Tag Archives: Asus

This ROG Ally X Mod Snaps On a 120Hz Second Screen, Then Off Again

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Dual-screen handhelds usually mean buying an entirely new device built around that gimmick from the ground up. This ROG Ally X mod skips that purchase entirely. It bolts a second 120Hz display onto a standard x86 handheld using nothing more exotic than a budget portable monitor, a pair of magnetic phone mounts, and some carefully angled USB-C cables, then lets you rip the whole thing off when you don’t need it.

The secondary panel is a 7-inch 1080p IPS screen that happens to match the Ally X’s own 120Hz refresh rate, an important detail most cheap add-on monitors get wrong. Pairing a 60Hz panel with a 120Hz handheld usually introduces visible stutter between the two screens, but matching refresh rates here means both displays feel like they belong to the same machine rather than two devices awkwardly duct-taped together.

Designer: ETA PRIME (mod), ASUS Republic of Gamers

Magnetic MagSafe rings adhered to the back of both the handheld and the monitor handle the actual attachment, while a dual-sided magnetic phone holder in between provides the hinge points. That arm lets the top screen fold flat against the assembly for storage or tilt up to a comfortable viewing angle during play, essentially borrowing a phone accessory to solve a handheld gaming problem nobody’s shipped a proper solution for yet.

Where this setup actually earns its keep is in the software pairing it unlocks. Dual-screen emulation for Nintendo DS, 3DS, and Wii U titles finally makes sense on PC hardware, with the top screen handling the main view while the Ally X’s built-in display takes over as the touch-enabled bottom screen exactly the way Nintendo intended those games to be played.

Flight and driving sims benefit just as directly. Popping instrument gauges and flight panels out to that second screen in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, or pushing telemetry readouts to it in Euro Truck Simulator 2 and various F1 games, turns a single handheld into something closer to a cramped cockpit setup. Even a Fallout 4 Pip-Boy overlay finds a natural home up there instead of cluttering the primary display.

None of this comes free of friction. Windows defaults the panel to 60Hz on first connection, so getting the full 120Hz and FreeSync experience means digging into display settings manually every time. The monitor also draws power straight from the handheld itself, meaning battery life takes a real hit exactly when you’re asking the system to drive two screens instead of one.

The real achievement isn’t the display itself; plenty of budget portable monitors exist. It’s the decision to make the whole assembly modular using parts nobody designed specifically for this: magnetic phone mounts and right-angle adapters repurposed into a hinge system that snaps on for a flight sim session and comes right back off for the commute home.

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ASUS ROG Spatha X 65K: The Heavy MMO Mouse That Comes With Its Own Museum Dock

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The ROG Spatha X 65K comes with a charging dock, and the dock is doing four jobs. It’s the 2.4 GHz receiver, the charger, a battery status readout with a toggle button on the back, and an angled plinth that holds the mouse nose-up like a museum piece. Fifteen minutes parked on it gets you 25 hours of gaming, which is roughly one very poor decision about bedtime.

The mouse it holds is worth the pedestal. ASUS revived its MMO flagship at Gamescom 2026 with 12 programmable buttons, a 65,000 dpi AimPoint Pro sensor, hot-swappable Push-Fit Socket III switches, and a 126-gram body that takes two 10-gram weights across five front, center, and rear configurations. On the same stage, ASUS also showed the 56-gram Gladius IV Ace. One brand, one day, two completely opposite theories of what a mouse should weigh.

Designer: ASUS Republic of Gamers

Two 10-gram modules and three mounting positions produce the five configurations ASUS advertises: bare at 126 grams, a single weight sitting front, center, or rear at 136, and both installed at 146. Three of those five options weigh exactly the same amount. What changes between them is the center of gravity, which moves the pivot point when you swing from the wrist. ASUS built a balance system and marketed it as a weight system, which undersells the more useful half. Anyone who has shimmed a mouse with coins and electrical tape will recognize the intent immediately.

Angular, deliberately mismatched thumb buttons arranged in the outline of the ROG eye carry straight over from the 2015 original, and ASUS says so out loud rather than pretending the shape is new. No two buttons in that cluster share a profile, so your thumb identifies them by edge geometry instead of counting positions. The side grip carries a Mayan-inspired pattern pressed into the surface, and the primary buttons are dished so fingertips settle into them. Eleven years on, that thumb logic holds up better than most ergonomic thinking from its era.

Nobody plays above 3,200 dpi, so the 65,000 figure exists to sit on a box next to a competitor’s smaller number. The upgrade that actually changes how the mouse behaves is the 11 preset lift-off distances, which matter enormously for a device built around low-sensitivity sweeping across a large pad. Repositioning a 126-gram body means lifting it constantly, and a badly calibrated lift-off turns every reset into a cursor jump. ASUS spent the engineering where it counts, then wrote the press release around the other thing. Standard industry practice, and mildly annoying every time.

Worn-out clicks kill more mice than dead sensors do, which makes Push-Fit Socket III the feature most likely to still matter in three years. The box ships with a switch tweezer, two spare ROG Silent Micro Switches, a PTFE feet set, and grip tape. The default ROG Micro Switch II is rated at 100 million clicks and the silent option at 50 million, with third-party switches dropping in within a few minutes. Configuration runs through Gear Link in a browser, so no Armoury Crate install is required. Anyone who has fought that software will read this as an apology.

ASUS has announced no price, no release date, no color beyond black, and no total battery life, which is a conspicuous omission for a device this heavy on radio duty. At 137mm long and 126 grams before you add anything, it also rules out small hands entirely. The 2021 Spatha X landed near $150, so budget accordingly and expect a premium on top of that. For a mouse asking you to push nearly a third of a pound around all evening, I’d want the runtime figure in writing before committing. The dock is beautiful. It should not have to work that hard.

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Asus ROG Archer suitcase 20 turns essential gaming gear into travel-ready luggage

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Gaming hardware has become increasingly portable, but carrying a laptop, accessories, chargers, and everyday travel essentials still often means juggling multiple bags. Asus is addressing this gamer’s problem with the ROG Archer Suitcase 20. This is a 20-inch carry-on designed around the needs of gamers, creators, and professionals who regularly travel with technology.

Announced under the Republic of Gamers today, the suitcase is the first model in the Archer series. Rather than simply adding gaming-inspired graphics to conventional luggage, Asus has built the case around quick access to technology and better organization. Its most practical feature is a dedicated front compartment that can accommodate a laptop measuring up to 16 inches.

Designer: Asus

The front section is double-padded and organized with individual spaces for a power adapter, mouse, and keyboard, along with a dedicated strap for a headset. This makes it possible to access frequently used equipment without opening the main suitcase compartment, which could be particularly useful at airport security or when working while in transit. The main clamshell compartment is reserved for clothing, toiletries, and other belongings, with a zippered divider and Y-shaped compression strap helping keep everything in place.

Mobility is another aspect where Asus has focused on refinement rather than simply adding gaming aesthetics. The suitcase uses four Hinomoto Miraclent 360-degree silent wheels designed for smooth, low-noise movement across different surfaces. The wheel hubs also keep the ROG Fearless Eye logo upright as the suitcase moves, adding a small visual detail to an otherwise functional component. Small hooks integrated into the upper side studs provide another useful touch, allowing travelers to hang a compact bag or umbrella while the suitcase is standing upright.

The exterior follows the understated side of ROG’s visual language, using a black finish with subtle Fearless Eye branding. Beneath it is a 100 percent Covestro Makrolon polycarbonate shell designed to withstand the bumps and impacts associated with regular travel. Both the main compartment and front compartment are secured through a single TSA 007 dual-slot lock mechanism, while additional interior padding helps protect devices and packed belongings.

Standing at 56 × 36.5 × 23 centimeters tall, the ROG Archer Suitcase 20 offers 35 liters of capacity and weighs 3.68 kgs. The dimensions place it firmly in the carry-on category, although travelers will still need to check the specific cabin-baggage limits of their airline. The construction, made out of polycarbonate with polyester, aluminum, nylon, and TPE components, ensures the luggage is still relevant many years down the line.

Asus has managed to craft a gamer’s luggage that treats gaming equipment as part of the travel load without worrying about packing things separately. Its appeal extends beyond gamers, too, as creators, developers, and professionals carrying a laptop and several accessories can benefit from the same organization and protection. Asus has not announced pricing or market availability in the launch announcement, leaving those details to vary by region.

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ASUS Built an E-Bike Booster You Can Actually Take on a Plane

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Dedicated e-bikes have become a convincing answer to the urban commuting question, but they come with their own set of problems. They’re expensive to buy, awkward to carry on public transit, and they make the bike itself the investment rather than the ride. For anyone who already has a bicycle they like, replacing it entirely to gain electric assist has always felt like the wrong solution to a solvable problem.

The ASUS Oxiis E250G1 takes a different approach. Instead of replacing a bike, it adds to one. The unit clamps directly to the seatpost, pressing a motorized roller against the rear tire, and the friction-drive mechanism converts pedaling into electrically assisted riding without touching the existing drivetrain. Installation doesn’t require tools or a visit to a shop, and removal takes about the same amount of time.

Designer: ASUS

At the heart of the system is Adaptive Boost Technology, which reads the terrain and automatically increases power on climbs or against headwinds. Riders can also select between Eco, Normal, and Sport modes manually, either through a button on the unit itself or via the companion app on Android and iOS. Sport mode keeps range to about 10 km; Eco mode extends it to 50 km on a single charge.

That 50km ceiling comes from a 158.4Wh battery rated at 36V, which charges to full in two hours using a 100W USB-C PD connection. The battery is removable and certified as flight-safe for carry-on luggage with airline approval, which opens up a category of travel where bringing an electric bike along typically requires checking oversized bags or renting locally. A round trip on a familiar bike instead of a rental changes the experience considerably.

The anti-slip mechanism keeps the roller seated against the tire consistently, even over uneven surfaces, so power delivery stays smooth rather than intermittent under load. The unit weighs 3.7kg with the battery in place, puts out 250W rated and 500W at peak, and tops out at 32km/h. A built-in tail light uses brake detection to signal the rider slowing down to anyone behind, which is one of those small safety details that matters more in traffic than spec sheets tend to convey.

Compatibility stretches across most city, road, gravel, folding, and hardtail mountain bikes, fitting wheel sizes from 16 inches up to 700C. Full-suspension frames and carbon fiber seatposts are the noted exceptions, which rule out a portion of higher-end mountain bikes. For slick, semi-slick, and textured tires, the roller has enough grip to handle regular commuting conditions; knobby off-road tires aren’t recommended for obvious reasons.

When the ride ends and the commuter reaches their destination, the Oxiis comes off the bike and goes into a backpack. That portability reframes what an e-bike conversion kit can mean: not a permanent modification that commits the bike to one configuration, but a system that travels with the rider and attaches only when the assist is wanted. The bike stays as it is the rest of the time.

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ASUS ROG NUC 16 Edition 20 brings RTX 5090 gaming power to compact 3L desktop

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Asus has come a long way since the 2nd of April 1989. By that count, it’s only been two decades for ROG’s existence. Arguably the most inspiring, though. Now into its 20th anniversary celebration, the Republic of Games (ROG) as we know it is innovating further with the gaming frontier it has dominated all this while.

To commemorate the monumental 20th anniversary, ROG is giving gamers and AI generation requiring demanding infrastructure a high-performance computing device: the ROG NUC 16 Edition 20. Ever since ASUS took over the Intel NUC, ROG has worked its magic with it, and now it’s elevating that to the next level with the most powerful gaming-focused NUC it has ever manufactured.

Designer: Asus

The commemorative ROG NUC 16 Edition 20 is created to celebrate 20 years of ASUS’s Republic of Gamers. Of course, like everything else ROG has delivered, this one gains first attention with the enticing aesthetics, but the company says it’s the powerful innards and the use of colors that make this a “testament to an enduring legacy.”

The mini PC has a compact form factor, which comes with a removable stand to use the device in vertical or horizontal orientations. Created to be an ultimate system for gamers and creators, the NUC 16 Edition 20 runs on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, which can provide the desired performance. It is laid out in a 3-liter chassis for a compact look and feel, and it features a semi-transparent exterior with really plus detailing with gold accents.

The design is sublime and exudes brilliance in black, red, and gold accents. But the looks are only part of this anniversary edition system. For hardcore gamers, who will want to put looks second, ROG has tailored the desktop to dissipate up to 175W for sustained performance. This will allow it to run at high speed for a long time without slowing down or overheating. To keep the system cool, it features three fans and a dual vapor chamber, which ROG confirms is capable of 21% better thermal performance.

The ROG NUC 16 Edition 20 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus, which is paired with up to 128GB of dual-channel DDR5-6400 memory and a PCIe 5.0 SSD for ultra-fast load times. The powerful storage can handle almost all types of heavy gameplay and AI graphics rendering. Early reviewers suggest the system is powerful in handling “high-FPS gaming, AI tasks, and demanding creator workflows.”

Streaming and gaming can be lag-free only with the best possible connectivity options. ROG says its system supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast and stable connectivity and also features a Thunderbolt 4 port along with the other usual connectivity options like HDMI and LAN ports. Expectedly, all this power and performance doesn’t come cheap. ROG NUC 16 Edition 20 will set you back $6,999.

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At $270, ASUS’s New Chromebook Has No Business Being This Good

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The budget laptop category has a long reputation for disappointing displays, short battery life, and builds that feel provisional rather than considered. Most sub-$300 machines get you to the internet and not much further before something creaks or slows down. It’s a price bracket that tends to ask buyers to accept tradeoffs that shouldn’t really be necessary in 2026, and ChromeOS devices have historically been no exception.

The ASUS Chromebook CM15 and Chromebook CM32 Detachable take a different approach to that bracket. Both run on the MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor with up to 8 GB of LPDDR5X memory, pass 24 MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability tests, and come with a three-month Google AI Pro trial bundled in. They aren’t trimmed-down machines trying to look complete. They’re designed to cover the full range of what most people actually do on a laptop.

Designer: ASUS

The CM15 is the larger of the two, a 15.6-inch clamshell with an FHD anti-glare panel, a 180-degree lay-flat hinge, and a chassis that weighs 3.26 lbs and comes in four colors: Pure Grey, Fabric Blue, Cream Pink, and Misty Green. Each has a washi-paper-inspired texture that gives it a bit more character than the usual matte plastic. The port selection includes HDMI alongside two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports and a USB Type-A, and ASUS specifically flags HDMI as an unusual inclusion at this price point.

The CM32 Detachable is smaller and considerably more flexible, at 1.41 lbs without the keyboard attached. Its 12.1-inch, 2.5K 120 Hz touchscreen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, and it comes with a magnetically attached stand, a detachable keyboard with 1.35 mm key travel, and a wirelessly charged stylus shaped like a traditional ballpoint pen. The whole system connects and disconnects cleanly without any of the fussiness that detachable keyboards often carry.

Both devices boot in under ten seconds, handle background updates automatically, and run Android apps from Google Play, which in practice means Netflix, Adobe Lightroom, Zoom, and Microsoft 365 are all accessible out of the box. The Google AI Pro trial includes NotebookLM and Gemini integration across Gmail and Docs, adding genuine productivity value without requiring a separate subscription to access.

Where the two models diverge is in their use case and price. The CM15 starts at $269.99 and suits anyone who wants a wide screen with a full-size keyboard for daily tasks at home or school. The CM32 at $579.00 is the pick for people who need the flexibility of a tablet one moment and a laptop the next, particularly given the stylus and the 120 Hz display. The CM15 body is also made with 30% recycled plastics and sustainable packaging, a commitment that extends the value of the machine beyond its shelf life.

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ASUS ROG Raikiri II Pro adapts to every game with switchable triggers and 8,000Hz input speed

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When the ROG Raikiri Pro controller burst onto the scene at CES 2023, the gamepad was ahead of its time courtesy of a dedicated 1.3-inch mini OLED display. Now, after nearly three years, Asus has revealed the next version of the controller with improved features and upgrades to entice gamers who are always on the lookout for the endgame accessories.

This comes on the back of Asus ROG’s 20th anniversary celebration, wherein other products, including the triple-mode gaming monitor and Gjallar Gaming soundbar, were also announced by the brand.

Designer: Asus

Unlike its predecessor, the new ROG Raikiri II Pro shifts its focus from flashy extras to competitive performance and precision. Built primarily for PC gamers, the controller delivers an impressive 8,000Hz polling rate in wired mode for ultra-low input latency, while ASUS’ SpeedNova wireless technology is designed to provide a fast and stable 2.4GHz connection with improved power efficiency. The controller also supports Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, allowing players to switch between multiple gaming setups with ease.

ASUS has also redesigned the controls to improve responsiveness during long gaming sessions. Every primary input, including the D-pad, ABXY buttons, shoulder buttons, and rear paddles, now uses micro switches that deliver crisp tactile feedback with faster actuation. The controller also introduces dual-mode triggers, letting users instantly swap between short-travel micro-switch triggers for competitive shooters and full-range TMR sensor triggers for racing titles or games that benefit from precise analog control. Combined with anti-drift TMR thumbsticks, the Raikiri II Pro controller offers consistent accuracy and longer durability than traditional analog sticks.

Customization remains one of the controller’s biggest strengths. Through ASUS Gear Link software, users can remap buttons, adjust stick sensitivity, fine-tune trigger dead zones, modify vibration levels, and create multiple profiles for different genres. RGB lighting, onboard profile storage, and interchangeable thumbstick caps further allow players to personalize both the aesthetics and feel of the controller. ASUS also bundles a charging dock and a protective carrying case that can recharge the controller while stored, making it easier to keep the accessory ready for travel or daily gaming.

Alongside the controller, ASUS also introduced the ROG Gjallar Gaming Soundbar as another premium addition to its gaming ecosystem. The 2.1.2-channel setup supports Dolby Atmos and combines front-facing speakers, dedicated tweeters, upward-firing drivers, and a 65W wireless 6.5-inch subwoofer to create a more immersive soundstage. The company says the system is tuned to improve positional audio, helping players better identify in-game movement and environmental cues.

Like the Raikiri II Pro, the Gjallar supports ASUS Gear Link software, allowing users to customize audio settings and integrate it into a broader ROG gaming setup. The two new accessories showcase ASUS’s emphasis on high-performance gaming peripherals that prioritize responsiveness, customization, and immersion, while marking another milestone in the company’s two-decade journey as the Republic of Gamers brand!

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ASUS Zenbook A16 (UX3607OA ) Review: Big screen, Surprisingly Light

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PROS:


  • Exceptionally light for a 16-inch laptop

  • Beautiful 3K OLED display

  • Great battery life

  • Strong everyday performance

CONS:


  • Touchpad clicks feel firm

  • Only one color option

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS Zenbook A16 gets something surprisingly right. It makes a 16-inch laptop feel light, easy, and genuinely pleasant to carry, without losing the kind of performance most people actually need.

Big laptops usually ask for a compromise. You get the roomy screen, but you also get the extra weight, the larger footprint, and the feeling that you are carrying a little too much machine around every day. The ASUS Zenbook A16 UX3607 takes a different route, giving you a 16-inch canvas in a body that is startlingly light for the size, at around 1.3 kg, or 1.2 kg depending on the version.

What makes it stand out even more is that ASUS pairs that light build with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite platform, which still feels relatively rare. The result is a slim, polished laptop that makes a larger display feel easy, casual, and genuinely portable, while still delivering strong everyday performance. With a 16-inch 3K 120 Hz OLED panel and Snapdragon X2 Elite hardware in the latest refresh, it is clearly built for people who want comfort, battery life, and speed in one very travel-friendly package.

Designer: ASUS

I spent about a month with the laptop, including three international trips. That gave me a good sense of how it felt not just at a desk, but in transit, in hotel rooms, and in the kind of everyday situations where a large laptop usually starts to feel less convenient. Over that time, the Zenbook A16 made a strong case for itself as a big-screen machine that does not ask you to live around it.

Aesthetics

The Zenbook A16 has a clean, minimal design, but it does not feel cold. That is an important distinction because a lot of slim laptops, especially larger ones, can come across as a little sterile. This one feels softer and more inviting, with a look that is polished without being severe.

A lot of that comes down to ASUS’ patented Ceraluminum finish. ASUS gives the chassis a surface that feels less harsh than typical metal, which helps the laptop look warmer and more tactile in person. It still feels premium, but in a more relaxed and approachable way.

The details are subtle, but they give the laptop some character. A silver ASUS Zenbook logo sits centered on the lid, adding just enough contrast without disturbing the clean look. Open it up, and the full-sized backlit keyboard in a darker greige finish brings a bit of depth to the interior, while the stylized “A” above the right side of the keyboard adds a small touch of personality.

The color helps too. The review unit I received came in Zabriskie Beige, which was the only color option for this variant. It suits the Zenbook A16 especially well, giving it a softer and more distinctive look than the usual sea of silver laptops.

Ergonomics

What I liked most about the Zenbook A16 was how easy it was to live with. On paper, the dimensions and weight are impressive for a 16-inch laptop at 35.35 × 24.24 × 1.65 cm and around 1.3 kg (2.87lbs), but what stayed with me more was the overall feel of using it. It never felt awkward or demanding, which is not something I can say about every large laptop.

The lid is a good example of that. I could open it easily with one hand, and the hinge felt smooth and well-balanced. It is a small thing, but details like that shape your impression of a laptop very quickly. In this case, it made the Zenbook A16 feel immediately more comfortable and better resolved.

I also really liked the texture of the chassis. The Ceraluminum finish has a smooth, pebble-like texture that feels warm and pleasant under the hands. It helps the Zenbook A16 stand apart from the colder, more clinical feel that metal laptops often have. That tactile quality gives the laptop a more relaxed and welcoming character in everyday use.

The keyboard was another highlight for me. The keys are very comfortable to type on, and that became more obvious the longer I used it. Whether I was writing, replying to emails, or working through longer stretches of text, it felt like a laptop that stayed out of the way in the best sense.

The touchpad is generously sized, which suits the scale of the laptop, but I did find that it needed a bit more force than I expected to click. It was not a major issue, and I got used to it, but it did stand out at first. On a laptop that otherwise feels so easy and light in use, that slightly firmer click felt a little less effortless than the rest of the experience.

This reads well already. If you want, I can do one very light polish pass to make it sound a touch more natural and less repetitive without changing your meaning. For example, I would probably trim phrases like “what stayed with me more” and “made a difference” just to make the rhythm feel a little cleaner.

Performance

The review unit I received is the ASUS Zenbook A16 UX3607 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, paired with 48GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. That is a fairly premium configuration, and in everyday use, it felt quick, quiet, and consistently easy to rely on. It handled the usual multitasking of writing, research, email, an unruly number of browser tabs, streaming music, watching video, and light photo and video editing without ever feeling like it was running out of breath.

The Zenbook A16 (2026) runs Windows 11 and is part of the Copilot+ PC category. That places it firmly in Microsoft’s new AI PC push, though in daily use, the more noticeable benefit is still the machine’s general speed and efficiency. It feels modern and responsive in a very straightforward way, without constantly calling attention to the AI angle.

Although compatibility has clearly improved from Snapdragon X1 to X2, I still think it is something some buyers will worry about. Snapdragon X2 Elite gives the laptop much of its efficiency and responsiveness, but it also means this is still an ARM-based Windows machine. For general use, that was not a problem for me, but if your workflow depends on niche programs or you are into gaming, it is still worth checking that everything you need works properly before buying.

The display is one of the best parts of the Zenbook A16. The unit I tested comes with the touch-screen version of the 16-inch 3K OLED panel, and it gives the laptop a richness that you notice right away, whether you are working, streaming, or simply scrolling through photos. The 120 Hz refresh rate gives everything a welcome smoothness, while 500 nits of typical brightness, up to 1100 nits in HDR, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio help the screen look vivid, punchy, and properly premium.

Audio is another pleasant surprise. The six-speaker array sounds full and clear, and Dolby Atmos support helps give movies, music, and even casual video watching a little more scale and dimension. I also liked that MyASUS lets you switch between sound modes like Dynamic, Game, Movie, Music, and Voice, or create up to three custom Dolby Atmos equalizer settings, which makes it easier to tune the sound to whatever you are doing.

Battery life was also a strong point for me. I kept the laptop in balanced mode, and it easily lasted a full workday with eight hours or more of continuous use, which made it easy to trust when I was out and about. The included 130W charger is fast and still easy enough to carry, so the overall setup remained travel-friendly.

I also appreciated the port selection. ASUS includes two USB4 ports, a USB-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card slot, which makes the Zenbook A16 feel practical in a way many thin premium laptops no longer do. The SD card slot in particular is one of those small features that ends up being genuinely useful more often than you expect.

Sustainability

Sustainability is not the first thing the Zenbook A16 draws attention to, but it is part of the story. ASUS says its Ceraluminum material is made using pure water and electricity, without added organic compounds, strong acids, or heavy metals. That gives the finish a bit more substance than a purely cosmetic talking point.

There is also a more practical side to this. Battery replacements are doable, which is a plus, but the storage is not removable or serviceable. That makes the Zenbook A16 a somewhat mixed story on sustainability, with thoughtful material choices but limited repairability.

Value

The touch-screen version I tested is the Best Buy model, priced at $1,699.99. That puts the Zenbook A16 firmly in premium laptop territory, so it is not a machine that gets by on novelty alone. At this price, it needs to justify itself through the full experience, not just one or two standout specs.

I think it mostly does. You are getting a very light 16-inch laptop with a beautiful OLED display, strong battery life, a high-spec configuration, and a design that feels thoughtful in both look and feel. Still, $1,700 is enough money that buyers are right to think carefully about software compatibility and long-term flexibility before deciding it is the right fit.

Verdict

The Zenbook A16 ended up winning me over in a quiet way. It is not the kind of laptop that shouts for attention, but the longer I used it, the more I appreciated how thoughtfully it fits into everyday life. The light weight, the large and beautiful display, the warm feel of the Ceraluminum finish, and the overall ease of using it all added up to something that felt genuinely enjoyable.

What stayed with me most was how little friction there was to living with it. I liked being able to carry a 16-inch laptop without feeling weighed down, and I liked that it still felt polished and comfortable once I opened it up and got to work. The comfortable keyboard, strong battery life, good speakers, and practical port selection all helped make it feel like a machine designed by people who had actually thought about daily use.

It is not perfect, and I would still tell buyers to think carefully about software compatibility if they rely on niche programs or want a laptop for gaming. The firmer touchpad click also stood out on a machine that otherwise feels so easygoing. Even so, I came away with a lot of affection for the Zenbook A16, because it manages to feel both special and easy at the same time.

At $1,700, it is a serious purchase. But for someone who wants a premium laptop with a big OLED screen, long battery life, and a design that feels lighter and warmer than most, I think the Zenbook A16 makes a strong case for itself. It is one of those laptops that feels nicer the longer you live with it, and that may be its best quality.

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ASUS ProArt Just Closed the Gap Between a Laptop and a Workstation

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Creative professionals have been carrying a compromise for years. The laptop powerful enough for serious work tends to be too heavy or too loud, and the one thin and light enough for a day bag can’t handle the work. Purpose-built workstations solve the performance side but solve nothing about portability. The gap between the two has been a persistent frustration, not a deliberate choice most people would make.

ASUS is addressing that directly at Computex 2026, where the ProArt P16, ProArt P14, and ProArt Mini PC were unveiled as the first ASUS devices powered by NVIDIA’s RTX Spark superchip. The same ARM-based chip combining a 20-core Grace CPU with a Blackwell RTX GPU and up to 128GB of unified memory runs across all three products, making the performance difference between a laptop and a desktop largely a matter of form factor rather than capability.

Designer: ASUS

The ProArt P16 and P14 are the portable entries, and they arrive 13% thinner and 16% lighter than the previous P16 generation. The P16 weighs 1.77kg at 12.9mm, and the P14 comes in at 1.48kg and 13.9mm. Both are CNC-manufactured in Nano Black and Neo White finishes, and carry 99.9Wh batteries for all-day runtime, a detail that matters when the work is intensive enough to drain power quickly. The machines don’t sacrifice weight for performance or performance for weight.

The display on both laptops is ASUS Lumina Pro OLED, calibrated to Delta E < 1 color accuracy, Pantone Validated, and certified for VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000. Peak HDR brightness reaches 1,600 nits, which is more than three times what the previous ProArt generation could manage. A 120Hz variable refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, and an anti-reflection coating that cuts glare by 65% complete a panel that keeps color decisions accurate regardless of the lighting conditions a shoot or edit session happens to land in.

Under the hood, RTX Spark’s 1 petaflop of AI compute and unified memory pool change what locally processed work looks like. Rendering a 90GB-plus 3D scene, editing 12K 4:2:2 video, generating 4K AI video, or running a 120-billion-parameter language model locally are tasks that previously needed significantly bigger machines. Adobe is rebuilding Photoshop and Premiere specifically for RTX Spark to deliver 2x faster AI and graphics performance, and a three-month Creative Cloud subscription ships with the ProArt laptops.

The ProArt Mini PC extends the same logic to the desk. At 150 × 150 × 51mm, it fits anywhere a small speaker would and carries up to 128GB of unified memory, 10GbE wired networking, M.2 PCIe Gen 5 expansion, and up to 140W of thermal headroom for sustained demanding workloads. A single RTX Spark-powered box of that size, running AI renders or local large language models around the clock, is a genuinely different proposition for a small studio or home setup than what was available previously.

All three products sit within a broader ASUS ProArt ecosystem that integrates displays, peripherals, creator apps, and AI workflow software into a connected end-to-end experience. ProArt P16, P14, and Mini PC are expected to be available in fall 2026 in select regions, with additional configurations announced closer to launch.

The post ASUS ProArt Just Closed the Gap Between a Laptop and a Workstation first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS Just Returned to Tablets, and It’s Coming for the iPad

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Android tablets have had a complicated few years. The iPad solidified its lead at the premium end, and Android alternatives often competed on price rather than experience, producing devices that were acceptable but rarely compelling. Demand for something that genuinely rivaled the best tablets in the room, not on price alone, but on the quality of the thing itself, has been there for a while. It just hasn’t always been answered.

ASUS steps back into the conversation with the Pad, an Android 16 tablet announced at Computex 2026. The company stepped away from the tablet category for several years, and this is its return, built around a 12.2-inch dual-layer OLED display and a chassis light enough and slim enough to suggest that sitting on the couch with it for three hours isn’t something to plan around.

Designer: ASUS

The display is the obvious starting point, because the choice of dual-layer OLED is a meaningful one. Where a conventional OLED pushes through a single emission layer, the tandem structure stacks two of them. The result is better brightness, longer panel life, and improved power efficiency without demanding that any of those things trade off against each other. At a 2.8K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and full DCI-P3 coverage, the screen is built for content that benefits from all of that.

The body that carries it measures just 6.5mm thick and weighs 523g, built from a magnalium chassis with a fiberglass back. Those proportions bring the Pad well within the range of a device someone would actually carry in a bag or hold over a long flight without a second thought. Four speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos back up the display with audio that punches harder than the form factor suggests.

A MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip handles the performance side, paired with 8GB of LPDDR5x RAM and storage in 128GB or 256GB configurations. A micro TF slot extends that to 1TB, keeping the device practical for anyone loading it with locally stored video or large files. The 9,000mAh battery charges to 50% in 30 minutes at 45W, and Wi-Fi 6E keeps the streaming side of things moving.

Software runs Android 16 with a handful of genuinely useful additions. ASUS GlideX handles cross-device connectivity, letting the tablet function as a secondary screen or swap files with a nearby laptop. Google Gemini integrates directly into the experience for AI assistance, while Circle to Search lets users search from anything visible on screen without disrupting what they’re doing. Face Login handles security without a passcode step.

Accessory support rounds out what the Pad can do when the watching stops. ASUS Pen 2.0 enables handwriting and sketching, and Bluetooth keyboard support turns the tablet into something closer to a light laptop for longer text work. A protective case with a multi-angle origami stand ships in the box, meaning the setup is functional out of the packaging without anything additional to buy. Availability and pricing haven’t been confirmed yet, but the ASUS Pad is shaping up as a considered answer to a market that doesn’t always reward patience.

The post ASUS Just Returned to Tablets, and It’s Coming for the iPad first appeared on Yanko Design.