Asus ROG Strix Hero Edition (GL503VM) Review - Review 2022

When PC manufacturers are edifice laptops specifically to play titles like League of Legends and Dota two, y'all know the MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) genre is huge. Asus' ROG Strix Hero Edition ($1,599) is one such MOBA-centric gaming laptop. With an Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card and extras like a fast response-rate display and a snappy keyboard, this machine volition have you lot gaming at a smooth 60fps in nearly titles. The look of this laptop won't likely exist anybody's cup of tea, but the performance, feature, and toll mix should go along nearly MOBA gamers happy.

Divisive Design

Visually, the Strix Hero Edition treads a line between Asus' most minimalist designs and its most tricked-out gaming laptops. It lacks the garish cherry and copper accents of other Republic of Gamers (ROG) laptops, opting instead for a patterned blackness and white mode. The hat is striped and has what Asus refers to as a "Mayan" pattern (a cultural pull perchance all-time avoided for a gaming laptop), which is also mirrored on the keyboard deck. The design is restrained compared with some other gaming laptops, only I withal notice information technology somewhat tacky. My colleagues concord, many of them commenting on the design as the laptop sat on my demote during the testing period. Gaming laptop manufacturers nonetheless can't seem to get away from the same flashy/tacky "gamer aesthetic." Peradventure information technology helps movement units within the demographic, only personally (as a gamer myself), I'd like to see more tasteful styles.

Lid Pattern

The chassis is made entirely of plastic, which is fairly typical in this price range, just the laptop feels solid withal. Measuring 0.9 by 15.i by 10.3 inches (HWD) and weighing v.6 pounds, the Strix Hero Edition is not especially portable, but it compares favorably to alternatives like the 7.viii-pound Alienware fifteen R3. Most, similar the MSI GP62X Leopard Pro and the Lenovo Legion Y520, fall within a pound of the Strix Hero Edition. If y'all desire a truly sparse and light gaming laptop, take a expect at Max-Q designs like the Origin PC EVO15-S and Asus' own ROG Zephyrus, only expect to pay a premium for that portability.

Stay in Your Lane

The HD brandish measures 15.6 inches diagonally with an anti-glare blanket. The fast 120Hz refresh charge per unit suits loftier-action game genres like MOBAs—almost laptops only include 60Hz displays. More frequent screen refreshes make gameplay wait and experience smoother. The anti-glare finish does its job, though the screen isn't quite as vibrant as those without it. As for the resolution, HD (1,920 by 1,080) will work fine for MOBAs and is what we await to see in a midrange gaming automobile. Information technology takes a much more than powerful graphics card than the Nvidia GTX 1060 here to make adept use of a higher-resolution QHD or 4K screen.

Keyboard

I'k a big fan of the keyboard, which offers customizable backlighting across 4 zones, forth with an Northward-key rollover to preclude input logjam. The QWER keys are outlined, once more a MOBA hotkey nod, though I've never quite understood the need to highlight these or the WASD keys—it's not similar we don't know where they are. The keycaps are curved 0.25mm deep, which yields a comfortable and satisfying typing experience, and primal travel feels adept for gaming. The laptop's speakers are fairly powerful, and can get pretty loud without sounding tinny, should you lot want to play without a gaming headset.

Adequately well outfitted with ports, the Strix Hero Edition has a USB-C port, four USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, a Mini DisplayPort connection, an SD menu slot, a combination audio jack, and an Ethernet jack.

For storage, there'south a 256GB kicking SSD and a larger 1TB hybrid bulldoze. You lot can throw your MOBA of choice (and a couple other titles) onto the SSD for a load fourth dimension boost, and use the larger drive for the majority of game installs. Other features include an Hard disk drive webcam and dual-ring Wi-Fi with Bluetooth. Asus supports the Strix Hero Edition with a ane-year warranty.

Targeted Performance

This laptop is fabricated for MOBAs, merely its components allow for competency beyond this single genre. Its two.8GHz Intel Cadre i7-7700HQ processor and 16GB of memory led to a solid PCMark 8 Piece of work Conventional examination upshot, reaching comfortably due north of the 3,000 bespeak mark. Operation here roughly matches the MSI Leopard Pro and the Lenovo Legion Y520. And this Strix doesn't fall too far behind its stablemate, the ROG Strix GL753V, or the much pricier Alienware 15 R3. The same holds truthful on the multimedia tests, if you want to use the laptop for professional or hobby projects when yous're not gaming. It'due south not a workstation, but it is quick enough to go the chore done if you demand to edit some photos or videos.

Asus ROG Strix Hero Edition (GL503VM)

As for gaming, the GTX 1060 fares likewise every bit you lot'd expect. It's perfectly capable for 1080p gaming, which is where the screen resolution maxes out. More than enervating games push the carte's limits, and you lot'll likely have to dial back a few bells and whistles in those cases to maintain 60 frames per second (fps), simply about titles should run smoothly. While the MOBA genre is frenetic, the graphics aren't as high fidelity when compared with some RPGs and shooters. The Sky and Valley tests are useful benchmarks for this and demonstrate the laptop's Hard disk capability: On Ultra-quality settings and 1080p, the Strix Hero Edition averaged 68fps and 73fps respectively. Combined with the 120Hz refresh charge per unit, the Strix can deliver a smooth 1080p experience. The GTX 1060 can also power your VR experiences, just it'southward at the bottom of the range of acceptability, and then more than demanding titles will require that you subtract some settings.

Asus ROG Strix Hero Edition (GL503VM) BM

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As is typical for gaming laptops, battery life isn't exactly impressive. The Strix Hero Edition lasted for three hours and 1 infinitesimal on our rundown test, which is on the shorter end of an already-short range. Gaming laptops aren't typically used off the charger for too long, particularly when playing, simply some extra juice is still dainty to take. The MSI Leopard Pro didn't last much longer at 3:35, and much of the competition tops out around 5 hours. The Razer Bract is the exception, with x:36; it's long battery life combined with its slim, light build makes information technology truly portable, but you'll accept to pay several hundred dollars more for information technology.

Worth a Expect for MOBA Fans

The Strix Hero Edition is a solid midrange gaming laptop. The price is reasonable; the graphics card isn't loftier end, only is very capable; and the screen resolution doesn't go beyond the card'due south needs. A few hundred dollars less gets you a GTX 1050 Ti, and a couple hundred more nets a GTX 1070 (or a slick blueprint in the case of the Razer Blade). It could exist argued that $1,500 is a little high for a GTX 1060, only the laptop comes with useful features and a solid enough build to get away with information technology. The Strix Hero Edition is aimed at MOBA gamers, and though it seems a little odd to exist so specific, it does suit that type of player quite well. If you accept more cash to spend, the appeal of the Razer Blade is difficult to deny, just the Strix Hero Edition is a proficient option in this price range.