The Asus ROG Strix XG16 moveable gaming monitor — now obtainable in India, a yr on from its worldwide launch — is constructed for a really particular objective. To be truthful, its title says as a lot. Not simply as soon as, however twice in truth. ROG, or Republic of Players, is the moniker Asus makes use of — as you’ll be able to guess — for gadgets that cater to gaming audiences in the beginning. Add to that the opposite necessary key phrase, “moveable”. The Strix XG16 is, primarily, a major or secondary monitor for gaming on the go. Asus would hope that you simply pair it with an ROG laptop computer, and preserve it throughout the household. After all, you’re free to make use of it with a Steam Deck (principally a PC) or a Nintendo Swap (which I principally did).
However it doesn’t matter what route you are taking, its ergonomics get in the way in which. There’s two methods for the Asus ROG Strix XG16 to face — both by itself utilizing the built-in kickstand, or with the assistance of a flowery, adjustable tripod that is bundled alongside. You can use any digicam tripod because of the standardised mount on the again, although there’s little level to it since you’ve got received a specialised one within the field. This can be a larger determination outdoors India, the place Asus sells two variants: one with the tripod and one with out (the technical names are XG16AHP-E and XG16AHP-W, respectively). In India, Asus is simply promoting the latter model. That does imply you are compelled to pay for the tripod even if you happen to do not take care of it.
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Whether or not you utilize the kickstand or the tripod, the Asus moveable monitor’s footprint is large. With the wafer-thin kickstand — it tilts from 5 to 27.5 levels — the ROG Strix XG16 by no means actually feels on steady footing. I attempted to apply it to the backseat of a automobile, however it wobbled it doesn’t matter what place I put it in. And even when it isn’t wobbling, it is almost unimaginable to get it in a perfect viewing place. (As a result of the XG16 has an IPS panel and never OLED, the viewing angles aren’t nice both.) Both the highest half of the show feels too removed from the underside half, as you enhance the lean angle. However on decrease tilt angles, the 15.6-inch show feels small, as it’s essential push it away from your self to lower viewing angles.
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The Asus ROG Strix XG16 appears to be like comical on the ROG tripod
Picture Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
The tripod has its personal issues. For one, it is pretty heavy. Two, it wants as a lot area as stands for a lot bigger displays. On my each day work desk, the ROG Strix XG16 tripod took up as a lot room because the built-in stand for my 24-inch Dell monitor. That is loopy. Owing to this, the 15.6-inch show additionally appears to be like comical on the tripod, extra so if you happen to apply it to the tallest setting. And whereas most displays have buttons on the entrance, the XG16 has them on the highest of the show. It was awkward to make use of them, particularly once I had it on the tripod. Lastly, there is no simple option to take it with you. When you can tuck the show right into a neat sleeve, offered by Asus, there is no carrying case for the tripod.
In relation to the gaming monitor points, I’ve no complaints. The ROG Strix XG16 boasts of 144Hz refresh charge and Nvidia G-Sync help out of the field. I did not have any sources that might output that, however I did check 120Hz with my PlayStation 5. As with all issues 120fps, you’ll be able to’t really feel the soar from 60fps. You positively really feel it going from 30fps to 60fps, however it’s not the identical whenever you double it once more. The colors are incredible — in truth, Asus is so certain in regards to the XG16’s color accuracy that it features a very nerdy calibration report sheet within the field. I adore it. The ROG Strix XG16 is fantastically tuned proper out of the field, although with a little bit of calibration, you may get it to look even higher.
And whereas the Asus moveable monitor is certainly brilliant sufficient for indoor use — I by no means pushed it over 50 % brightness — it is nowhere close to brilliant sufficient to outshine the solar in India. To be truthful, most shows aren’t.
Sadly, I can not say the identical in regards to the built-in audio system. They’re merely not loud sufficient, even when the background sound was simply the din of rain throughout an open window. You’re higher off connecting to a pair of headphones. The ROG Strix XG16 surprisingly sports activities a 3.5mm audio jack, in case you’ve got nonetheless received a pair of old skool earbuds mendacity round. Both manner, I might’ve favored quantity buttons on the Asus monitor itself. It is a ache to dive by means of the menus and make the changes each time, extra so given the buttons are awkwardly positioned, as I stated earlier than.
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With the kickstand unfolded, the Asus ROG Strix XG16 takes up plenty of area
Picture Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
Because it’s constructed for use on the go, the ROG Strix XG16 sports activities a 7,800 mAh battery, with Asus claiming a battery lifetime of as much as three hours. I did not put it by means of a stress check — 144Hz output at max brightness — although, as that has little relevance in the actual world. What issues extra is the way it performs in day-to-day duties. Whereas watching a full-screen dwell video at 50 % brightness, the ROG Strix XG16 misplaced a few fifth of its battery over a interval of 45 minutes. Deployed as a secondary monitor at 30 % brightness and with only a Slack window open, the Asus monitor’s battery went from full to zero in 4 hours.
Talking of utilizing it as a secondary show, I discovered extra use for the ROG Strix XG16 in that division, somewhat than a gaming show. Throughout work hours, I might transfer my TweetDeck tab to it and control incoming information, whereas I wrote in a doc or watched a TV present I might to assessment on my major Dell monitor. At different instances, I flicked Wimbledon or Commonwealth Video games streams onto the ROG Strix XG16, whereas I might browse the Web on one other show. And although I do not edit movies a lot lately, managing an Adobe Premiere Professional timeline is certainly simpler when you’ll be able to shift the preview and a bunch of controls over to a second display.
However even when the ROG Strix XG16 is used on this trend, it would not make for essentially the most elegant of setups. Owing to the built-in kickstand on the again and the truth that the monitor can stand by itself, the ports have been pushed to the left aspect. Which means the wires — you all the time want one cable for enter, and a second one when the battery wants charging — jut out to the left. I am not too choosy about seeing cables on my desk, however it’s nonetheless not a pleasant look. I attempted to cover the cables by inserting the ROG Strix XG16 side-to-side with one other monitor, however the positioning of the ports meant the wires would conflict with the opposite monitor. There is not any manner round it.
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See how the cable will get in the way in which, when the Asus ROG Strix XG16 is positioned subsequent to a different monitor
Picture Credit score: Akhil Arora/Devices 360
Extra importantly although, as a secondary show at residence, Asus’ 15.6-inch full-HD providing is simply unnecessarily costly. The ROG Strix XG16 was launched at an MRP of Rs. 60,999, however Asus informed me that the value would ultimately go right down to Rs. 48,999, and it is now promoting for less than that. Both manner, that’s nonetheless loopy cash — that is iPad Air cash. If you happen to’re available in the market for a secondary monitor, you may get 24-inch full-HD displays for a 3rd of the value. If you’d like a gaming monitor able to 144Hz refresh charge, you may get 27-inch full-HD choices for lower than half the value. Admittedly, none of those will enable you on the transfer, as they have to be all the time plugged in.
However that is the type of place Asus has put itself in. The ROG Strix XG16 is designed for a really slender use case. Asus has clearly made it for avid gamers on the go, which explains the outstanding ROG branding. (There is a glowing ROG emblem on the again of the monitor too.) Even for those who do discover it helpful, how typically will that occur? Ask your self, what number of instances have you ever needed a Nintendo Swap show whilst you’re travelling? What number of instances have you ever needed a secondary show in your laptop computer on the go? And earlier than you reply these questions in your head, consider the cumbersome and un-ergonomic setup that this includes.
I do not consider there are 48,999 causes.
Professionals:
Cons:
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W was launched in India in late June, and first went up on the market in early August. It’s presently obtainable through Flipkart.
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