In 2017 on our website The ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS (GX501) laptop was one of the first laptops to feature NVIDIA graphics in Max-Q design. The laptop received a GeForce GTX 1080 graphics processor and a 4-core Core i7-7700HQ chip, but it turned out to be thinner than two centimeters. Then I called the appearance of such mobile computers a long-awaited evolution, because NVIDIA and its partners managed to create a powerful, but not bulky gaming laptop.
Model ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX701GX), which will be discussed below, continues the glorious tradition of GX501. Only now, the laptop is 19mm thick with a 6-core CPU and GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics. Let's see how this novelty will manifest itself in modern games.
Specifications, equipment and software
On sale, you will find three modifications of the ROG Zephyrus S: the GX701GX version uses the GeForce RTX 2080 in Max-Q design, the GX701GW uses the GeForce RTX 2070, and the GX701GV uses the GeForce RTX 2060. Otherwise, these models are very similar to each other. In particular, a 6-core Core i7-8750H processor and a 17,3-inch matrix that supports NVIDIA G-SYNC technology are used everywhere. The main characteristics of the updated ROG Zephyrus S are shown in the table below.
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus S | |
| Display | 17,3", 1920 Γ 1080, IPS, matte |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8750H, 6/12 cores/threads, 2,2 (4,1) GHz, 45W |
| Video card | GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q 8 GB GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB |
| RAM | Up to 24 GB, DDR4-2666, 2 channels |
| Installing Drives | M.2 in PCI Express x4 3.0 mode, 512 GB or 1 TB |
| Optical drive | No |
| Interfaces | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A 1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A 1 x 3,5mm mini jack 1 x HDMI |
| Built-in battery | 76 Wh |
| External power supply | 230 W |
| dimensions | 399 Γ 272 Γ 18,7 mm |
| Notebook weight | 2,7 kg |
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Price in Russia according to Yandex.Market | From 170 000 rub. |
The most sophisticated version, the GX701GX, arrived at our editorial office: in addition to the RTX 2080, this laptop is equipped with 24 GB of DDR4-2666 RAM and a terabyte SSD. Unfortunately, I did not find this modification of the Zephyr for sale. The version with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD in Moscow retail costs an average of 240 rubles. More in review I warned readers that you won't be able to find laptops with RTX graphics at affordable prices.
All ROG series laptops are equipped with the Intel Wireless-AC 9560 wireless module, which supports IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac standards at 2,4 and 5 GHz with a maximum bandwidth of up to 1,73 Gbps, as well as Bluetooth 5.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX701GX) came with an external power supply unit with a power of 230 W and a mass of about 600 g.
As always, along with the Windows 10 operating system, a lot of ASUS ROG proprietary utilities are preinstalled on the laptop, which are activated using the button of the same name - it is located above the keyboard.
ROG laptops with 8th generation Core processors are included in the Premium Pick Up and Return service program for a period of 2 years. This means that in the event of a problem, owners of new laptops will not have to go to a service center - the laptop will be picked up for free, repaired and returned as soon as possible.
Appearance and input devices
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX701GX) has a recognizable appearance - these are strict, straight, contoured lines, and the body itself is made of brushed aluminum.
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As I noted, the ROG Zephyrus S is only 19mm thin, but the laptop itself is a little bigger when compared to the previous generation model. First, the GX701GX uses a 17-inch IPS-matrix. True, due to the thin frames on the top and sides (only 6,9 mm), the new Zephyr is only 501 mm wider than the GX20 - and 10 mm longer. In general, I agree with the statement that ROG Zephyrus S is a 17-inch laptop assembled in a 15-inch form factor.
At the same time, the ROG Zephyrus S (GX701GX) has become heavier and weighs 2,7 kg without an external power supply. However, basically the device will act as a substitute for a desktop PC, which, however, you can always take with you if you wish. That is, weight should not be a significant problem.
The lid of the ROG Zephyrus S opens up to about 130 degrees. The hinges on the laptop are tight, they clearly fix the screen and prevent it from hanging out during games or typing. I will note an interesting design feature of the laptop: when the lid is raised, the main part of the laptop also rises at the same time. As a result, slots are formed on the sides of the laptop, with the help of which the cooling system fans additionally suck in air. Already heated air leaves the case through the grilles on the back of the laptop.
At the same time, the keyboard also rises at a slight angle, so that typing becomes a little more convenient. Not without a certain amount of embellishment - the ventilation slots of the ROG Zephyrus S are backlit.
The Zephyr has no interfaces on the front. Behind are grilles for blowing heated air and three activity indicators.
For obvious reasons, the 701 does not have large ports like RJ-45. On the left side there is a power supply connector, an HDMI output, two USB 3.1 Gen2 (A- and C-types, the latter is combined with a mini-DisplayPort) and a combined 3,5 mm mini-jack for a headset. On the right side of the laptop there are two more USB 3.1 Gen1 A-type, USB 3.1 Gen1 C-type and a Kensington lock slot. There are almost no questions about the layout and quantitative composition of the ports - for the complete happiness of the ROG Zephyrus S, perhaps, only the card reader is missing.
The keyboard of the ROG Zephyrus S is unusual, although the exact same one was used in the 501st model. This is a design move, because the matte plastic area above the keyboard is also part of the cooling system. If you look closely, you can see perforation on it.
Due to the peculiarities of the keyboard, working with Zephyr will take some time to get used to. Key travel is small. The design uses a scissor mechanism. It is more convenient to place the laptop away from you, because the keyboard is closer to the user. It is even more convenient to put something under the wrist. The touchpad is located on the right, not in the center. I'm left-handed, and it took me a couple of days to adjust to this design find by ASUS engineers. On the other hand, a gamer will probably use a computer mouse almost all the time, and then the touchpad will not get in the way at hand.
Otherwise, I had no problems with the ROG Zephyrus S. On the top left there is an analog wheel with which you can adjust the volume level. On the right is a button with the Republic of Gamers logo, which, when pressed, opens the Armory Crate application, the Gaming Center program changer. I note that each key has an individual RGB backlight with three levels of brightness.
And yes, ASUS engineers and marketers, thanks for bringing back the Print Screen button, it was sorely missed in the GX501!
Let's go back to the touchpad. It seems that it is here only because it should be in a laptop. It is small, but with support for Windows multi-touch gestures and handwriting, as is now common practice. The buttons are pressed very easily, but there is a slight backlash. And the touchpad is equipped with a numeric keypad - ASUS calls it virtual, as it is activated by pressing a special key.
Finally⦠No, not like that. FINALLY, at least one of the manufacturers of gaming laptops thought of getting rid of a worthless webcam! It's a shame to see a 100p 200 Hz matrix in a laptop costing more than 720, or even more than 30 thousand rubles. Streaming is now very popular among PC players, so the ROG Zephyrus S comes with a great external webcam that supports Full HD resolution with a vertical refresh rate of 60 Hz. The quality of its image is a cut above what is offered in other gaming laptops. The laptop does not have a built-in webcam.
Internal arrangement and upgrade options
Getting to the components of the laptop is quite problematic. In order to replace, for example, a solid state drive, you need to unscrew a few Torx screws on the bottom and remove the keyboard.
At the same time, ROG Zephyrus S has a removable panel on the bottom. It can - and should - be dismantled for only one purpose: to clean the fans over time.
The cooling system, by the way, uses two 12-volt turntables. AeroAccelerator technology delivers efficient airflow through the thin body of the notebook. Special aluminum shrouds on the vents, according to the manufacturer, help the fans draw in more cold air. The fan blades are made from liquid crystal polymer, which allows, according to ASUS, to reduce their thickness by 33% compared to traditional ones. As a result, each fan received 83 blades - their airflow increased by 15%.
To remove heat from the GPU and CPU, five heat pipes and four radiators are used, located on the sides of the case. Each such radiator consists of copper fins with a thickness of only 0,1 mm. Now there are 250 of them.
Eight gigabytes of RAM is already soldered on the motherboard of the laptop. On sale you will find versions with 16 GB of RAM - this means that an 8 GB DDR4-2666 card is additionally installed in the only SO-DIMM slot. In our case, Zephyr boasts 24 GB of RAM.
As for the storage device, the motherboard has a 2TB Samsung MZVLB1T0HALR M.1 drive. In general, there is no need to disassemble and upgrade this version of the ROG Zephyrus S.
Source: 3dnews.ru