The ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition Gaming Laptop

ASUS is no stranger to gaming laptops, and its offerings range from the relatively affordable to the truly unique. Its latest offering is the ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition, a truly powerful yet affordable gaming laptop that’s worth a closer look.

Why “Advantage Edition?” Well, that’s the work of chipmaker AMD, which has launched a program dubbed AMD Advantage. The goal is to entice major laptop makers to create machines using both CPUs and GPUs from the AMD family—and realize the synergy that such a pairing can bring. The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is an early entrant in this program. And from early reviews, the results are impressive.

For years, seeing an AMD logo on a PC was almost a mark of shame. The company focused on low-cost processors that could rarely compete with what Intel was making. AMD’s graphics business was a different story, as Radeon GPUs have long been quite high in quality.

But fast forward to 2021, and all that has changed. AMD’s Ryzen 4000 and 5000 processors are nothing short of impressive, and the new Radeon RX 6000M can easily compete with Nvidia.

ASUS noticed and took the opportunity to craft a quality gaming laptop with an all-AMD architecture, combining the powerful Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU with the equally powerful Radeon 6800M. Because both chipsets share a common design language and philosophy, together they outperform what either would do paired with an equivalent Intel or Nvidia chipset.

If you’re a benchmarks geek, check out Engadget’s thorough benchmark testing, which easily demonstrates the synergy on display here.

Of course, making a quality gaming laptop requires more than just the right processor and GPU. The screen matters a whole lot, and there are two options on this machine. The stock screen has a speedy 300Hz display with just 3ms response time—though be aware that total screen brightness is lower than more premium displays.

The upgraded display is well worth the investment, moving up to 1440p with richer colors (but dropping to 165Hz). Both versions include FreeSync Premium, keeping those games running smooth as butter.

The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is clearly a middle-market gaming laptop. It’s not winning any accolades for being the thinnest or slimmest gaming laptop, nor is it packing any revolutionary features. But it’s a highly competent, powerful gaming notebook that sits at a price point far lower than much of the competition.

Final pricing for the ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is yet to be released, but expect it to land somewhere in the $1500 to $1700 range. For all the performance packed into the device, this price point is highly attractive.

One way the company has saved on cost is by going with the all-AMD architecture, as AMD products tend to cost less than counterparts from Intel and Nvidia.

ASUS has done an impressive job reaching this level of performance at this price point. That said, there are a few places where the cost-cutting shows. Here are some to be aware of. First, the plastic bottom isn’t particularly awe-inspiring, and the LEDs aren’t exactly subtle. More expensive machines take a more sophisticated approach to lighting. There’s also no webcam or SD card slot here.

The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is also a chunky machine. In a world where thin gaming laptops are increasing in market share, the decidedly chunky design sticks out a bit.

The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition isn’t the sexiest gaming laptop on the market, nor is it the most powerful in terms of raw speed. Still, it’s deeply impressive, especially if you consider the price. For gamers with a fixed budget, it’s a highly compelling choice.

If you pick up an ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition (or any other gaming laptop), you will not want anything to interrupt your game. Component failures, worn-out keys, and even accidental damage can happen — and the harder you game on your machine, the more likely you’ll encounter a problem.

With an extended laptop warranty from Upsie, nothing will keep you down for long. Upsie covers defects, component failure, and even accidental damage (including spills!). Our policies are simple and easy to use, and you can even choose local repair.

Best of all, Upsie keeps prices affordable by keeping overhead low. You’ll be surprised how little it costs for two or even three years of extended warranty protection.

Before you fire up your next gaming session, protect your gaming laptop with Upsie.