For better performance, particularly for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is the superior option with its advanced GPU and CPU; however, it is heavier, has a shorter battery life, and is less portable compared to the ASUS Zenbook 13, which is better suited for general use given its lightweight design, longer battery life, and highly portable form factor. The Zenbook also boasts an OLED screen with exceptional color accuracy, making it ideal for activities where color reproduction matters, like photo editing. If price is a key factor, note that the Zenbook is often less expensive than the Strix G16. 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 Strix G16
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good speakers
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 13
Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.2/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is better suited for gaming and 3D applications due to its Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card with hardware ray tracing and DLSS capabilities, alongside a high refresh rate screen, contributing to a smoother visual experience. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook 13, with its AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Vega 8 integrated graphics and standard refresh rate display, offers less graphical power and thus a more moderate gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
7.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its higher RAM, advanced Intel CPU, and Nvidia RTX GPU, excels in engineering and design due to superior processing and graphics capabilities, as well as a higher quality IPS screen. In contrast, the ASUS Zenbook 13, while highly portable with an excellent OLED screen, has less RAM, a less powerful AMD CPU and integrated graphics, making it less suited to resource-intensive engineering applications.
Screen Quality
7.5/10
7.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
378.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook 13 for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation, while the ASUS Zenbook 13 has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Zenbook 13 wins out due to a brighter display and higher resolution, offering crisp and vivid visuals for everyday tasks like browsing and document editing. In engineering and design, both the ROG Strix G16 and Zenbook 13 have ample color accuracy and range, providing true-to-life colors necessary for precision work. However, for gaming and 3D, their lack of high refresh rates hampers the experience, as a smoother motion is crucial for fast-paced action and detailed graphics work.
Portability
Fair
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The ASUS Zenbook 13 has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,374
$890
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the ASUS Zenbook 13 costs $890.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers robust performance with a high-end CPU and ample RAM, making it capable of handling demanding tasks and multitasking, while its high refresh rate and screen quality suit both work and play; however, it is heavier and has a slightly lower battery life, affecting portability. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook 13, with an efficient CPU and high-quality OLED screen, emphasizes longer battery life and lightweight design, thus enhancing portability, although it may not handle intensive tasks as effectively due to less RAM and lower graphical power.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.6/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 are both good for content creation.
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
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook 13 has 9 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
7.8/10
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and ASUS Zenbook 13 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the ASUS Zenbook 13 compare to other laptops
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The Asus ZenBook 13 is a compact 13-inch laptop with a fast Ryzen 7 5800U and OLED display. The subnotebook is also light and the modern design is convincing. The selection of high-quality materials make the device not only light, but also very stable. In addition, the visuals and haptics of the device offers a high-quality impression. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is a very good fit for the ZenBook 13, ensuring a high performance in the test. However, in terms of the 3D performance, we also notice that the Vega architecture is beginning to hit its limits."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the ASUS Zenbook 13
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,895
Recommendations made
22,078
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.