AMD just introduced the Ryzen 4000 series mobile processors, and to go along with them, ASUS' gaming brand, ROG, has announced a couple of new gaming laptops. The Zephyrus G14 and G15 pack H-series Ryzen processors along with RTX graphics for gaming on the go.
Both laptops can be configured with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS, with no option for Intel processors, and up to an Nvidia RTX 2060 GPU. Both also have up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz and 1TB of SSD storage.
From there, the two start to differ. The G15 has a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, and you can get it in both 144Hz or 240Hz refresh rate options with support for Adaptive Sync. The display is also Pantone Validated, so if you're a creator, you should be happy with the color accuracy. Plus, the display covers 100% of the sRGB color space. As for sound, two front-firing speakers with Smart Amp technology promise distortion-free sound at high volumes. The speaker set has Hi-Red Audio certification and can also offer virtual 7.1-channel surround sound.
Of course, to keep things running cool in a relatively thin 19.9mm chassis, ASUS also improved thermals, with ROG n-Blade fans that promise 17% more airflow than previous designs. The thermal system is also designed to catch and expel any dust that might other accumulate and affect the cooling performance.
The Zephyrus G15 has a 76Wh battery, but that probably won't last very long with the kind of power it has. A 180W charger is included, though it also supports charging over USB Type-C at up to 65W. Aside from that, ports consist of one USB Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery, three USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an Ethernet port, HDMI 2.0b, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.
As for the Zephyrus G14, it has a 14-inch display, but you can choose from either Full HD or WQHD. The Full HD movel can come with either a 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate, but WQHD is only available at 60Hz. The panel still supports Adaptive Sync, so you can minimize screen tearing and enjoy smoother gaming.
The design is what makes the Zephyrus G14 really interesting. About half of the laptop's lid is covered in an LED matrix, which ASUS calls an AniMe display. Thanks to a total of 1,212 mini LEDs, users can show off custom graphics, play GIF images, or have effects that change with the music, with 256 levels of brightness to choose from. In a future system update, ASUS says it will add the ability to view the date, time, and notifications on this display, too. The lights are only white, though.
The Zephyrus G14 is also the first ROG laptop to make use of ASUS' ErgoLift hinge, which tilts the keyboard as you open the lid. In this case, it's not just for typing comfort, but it also enables the fans to draw in more air. Plus, the hinge has vents cut into the bottom bezel, allowing the laptop to dissipate heat more effectively from the rear exhaust. ASUS also used thin fan blades to increase the airflow in the compact 14-inch chassis, which is just 17.9mm thick.
The Zephyrus G14 promises more than 10 hours of battery life on a charge, and like its bigger brother, it can also be charged with the included 180W power adapter or through USB Type-C at up to 65W, which might be good enough if you're not using the GPU. In terms of ports, it's mostly the same as the G15, but it has two USB Type-A ports instead of three.
Both laptops will be available in the first quarter of 2020, but ASUS didn't reveal pricing information.
