ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

The Verdict

These two laptops serve completely different masters. The ROG Strix Scar 18 is a raw gaming powerhouse: its i9-14900HX with 24 cores and 32GB DDR5 RAM crushes workloads, while the 18-inch 2560x1600 IPS Nebula HDR panel at 240Hz and 1,100 nits makes games look spectacular. Battery life is brutal at roughly 4 hours, and at 6.83 lbs it is not something you carry comfortably. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra takes the opposite approach: a 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen at 2880x1800 is simply gorgeous for content consumption and creative work, the aluminum chassis weighs just 1.86 kg, and 13-hour battery life means you can actually use it away from a desk. The Core Ultra 9 185H is no slouch for productivity, but it trails the i9-14900HX noticeably in sustained loads. Port selection is close, though the Book4 Ultra edges ahead with two Thunderbolt ports versus one. At $2,400 versus $3,299, the Book4 Ultra also saves you nearly $900. If you game hard and keep it plugged in, the Scar 18 is unmatched. For everyone else, especially professionals who move around, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is the smarter buy.