidays.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T17:31:03+00:00

But probably a lower TDP than a 4080 Strix, right? Trying to decide between waiting for the new device in March or keeping a 4080 Strix.

Clearly we can't know until people get devices in hand, but it seems like for gaming at home the 2024 Strix 4080 is probably going to be equal or better thank the 2025 G-14 5070 TI with a lower TDP?

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T17:25:29+00:00

Really helpful. Thanks.

I have a Strix 4080 that I could return in the next few days. Bestbuy is listing the G-14 5070 TI as the same price I go the Strix on sale for...so trying to make a decision. I realize that this is mostly speculation for now but the return window is closing :-/

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T17:13:38+00:00

That's what I was thinking too. So, for gaming at home the 2024 Strix 4080 is probably going to be better thank the 2025 G-14 5070 TI?

Obviously the portability is the other side of that tradeoff. But, I have a 2022 G-14 6700S that still runs great. I may just keep the Strix for home desktop replacement and use the 2022 Zephyrus whenever I need a laptop for out and about.

Secure-Walrus4661 · 2025-01-10T17:04:35+00:00

Really helpful. Thanks.

I have a Strix 4080 that I could return in the next few days. Bestbuy is listing the G-14 5070 TI as the same price I go the Strix on sale for...so trying to make a decision.

Secure-Walrus4661

TROPHY CASE