ASUS Strix Scar 18 (2026) Deals & Price History

Configs to buy / avoid: The RTX 5090 configuration often costs around 16% more money compared to the RTX 5080 version. The 5090 performs 16% better in FPS over a 25 game average from our testing, so that can be worth it if you've got the money and want the best experience. The high CPU performance, cooling and upgradeability do not require the 5090 premium. Testing notes: The Scar delivered 8% higher multicore performance than the next best tested 18 inch laptops, while its RTX 5090 ran above 170 watts alongside roughly 95 watts of CPU power. Gaming performance, 1% lows, and keyboard temperatures were excellent, with the option of significantly lowering fan noise in performance mode without losing much FPS in games. Trade-offs: The main compromises are the extreme price, heavier weight, thicker chassis, bigger 450 watt charger, and the worst battery life measured from any gaming laptop in the last two years. 4K 240Hz requires Optimus to be disabled, and the touchpad, port placement and Linux support could be better. The display reduces motion blur with optional ELMB, but we detected flicker, which may cause eye strain or fatigue over time for some users. Alternatives: The Lenovo Legion 9i is a better laptop overall based on our testing, and often available at a lower price when on sale. The older 2025 Scar 18 is often available for ~$500 less and offers similar gaming performance.