The 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 serves as another desktop replacement gaming laptop. It impressively excels in performance, featuring a delightful gimmick. Nonetheless, the CPU occasionally falters beneath the GPU’s load, resulting in intermittent slowdowns.
Pros:
- Exceptional gaming performance.
- Remarkably lightweight for a desktop replacement.
- Superb display and sound system.
- Engaging AniMe Matrix mode as a delightful extra.
Cons:
- Occasional overheating concerns.
- Mediocre battery life.
- Notable stuttering when handling non-gaming tasks.
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023): Quick Overview
The 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 aims to be a gaming powerhouse without the usual bulk of desktop replacements. It’s only available in black, but its remarkably slim chassis, housing a GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, is noteworthy.
The laptop boasts a stunning 16-inch QHD+ mini-LED display with a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, HDR, and G-Sync support. The audio, powered by Dolby Atmos, features two 2W tweeters and a 2W dual-force woofer for an immersive gaming experience.
The backlit keyboard, including the touchpad, adds a touch of RGB flair. The Chiclet keyboard is smooth and comfortable for typing or gaming.
Gaming performance shines with top-tier specs and ample memory and storage. From the RTX 4070 to the potent RTX 4090, the laptop handles gaming with ease.
The unique AniMe Matrix mode allows you to display animations and messages on the chassis, adding a fun touch.
However, some downsides exist, including CPU throttling and software intricacies.
Price and Availability
Starting at $2,999.99 / £2,399.99, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) is a premium gaming laptop. It’s available in the US and UK, with potential future availability in Australia. When compared to similar desktop replacements, the M16 offers a more affordable high-end option. Note that it might be challenging to obtain, as it’s currently sold out in the US.
Price score: 4 / 5
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023): Specifications
Here’s an overview of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) specifications, highlighting key differences:
| Component | Base Model | Review Unit | Top Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,999.99 / £2,399.99 / AU$4,417 | $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 / AU$5,218 | $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 / AU$5,218 |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-13900H | Intel Core i9-13900H | Intel Core i9-13900H |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5 | 32GB DDR5 | 64GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 2TB SSD | 2TB SSD | 2TB SSD |
| Ports | Various (see below) | Various (see below) | Various (see below) |
| Screen | 16-inch QHD+ Mini-LED (see details below) | 16-inch QHD+ Mini-LED (see details below) | 16-inch QHD+ Mini-LED (see details below) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Camera | 1080p FHD IR | 1080p FHD IR | 1080p FHD IR |
| Weight | 4.63 pounds (2.10kg) | 5.07 pounds (2.30kg) | 5.07 pounds (2.30kg) |
| Dimensions | 13.98 x 9.69 x 0.78 ~ 0.88 inches | 13.98 x 9.69 x 0.83 ~ 0.90 inches | 13.98 x 9.69 x 0.83 ~ 0.90 inches |
While various models are available, customization is limited.
Specifications Score: 4 / 5
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023) Review: Design
In terms of design, the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) sports a simple black color and a surprisingly sleek form, despite housing a hefty RTX 4090 GPU, which does add some weight compared to the RTX 4070 version.
The laptop maintains a well-balanced form factor, and despite the added heft, it remains comfortable to handle. While it’s not as rugged as bulkier laptops, it strikes a good balance.
Display and sound quality are top-notch. The 16-inch QHD+ mini-LED display offers a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, HDR, and G-Sync support. Thin bezels grant a spacious screen-to-body ratio, enhancing your gaming experience.
The standout feature is the AniMe Matrix mode, allowing you to display custom animations or messages on the chassis. It’s entertaining, though not performance-affecting. Note that not all models include this feature.
The laptop’s audio is exceptional, driven by Dolby Atmos and Smart Amp Tech, complemented by quality microphones. The Chiclet keyboard, while responsive, lacks a numlock pad due to speaker placement.
RGB lighting adds flair to the keyboard and touchpad, creating an aesthetically pleasing ambiance.
On the downside, despite robust ventilation features like liquid metal and heat sinks, the laptop can get noisy and warm, particularly when using the AniMe Matrix mode.
Port selection is solid but lacks an Ethernet connection, potentially impacting connection-dependent games.
Design Score: 4 / 5
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023) REVIEW: Performance
Gaming performance excels; even the base model handles max settings and ray-tracing effortlessly. Comparing benchmarks with competitors like Lenovo’s Legion Pro 7i and MSI’s GT77 Titan (2023) reveals slight variations, with the ROG Zephyrus M16 dominating PCMark 10.
The laptop’s lightweight nature, overclocking capabilities, and broad gaming potential set it apart. Customized benchmarks, particularly in DLSS 3-enabled ray-tracing games, showcased impressive performance. However, a noticeable hiccup arises during CPU-based tasks, causing slight inconvenience when handling non-gaming activities.
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023): Benchmarks
Here are the benchmark results for the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16:
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| 3DMark: Night Raid | 64,312 |
| 3DMark: Fire Strike | 32,053 |
| 3DMark: Time Spy | 14,925 |
| 3DMark: Port Royal | 9,843 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi-core | 19,761 points |
| GeekBench 5 (Single-core) | 1,999 |
| GeekBench 5 (Multi-core) | 14,823 |
| PCMark 10 (Home Test) | 8,148 points |
| 25GB File Copy | 14.35 |
| Handbrake 1.6 | 6:52 |
| CrossMark (Overall) | 1997 |
| CrossMark (Productivity) | 1937 |
| CrossMark (Creativity) | 2072 |
| CrossMark (Responsiveness) | 1956 |
| Battery Life | 4 hours, 45 minutes |
| Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra) | 104 fps |
| Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Low) | 270 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra) | 71 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Low) | 72 fps |
| Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra) | 34 fps |
| Dirt 5 (1080p, Low) | 193 fps |
Performance Score: 4.5 / 5
Battery
Battery performance is mediocre, lasting about four hours and 45 minutes in the movie test, which is standard for gaming laptops. It outperforms the Legion 7i Pro but falls slightly short of the GT77 Titan by 15 minutes. Given its desktop replacement role, you won’t unplug it for extended tasks.
Moreover, it charges quickly, requiring only 30 minutes for a half charge.
Battery Score: 3 / 5
Should You Buy It?
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium-priced, offering value | 4 / 5 |
| Specs | Top-notch in components and display | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Sleek with AniMe Matrix mode | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | Excellent gaming, sluggish CPU tasks | 4.5 / 5 |
| Battery | Average, best suited for plugged use | 3 / 5 |
| Average Total | High-end gaming choice | 4 / 5 |
Buy It If:
- You seek exceptional gaming performance with max settings and ray-tracing.
- You want a portable desktop replacement with a sleek design.
- Quality display and audio are essential.
Don’t Buy It If:
- You’re on a budget; it comes at a steep price.
- Battery life is a priority; it’s better suited for plugged use.
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS M16 (2023): Also Consider
| Laptop | Price | CPU | GPU | RAM | Display | Storage | Ports | Wireless | Camera | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) | $3,499.99 | Intel Core i9-13900H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 | 32GB DDR5 | 16-inch QHD+ Mini-LED | 2TB SSD | Various | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 | 1080p FHD IR | 5.07 pounds | 13.98 x 9.69 x 0.83 ~ 0.90 inches |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i | $4,499.99 | Intel Core i9-13900KF | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 | 32GB DDR5 | 16-inch WQXGA IPS | 1TB SSD | Various | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1 | 1080p | 6.17 pounds | 14.3 x 10.32 x 0.86-1.01 inches |
| MSI GT77 Titan (2023) | $4,699.99 | Intel Core i9-13980HX | Nvidia RTX 4090 | 64GB DDR5 | 17.3-inch 4K Mini LED | 2TB SSD | Various | Wi-Fi 6E | 720p IR webcam | 7.27 pounds | 15.6 x 12.9 x 0.9 inches |