The 2026 Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 gaming laptop features a 450W power supply, the highest wattage charger currently available for a gaming laptop, which enables superior CPU performance compared to other 18-inch models. The device includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX processor, an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5-6400 RAM, and an 18-inch 4K 240Hz Mini-LED display. Despite its high power consumption, the laptop maintains cool keyboard temperatures during heavy loads, and its cooling system is effective, though the fans can become loud under maximum settings. The laptop offers a toolless design for accessing internal components, including the RAM and M.2 SSD slots, though the Wi-Fi card requires removing 18 screws. The display supports a one-zone backlight mode to mitigate blooming effects common in Mini-LED panels. While the laptop offers strong performance, it is the thickest 18-inch model tested and has the worst battery life among recent comparable devices. The laptop is priced at $5,000, making it a significant investment compared to other available 18-inch gaming laptops.
The 2026 Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 includes a 450W power supply, which is the highest wattage charger currently available for a gaming laptop. The laptop features an 18-inch 4K 240Hz Mini-LED display that supports a one-zone backlight mode to reduce blooming.
The device offers a toolless design for accessing internal components like RAM and M.2 SSD slots, simplifying upgrades. The laptop is the thickest 18-inch model tested and exhibits the worst battery life among recent comparable gaming laptops.
The laptop's cooling system keeps the keyboard cool during heavy loads, though the fans can become loud under maximum settings.
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Worth noting
- The reviewer received the product from Asus for the purpose of this review.
- The screen flickering issues mentioned were not captured on camera and may be driver-related.
- The 1600-nit peak brightness claim by Asus could not be fully verified with current testing tools.