The latest 12th Generation Intel processors are only one of the many improvements made to the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022. The newest Asus gaming laptop is unmistakably for serious gamers who don’t care to stand out but will never settle for subpar performance. To compete with ASUS’ own Zephyrus G15 and G14, which will be debuted with Ryzen 9, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has been a favorite, or at least a close second, among many.
For a couple of weeks, we were able to put the Zephyrus M16 through its paces. The laptop we tested was equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti 8GB GDDR6 processor, making it suitable for 4K gaming. The retail price of this model, which has just been introduced, is Rs 2,41,990. Prices range from 1,79,990 for the base model to 3,31,990 for the top-end model. Our last thoughts on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 are detailed below.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 Review: Design
First, let’s look at the exterior. You’ll be met with a beautifully packaged machine when you open the box. This further demonstrates that the Zephyrus M16 is not about aesthetics. It’s a reasonably sized piece of technology that looks at home in an office setting. There is little to no sign of screen flex; therefore, the laptop seems to be of sufficient build quality.
The exterior is crafted from aluminum and given the Zephyrus design language by its matte finish and laser-cut tiny perforations. Only the most observant observers will see the reflecting screen behind the laser cuts. There is sufficient strength and accuracy in the hinges. The laptop’s lid is single-handedly openable.
In brief, this is it if you want a gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp on features yet is professional enough to bring to the workplace. Despite its huge 16-inch screen, the M16 2022 is surprisingly portable. The thin bezels on all sides of the screen deserve all the praise. The nearby vents are oriented such that they face the screen itself. Even after many hours of gaming, we saw no effect from the ventilation system on the screen.
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It bothered me that the M16’s trackpad, palm rest, and speaker covers were made of cheap, plasticky material. Initial impressions of the rubbery texture were favorable. After a short while of use, we found that greasy or unclean hands made it difficult to maintain the machine clean.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 Review: Display
Even though the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 has the profile of a 15.6-inch notebook, its 16-inch QHD display operates at a speedy 165 hertz. Although there are laptops in this price category with a 1080p resolution and a little higher refresh rate, I find that the Asus Zephyrus M16 2022’s combination of a high-resolution and high-refresh-rate screen is the best option for me.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 has a Dolby Vision- and Pantone-validated display that offers complete coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Due to its 16:9 aspect ratio, this display is ideal for viewing videos on services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
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It would seem that the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 strikes a good middle ground between color fidelity and refresh rate, providing both advantages. The display on the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 is quick, color-accurate, and bright, whereas the average maximum brightness for laptops is roughly 300 nits.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 Review: Keyboard & Trackpad
The Stealth Type keyboard is quiet, making typing on the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 a more pleasant experience. These keys are incredibly responsive but don’t make much noise (less than 30 decibels). They enable N-key rollover technology, so your laptop will pick up every keypress even when you have many players on the screen.
You may customize the keyboard’s color scheme down to the individual keys. However, I like the laptop’s two-tone appearance with the white lighting I chose for the keyboard. The trackpad on the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2022 is significant and performs well.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 Review: Performance
Overall, performance in routine activities was excellent. We noticed zero glitches. It takes a few odd seconds for the battery to be switched to the power output and vice versa. The Armory Crate retains its button for adjusting performance settings. The laptop we used once got up to 93 degrees, and that’s just the highest it ever got.
Despite the increase in temperature, there was no discernible loss of performance. Although the cooling system is effective, the ambient temperature may rise to uncomfortable levels. The palm rest and trackpad region still have a comfortable heat level.
In the Armory Box, you’ll find the ability to toggle between the various modes. Those profiles are true to their word. Keeping things in quiet mode is ideal for battery life and keeping things cool. Once you put in your laptop, it immediately enters a high-performance mode.
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We recommend using the “turbo” setting for optimal performance in video games. The fans, however, are very noisy for such a serene setting. The CPU, GPU, and fan settings are all accessible through manual mode.
Verdict
Asus has made significant efforts to provide top-tier gaming performance in a compact and lightweight design. In some respects, the firm has been successful; only a few years ago, you would have had to carry around a suitcase to get this kind of performance. This burden is reduced to only 2 kg, thanks to the Zephyrus M16. Today’s most taxing games can be played with tolerable settings in resolutions higher than 1080p on a big, immersive monitor.
The features and capabilities are outstanding, but the price is also pretty hefty. Thanks to the user-replaceable SSD and one RAM module and the diversity and abundance of available physical connectors, we appreciate that there is room for growth. These days, 16:10 screens are an uncommon treat, but Asus has picked a solid one for this niche.
However, things aren’t as ideal as they seem. The Zephyrus M16’s overheating and irritating noise levels are its primary drawbacks. Some users may have problems finding a 16A power outlet, and the device’s status LEDs and software prompts are awkwardly situated.
The physical discomfort may be remedied using an external keyboard and mouse, and you’d still have a very transportable gaming or multipurpose laptop. This laptop might be an excellent option if you’re willing to make a few sacrifices in exchange for portability and a lightweight gaming experience.
We still hope that Asus and other manufacturers would include these new CPUs and GPUs into less aesthetically focused laptops with more robust cooling systems for individuals who choose functionality and performance above style.
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