ASUS Mothership GZ700 Review 2019

The Consumer Electronics Show 2019 at Las Vegas has sprung up multiple delightful surprises in the laptop space, with leading manufacturers lining up spectacular devices for everyday use and gaming. ASUS, never to be left behind in the buzz, recently launched the ASUS Mothership GZ700, a path-breaking gaming machine that redefines the form factor of conventional gaming laptops and how. The 4.7kg (10.3lbs) powerhouse is driven by a lightning-fast Intel Core i9 CPU and supports GeForce RTX 2080 graphics. To guarantee that such superior power continues unabated throughout gaming sessions, it has been designed to permit more efficient cooling and faster airflow.

Since its announcement, the Mothership has already got audiences at the CES 2019 and worldwide riveted. While it is directly aimed at passionate gamers, the configuration and construction are both aligned to seekers of incredible performance (read anyone who is looking to play alongside other demanding activities like sound recording, streaming or browsing the internet).

Design That Stands Out, Stands Tall

The hallmark of this 17.3” Mothership is definitely the design with which it sets sail. The aluminum-unibody chassis (CNC-milled) has been built to stand tall—quite literally—and facilitate cooling and airflow. Through a well-thought-out heat management system that comprises anti-dust 12V fans, eight heat pipes, and super-thin fins, the Mothership claims to keep things cool and level-headed amidst the most chaotic of battles.

Another fascinating triumph of this laptop is how the chassis can lean back on a step-free hinge (up to 127-degree) and make the keyboard completely detachable. It is possible to use the keyboard either wirelessly or through the inbuilt USB Type-C port. Through this design aspect, ASUS hopes to lend more portability to the 29.9mm-thick (1.17”) computer as well as permit users to choose their own peripherals. Indeed, this innovative design also adds to the overall flexibility, since the hinge lets users shift positions through a single button-press.

Although the keyboard is detachable, by no means is it removed from the machine’s gaming temperament. It supports fully-customizable RGB lighting (through Aura Sync) to add more panache to the game. The key-travel distance is a comfy 2.5mm; the durability has been tested for 20-million keystrokes.

The Capital P

Professional gamers can look forward to being enthralled by the top-notch performance that the Mothership promises to deliver. It is run by an eighth-gen Intel Core i9-8950HK CPU and 64GB RAM. The i9, a hexa-core and twelve-thread CPU, has been factory-overclocked to run up to 4.8GHz—considerably faster than the regular version that can be cranked up to only 4.3GHz. This laptop is also equipped with three NVMe SSDs, with two drives directly connected to the CPU. ASUS claims that speeds can reach 8700MB/s—a claim that is likely to shatter quite a few records.

There is also quite some control that comes with this gaming laptop. Built in is the “ROG Armoury Crate” that lets gamers control overclocking, cooling, game profiles, and the like. For instance, the GameFirst V technology prioritizes online gaming and streaming, for what could be more important? The GameVisual software lets users choose among six modes that have been carefully tailored to different kinds of games.

ASUS Mothership GZ700 Specs

Mastering Display & Sound

When you get GeForce RTX 2080 graphics with G-SYNC and 8GB of dedicated memory, expectations skyrocket for a display and screen setting that match up. ASUS bestows upon its most recent launch an FHD screen with a rapid refresh rate of 144Hz, an sRGB color gamut of 100%, and a response time of 3ms. The resolution of 1920 x 1080 is suitable for most contemporary AAA games. A neat addition is the ability to switch between the high-quality (and high-power) G-SYNC mode and the Optimus mode to conserve battery life.

To complete the ultimate multimedia experience, the Mothership offers premium sound by ESS Sabre HiFi DAC. The amplification is allegedly 200% louder, while the surround sound is 7.1-channel. ASUS states that part of the auditory excellence comes from the construction; four 4W speakers have been placed along the front to deliver louder, clearer sound directly at the user. ASUS has also infused the computer with helpful packages like the Sonic Studio III that offers five audio modes as well as settings for volume stabilization and noise cancellation.

Device Support & Internet Connectivity

The Mothership is fitted with plenty of USB paraphernalia: two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C ports, three USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.1 Gen 1 port. In addition, it also features an HDMI port and an SD card reader. That seems adequate to fuel a complete desktop experience with all the devices or peripherals you require neatly plugged in.

This computer supports 2.5G Ethernet and Intel Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). The Wi-Fi throughput promises to be impressive at almost 2400Mbps as opposed to the 867Mpbs offered by 802.11ac Wi-Fi. It helps that the ROG RangeBoost technology is forever endeavoring to maximize the signal strength by juggling between the antennas. The result is a much lower incidence of dropped signals or other nasty impediments in the way of undisturbed gaming. The Mothership is also compatible with Bluetooth 5.0.

Looking Ahead

Undoubtedly, the ASUS Mothership GZ700 is one of the most serious gaming launches at the CES2019. With this announcement, ASUS has cemented its commitment to producing gaming machines that not only understand the audience but also stretch boundaries to deliver more, each time. Here’s a computer that has clearly stemmed from the need to invigorate gaming laptops with more portability, smarter cooling, and easy adaptability. The whole-new form factor which includes the tall (as opposed to flat) design, detachable keyboard, and uncompromised performance delivers a computer that connoisseurs will appreciate.

Time will tell how congenial the pricing and the on-ground performance of the Mothership turn out to be. But hands-off, this one seems to be a voyage to remember.