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Review: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS (2021) in the UAE

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ASUS’ ROG Strix Scar series of laptops have been known for powerful gaming laptops for years. This year, the company takes this series a step further by adding AMD-based machines to the portfolio. We received the new ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS for a test drive and we came away impressed.

Design
Let’s start with the design, which has been completely overhauled from the previous iterations. You will see a whole lot of clean cuts across the board. The lid of the laptop is made using metal and features a matte finish. The ROG logo illuminates as soon as you switch the laptop on.

ASUS has also added an asymmetrical slash across the lid on the left side of the lid that shows off a glossy pattern that spells ROG – something ASUS describes as a sleek dot matrix design created with precise electroplating.

The lid also features fingerprint-resistant nano-coating stays that stays clean all day and is easy to wipe clean if it did attract a few specks of dust.

On the edge, at the rear, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS also features what ASUS calls is the Armoury Cap. Now this removable piece on the edge adds a bit of personalisation to your laptop.

Inside the box, you get two more caps – a Translucent Black and a Spangle Silver, while the Default Rubber Grey is left attached to the device.

ASUS also includes a 3D printing template inside the box, which makes it easier to create your own version of the Armoury Cap.

Last year’s ROG Strix Scar series had the RGB light bars go around the edges of the laptop. This year, the wraparound light bar goes around the front edge and half of the laterals, as well as under the screen, alongside that cut in the chin.

The RGB light bars also have a higher LED density to evenly illuminate the three front edges of the chassis, while additional LEDs beneath the display add a diffused bezel glow on the deck.

All the RGB elements on the laptop can be configured in the AURA Creator app, which is available as part of the Armoury Crate suite. By default, you will find that the RGB light bars and the ROG logo on the lid are tied to the keyboard’s illumination setting. However, this can be customised through the app.

Display
On the screen of the laptop, you will find thinner bezels than its last year counterpart. ASUS offers a couple of different screen options for this 2021 version of the ROG Strix Scar 17. However, all the variations come packed with a 17.3-inch, 16:9, matte and non-touchscreen. The variation we received, came with an IPS Full HD display that offers a refresh rate of 300Hz, a response time of 3ms, 100% SRGB, and a brightness of 300 Nits.

There is no camera on the laptop like last year. However, the display now also supports ActiveSync, a technology that handles tearing in games and seamlessly commutes between the AMD iGPU and Nvidia GPU based on the task at hand.

Specifications and I/O
Under the hood, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS is powered by an AMD Cezanne-H R9-5900HX processor, coupled with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 32GB of DDR4 3200mhz SDRAM, and two PCIE SSD Slot M.2 for storage rated at 1TB each. Connectivity options are aplenty on the G733QS.

You get a wide range of ports such as three USB3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C which supports Display Port and 100W PD Charger, one LAN RJ-45 jack, one HDMI 2.0b, one Audio combo jack, and a Keystone. The laptop also comes with Dolby Atmos technology built-in with four speakers, and AI mic noise cancellation for crystal clear audio/video-conferencing calls.

You also get the Smart Amp technology, which monitors audio output and makes real-time adjustments to keep the speakers within thermal and excursion limits, preventing damage to the cones.

The resulting sound has less noise distortion, higher dynamic range, more bass, and significantly higher potential output. The battery of the laptop is rated at 90Wh, while the power adapter is rated at 240W.

Keyboard and Trackpad
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS also features a redesigned keyboard and trackpad. The laptop’s keyboard now comes with optical-mechanical switches and a larger clickpad, replacing the immovable touchpad with physical buttons from yesteryears. The layout now includes a full set of main keys, properly sized and spaced, and a NumPad section with full-sized and nicely spaced arrow keys.

In addition, you do not get dedicated keys for Home, End, PgUp, PgDn or Insert. Instead, these are tied in with the arrow keys and some of the NumPad keys. Typing on the optical-mechanical keys will need some time to get used to. The click and bounce response is quite different from the response you get on regular rubber dome keyboards of the past.

Cooling
The G733QS employs the company’s ROG Intelligent cooling solution to keep the machine cool, even during trying times. The company also uses a liquid metal compound from Thermal Grizzly that increases performance by up to 10% compared to the standard thermal paste.

In addition, the new upgraded Arc Flow fans feature 84 blades shaped to increase airflow by up to 35% on CPU and up to 21% on GPU while reducing noise by up to 3dB below previous-gen designs. Each blade is capped with a tip that helps regulate airflow, the same way that a bird’s feathers are tipped to direct air and keep the bird balanced in flight.

Performance
In terms of specs, the ASUS ROG Scar 17 G733QS packs in the absolute latest hardware from AMD and Nvidia. As mentioned earlier, you get an AMD Cezanne-H R9-5900HX processor, coupled with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 32GB of DDR4 3200mhz SDRAM, and two PCIE SSD Slot M.2 for storage rated at 1TB each.

In order to gauge the real-world performance of the G733QS, we ran a bunch of benchmarks including PCMark and 3DMark. On 3DMark, we got a Time Spy Score of 9087, with 9371 for graphics and 6910 for CPU. On PCMark 10, we were able to clock 6312 points, with 9388 for Essentials, 9065 for Productivity, and 8370 for Digital Content Creation.

Compared to the 2020 version of the ROG Strix Scar, we were able to experience a 15%-20% increase in the overall performance. The gaming experience on titles such as Battlefield V, The Witcher 3, Fary Cry 5 and Tomb Raider felt like slashing butter with a hot knife. In terms of battery life, we were able to eke out around 8 hours of use on a single charge, before the battery gave up the ghost.

Final Thoughts
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS is priced at AED 12999, which includes the VAT. For this price, you get top-notch specifications based on the AMD platform. The overall performance is very good with a visible improvement over its predecessor, while the feature sets are good, too.

While the pricing may seem a bit steep to some, if you are absolutely on the hunt for one of the most powerful gaming laptops that money can buy today, then you can’t go wrong with the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 G733QS. The gaming laptop thus comes across as highly recommended.

Price: AED 12999

Photography by Ranbir Sen

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Expands With S24 FE in the UAE

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Samsung Gulf Electronics today announced the availability of the Galaxy S24 FE in the UAE, the latest addition to the Galaxy AI ecosystem that delivers premium mobile experiences to more users. Powered by the AI-based ProVisual Engine and Galaxy AI’s Photo Assist features, Galaxy S24 FE showcases an enhanced camera setup that empowers users to be more creative. It’s the perfect device for gaming on the go with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a long-lasting 4,700mAh battery, and a powerful Exynos 2400 series chipset. The Galaxy S24 FE offers premium Galaxy AI tools and ecosystem connectivity to enhance communication, productivity and creativity — all housed in an iconic design and protected by robust Samsung Knox security.

Fadi Abu Shamat, Senior Director and Head of Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said, “Our vision is to bring cutting-edge AI technology to all our users in the UAE. The introduction of Galaxy AI is revolutionizing how people in the region connect, express themselves, and boost their productivity. With the Galaxy S24 FE, we’re extending the advanced features and Galaxy AI capabilities of our flagship S24 Series to a wider audience across the UAE, ensuring more users can experience the future of mobile innovation.”

Galaxy S24 FE makes it easy for anyone to shoot stunning photos and videos. Its premium camera setup features a 50MP wide lens and 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom — both supported by optical image stabilization (OIS) — plus a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP selfie camera. The camera system’s capabilities are further elevated by Samsung’s dynamic ProVisual Engine, an AI-driven camera engine that takes visual quality to incredible heights. Making its debut in the FE Series, ProVisual Engine features vastly improved technology that leverages advanced AI algorithms to deliver breathtaking detail and remarkably subtle textures:

  1. Nightography with AI image signal processing (ISP) to improve low-light performance, enabling beautiful night portraits
  2. Works with the wide camera’s 50MP Adaptive Pixel Sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x in addition to the optical 3x zoom. AI zoom also provides enhanced image quality at distances between digital zoom lengths. Object-aware engine to recognize scenes and optimize colours in Super High Dynamic Range (HDR), ensuring vibrant and lifelike photos and videos

When it is time to edit, Photo Assist features breathe life into ideas. Since its introduction with the Galaxy S24 Series devices, Galaxy AI has become invaluable for editing images and expressing creativity:

  1. Generative Edit reassembles the world through object moving and removal capabilities, allowing more creative freedom
  2. Portrait Studio reimagines selfies as cartoons, comics, watercolour paintings, or sketches to add flair to online profiles
  3. Edit Suggestions quickly remove pesky flaws, such as reflections, with the press of a button
  4. Instant Slow-mo immortalizes every second of life’s important moments in a snap

The powerful Exynos 2400 series chipset enables an uncompromised gaming experience compatible with cutting-edge features such as Ray Tracing. In a world where every bit of speed and efficiency counts, the Galaxy S24 FE utilizes several key features to stay ahead of the competition:

  1. A 1.1x larger vapour chamber improves cooling to maintain peak performance for longer durations
  2. A bigger 4,700mAh battery allows for long, worry-free gaming sessions
  3. A 6.7-inch adaptive Dynamic AMOLED 2X display – the largest display ever used in the FE Series – with up to 120Hz refresh rate provides a smooth and stunning viewing experience
  4. Vision Booster optimizes colour and contrast for clear and comfortable gaming even in sunlight

The Galaxy S24 FE incorporates the same advanced AI experience as the Galaxy S24 Series. Designed to enhance work, simplify communication, and increase connectivity, Galaxy AI on the S24 FE offers tools that unlock new possibilities:

  1. Circle to Search with Google satisfies curiosity with unprecedented ease by offering instant search results with just a long press of the home button and circle
  2. Interpreter instantly translates in-person conversations, lectures, or any other type of presentation, even when offline
  3. Live Translate breaks down communication barriers on phone calls and is now being extended to a selection of popular third-party apps
  4. Composer from Samsung Keyboard generates suggested text based on simple keywords for email and supported social media apps
  5. Note Assist streamlines the note-taking process and automates formatting and translation. In Samsung Notes, you can get transcription, translation, and summarizing of voice recordings directly. Texts in PDF files also can be translated and overlaid through PDF overlay translation

Every Galaxy AI-enhanced experience becomes even more useful when the Galaxy S24 FE is connected to Samsung’s expansive mobile ecosystem. It seamlessly transfers files, quickly sets up extended displays, and effortlessly executes complex creative ideas through intuitive inputs. In this hyper-connected Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, the Galaxy S24 FE enables experiences that increase productivity, creativity, and efficiency.

Building on the innovative legacy of the S Series, the Galaxy S24 FE is fortified with strong security. Samsung Knox, Galaxy’s multi-layer security platform that safeguards critical information and protects against vulnerabilities with end-to-end secure hardware, real-time threat detection and collaborative protection.

As a continuation of the S24 Series tradition of sustainable design, the Galaxy S24 FE has been made to do more with less when it comes to the planet’s resources. It features a wide variety of recycled materials, including recycled plastics, aluminium, glass, and rare earth elements in both internal and external components. It also features seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates and comes in a packaging box made from 100% recycled paper material.

Customers who purchase the breakthrough Galaxy S24 FE will receive a complimentary bundle of value-added services from premium Gulf brands worth up to AED 598. This exclusive package includes offerings from Samsung Entertainer, Anghami, VIU Premium and Starzplay Sports, providing customers with an extensive suite of entertainment and dining options to elevate their lifestyle.

The Galaxy S24 FE is available in retail stores and online starting October 3rd. At launch, customers can enjoy double the storage — a 256GB variant for the same price as the 128GB, starting from AED 2,399. The Galaxy S24 FE is available in Blue, Graphite, Gray, and Mint colours.

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HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2″ Debuts in UAE with Stunning 2000-Nit Tandem OLED PaperMatte Display

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Huawei’s latest tablet, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2”, is officially hitting shelves in UAE. Featuring a stunning Tandem OLED PaperMatte Display, innovative digital art tools, and an all-new HUAWEI Glide Keyboard, this latest offering from Huawei is designed to cater to both productivity and creativity. With advanced anti-glare technology, a powerful battery, and luxurious craftsmanship, the MatePad Pro 12.2″ is set to become a must-have device for users seeking a seamless blend of style and substance.

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is now available for purchase through Huawei’s online store and select retailers in UAE starting at AED 2999. It is available in two elegant colour options: Golden Silk and Black. To provide a worry-free experience, Huawei is offering the HUAWEI Care+ Service, which can be purchased alongside the new tablet.

At the heart of the device is the standout Tandem OLED PaperMatte Display, which delivers an extraordinary viewing experience that remains sharp and clear—even under the brightest sunlight. The 12.2-inch display, capable of reaching up to 2000 nits of brightness, provides stunning HDR visuals with vibrant colours, ideal for streaming, graphic design, and more. This level of brightness is complemented by sophisticated anti-glare technology, including anti-sparkle and nanoscale etching, ensuring that reflections and glare are kept to a minimum. The display’s magnetron nano-optical layers also help reduce light interference, allowing users to enjoy their content in any environment.

One of the most impressive features of the display is its PaperMatte finish, which mimics the look and feel of paper. This thoughtful design offers users a comfortable and natural viewing experience, whether they’re using the device for extended work sessions or enjoying a casual read. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2″ introduces the all-new HUAWEI Glide Keyboard. This redesigned keyboard case integrates stylus storage and charging. By simply placing the HUAWEI M-Pencil into the slot, the stylus pairs and charges automatically. The keyboard itself boasts stain-proof materials, making it durable enough to withstand common spills and smudges. The Glide Keyboard also makes it easier to switch between different modes. It’s now as easy as flipping open a laptop and doesn’t require multiple steps.

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2″ comes with the GoPaint app, introducing a suite of groundbreaking digital art tools. Among these are the new Splatter and Fluid brushes, designed to unlock new levels of creativity. The Splatter brushes allow users to create mesmerizing ink splatters by hovering the M-Pencil over the screen and double tapping. The GoPaint app features 15 different Splatter brushes, each inspired by real-world splatters like spray paint, scattered tree leaves, and the iconic works of Pollock. Fluid brushes, meanwhile, recreate the blending effects of liquid pigments, offering an authentic watercolour and ink experience.

Huawei has paid just as much attention to the design of the tablet itself and it’s evident in the Golden Silk colourway. This mesmerising finish is the result of painstaking craftsmanship, with each device undergoing over 1,000 rounds of polishing. The final product is a tablet that not only performs at the highest level but also stands out with its luxurious, silky finish that subtly glows under light.

With all of this power comes incredible battery life. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is equipped with a massive 10,100 mAh battery, offering up to 14 hours of continuous video playback. For those in need of a quick charge, the tablet’s 100W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology means it can go from zero to 100 per cent in just 55 minutes. Thanks to Huawei’s Smart Power Conserve, the tablet can also remain on standby for up to 380 days.

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is now available in UAE, offering consumers a tablet that combines performance, design, and creativity.

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HONOR Magic V3 Reduces Eye Strain with AI Defocus Display Technology

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HONOR has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in eye care technology with its AI Defocus Display. This cutting-edge feature, first seen in the HONOR Magic V3, aims to mitigate the rising prevalence of myopia, particularly among smartphone users.

Traditional methods of addressing myopia, such as wearing glasses, often offer temporary solutions but may inadvertently contribute to the progression of the condition. HONOR’s AI Defocus Display takes a different approach, inspired by defocus glasses. By simulating controlled defocus on the display, the technology helps prevent the elongation of the eye’s axial length, a key factor in myopia development.

HONOR has conducted extensive scientific tests to substantiate the effectiveness of the AI Defocus Display. According to the tests, the feature is effective at reducing transient myopia by 13 degrees on average in a 25-minute session. Testing results also showed that the thickness of the central choroid increased after completing a visual task for 24 minutes with the AI Defocus Display function enabled. These findings provide compelling evidence of the transformative potential of this cutting-edge technology in myopia control and improving overall eye health.

Additionally, the HONOR AI Defocus Display has garnered recognition and endorsement from esteemed experts from Beijing Tongren Hospital (which is affiliated with Capital Medical University), and the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center (SEDPTC). These experts have thoroughly evaluated and supported the development of this innovative technology. Their expertise and endorsement serve as a strong validation that the AI Defocus Display is a cutting-edge solution that adheres to the highest standards of eye care technology.

With the AI Defocus Display, HONOR is at the forefront of the smartphone industry, offering a unique and effective solution to combat myopia and promote healthier vision. As the prevalence of myopia continues to rise, HONOR’s technology provides a promising avenue for mitigating its impact and improving the quality of life for millions of individuals.

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