ASUS ROG Mothership GZ700GX Review: A Gaming Laptop Reimagined

The ASUS ROG Mothership GZ700GX isn’t just a gaming laptop; it’s a statement. It boldly reimagines the form factor, challenging conventional laptop design with its innovative detachable keyboard and upright orientation. This machine is engineered for gamers and content creators who demand uncompromising performance and cutting-edge technology. Let’s delve into the specifics of this impressive piece of hardware and explore what makes it stand out in a crowded market.

Design and Build Quality

The ROG Mothership immediately impresses with its robust and premium construction. Forget the traditional clamshell; this device stands tall, resembling a high-powered all-in-one PC more than a typical laptop. The chassis is crafted from meticulously machined aluminum, exuding a sense of quality and durability. This upright design isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s crucial for optimizing cooling performance, allowing for better airflow and more efficient heat dissipation. The finish is a sleek gunmetal grey, punctuated by subtle ROG branding and customizable Aura Sync lighting.

Detachable Keyboard

One of the defining features of the Mothership is its detachable keyboard. Connected via a magnetic hinge, the keyboard can be easily separated from the display, allowing for greater flexibility in positioning and ergonomics. The keyboard itself is a joy to use, offering excellent tactile feedback and responsiveness. It features per-key RGB lighting, customizable through ASUS’s Aura Sync software. When detached, the keyboard can be used wirelessly, providing freedom of movement and allowing for comfortable gaming or typing from a distance. The magnetic attachment is strong and secure, ensuring that the keyboard remains firmly in place during normal use, yet detaches effortlessly when needed.

Display

The Mothership boasts a stunning 17.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display with a blazing-fast 144Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time. The inclusion of NVIDIA G-Sync technology further enhances the gaming experience by eliminating screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in incredibly smooth and fluid visuals. The display also offers excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for both gaming and content creation. The brightness is ample, ensuring comfortable visibility even in well-lit environments. The matte finish effectively reduces glare, minimizing distractions during intense gaming sessions or when working on detailed projects.

Performance and Specifications

Under the hood, the ROG Mothership packs a serious punch. It’s powered by a high-end Intel Core i9 processor, typically the 9th Gen Core i9-9980HK, offering eight cores and sixteen threads for exceptional multi-tasking performance. This CPU is capable of handling demanding workloads with ease, from running the latest AAA games to editing high-resolution videos. The graphics card is equally impressive, featuring an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This powerful GPU delivers exceptional gaming performance, allowing you to play the latest games at maximum settings with smooth frame rates. The combination of the i9 processor and RTX 2080 GPU ensures that the Mothership can handle virtually any task you throw at it.

Memory and Storage

To complement the powerful CPU and GPU, the Mothership is equipped with ample memory and storage. It typically features 64GB of DDR4 RAM, ensuring smooth and responsive performance even when running multiple applications simultaneously. For storage, it utilizes multiple NVMe PCIe SSDs in RAID 0 configuration, providing incredibly fast read and write speeds. This ensures that games and applications load quickly, and that data transfers are lightning fast. The large storage capacity allows you to store a vast library of games, applications, and media files without having to worry about running out of space.

Cooling System

Given the high-performance components housed within the Mothership, an effective cooling system is essential. ASUS has implemented a sophisticated cooling solution that utilizes multiple heat pipes, large heatsinks, and dual 12V fans. The upright design of the chassis further aids in cooling by allowing for better airflow. This advanced cooling system effectively dissipates heat, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring that the components can operate at their full potential for extended periods. The fans can get a bit noisy under heavy load, but this is a trade-off for the exceptional cooling performance.

Features and Connectivity

The ROG Mothership is packed with a wide array of features and connectivity options to enhance the user experience.

• Connectivity: It includes multiple USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, an Ethernet port, and an SD card reader.
• Audio: It features high-quality speakers with smart amplifier technology, delivering immersive and detailed sound.
• Webcam: An integrated webcam allows for video conferencing and streaming.
• Wireless: It supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

Aura Sync Lighting

The Mothership features extensive Aura Sync lighting, allowing you to customize the appearance of the laptop to your liking. The keyboard, ROG logo, and other areas of the chassis are illuminated with customizable RGB lighting. You can choose from a wide range of colors and effects, and synchronize the lighting with other Aura Sync compatible devices. This allows you to create a personalized and immersive gaming environment.

Software and User Experience

The ROG Mothership comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and a suite of ASUS software, including ROG Gaming Center, Aura Sync, and GameFirst V. ROG Gaming Center provides a central hub for monitoring system performance, customizing settings, and launching games. Aura Sync allows you to control the RGB lighting, while GameFirst V optimizes network traffic for gaming. The overall user experience is smooth and responsive, thanks to the powerful hardware and well-optimized software.

Gaming Performance

As a gaming laptop, the ROG Mothership excels. The combination of the Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU delivers exceptional gaming performance, allowing you to play the latest games at maximum settings with smooth frame rates. The 144Hz display with G-Sync technology further enhances the gaming experience by eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. The responsive keyboard and high-quality audio contribute to an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. Whether you’re playing fast-paced action games or immersive RPGs, the Mothership provides a top-tier gaming experience.

Pros and Cons

Like any product, the ROG Mothership has its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

• Exceptional performance
• Innovative design with detachable keyboard
• Stunning 144Hz display with G-Sync
• Excellent build quality
• Comprehensive features and connectivity

Cons:

• High price
• Bulky and heavy
• Fan noise can be noticeable under heavy load
• Battery life is limited

Alternatives to the ASUS ROG Mothership

While the ASUS ROG Mothership is a unique and powerful gaming laptop, it’s not the only option available. Several alternatives offer similar levels of performance and features, albeit with different designs and price points. Here are a few notable alternatives:

• Alienware Area-51m: Another high-end gaming laptop with a desktop-class processor and upgradable components.
• MSI GT76 Titan DT: A powerful gaming laptop with a desktop-class processor and a large display.
• Razer Blade Pro 17: A more portable and sleek gaming laptop with a powerful GPU and a high-refresh-rate display.

Target Audience

The ASUS ROG Mothership is primarily targeted at hardcore gamers and content creators who demand uncompromising performance and are willing to pay a premium for it. Its unique design and high-end specifications make it an ideal choice for those who want a truly exceptional gaming and content creation experience. It’s also suitable for professionals who require a powerful workstation that can be easily transported.

This machine isn’t for the casual user. The price point alone puts it firmly in the “enthusiast” category. It’s for those who need the best possible performance, regardless of cost, and who appreciate innovative design and cutting-edge technology. If you are a professional gamer, video editor, or 3D artist, the ROG Mothership could be a worthwhile investment. The high price reflects the premium components and innovative design, so buyers should be prepared for the expense.

The ASUS ROG Mothership GZ700GX is a revolutionary gaming laptop that pushes the boundaries of design and performance. Its innovative detachable keyboard, powerful components, and stunning display make it a truly exceptional machine. While its high price and bulky size may not appeal to everyone, it’s an excellent choice for hardcore gamers and content creators who demand the best. This device offers a glimpse into the future of gaming laptops, showcasing what’s possible when innovation and engineering meet. It’s a powerful statement piece that’s sure to turn heads and deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. Ultimately, the ROG Mothership earns its place as a top-tier gaming laptop, representing a significant leap forward in mobile gaming technology.