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amazon ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 reviews
In the way ASUS product positioning for gaming laptops, the Zephyrus series launched in 2017 plays a very special role, because it is different from leading product lines like ASUS ROG The Flow X13 or ROG Mothership is highly experimental, Zephyrus series models are its “mainstream” commercial products in the high-end segment.
Therefore, this product line is always “carefully” with annual configuration upgrades along with a number of limited editions such as the recently launched ASUS Zephyrus G14 Alan Walker model.
In May, ASUS announced a new generation upgrade version with 11th-generation Intel CPUs with two versions of Zephyrus M16 and S17 in the world market, but due to the complicated epidemic situation, it was not always possible to buy a new version. Until recently, these two thin and light gaming laptop product lines have officially landed in the Asian market.
With a slight upgrade in terms of configuration, ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 GX703 is not too different from the GX701 version launched last year.
The case is still made of aluminum alloy with the usual sharp machining of Zephyrus series laptops with the outer surface is electrostatically painted with diagonal lines and a diamond cut logo that divides the shell into two halves.
Visually, the overall size of this new version is almost unchanged compared to last year’s version, although ASUS says this year’s laptop model has been slightly shrunk compared to the previous version, only in size 394.9×264.3×19.9mm compared to 399x 272×18.7mm.
The weight of the machine remains the same at 2.6kg, quite light for a gaming laptop with a screen size of up to 17.3″.
The back is designed with many air intake holes for active and passive heat dissipation. Plus, this cover is easy to open for storage upgrades.
Open the bottom cover of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17, striking the viewer’s eye is a massive heatsink system with 6 separate heat pipes, which conducts heat from the CPU and GPU to two cyclone fans.
This design combined with liquid metal thermal paste provides strong heat dissipation, and is more impressive in the group of high-end gaming laptops today.
The machine board is quite small in size, but is still neatly arranged with upgradeable details such as memory slots, M.2 slot for SSD hard drives all on the back. Users can expand 2 more M.2 SSD hard drives in addition to the available hard drive from the manufacturer.
Proceed to open the machine, the most impressive thing for the writer is that the keyboard is slightly lifted to 5 degrees, creating a 12mm air intake from the top, helping to increase the amount of air for the cooling system similar to other models.
This raised angle also creates an extremely comfortable hand feeling for users when typing and playing games.
This is also the thinnest optical-mechanical keyboard on the market today, giving gamers a realistic typing experience and extremely low response time.
ASUS also equips ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 with an IPS LCD screen with 1440p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate with the ability to cover a wide color range with most standard color ranges for image and video editing such as NTSC and DCI-P3.
Similar to other high-end laptops from ASUS today, this screen model is also color-aligned from the factory and meets the color standard confirmed by Pantone, enough to serve users in their needs professionally.
A rather special point for “movie fanatics” is that this screen also supports the Dolby Vision cinematic color standard with the ability to support 10bit color standards on new generation movies.
This is an extremely advanced color standard with an added metadata, helping the backlight system to increase and decrease the light source in a way that suits the director’s intentions, to create impressive movie and game scenes.
In terms of configuration, ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 is equipped with today’s most advanced Intel® Core™ i9-11900H processor and NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics card for laptops, promising impressive graphics performance for working people and gamers.
The machine configuration is quite strong, making it able to smoothly run the tests and strong games on the market today.
For example, the system scored 24,221 points with the 3DMark FireStrike test, and 11,296 points with the 3DMark Time Spy test, roughly equivalent to the desktop system using the ASUS Strix RTX 3070 8G GAMING graphics card.
With this power, the system easily carries Horizon Zero Dawn PC at Ultra settings at 87fps, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at Ultra settings at 67fps or Battlefield V with Ray Tracing effects enabled at an average speed of over 60fps.
Overall, ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 has quite enough power for gamers to fight heavy games at the highest settings and enjoy excellent image quality.
Display
Screen Quality and Size
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 boasts a stunning 17.3-inch display that sets it apart in the gaming laptop market. It is available in several configurations, including Full HD (1920×1080) and QHD (2560×1440) options, catering to both gamers and content creators who prioritize visual fidelity. The display features IPS technology with wide viewing angles and excellent color reproduction, making it suitable for gaming, multimedia consumption, and professional tasks.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
One of the standout features of the Zephyrus S17’s display is its high refresh rate options. Depending on the configuration, users can choose between a 165Hz or 300Hz refresh rate, offering ultra-smooth gameplay and reduced motion blur in fast-paced games. The high refresh rate enhances the overall gaming experience, providing a competitive edge by allowing for more fluid and responsive gameplay. Combined with a fast response time, the display ensures that gamers can react quickly to in-game actions without delays.
Color Accuracy and HDR Support
For content creators and professionals, color accuracy is crucial, and the Zephyrus S17 delivers impressive results. The display covers a wide color gamut, with options for factory calibration and Pantone validation on select models. This ensures accurate color reproduction for tasks such as photo editing, graphic design, and video production. HDR support further enhances visual quality, allowing for more vibrant colors and improved contrast in HDR-enabled content.
Performance
Processor and Graphics Performance
Under the hood, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 packs a punch with Intel’s latest 11th generation processors and NVIDIA’s powerful GeForce RTX graphics cards. It is available with up to an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, an 8-core powerhouse capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. Graphics options include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 GPUs, delivering desktop-level performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications.
RAM and Storage Options
The Zephyrus S17 offers ample memory and storage configurations to suit various user needs. It can be configured with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient data processing. Storage options include fast NVMe SSDs with capacities ranging from 512GB to 2TB, providing ample space for games, applications, and multimedia files. The combination of high-speed RAM and storage ensures snappy performance and quick load times for applications and games.
Gaming Performance
In gaming benchmarks, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 excels across the board, thanks to its powerful hardware configuration. The GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs deliver exceptional graphical performance, allowing users to play the latest AAA titles at ultra-high settings with stable frame rates. Games like “Cyberpunk 2077,” “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,” and “Call of Duty: Warzone” run smoothly on the Zephyrus S17, showcasing its capability as a premium gaming machine.
Thermal Management and Overclocking
ASUS’s intelligent cooling solutions ensure that the Zephyrus S17 maintains optimal performance under load without overheating. The advanced cooling system, coupled with ASUS’s proprietary software features like ROG Boost and Armoury Crate, allows users to monitor and control system temperatures effectively. Overclocking capabilities further enhance performance for enthusiasts, providing additional headroom for pushing CPU and GPU clock speeds to achieve higher frame rates in games.
Connectivity and Audio
Connectivity Options
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 offers a comprehensive selection of ports to accommodate various peripherals and external devices. It includes multiple USB Type-A and Type-C ports, an HDMI 2.0b port, a LAN port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Thunderbolt 4 support on select models enables faster data transfer and connectivity with external displays. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E ensures ultra-fast wireless connectivity, reducing latency and providing a stable internet connection for online gaming and streaming.
Audio Quality and Software
Audio performance on the Zephyrus S17 is enhanced by ASUS’s intelligent audio technologies and premium speaker systems. The laptop features Dolby Atmos support and quad speakers with Smart Amp technology, delivering immersive sound with rich bass and clear highs. Virtual surround sound capabilities enhance spatial awareness in games, making it easier to pinpoint audio cues and footsteps. ASUS’s Sonic Studio software allows users to customize audio profiles and effects, optimizing sound quality for different content and preferences.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Keyboard Design and Typing Experience
The Zephyrus S17 features a full-sized chiclet keyboard with per-key RGB backlighting, offering customizable lighting effects through ASUS’s Aura Sync software. The keyboard layout is spacious, with well-spaced keys that provide tactile feedback and comfortable typing experience. The presence of dedicated macro keys and customizable hotkeys enhances productivity and gaming efficiency, allowing users to execute commands quickly during gameplay or workflow tasks.
Precision Touchpad
The laptop’s precision touchpad supports Windows Precision drivers, ensuring accurate tracking and responsive multi-touch gestures. The large glass surface provides ample space for navigation and gestures, making it easy to interact with the operating system and applications. While gamers may prefer using an external mouse for gaming, the touchpad performs admirably for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, document editing, and multimedia playback.
Battery Life
Battery Performance and Charging
Battery life is a consideration for gaming laptops, and the Zephyrus S17 strikes a balance between performance and endurance. With a large 90Wh battery, the laptop offers respectable battery life for its class, lasting up to 7 hours on light usage scenarios such as web browsing and video playback. However, battery life diminishes significantly during gaming sessions, lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours under load. Rapid charging support enables quick recharges, with the laptop reaching 50% capacity in approximately 30 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime between gaming sessions.
Software and Features
Operating System and Software Suite
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 ships with Windows 10 Home or Windows 11, providing a familiar and versatile platform for gaming and productivity. ASUS’s Armoury Crate software serves as a centralized hub for system monitoring, performance tuning, and RGB lighting customization. It allows users to optimize gaming settings, monitor system temperatures, and create profiles for different gaming scenarios. Additional software features include GameVisual for display customization and GameFirst VI for network prioritization, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Security and Biometrics
Security features on the Zephyrus S17 include a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, providing convenient and secure access to the laptop. Windows Hello support enables fast and reliable biometric authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can unlock the device and access sensitive information. These security measures enhance user privacy and protect against unauthorized access, making the laptop suitable for both personal and professional use.
Conclusion
Pros:
- Premium Build Quality: Magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis with a sleek and durable design.
- High-Performance Hardware: Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series graphics deliver desktop-level gaming performance.
- Advanced Cooling System: Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) Plus design ensures efficient heat dissipation and prevents thermal throttling.
- High-Refresh Rate Display: Options for up to 300Hz refresh rate provide smooth and responsive gaming visuals.
Cons:
- High Price Point: Premium features come at a premium price, making it a significant investment.
- Battery Life: While adequate for a gaming laptop, battery life diminishes quickly under load.
- Portability: Despite being thin and lightweight, it is still larger and less portable compared to smaller gaming laptops.
where can you get a ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 online
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 Gaming Laptop, 17.3” 300Hz FHD Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4, 1TB SSD, Per-Key RGB Keyboard, Thunderbolt 3, Win10 Pro, GX701LWS-XS76: Buy it now
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S17 Gaming Laptop, 300Hz 17.3″ FHD 3ms IPS Level, Intel Core i7-10875H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Per-Key RGB, Windows 10 Pro, GX701LXS-XS78: Buy it now