ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LW-AS96 Eclipse Gray 2025
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Silver 2024
What Buyers Say
ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LW-AS96 Eclipse Gray 2025
The ASUS ROG G16 receives mostly positive reviews for its powerful performance, especially in AI/ML workloads and gaming, with good battery life and a high-quality screen. However, several users report significant issues with networking (slow SMB transfers, poor Wi-Fi) and intermittent keyboard cutouts, which may require a Windows reinstall or RMA. The laptop also ships with bloatware and default settings that can cause crashes, but these are fixable with configuration tweaks. Overall, it's a capable machine marred by software and hardware reliability concerns.
Pros
- Outstanding performance for AI/ML workloads
- Good battery life
- High-quality screen
- Fast 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 7
- Oversized touchpad
Cons
- Intermittent keyboard cutouts every 30 minutes
- Slow SMB file transfer speeds
- Poor Wi-Fi performance after reinstall
- Bloatware including McAfee
- Armory Crate software is terrible
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Silver 2024
The MacBook Pro M4 Max is widely praised as a powerful workhorse, handling heavy photo and video editing tasks with ease. Users highlight its smooth performance, fast file processing, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Verified buyers consistently note excellent value, especially when opting for the Pro over the Max model, and commend B&H's customer service and shipping process.
Pros
- Powerful performance for heavy tasks
- Smooth handling of photo and video editing
- Fast file import and export
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- No significant drawbacks mentioned
Scores
Specifications
| ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LW-AS96 | Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| CPU* | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX★ | Apple M4 Max |
| CPU Multi-Core Score | ||
| Cores | 24★ | 16 |
| Frequency | 2.7 GHz★ | — |
| L3 Cache | 36 MB★ | — |
| Graphics | ||
| GPU* | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080★ | Apple (40-Core) |
| GPU Benchmark Score | ||
| Type | discrete | integrated★ |
| VRAM | 16 GB★ | — |
| VRAM Type | GDDR7 | System Shared |
| Memory & Storage | ||
| RAM | 32 GB | 64 GB★ |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 | LPDDR5 |
| Storage 1 | 1 TB | 4 TB★ |
| Storage 1 Type | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 2560 px | 3024 px★ |
| Panel | IPS | Mini-LED★ |
| Refresh Rate | 240 Hz★ | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 1600 nits★ |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB-C Ports | 2 | 3★ |
| USB Ports | 3★ | — |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 5 |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 | 1x HDMI Output |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7★ | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4★ | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ethernet | 2.5G LAN port | — |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 2.00 kg | 1.60 kg★ |
| Battery | 90 Wh★ | 72 Wh |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
Pros & Cons
ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LW-AS96 Eclipse Gray 2025
- Strong port selection (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong cpu (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong screen (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong gpu (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Below average portability (20th percentile)20th %ile
Apple MacBook Pro 14.2" M4 Max Silver 2024
- Strong screen (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong storage (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong reliability (98th percentile)98th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 99 overall, wins 6 of 8 usage categories and 8 of 30 specs.