Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 2023 Review: A Matured Design with Impressive Gaming Performance

When considering top-of-the-line gaming laptops for PC enthusiasts, there are several noteworthy options to select from, particularly those featuring the latest Nvidia RTX 40 series. Recently, Asus introduced ROG ROG Zephyrus M16 in India under elite gaming laptops, which boast the latest Intel processor as well as Nvidia RTX 40 series GPU. After putting the ROG Zephyrus M16 through rigorous testing for the past month, we have determined that it is a highly impressive gaming laptop, with exceptional hardware. However, the question that remains is whether its price tag of Rs 3,64,990 is justified. Our review will provide the answer.

2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Design and Build

The 2023 M16 laptop bears a strong resemblance to its predecessors, as a mid-sized black metal device with most changes made internally. Nevertheless, Asus has updated several exterior features to enhance the laptop’s aesthetics and functionality.

Upon unboxing, the laptop’s metal pieces offer a soft and premium feel. The frame has been reinforced, and the creaks and squeaky noises present in previous models have been eliminated, allowing users to comfortably lift or grab the device. The lid is crafted from aluminum, while magnesium alloys are used for the interior, main frame, and underside. These black surfaces can accumulate smudges and finger oil over time, but less so than other metal finishes. Cleaning the interior and keyboard is quick and simple.

One novelty this year is the Anime Matrix array on the lid, exclusive to the RTX 4090 configuration of the M16 and previously seen on the smaller Zephyrus G14. Although this feature adds almost 200 extra grams to the laptop’s weight, it does little to enhance functionality. The redesigned status LEDs, now implemented into the screen chassis, are invisible during regular use, a significant improvement over the previous version, which reflected on the screen when used at night.

The laptop’s overall ergonomics remain unchanged, with sturdy and smooth Ergolift hinges that elevate the main chassis to enhance airflow into the fans. The screen can be easily adjusted with a single hand and leaned back flat to 180 degrees when needed. The edges and corners are wrist-friendly, and the armrest is spacious with a soft coating. The rubber feet on the underside provide excellent grip on a flat surface.

Overall, the 2023 Zephyrus M16 is a refined and improved design that has matured over the years. It is well-suited for daily use without any worry.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Audio and Visual

The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 has an excellent audio and visual system that makes it perfect for gaming. The 16-inch display is a QHD+ mini-LED with a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and HDR. The display of the laptop is equipped with Nvidia G-Sync technology, allowing for seamless synchronization of the display refresh rate with the frame rate output of the GPU to prevent visual artifacts such as tearing and smearing.

The display has a 90% screen-to-body ratio, making it possible to see more of the game’s UI. The latest generation of miniLED panels from BOE in 2023 powers the laptop’s display with 1024 dimming zones, up to 1000+ nits of peak SDR brightness, and 1100+ nits of peak HDR brightness.

It has a matte non-glare finish, making it an excellent option for outdoor use or bright office spaces. The panel is well-calibrated and Pantone Validated with 100 percent coverage of DCI-P3 colors. Asus has also got this display certified by TÜV Rheinland for Low Blue Light immersion. If you prefer to consume content on your laptop screen you will be happy to note that it also supports Dolby Vision out of the box.

While using it as a daily driver, we observed some blooming in specific situations, which didn’t significantly impact the overall user experience. We also encountered minor technical issues when activating HDR mode, as the screen would flash intermittently, necessitating a system restart.

The audio system is powered by Dolby Atmos, Smart Amp Tech, and packs two 2W Tweeter and a 2W dual-force woofer. The sound output is crystal clear, and it retains its quality even when played at higher volumes. This feature makes it an ideal choice for audio design and music applications. Additionally, the laptop’s microphone is of exceptional quality and efficiently cancels out any background noise during conference calls, while the webcam produces visuals that are marginally above average.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Keyboard, trackpad, and I/O

The laptop keyboard boasts a Chiclet-type design, which provides users with a snappy and highly responsive typing experience. It is important to note, however, that due to the speakers being positioned closely to the keyboard, the laptop does not have a num lock pad, which may be a crucial aspect for gamers. The keyboard and touchpad are both equipped with RGB lighting, which not only illuminates the keys during evening sessions but also serves as an aesthetically pleasing feature.

The touchpad, measuring approximately 13 x 8.5 cm, is positioned slightly off-center to the right and offers users a smooth swiping experience even when executing longer movements. The integrated keys have a short but good pressure point with clear feedback, and the clicking noises are considered to be relatively quiet.

Furthermore, this laptop provides a comprehensive port selection, including a 3.5mm combo audio jack, HDMI 2.1 FRL, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, microSD reader, and Kensington Lock. While it is missing an Ethernet port, this may not be a significant issue for a regular laptop, but for a gaming laptop that is intended to replace a desktop PC, it may result in users having to rely solely on wireless connections. This limitation can be problematic for connection-reliant gaming, particularly for fighting games.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Performance

The laptop under review is equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H Processor that runs at 2.6 GHz, boosting up to 5.4 GHz, with 14 cores comprising 6 performance and 8 efficiency cores. It is paired with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, offering top-of-the-line graphics performance with a 150W max TDP when connected to a power source. Additionally, the design still features a MUX for uncompromised gaming performance, but this year’s update includes support for Nvidia’s Advanced Optimus technology and GSync on the primary display.

The laptop offers dual RAM slots, making for an upgrade from the previous Zephyrus models, and two M.2 SSD slots. Our review unit included 32 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM in dual-channel and one high-performance gen4 Samsung SSD. Asus has provided their standard power profiles in the Armoury Crate control app, including Silent, Performance, Turbo, and Manual, with several power settings and fan profiles between them.

In terms of performance, the laptop has everything one could ask for. It is an impressive laptop, boasting the ability to run most games at maximum settings without any issues. The unit was able to handle CPU-heavy titles like Returnal, racing games like Forza Horizon 5, and competitive shooters like Apex Legends at QHD resolution. The Armoury Crate control app allows users to switch between different power settings and fan profiles, ensuring that the laptop performs optimally in any situation.

The M16 effortlessly handles daily tasks with remarkable speed, a feat that has become almost expected from this laptop. It adeptly manages multitasking with various folders and Chrome tabs, as well as creative workloads, without breaking a sweat. However, gaming remains the true forte of this device, which we also put to the test.

In terms of synthetic benchmark assessments, the M16 on Cinebench R23 benchmark test scores 19,199. On 3DMark, it achieved a Night Raid score of 62,911 and a Time Spy score of 14,225. Moreover, PCMark 10 produced an impressive total score of 8,117, with CrossMark’s overall score of 1990. Our Geekbench multi-core and single-core tests yielded scores of 14,316 and 2,232, respectively.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Battery Life

The battery life of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 is decent, but not outstanding. It can last for about six hours with moderate usage, such as web browsing and light gaming. However, when playing games at high settings, the battery life drops significantly, and the laptop needs to be plugged in to maintain optimal performance.

Verdict: Should you buy Asus ROG Zephyrus M16?

The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 boasts remarkable hardware, design, audio, and visual quality, as well as commendable performance. While its color palette may appear modest, its sleek appearance and AniMe Matrix mode are certainly captivating. Its exceptional capacity to execute CPU-intensive tasks, particularly in the gaming realm, is noteworthy, although its battery life is standard for a gaming laptop and necessitates a consistent power source. Despite the laptop’s seemingly high price point, its substantial features and capabilities provide excellent worth, rendering it a prudent investment for gamers.