A reliable gaming laptop through the years
ASUS ROG celebrates 20 years of legacy and leadership in the industry
By Jemimah Mapa
The gaming industry in the country has grown from players simply gaming together in computer shops to building their own gaming rigs. Gamers no longer just play to kill time; others compete in esports, while some prefer to stream, where they can interact with online audiences. This growth has also made users and gamers look for reliable gaming products, and a challenge for brands to raise their bar.
ASUS ROG, a premium gaming sub-brand of ASUS dedicated to providing powerful and versatile gaming devices, responded to users’ calls and demands for a trusted gaming device. In its 20 years of strong No. 1 presence in the gaming industry, ASUS ROG has developed a promising line of products over the years.
The ASUS ROG legacy
2006 is the year that started the ASUS ROG legacy, when the first ROG motherboard and the cubic “Project G” logo were launched through the ROG Crosshair Extreme. ASUS’ first gaming laptop, ASUS G1, was also introduced during this year, marking the start of an exceptional line of reliable gaming devices.
The following year, the first external GPU docking station, the ROG XG Station, was launched, while the first ROG gaming laptop and first ROG-branded graphics card were released in 2008. In 2009, the ROG Matrix 285 was the first gaming laptop to feature RGB lighting.
A lot of other firsts for ASUS ROG over the years have set various milestones and achievements for the brand, including the first ROG laptops to feature a 3D vapor chamber cooling system, the world’s thinnest gaming laptop, and the first with a detachable liquid cooling deck. ASUS ROG did not stop developing reliable gaming laptops but also catered to a wider audience with the first ROG gaming mouse, gaming headset, ROG monitor with the first WQHD 144Hz G-Sync display, and the first dedicated gaming phone that features an external fan attachment.
In 2019, ASUS ROG introduced the revolutionary ROG Mothership with a “standing laptop” that challenged the traditional clamshell design, paving the way for improved cooling efficiency, and was the first ROG laptop to adopt Liquid Metal thermal compound for better heat dissipation. The years that followed were another year of revolutionary development, with a powerful gaming tablet that has a detachable keyboard, the first gaming handheld, and the first Xbox handheld.
The product heroes of the 2026 lineup
This year, ASUS ROG presents the 2026 ROG Evolution to mark its 20-year legacy as it continues to create devices built and designed for every gamer. The lineup features the ROG Zephyrus Duo, ROG Zephyrus G Series, ROG Strix and SCAR Series, and ROG Gaming Desktops that suit every gamer’s needs, from casual playing to competitive esports and content creation, delivering cutting-edge performance and immersive gaming experiences.
The ROG Zephyrus Duo is a dual 16-inch screen gaming laptop that has five distinct operating modes, such as Laptop Mode, Dual Screen Mode, Sharing Mode, Book Mode, and Tent Mode, suitable for every scenario that gamers users may encounter. Equipped with a next-generation Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor and an RTX 5090, it effortlessly handles the latest AAA games and resource-intensive workloads with exceptional speed and reliability.
Meanwhile, the Zephyrus G Series consists of the Zephyrus G14 and G16, respectively 14-inch and 16-inch ultra-thin and light gaming laptops that users can bring anywhere because of their lightweight and portable features. With its professional-grade color gamut and precise color calibration, the display produces realistic visuals while maintaining the responsiveness required for both creative and productivity-focused workloads. The series is now available with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H with up to an RTX 5080 laptop GPU. It also has a customizable Slash Lighting cover where gamers can modify their lighting themes.
The Strix SCAR 18 features Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX, allowing eight performance cores and 16 efficient cores with a 65W TDP, along with AI acceleration support in select applications. This enables high frame rates for esports titles and AAA games while providing the versatility needed for productivity and other demanding tasks. It also produces a vivid and immersive visual display for gaming and videos with its 18-inch 4K resolution and 16:10 240Hz mini LED.
Notably, the ROG Strix G16 G615 and G18 G815 have almost the same features as the Strix SCAR 18’s Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX, but its Advanced Optimus specification improves the device’s performance by about five to ten percent compared to other devices without the MUX Switch. Its up to 18-inch and up to 300Hz refresh rate enables gamers to enjoy fast-paced games with smoother and less blur.
On the other hand, the Strix G16 G614 has a redesigned chassis with subtle detailing and bold accents, giving it more flavor and flair. Its AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor delivers a strong balance of performance and efficiency, enabling smooth gaming and seamless multitasking across multiple applications. Additionally, the Tri-Fan Technology and seven heat pipes help maintain stable frame rates during extended gaming sessions while effectively managing heat and preventing performance throttling. Like the rest of the more recent Strix and SCAR laptops, it also has a tool-less design for easier upgradability. Users can simply remove and replace the SSD and RAM in seconds.
Not only has ASUS ROG created reliable gaming devices through the years, but the brand also helped build a strong sense of community for Filipino gamers by producing innovative products, as well as supporting esports events and initiatives that bring players and enthusiasts together. With their continued efforts in providing high-performing devices and immersive experiences, ASUS ROG has been a staple and trusted brand in the industry.
For more details on the newest ROG lineup, visit their official social media accounts or check out the whole series to see the full specs. ASUS also provides the No. 1 Quality and Service package, the brand’s after-sales warranty program for each user’s peace of mind. Visit authorized retailers now!