Computex 2017: ASUS ROG Zephryus GX501 Ultra Slim laptop

At just 17.9 mm thick and 2.24 kg, the Zephryus is the thinnest ROG gaming laptop with up to an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor and the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics. The CPU has quad Kaby Lake cores. 

The CPU and GPU each have a dedicated blower, radiator, and heatpipe. Because it consumes more power while gaming, the GPU has another radiator all of its own. Both chips share two more pipes that distribute the cooling between them to improve overall efficiency. Another heatpipe handles the power circuitry that feeds both chips, keeping throttling at bay under strenuous loads. The high refresh rate combines with the 1080p resolution to enable a true 120-FPS experience that’s perfect for first-person shooters, driving sims, and other games with fast-paced action. The 120Hz panel also cuts input lag, making games feel more responsive—and granting an advantage in competitive play. G-Sync keeps the display synchronized with the GPU to eliminate distracting visual tears and minimize stuttering from natural performance fluctuations, further heightening the immersion.

Aura RGB keyboard backlighting adds customizable visibility, complete with a wide range of colors and effects, plus separate QWER and WASD zones for MOBAs and FPS games. The keyboard isn’t the only thing that lights up, either. With the touch of a button, the trackpad transforms into an illuminated numpad for convenient data entry. 

The machine can be loaded with up to 24GB of DDR4-2400 memory and an insanely fast NVMe SSD capable of pushing speeds up to 3500 MB/s. The solid-state drive offers up to 1TB of storage for massive game libraries, and it loads them at warp speed. A full-sized SD slot adds a measure of expandable storage along with a convenient way to transfer photos and movies from DSLRs and other cameras.

We gave the machine a diverse array of connectivity for maximum flexibility. The reversible Type-C port pushes up to 40Gbps to Thunderbolt devices, unlocking a world of possibilities for external gear. It can also drive ROG gaming monitors via DisplayPort over USB Type-C, providing an easy way to hook up a larger—and even faster—display at your home battlestation. If you really want to supersize your gaming, big-screen TVs can join the party via an HDMI 2.0 port capable of carrying 4K signals at 60Hz.

Four Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports provide plenty of places to plug in all the devices you already own, including VR headsets and their accompanying motion trackers.