ASUS ROG Strix G18 2026, Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5060, Gray

The Core Ultra 9 275HX is a 96th percentile CPU, one of the best laptop processors we've tested. The 18-inch 2.5K 240Hz display is a standout at 92nd percentile, and the RTX 5060 is a solid 89th percentile GPU. It's heavy at 3.42kg and the battery won't last long unplugged, but as a desktop replacement, this thing rips.

The Core Ultra 9 275HX is the star here. 24 cores, boost up to 5.4GHz, and it lands in the 96th percentile of our database. That's the absolute best right now for a laptop CPU. It chews through everything from AAA gaming to video editing without breaking a sweat. The RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 is a strong performer too, sitting in the 89th percentile. It's not the top of the charts, but it's a standout for 1080p and 1440p gaming, especially with DLSS 4 and Frame Generation doing the heavy lifting.

The 18-inch 2560x1600 IPS panel is a genuine highlight. 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, 500 nits brightness, and 100% sRGB coverage. That puts it in the 92nd percentile for screens, and it shows. Games look smooth and vibrant, and the anti-glare coating helps in bright rooms. The 32GB of DDR5 and 1TB NVMe SSD are both in the 87th and 80th percentiles respectively, so you're getting well above average memory and storage speed. The tri-fan cooling system keeps things from melting down during long sessions, though the fans do get loud under load.

Against the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, the Strix G18 holds its own on CPU power but gives up some GPU ground. The Legion Pro typically pairs a stronger GPU with similar specs, so if raw gaming frames are your priority, Lenovo might edge ahead. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S is an interesting alternative with its OLED display and RTX 5070 Ti, but you lose the 18-inch screen size. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max is in a different league for creator work and battery life, but it's not a gaming machine in the same way. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 and Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro are more portable, but they can't touch the Strix G18's CPU performance. If you want the biggest, fastest Intel laptop screen with a solid GPU, this ASUS is hard to beat.

Pricing is all over the place right now. In the US, we're seeing listings from USD 2,050 to USD 2,759 across five vendors. That's a USD 709 spread, which is wild. If you're shopping in the US, the USD 2,050 listing is the one to grab. In Europe, prices range from EUR 3,848 to EUR 4,463 across four listings, a EUR 615 gap. The EUR 3,848 option is the best deal there. For the specs you're getting, especially that 96th percentile CPU and the gorgeous 240Hz display, the lower end of those ranges feels fair. At the top end, you're paying a premium for availability, not performance.

The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is a big, loud statement of a gaming laptop. The headline numbers are the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a 24-core monster that sits in the 96th percentile of our database, and a 2.5K 240Hz Nebula display that's among the best screens we've tested. This thing is built to push frames, and it mostly delivers. The RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 is a solid mid-range GPU, landing in the 89th percentile, but it's the CPU and screen that really carry the experience here.

At 3.42kg, this is not a laptop you'll want to haul to a coffee shop every day. It's a desktop replacement, plain and simple. The 90Wh battery is fine for a machine this size, but don't expect all-day unplugged gaming. The spec sheet is generous: 32GB of DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and a full-size Ethernet port. ASUS clearly built this for people who want a big screen and big performance without a lot of compromise.

If you need a laptop you can actually carry around, skip this. At 3.42kg, it's in the 1st percentile for compactness, which is as bad as it gets. The battery life won't save you either, with the 90Wh cell struggling to keep that 24-core CPU and 240Hz panel fed for long. And if you're chasing maximum gaming performance per dollar, the RTX 5060, while solid at 89th percentile, isn't the best GPU you can get at this price point. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 or Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S might serve you better if raw frames matter more than screen size.

The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is a desktop replacement that knows exactly what it is. The Core Ultra 9 275HX is a 96th percentile monster, the 240Hz Nebula display is gorgeous, and the 32GB of RAM plus 1TB SSD give you room to breathe. The RTX 5060 is a slight mismatch with such a powerful CPU, but it's still an 89th percentile GPU that handles modern games well. The weight and battery life are the trade-offs, and they're real ones. If you want a big-screen gaming rig that stays on your desk, this is a top pick. If you need portability, look elsewhere.