For high performance in tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out with its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX GPU, supporting features like ray tracing and DLSS. It has a touchscreen with a high refresh rate, superior color accuracy, and higher resolution, enhancing the visual experience, which is beneficial for creative professionals. However, it's more expensive and has a shorter battery life. Conversely, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and AMD GPU, offers a balance between price and performance, making it suitable for gaming and general use. It has a longer battery life but lacks a touchscreen and has lower resolution and color fidelity. The TUF is slightly heavier but comes with an additional weight of a power brick. If budget is a concern and you primarily focus on gaming, the TUF Gaming A16 would be cost-effective, but for superior visual quality and performance, the ROG Flow X16 is the better choice, albeit at a higher cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
Very good battery life
Key differences
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.7/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is superior for engineering and design owing to its more powerful CPU and GPU, higher resolution and brightness touchscreen, and a wider color gamut, which are crucial for intensive tasks and accurate color work. While the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers a decent CPU and GPU for engineering, its screen quality doesn’t match the X16, and although it's more portable and has a longer battery life, it sacrifices superior screen features and the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design.
Screen Quality
8.5/10
7.5/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 features a sharp resolution and high brightness, which enhances visibility and clarity for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, while its wide color gamut meets the precision required for design applications. However, its refresh rate is lower, making it less ideal for fast-paced 3D gaming where smooth motion is critical. The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 provides a balance with decent resolution and satisfactory brightness for general and engineering use, but like the Flow X16, it falls short in the high refresh rate needed for the best gaming and 3D experiences.
Battery
5.5 Hours
12.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$838
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a price of $1,300 and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 costs $838.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for general use, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is suited for general use due to its high-quality screen, convertible 2-in-1 design, and strong CPU and GPU combination that provide a very good balance of performance for various tasks, despite a shorter battery life. On the other hand, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 also serves well for general use with a durable build and respectable performance from a solid CPU and GPU, plus a longer battery life, although it has a lower-quality screen without touch capability and is slightly heavier, making it less portable than the ROG Flow X16.
Gaming and AI
7.6/10
7.4/10
7.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a high-resolution touchscreen display with a 165Hz refresh rate, making it well-suited for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from detailed visuals and smooth motion.
Content Creation
8.0/10
7.6/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for content creation, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.3/10
8.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the ASUS ROG Flow X16 and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 compare to other laptops
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow X16 or the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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