When you think of gaming brands, IKEA probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind and even they acknowledge that. Recently, the furniture company teased a collaboration with ROG (ASUS Republic of Gamers) for gaming-centric furniture and accessories and while it's been available in other parts of the world for some time, they were not available locally. Well, if you've been waiting for an update about IKEA x ROG, you're in luck.
IKEA announced today that their upcoming gamer lineup will be available in a couple of weeks - on the auspicious 11th of November. Yes, that's right, the day where wallets somehow become lighter than usual! There's no word on whether there will be a launch day sale (unlikely, I think) but more details on what will be available and their pricing will be revealed in the future. In the meantime, you can browse IKEA's international site for a rough idea of what to expect.
Based on the visuals, we can expect the gaming table, chair, table lamp, CPU wheels, and wall mounts. Pretty exciting stuff if you've been thinking about upgrading your gaming setup, especially since IKEA is known to have reasonable pricing. What would you like to pick up for your room? Follow IKEA for the latest updates.
There's no such thing as good enough when it comes to technology for gaming! When we heard that ASUS was announcing a slew of new devices to satisfy our gaming needs this week, we got excited. Here's a quick rundown of what to expect from the Taiwanese company in 2021!
It looks like ASUS has upgraded its TUF (The Ultimate Force) lineup of laptops with a new entry - the TUF Dash F15. Packed with the latest generation of Intel Core processors (i7-11375H) and a GeForce 3070, this device is no slouch when it comes to gaming. With a 15" chassis, 19.9m profile, 2kg weight, and Type-C charging with up to 16.6 hours of battery life, you'll be able to game on the go. It also features MIL-STD-810H military standards durability, so you know it'll be safe despite any accidental bumps you might have on the road. No pricing and availability date yet.
Another gaming laptop, this time for the Republic of Gamers (ROG) series, the ROG Flow X13 features a 13" display and a 360 degree hinge which gives it 3 different modes - laptop, tent or tablet. It is 15.8mm thin and only weighs 1.3kg. Specs include an AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS CPU, GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, and either 4K Ultra HD or 120Hz Full HD Displays.
If you need a bigger punch when it comes to the graphics department, you can hook it up to the XG Mobile external GPU through a custom PCIe 3.0 x8 interface. This gives the laptop a GeForce RTX 3080 to play with - perfect for running more graphics-intensive games. However, if you need the portability, you can simply disconnect the external GPU for extra mobility.
No word on pricing or availability either, but we suspect it's not going to be cheap!
If you want to stand out at your next LAN party or you want a laptop with even more functionality than a regular one, you might want to check out the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE. An updated version of the Zephyrus Duo 15 GX550 (the world's first 300Hz gaming laptop with a dual-screen and liquid metal cooling), this model is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU and a GeForce RTX 3080 GPU.
Not much to say other than the jaw-dropping price tag of its predecessor (RM19k) which will probably be the case here, but if you're looking for the ultimate flex, this is probably it!
If you think that the 300Hz display in the Zephyrus Duo isn't enough for you, the ROG Strix SCAR 17 might be right up your alley. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 9500HX CPU and a GeForce RTX 3080, it packs a 360Hz Full HD display with 3ms response time. Talk about fluid gaming! With a 90Wh battery for up to 12 hours of video playback on a single charge and fast charging over USB Type C, you can game non-stop on this device. No word on pricing, but it should be cheaper than the previously mentioned dual-screen behemoth!
Onto accessories and displays, the ROG Swift PG32UQ is touted as the world's first 32" HDMI 2.1 gaming monitor with a 144Hz IPS panel and 1ms moving picture response time. With support for 4K at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1 or 4K at 144Hz over DisplayPort, this gaming monitor will be one to lookout for if you're looking to upgrade from Full HD gaming. No word on pricing but it's slated to arrive end of Q1 2021.
A new mechanical keyboard from ASUS which features their new ROG RX Blue or Red Optical Mechanical Switches. These optical switches feature a hollow-square stem design and embedded RGD LEDs for all-around per-key lighting and less light bleed - for those of you who need that RGB bling. What's interesting about the ASUS ROG Claymore II is its detachable numpad - place it on the left or right of the main cluster, or remove it altogether if you need the tablespace. It also features USB Type C or wireless connectivity (up to 40 hours on a single charge). No word on pricing or availability either.
Lastly, we have the ROG Gladius III Wireless gaming mouse - 19,000 dpi and wireless 2.4GHz RF and Bluetooth modes (as well as wired) connectivity. What's interesting about the mouse is its Push-Fit Socket II feature which will allow you to replace the Omron optical micro switches on it. If your clicks are malfunctioning, just swap out the switch with something new and you're good to go. You can also change switches around if you're in the mood for a different feel. Nice to see mice manufacturers head in this direction - hopefully it becomes more common across the board in the future. Stay tuned for pricing and availability.
There's going to be plenty of tech announcements this week for gamers - what devices or laptops are you looking forward to? Head to ASUS' website for official product specs. Stay tuned to eGG Network for more details!
Thinking of getting into the professional mobile esports scene? Or maybe you're a hardcore mobile gamer who plays with nothing but the best? Regardless of the type of player you are, the ROG Phone 3 is the premium gaming phone you just might be looking for, with top of the line specs that give you bangs for your bucks.
The Asus Republic of Gamers (ROG) - a well-renowned name in the PC market - recently pulled back the velvet curtains to unveil its latest third-gen gaming smartphone series. It goes without saying that the ROG Phone 3 packs a bigger punch than its predecessor, with the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 865 Plus giving more heft to the gaming phone to let you game in the highest quality possible while remaining stable. The GameCool 3 cooling system also keeps your phone, well, extra cool during intense, high graphic gaming sessions that strain most other smartphones.
You don't have to worry about battery life either, as the ROG Phone 3 comes with a giant 6000 mAh battery that comes equipped with in-phone power saving features, such as a hibernate function that limits background data and power consumption to prolong battery life. And finally, revel in its glorious 144 Hz / 1 ms AMOLED 10-bit display, with ultra-responsive touch latency so that the ROG Phone 3 reacts as quickly as your gameplay.
If you're looking to level up your gaming experience even further, the slew of ROG Phone 3 accessories introduces more ways to enjoy your games, including the ROG Kunai 3 Gamepad - which grants console-like gamepad controls - and TwinView Dock 3, with 144 Hz dual-screen capabilities for easier viewing.
Even if you aren't picking it up for gaming, the ROG Phone 3 is more than capable to handle everyday use. So, if you're looking to consider another powerful premium smartphone that isn't Samsung or Apple, this Asus device is worth checking out.
We could go on singing praises for the the ROG Phone 3, but that would turn into a 1000-word essay. Why not check out the ROG website for more info?
The Malaysian price of the ROG Phone 3 has yet to be finalised, but Asus assures that the price range of the third-gen series will be close to the ROG Phone 2 series, which cost RM4499 for the 12GB Ram 1TB version, RM3499 for the 12 GB Ram 512GB model, and RM2499 for the Strix 8GB Ram 128GB variant.
The Asus ROG Phone 3 launches September this year.
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR III is a monster of a gaming laptop with a game-changing 240Hz display. The high refresh rate makes it a perfect alternative for gamers craving that extra competitive edge and mobility at the same time.
Our review unit comes in at the reasonable price of RM7,999 with superb specifications, including Intel Core i7, RTX 2070, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 240Hz display. The ROG Strix Scar III is an all-rounded gaming machine with minor niggles.
The hinge feels durable.
While premium quality laptops come with aluminium construction, this ROG device offers just a tad more than that. The combination of brushed metal and carbon-fiber-patterned surfaces is impeccable even for the pickiest gamers out there.
The laptop has an iconic “Republic of Gamers” aesthetic with a distinct ROG logo on the top panel. The logo light can be tweaked to oblivion to suit any mood and style. The Aura light bar at the bottom panel makes this laptop one of the most striking tech pieces, handy when attending a LAN party (showoff factor 10/10).
A well-thought design by placing all three Type-A ports at the left.
The in/output ports selection is sufficient with three USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-A), one USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C), RJ45 LAN Jack, 2-in-1 Audio Jack and HDMI 2.0. All the Type-A ports are located at the left of the laptop, making it more ergonomic for right-handed gamers who appreciate extra space for their mouse. More importantly, the left-placed Type-A ports provide a cleaner look when various cables are connected. Cable management is also much easier since most ports are at the rear.
The footprint of this machine is bigger than common laptops because of the design of its cooling system. The vents are extended at the rear to ensure additional heat dissipation. The SCAR III has a reassuring weight of 2.4kg, which isn’t too bad for a 15.6” laptop.
The upgradability and modular design of this laptop ensure its future-proof, too.
The cooling is sufficient.
For years, laptops have been a lower-tier gaming experience compared to the desktop. But the competition has been turned on its head, what with the enormous power that this ROG heavyweight holds.
The Core i7 and RTX 2070 are more than luxurious for most gamers and professionals alike. The device runs esports titles like Dota 2, LoL, CS:GO, R6 Siege and PUBG like a champ. The latest AAA games, including STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order, Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, work perfectly well, even when graphic settings are set to the highest.
As expected, the SCAR III doesn’t freeze even under extended periods of heavy load. The six cores and 12 threads on the CPU make it a beast of burden for gaming, editing, rendering and multitasking. That said, the laptop can occasionally hit 90°C.
The display on the ROG Strix Scar III is impressive - the 240Hz refresh rate is trend-bucking. The high refresh rate makes a world of a difference compared to the regular 60Hz and 144Hz. Basically, once you go 240Hz, you never go back … or if you do, it’ll be a drag.
Even an action as simple as moving the mouse cursor feels so much snappier. The gaming performance of this IPS panel is outstanding, with no motion blur whatsoever. The display is good at producing vivid colours and it has decent contrast, as well.
Surprisingly though, this Asus model doesn’t have a dedicated webcam, so spying is fundamentally not an issue here … China or America.
Instead of a numerical pad, the SCAR III comes with a few special keys that come in handy for gaming. For example, the Armoury Crate can be easily activated by pressing its dedicated key, so gamers can customise the laptop performance on-the-fly.
Keys feel comfy when typing, too. Most people can get used to the keyboard because of the traditional layout. The RGB effect is a bonus, but bear in mind that the lighting isn’t as good as Razer’s Blade laptops.
The dual speakers are loud and clear for casual use, but it’s still unrealistic to expect them to help tracking the footsteps of enemies when playing games like PUBG, CS:GO and R6 Siege. For gaming, a pair of headphones is highly recommended.
The ROG Strix Scar III has a durable battery life, given its powerful components. It lasts a full four hours under average use with some office work and video streaming. It can be a trusty travel laptop even without a power adapter close at hand (though after four hours, you’re in trouble).
This software is a nice touch by Asus. It acts as a command center for the user to tailor almost every performance-related setting to their heart’s content. However, this software isn’t user-friendly - it takes several attempts to figure out the most basic stuff, like saving a profile.
The user interface is slightly confusing with loads of information misaligned from column to column. But it’s just a minor concern, especially once new patch notes are released.
The Scar III is the most practical, yet extremely powerful gaming laptop. The machine is stable with no major performance dropouts, even throughout our heavy testing sessions. The CPU and GPU run flawlessly and fully utilise the exceptional 240Hz display.
Speaking of the display, the high refresh rate is unreal. It even makes the 144Hz display look grainy. The combination of high FPS and refresh rate complement the gaming experience perfectly.
If you’re looking for a laptop that will still be applicable to 3A titles and esports games in the near future, this device is a sweet deal.
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