The Asus ROG Strix XG16 transportable gaming monitor – now accessible in India, a yr after its worldwide launch – is constructed for a really particular function. To be honest, his title says lots. Not simply as soon as, however twice in reality. ROG, or Republic of Players, is the moniker that Asus makes use of – as you’ll be able to guess – for units that cater to the gaming viewers before everything. Add to this the opposite essential key phrase, “transportable”. The Strix XG16 is basically a major or secondary monitor for gaming on the go. Asus hoped to pair it with a ROG laptop computer, and maintain it within the household. After all, you might be free to make use of it with a Steam Deck (mainly a PC) or a Nintendo Change (which I largely do).
However regardless of which route you are taking, its ergonomics get in the best way. There are two methods for the Asus ROG Strix XG16 to face – both by itself utilizing the built-in kickstand, or with the assistance of a sublime and adjustable tripod that’s bundled. Did you can Use any digital camera tripod because of the standardized assist within the again, though there may be little level as a result of you will have a specialist within the field. It is a greater resolution outdoors of India, the place Asus sells two variants: one with the tripod and one with out (the technical names are XG16AHP-E and XG16AHP-W, respectively). In India, Asus sells solely the most recent model. This implies you might be pressured to pay for the tripod even in case you don't care.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W evaluate: design and specs
Whether or not you utilize the kickstand or tripod, the footprint of the Asus transportable monitor is big. With the slim kickstand – it tilts from 5 to 27.5 levels – the ROG Strix XG16 by no means actually feels prefer it's on a secure base. I attempted to apply it to the backseat of a automobile, but it surely wobbled in what place I put it. (As a result of the XG16 has an IPS panel and never an OLED, the viewing angles aren't nice both.) Or the highest half of the show feels too removed from the underside half as you enhance the lean angle . However at decrease tilt angles, the 15.6-inch show feels small, as it’s good to transfer away from your self to lower viewing angles.
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The Asus ROG Strix XG16 appears comical on the ROG tripod
Photograph Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
Asus ROG Strix XG16 specs
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 28.6 cm x 21 cm x 1.2 cm
- Dimensions (with stand eliminated): 28.6 cm x 21 cm x 22.5 cm
- Display dimension: 15.6-inch
- Decision: 1920 x 1080
- HDR: No
- Native dimming: No
- Refresh charge: 144 Hz
- VRR: Sure
- Nvidia G-Sync: Sure
- Interventions: Sure
- Battery: 7,800 mAh
- Ports: Micro-HDMI, USB Sort-C x2, 3.5 mm audio output
The tripod has its issues. For one, it’s fairly heavy. Two, it wants as a lot area because it stands for a lot bigger screens. On my every day work desk, the ROG Strix XG16 tripod took up as a lot area because the built-in stand for my 24-inch Dell monitor. It's loopy. Due to this, the 15.6 inch show additionally appears comical on the tripod, extra so in case you apply it to the very best setting. And whereas most screens have buttons on the entrance, the XG16 has them on prime of the show. It was awkward to make use of, particularly once I had it on the tripod. Lastly, there isn’t any simple option to take it with you. When you can put the show in a neat sleeve, supplied by Asus, there isn’t any carrying case for the tripod.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W evaluate: efficiency
In terms of the monitor features of the sport, I’ve no complaints. The ROG Strix XG16 boasts a 144Hz refresh charge and Nvidia G-Sync assist out of the field. I didn’t have any supply that would proceed that, however I attempted 120Hz with my PlayStation 5. As with all issues 120fps, you can’t really feel the leap from 60fps. I really feel certain that it goes from 30fps to 60fps, but it surely's not the identical when it doubles once more. Colours are unbelievable – in reality, Asus is so certain of the XG16's coloration accuracy that it features a very nerdy calibration report sheet within the field. I prefer it. The ROG Strix XG16 is fantastically tuned proper out of the field, though with a little bit of calibration, you may make it look even higher.
And whereas the Asus transportable monitor is unquestionably vibrant sufficient for indoor use—I've by no means pushed it previous 50 % brightness—it's not vibrant sufficient to outshine the solar in India. To be honest, most shows are usually not.
Sadly, I can't say the identical in regards to the built-in audio system. They aren’t loud sufficient, even when the background sound was simply the sound of rain by way of an open window. It’s higher to hook up with a pair of headphones. The ROG Strix XG16 surprisingly sports activities a 3.5mm audio jack, in case you continue to have a pair of old-school headphones mendacity round. Nonetheless, I would really like the quantity buttons on the Asus monitor itself. It's a ache to dive by way of the menus and make changes each time, extra so provided that the buttons are awkwardly positioned, as I stated earlier than.
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With the kickstand unfolded, the Asus ROG Strix XG16 takes up a whole lot of area
Photograph Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
Because it's constructed for use on the go, the ROG Strix XG16 sports activities a 7,800 mAh battery, with Asus claiming a battery lifetime of as much as three hours. I didn't put it by way of a stress check – 144Hz output at most brightness – although, because it has little real-world relevance. What issues most is the way you behave in on a regular basis duties. Whereas watching a full-screen stay video at 50 % brightness, the ROG Strix XG16 misplaced a couple of fifth of its battery over a interval of 45 minutes. Deployed as a secondary monitor at 30 % brightness and with just one Slack window open, the Asus monitor's battery went from full to zero in 4 hours.
Talking of utilizing it as a secondary show, I discovered extra use for the ROG Strix XG16 in that division, slightly than a gaming show. Throughout work hours, I might transfer my TweetDeck tab and control incoming information, whereas writing a doc or watching a TV present that I’d evaluate on my major Dell monitor. At different occasions, I streamed Wimbledon or Commonwealth Video games on the ROG Strix XG16, whereas I might surf the Web on one other show. And though I don't edit a whole lot of movies today, managing an Adobe Premiere Professional timeline is unquestionably simpler when you’ll be able to transfer the preview and a bunch of controls to a second display.
However even when the ROG Strix XG16 is used on this trend, it doesn’t take advantage of elegant of setups. As a result of kickstand built-in within the again and the truth that the monitor can stand by itself, the ports have been pushed to the left aspect. Which means that the wires – you at all times want a cable for the enter, and a second when the battery wants charging – jut out to the left. I'm not too demanding to see the cables on my desk, but it surely's nonetheless not a great look. I attempted to cover the cables by putting the ROG Strix XG16 side-to-side with one other monitor, however the place of the ports meant that the wires collided with the opposite monitor. There isn’t a manner round it.
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See how the cable will get in the best way, when the Asus ROG Strix XG16 is positioned subsequent to a different monitor.
Photograph Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
Verdict
Extra importantly although, as a secondary show at dwelling, Asus' 15.6-inch full-HD providing is simply unnecessarily costly. The ROG Strix XG16 was launched at an MRP of Rs. 60,999, however Asus informed me that the worth will finally drop to Rs. 48,999, and is now promoting for lower than that. Nonetheless, it's nonetheless loopy cash – that's iPad Air cash. Should you're available in the market for a secondary monitor, you will get full-HD 24-inch screens for a 3rd of the worth. If you would like a gaming monitor able to a 144Hz refresh charge, you will get 27-inch full-HD choices for lower than half the worth. After all, none of those will make it easier to within the transfer, since they have to at all times be related.
However that is the type of place that Asus has put within the ROG Strix XG16 is designed for a really slender use case. Asus has clearly made it for avid gamers on the go, which explains the distinguished ROG branding. (There's additionally a shiny ROG brand on the again of the monitor.) Even for many who discover it helpful, how usually will that occur? Ask your self, what number of occasions have you ever needed a Nintendo Change show whereas touring? What number of occasions have you ever needed a secondary show to your laptop computer on the go? And earlier than you reply these questions in your head, take into consideration the cumbersome and un-ergonomic setup that this entails.
I don't imagine there are 48,999 causes.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W was launched in India in late June, and first went on sale in early August. It’s at present accessible through Flipkart.
