Item: [Computex 2018] ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II First Impressions – Imagine Zephyrus in a refined and reduced package
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Author: Super Daddy

[Computex 2018] ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II First Impressions – Imagine Zephyrus in a refined and reduced package

While the ROG Phone is all the buzz and fever of the day at Computex 2018, the next best thing that you can get your hands on are the ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II gaming laptops. The names descended from the previous GL503 based ROG Strix SCAR and ROG Strix Hero that we reviewed last year. Continuing the success, the twin beasts bring even more attitude to satisfy FPS and MOBA Esports gaming.

The ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II have all the reasons to fall in love with them, but probably the best reason among all is their world’s first 144Hz super-narrow-bezel display with an ultrafast 3ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time for accurate targeting. Matched with quick-responding desktop-style keyboards, it ensures precision control, and lifespan of 20-million keystrokes. The patented RangeBoost multi-antenna system delivers unprecedented reliable, wide-ranging Wi-Fi coverage.

When the heat builds up, both the ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II will harness the cooling from its HyperCool Pro thermal system that delivers extreme cooling that is needed to juice the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor that is coupled to the Nvidia GeForce 10-series graphics.

Notable differences between the ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II machines against their older counterpart are the enlarged ROG logo on the lid, front light bar, transparent WASD keycaps, and semi-transparent key sides. The palm rest comes with a Kevlar-like finish to add aggression to the outlook of the ROG Strix SCAR II. The lid has two contrasting brushed finishes that meet to create a dynamic diagonal slash across its lid, much like the katana cut on the Strix motherboard, minus the emboss. The anodized Gunmetal Gray finish and deep-black heatsink mimic the dark feel of an assault rifle, defining the FPS gamer in you.

You might be wondering the bulk that the ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II would carry assuming the features seem heavy for a machine as portable as it. Then again, if I tell you that the machine itself weighs only around 2.4kg in a 15″ shell, 300g lighter than its past generation, you would only be staring at these beautiful machines in awe.

Then you might be wondering if ASUS jeopardized on its performance? Sweat not, running Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, coupled to 2666MHz DDR4 SDRAM, pushing graphics on Nvidia GeForce GTX1060/1070 will make you think otherwise.

In the storage department, we have an M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD alongside 2.5″ SSHD/HDD based on country specific model. Below are the generic specifications that have been announced at Computex 2018 as the local specifications for Malaysian models have yet to be finalized. When we have that, we will provide further updates along with local pricing.

Specifications

[table style=”table-hover”]

	ROG Strix SCAR II	ROG Strix Hero II
CPU	Intel Core i7-8750H Intel Core i5 – 8300H	Intel Core i7-8750H Intel Core i5 – 8300H
GPU	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Nvdia GeForce GTX1070	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 VRAM
RAM	Up to 32GB DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM	Up to 32GB DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM
Display	15.6″ IPS-level Full HD (1920 x 1080), 144Hz, 3ms, 100% sRGB with VR capabilities	15.6″ IPS-level Full HD (1920 x 1080), 144Hz, 3ms, 100% sRGB with VR capabilities 15.6″ IPS-level Full HD (1920 x 1080) 60Hz, 100% sRGB
Storage	SSD M.2 NVMe PCIE Gen 3 x4 (128GB/256GB/512GB) HDD 2.5″ 5400rpm 1TB SSHD or 2.5″ 5400rpm / 7200rpm 1TB HDD	SSD M.2 NVMe PCIE Gen 3 x4 (128GB/256GB/512GB) HDD 2.5″ 5400rpm 1TB SSHD or 2.5″ 5400rpm / 7200rpm 1TB HDD
Keyboard	Backlit chiclet keyboard with RGB 4 zones and Aura Sync Marked WASD keys Hot keys: Vol Up / Vol Down / Mute / ROG Gaming Center 1.8mm Travel distance 0.25mm Keycap curve	Backlit chiclet keyboard with RGB 4 zones and Aura Sync Marked QWER keys Hot keys: Vol Up / Vol Down / Mute / ROG Gaming Center 1.8mm Travel distance 0.25mm Keycap curve
Audio	2 x 3.5W speaker with SmartAMP technology and Array microphones	2 x 3.5W speaker with SmartAMP technology and Array microphones
I/O Ports	1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 2 X USB 3.1 Gen 1 1 x mDP 1.2 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x RJ-45 jack 1 x 2 in-1 card reader 1 x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack 1 x Kensington lock	1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 2 X USB 3.1 Gen 1 1 x mDP 1.2 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x RJ-45 jack 1 x 2 in-1 card reader 1 x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack 1 x Kensington lock
Power	180W power adapter 230W power adapter	180W power adapter
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth	802.11ac 2×2 Wave 2 WLAN Bluetooth 5.0	802.11ac 2×2 Wave 2 WLAN Bluetooth 5.0
Dimensions	36.1cm x 26.2cm x 2.61cm	36.1cm x 26.2cm x 2.61cm
Weight	2.4kg	2.4kg

[/table]

That’s pretty much the sum of what the refreshed ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II has to offer. We will be updating local specifications and subsequently review both of these units very soon, so do watch this space.

Pokdepinion: If you have owned any of the previous generation ROG Strix SCAR or ROG Strix Hero, you would know what these beasts are capable of. Now imagine giving them some steroids, that’s what the II gives you.