Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Two-minute review

Asus' flagship portable gaming machine, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023), sits at the top of the performance tree, packing (in our review sample) a 13th-gen Core i9, an RTX 4090, and a cooling solution which helps them run at their best. 

But there's a price to pay to be cutting edge of the best gaming laptops. Not a physical one, thankfully, but a monetary one. And we do wonder how many people will stump up the funds to buy one.

That investment isn't just in top-line internals. It goes towards a screen that impresses with every look, a slim-bezeled QHD+ panel with fabulous colour reproduction, excellent response times and a 240Hz refresh rate which keeps absolutely everything smooth. It gets you a case with some luxurious and unique design touches, highly impressive lighting, and the ability to expand the SSD and RAM if you need to in the future. 

Money buys you one of the best laptops you can buy today. It's a joy to use, and unbelievably capable. But that same investment might be able to buy you two perfectly passable laptops, or a kitted-out desktop machine which will move around about as much as you'll want to shift this heavy mobile monster. 

Don't get us wrong, we love the Scar 18. We would pick one up if we had the ready cash, and we'd only regret it a little in a couple of years when similar power will be available for half the money. If the never-ending march of technology doesn't worry you, this is the perfect choice.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Around $6,500 / £4,000 / AU$7,500
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

Judging the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 on its price is difficult, given that Asus has thus far been cagey about what exactly that price is in some regions. We know that the UK configuration reviewed here lists for £4,000 – that converts to around $4,995/AU$7,540 – and you can get a version in Australia with 64GB RAM for $7,499 in local currency.

US prices are harder to come by, though unofficially we've seen listings placing this anywhere between $5,000 and $6,500.

Whatever the final price in your region ends up being, it's safe to say that this is very expensive indeed, as you'd expect from a machine which pushes every envelope it's possible to push.

The Alienware m17 R5, for example, looks like a bargain by comparison, and it's a beast of a laptop in its own right. By way of contrast, though, a Razer Blade 18 with a comparable spec sheet lists for £500 more, so maybe this is a bargain after all? It's not, but that might be the convincer you need if you're on the fence.

• Price score: 2 / 5

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Specs

Officially the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) G834 comes in five barely-differing configurations, two each for the US and Australia, and one for the UK. 

The common thread is the Intel Core i9-13980HX, and the 18-inch panel stays the same; both US configurations receive a total of 4GB storage over a pair of 2GB NVMe M.2 SSDs and an excessive 64GB RAM; the others either sport a pair of 1TB SSDs or, in the case of Australia's lowest spec, a single paltry tebibyte alongside 32GB RAM. We're reviewing the UK spin here.

Note that you might not actually be able to find the specific specs that Asus lists, since at press time most are not officially available from its various online storefronts.

Asus doesn't specifically offer configuration options beyond its litany of pre-built product tiers. Look around the internet, though, and you'll see vaguely differing specs listed on sites like Amazon that don't quite line up with Asus' official listings – third parties are tweaking these and selling them.

Bear in mind that you can also upgrade it yourself, with non-soldered RAM and a pair of M.2 slots open for whatever you want to put in them.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Design

• Well-considered design notes offer a unique feel
• Decent keyboard and trackpad
• Very heavy indeed – though that's not unexpected

It's depressingly inevitable that we come to the point in a laptop review where we must discuss its design and are left with very little to say. That's why it's such a delight to talk about what Asus has done here: the ROG Strix 18 is great looking, and pretty original with it. 

The keyboard side of its lower chassis, for example, is made of a smokey translucent grey plastic, almost reminiscent of the mid-90s 'Everything See-through' era but presented with a dash more class and with significantly less to see beneath. It's subtle; we'd imagine the temptation was there to allow the perimeter RGB lights to shine up through it, but they mostly stay confined to their own well-diffused border, illuminating the desk rather than one's face.

The keyboard itself adheres to the current trend of squashed number pads, which we suppose is OK given that there's likely very little serious data entry in the Strix 18's future. Outside of that, it's great. There's a satisfying level of travel to its keys, it's positioned well in relation to the wrists, its RGB effects are totally in sync with the rest of the impressive lighting, and the gigantic touchpad backs it up beautifully.

There are a few little gamer-brand angles, as it were, which follow from the excellent packaging to the vents to the decoration on the lid and main chassis of the laptop, but nothing offensive or gaudy. The hinged lid is stiff, the construction seems very solid and weighty, and the bezels around that gigantic screen are minimal. So the Asus ROG Strix 18 makes its mark through its poise. This is a machine that grabs the eye in all the right ways and doesn't disappoint the fingers either.

Asus loves to put its power cable directly in the centre of the left edge of its laptops, so the positioning here doesn't come as a big surprise. It's microscopically annoying – we'd much rather it tucked itself out of the way and left that space for peripheral ports – but if space must be made for cooling (and given the monstrous amount of vent space on the rear, we're pretty sure that's exactly the reason) then that's fine. 

One small positioning niggle aside, then, the rest of the ports are very sensibly arranged, with two Type-A ports on the right edge perfect for peripherals, and a pair of Type-C sockets, HDMI and audio on the left. Realistically this will not be a laptop that moves around often – it's antisocially heavy – so the desktop-friendly layout is one that works well.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Performance

• Absolutely class-leading speed
• Runs cool and quiet – except when it doesn't
• Incredible screen speed, consistency and resolution

Before we get to the game performance (it's inevitably great, don't worry) there are a couple of key things to talk about. First, the screen: it's not just larger than most laptop panels, it's an absolute treat.

The resolution is fantastic, even if not 4K. The colour reproduction – which, according to ASUS, covers 100% of the DCI gamut – is superb, and there's complete consistency corner-to-corner. But those facts don't really sell just how pleasant this screen is to be in front of. It turns the ROG Strix Scar 18 from an almost unattainably strong and somewhat precious machine to one which begs to be used as much as possible.

Point two, though, is slightly more of a downer. As befits a laptop which squashes the highest-end components it possibly can into a small space, cooling ends up a tough ask. While the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) happily keeps up, it does so through fans that (at least while gaming) start loud and ramp up from there. That said, when you're running on its onboard graphics, which switch automatically from the discrete package when you don't need it, there's very little noise to speak of – and without the fan noise, the decent speakers get a good chance to ring out.

And so to gaming, which is an outstanding experience. We don't really need to say much more, particularly if you've glanced at the benchmark numbers or the specs. This is as good as it promises to be: a muscular machine which tears through top-end titles with surprising grace. It shrugs off Cyberpunk 2077, blazes through Dirt 5, and coped with everything else we threw at it without even a slight complaint.

If you're somehow in need of additional raw power Asus' well-worn tools can provide it, but the real luxury here is being able to pump the brakes and still enjoy more power than you could reasonably expect – or, more power than you'd expect from a cheaper machine, at least. For the money, the ROG Strix Scar 18 would have been an absolute disaster if it hadn't been spectacularly good. It is. Phew.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Battery

• Mid-range battery life
• 5 hours and 35 minutes in the PCMark 10 battery test

If you were expecting the Scar 18 to have incredible battery life, you're probably not super-familiar with the gaming laptop meta. If you expected the opposite, though, you might be surprised: this sits somewhere in the middle.

Yes, gaming depletes its juice fast. Pulling the kind of wattage a stressed RTX 4090 and Core i9 demand is going to strain any battery, and it's probably not something worth considering unless you're looking to get less than a couple of hours' action. 

On the desktop, though, this very much proves the quality of Intel's 13th-gen E-cores. It runs cool and quiet, and we found it lasts for about an hour longer when grinding through non-demanding work than it did when subjected to the PC Mark test – and we were pleased with the results of our standard movie-looping benchmark test.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023)?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023): Also consider

If the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023) has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2023)

• Tested for a week's work and play
• Used for (probably too much) gaming, and desktop work
• Tested using the TechRadar benchmark suite and personal experience

I was lucky enough to have the ROG Strix Scar 18 on my desk for a full week, acting as both my work machine and my after-hours gaming powerhouse. It was a big upgrade, and a disappointment to have to box it back up again.

I ran it through the usual selection of TR benchmarks, studied its screen using online tools, tinkered with the lighting and performance levels using Asus' included applications, and generally got a full feel for how good the Scar 18 is to use day-to-day.

That's my usual process, one I've followed for over 25 years in tech journalism – it's not just what a laptop can do on paper, it's about how it feels once it's in one's hands.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2023

Eero 6+: Two-minute review

The original Eero 6 was the first Eero mesh Wi-Fi system to support Wi-Fi 6, and while it wasn’t particularly fast it did provide an affordable and easy-to-use upgrade for people who wanted to replace an older Wi-Fi 5 router. That was a couple of years ago, though, and the modest 1.8Gbps speed of the Eero 6 is looking a bit doddery now - especially when compared with newer models, such as the recently launched Eero Pro 6E that now supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology. 

With that in mind, Eero - which is owned by Amazon - has just released the updated Eero 6+. This sticks with dual-band Wi-Fi 6, but its top speed of 3.0Gbps makes it almost twice as fast as its predecessor. It also includes new features, such as some additional Ethernet ports to provide wired network connections and support for the latest smart-home technologies.

The Eero 6+ sticks with the now-familiar design used across the entire Eero range, with each of its three routers consisting of a compact, gleaming white pod that measures just 66mm high, 97mm wide and 99.4mm deep. They’re sturdily built, though, and that compact design makes it easy to place each router on any nearby table or shelf when you’re setting them up. 

The original Eero 6 consisted of a primary router - called the ‘gateway’ - and two ‘extender’ units that needed to be set up in a particular order. However, the Eero 6+ simply includes three identical routers, which can be placed wherever you want during the initial set-up process (as long as one of the Eero routers is connected to your existing broadband modem or router). 

All three routers also include two Gigabit Ethernet ports so you have more options for providing wired connections for a gaming console, smart TV or other wired devices.

As mentioned, the Eero 6 is almost twice as fast as its predecessor - yet Amazon/Eero seems oddly reluctant to make any claims about its speed at all. The company bends over backwards to avoid mentioning the speed of the Eero 6+, saying only that it’s suitable for home broadband services with speeds of ‘up to one gigabit per second’ (Gbps). That’s not very helpful, as it’s referring to the speed of your existing Internet connection, rather than the speed of the Eero routers themselves. But, buried in the depths of the Eero website is a comparison table that gives the Eero 6+ a rating of ‘AX3000’ - which means Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) running at 3000Mbps (3.0Gbps). 

Along with the improved speed and the additional Ethernet ports, the Eero 6E also provides support for Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 and a new low-power wireless technology called Thread. It might not be a well-known name just yet, but Thread is being adopted by many new smart devices, such as lights and security sensors, so the Eero 6+ is well-equipped to work with the latest generation of smart home devices.

And, like all Eero devices, the Eero 6+ is very easy to set up and use. The Eero app for iOS and Android initially uses Bluetooth to connect to the Eero routers, and guides you through the process of setting up your new Wi-Fi network in just a few minutes. However, the simplicity of the Eero app does mean that it’s rather basic when compared to some of its rivals. 

The Eero 6+ is a dual-band mesh system that can transmit data on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, but the Eero app simply merges those two bands into a single network and relies on the routers to automatically provide the fastest connection for your computers and mobile devices as they join the new network. That does keep things simple for home users who may not have too much network know-how, but more advanced users may prefer an app that provides greater detail and control when setting up their new network.

It’s not exactly overflowing with additional features either. You can create profiles for individual users - such as young children - but if you want content filters that can block unsuitable material and dodgy websites then you’ll have to sign up for the additional Eero Plus security service. 

You do get a 30-day free trial for Eero Plus included with the Eero routers, but after that, you’ll need to pay £9.99/$9.99 per month, or £99.99/$99.99 annually to continue to use the service. It’s also frustrating to find that several other features, such as the ability to block online ads and certain applications, also prompt you to sign up for this subscription service too. There are rival routers that provide better parental controls without any additional charges, so parents of young children might want to shop around to see what’s available elsewhere.

It may be a little light on features, but I didn’t have any complaints about the performance of the Eero 6+. As always, I test mesh systems such as this by setting them up with the first Eero router connected to my normal router (provided by my ISP) and then placing the second Eero router in an office at the back of the building that always suffers from poor Wi-Fi reception. The third Eero router was located - as advised by the Eero app - in a hallway that is roughly halfway between the other two routers.

As I expected, nearby devices in the same room as the first Eero router simply recorded their usual speeds of 150Mbps for the Ookla Speed Test and 19MB/s for Steam downloads, which are the maximum speeds supported by my office broadband connection. Those speeds did dip a little as I picked up my laptop and wandered along the hallway to the back office. However, it only took around 30 seconds for the Eero routers to adjust to the laptop’s new location and then I watched as the Wi-Fi speed smoothly climbed back up to top speed for both tests, reaching 150Mbps for Ookla and 19MB/s for Steam once more.

Eero 6+: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? From $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$249.99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

It may not be the fastest Wi-Fi 6 mesh system we’ve seen, but the Eero 6+ is competitively priced - especially for larger homes that need the top-of-the-range three-pack system that we review here. That’s not the only option that’s available, though, as you can buy a single Eero 6+ router on its own for $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$249.99. 

A single router can cover areas of up to 1,500 sq. ft which should be suitable for most homes with just one or two bedrooms. Customers in the US can also purchase a two-pack mesh system that covers 3,000 sq. ft for $239.99 - although that option doesn’t seem to be available outside the US at the moment.

The three-pack mesh system that we tested is designed for larger homes of up to 4,500 sq. ft and costs $399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99. That’s only slightly more expensive than the original Eero 6, which is still on sale, and only offers speeds of up to 1.8Gbps (and also looks virtually identical, so take care to choose the correct model). 

If you want something faster then Asus’ ZenWiFi XT9 is more than twice as fast as the Eero 6+, with a top speed of 7.8Gbps. The XT9 is considerably more expensive, though, starting at $499.99 / £459.99 (about AU$750) for a two-piece mesh system.

• Value: 4 / 5

Eero 6+: Specs

Should you buy the Eero 6+?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Eero 6+: Also consider

How I tested the Eero 6+

• Used it for 3-4 days
• Used it for my main office Wi-Fi network
• Tested it with the Ookla Speed Test and real-world downloads

I set up the Eero 6+ mesh system and used it for my main office Wi-Fi network, full-time for 3-4 days. For general Wi-Fi performance, I used the Ookla Speed Test app in different locations throughout the building. I also tested real-world download speed by downloading large game files from Steam.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2023 

Users need to keep in mind that when using a free email services, such as Google’s Gmail, or Microsoft’s Hotmail, that in order to use such a service, privacy gets given up. For those that want to take some of this privacy back, Skiff, along with its other companion services is an offer worth considering.

Skiff is a privacy focused company, offering numerous services, including secure email, an encrypted calendar, and a secure drive. Based out of San Francisco, California, with a community of over 400k users, it takes a new approach to email management and communication. We take a closer look to delve into the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Skiff, and evaluate how it compares against other email platforms available today.

Skiff: Features

First of all, Skiff offers a clean and minimalist user interface, which makes it easy to navigate and use. The interface features a sidebar that provides easy access to different folders and labels, making it easy to organize your email inbox. The platform also offers a powerful search feature that allows you to quickly find emails based on specific keywords or phrases.

One of the standout features of Skiff is its privacy and security focus. The platform uses end-to-end encryption to protect your emails from being accessed by unauthorized users. This is a crucial feature for users who want to keep their communications secure and private. This encryption means that the email is secure if it is intercepted in its travels; this includes both the subject line and the contents. Furthermore, any emails received from an external source to the Skiff account get encrypted upon arrival to keep them secure.

Enabling users to send self-destructing emails, Skiff is useful for sending sensitive information to not keep in the recipient's inbox for too long. This self destruction feature is analogous to what’s found in other email platforms such as ProtonMail or Tutanota, but it is still a valuable addition to Skiff.

Another great feature of Skiff is its ability to integrate with other productivity tools, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and Trello. This integration allows users to easily attach files from these services to their emails without leaving the Skiff platform. It also enables users to view and edit files within Skiff, making it a more efficient way to work. It also has the standard features users have come to expect from email, such as signatures, and auto-reply.

Skiff also offers some unique features that set it apart from other email platforms. For instance, it allows users to schedule emails to be sent at a later time. This feature is especially useful for those who want to send emails during business hours, but may not be able to do so due to their schedule. It is also helpful for those who want to ensure that their emails are sent at the best time for the recipient, such as for different time zones, or during business hours. There is also an undo send feature to pull back a message sent in error.

Skiff also allows users to collaborate on emails with other team members, which can be useful for businesses and remote teams. This feature allows multiple users to work on the same email simultaneously, making it easier to coordinate and collaborate on important communications.

One drawback of Skiff is its limited support for third-party integrations. While it does offer some integration options, it does not have as many as other email platforms like Gmail or Outlook. This can be a deal-breaker for users who rely heavily on third-party tools to manage their workflow.

Skiff: Pricing

Skiff offers a choice of four different tiers. While there is no free trial, there is an entry free tier that can be used permanently.

The lowest tier of Skiff is the Free tier, which does have a monthly cost of $0. Hardly barebones, it features unlimited pages, full text search, access via PC and mobile platforms, and also InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) support. Storage is a generous 10 GB, with an upload limit of 500 MB per file, and supports custom signatures.

Next up is the Essential tier, which comes in at a cost of $4 monthly, or $3 when paid annually. It raises the storage limit to 15 GB, and doubles the upload file limit to 1 GB. It also adds in auto reply, unlimited folders and labels, along with unlimited mail filters.

Moving up yet another tier takes us to the Pro tier, which comes in at $10/month, or $8/month when paid annually. This plan offers 100 GB of storage, 10 aliases, and custom domains. 

Finally, the top tier is the Business one, which has a price of $15 monthly, or $12/month when paid annually. It has a storage limit of 1 TB, with an upload limit of 10 GB. It supports 15 custom domains, unlimited version history and priority support.

Skiff: Support

In general, there is not exactly robust support available for free email services. With that understanding, Skiff certainly offers more than most competitors.

On the direct support side, while there is no phone number, we did find a support portal for questions, which also provides a direct email for those that prefer that as an alternative.

Furthermore, on the self help method, there is plenty of info, in the form of a blog, video content, and also a changelog.

Skiff: Final verdict

In conclusion, Skiff is an email platform that offers a unique approach to email management and communication. Its focus on privacy and security, collaboration, and integration with other productivity tools makes it a compelling option for businesses and remote teams. We like the starter free tier, the included storage space, and the end-to-end encryption is the crucial privacy feature. 

However, its limited third-party integrations and pricing for higher tiers may not be suitable for everyone. Overall, Skiff is a solid email platform, worthy of consideration for those looking for a more efficient way to manage their email inbox and communications.

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