- Cheryl Tan
CES 2023: ROG Launches First Wireless Custom Gaming Keyboard & Slew of Laptops
Updated: Jan 6, 2023
CES 2023 is finally starting in Las Vegas and brands have been pushing out announcements left, right and centre. Finally, Republic of Gamers (ROG) has shown off their new laptop lineup for 2023, but they've also announced cool new products like the ROG Azoth, the gaming subbrand's first ever wireless custom keyboard.
ROG Azoth
Let's talk about the ROG Azoth first. It comes with hotswap sockets so users will be able to swap out the included ROG NX mechanical switches for switches of their own liking, and the keyboard is using a silicone gasket mount design with three layers of foam for dampening. The stabilisers used here are pre-lubed and claimed to be "low-friction", but we'll have to see if the stock lube and stabilisers end up with a satisfying "thock" or not.
The keyboard also comes with doubleshot PBT keycaps, which is nice. But the coolest value-add on the ROG Azoth has to be the 2-inch OLED panel that can show keyboard status, battery life, custom animations and more. ROG clearly wants the ROG Azoth to be the entry point to mechanical keyboards and customisation for gamers, with an included lube kit comprising of a lube rack for switches, Krytox 205 lube, keycap and switch pullers, a switch opener and three extra switches.
The ROG Azoth will be available end of Jan 2023 at a SRP of S$429, which is slightly on the pricey side but still very good value when considering the inclusion of the lube kit and that OLED panel.
ROG Strix lineup
But let's talk laptops now. ROG has announced laptops with plenty of different configurations so there's something for everyone, whether you prefer Intel or AMD. The Strix Scar 16 and 18 both come with 16- and 18-inch panels respectively in a 10:16 aspect ratio, with the 16-inch model able to be specced up to ROG's new QHD, 240Hz Nebula HDR Mini LED display.
The laptops now come with a full-width extra thick heatsink for even better heat dissipation and thermal performance, and it will definitely be appreciated by the Intel i9 13980HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU running at 175W.
The Strix G16 and G18 come with the same Intel i9 13980HX processor and can be specced up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU as well, while the Strix G17 and Scar 17 have been equipped with AMD's new Ryzen Zen 4 processors.
ROG Zephyrus lineup
If you've on the lookout for a more lightweight laptop though, the new Zephyrus M16 might be the one to look for. The laptop manages to pack a full-width heatsink and Tri-Fan technology into the chassis while remaining thin and still packing performance in the form of the Intel i9 13900H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a MUX switch. It is also the first 16-inch laptop to come with ROG's AniMe Matrix dot lighting array, while also sporting an upgraded 16-inch Mini LED QHD Nebula HDR display with 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
Of course, we can't forget the Zephyrus Duo 16 with its Mini LED panel and 4K touchscreen that has been updated with an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a MUX switch.
ROG Flow & XG Mobile
The ROG Flow lineup has been revamped as well, with the 2023 Flow X13 featuring not only an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 processor, but also an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. There's also a dedicated MUX switch and the laptop can be specced up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The laptop chassis has also been redesigned, resulting in a 10% smaller footprint while keeping the full-size keyboard and even increasing battery capacity from 62Wh to 75Wh. The display has also been upgraded to a 165Hz refresh rate, QHD Nebula display and retains the same 360° hinge from before.
The Flow Z13 has also been upgraded to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU while the Flow X16 comes with the Intel i9 13900H processor and can be specced up to a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU. The Mini LED touchscreen has been upgraded with 1100 nits of peak brightness and a 240Hz refresh rate, with all Flow laptops coming with Corning Gorilla Glass DXC which supposedly increases hardness by 40%.
And we certainly can't miss out on the new XG Mobile which now comes with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a maximum TGP of 175W, meaning gamers will be able to play their favourite triple A games anywhere with more than enough power.
There's no local availability and pricing announced for the ROG laptops yet, but we're certainly excited to see them at CES 2023 and even more excited for when they'll be coming to Singapore.