ASUS has started rolling out its latest ROG Strix G18 gaming laptop internationally, bringing Intel’s fastest mobile processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU to its large-screen gaming range.

In Australia, the new model currently appears to be available only through Harvey Norman, where it is priced at A$5,499.

The launch follows ASUS unveiling the refreshed ROG Strix G16 and G18 earlier this year, although local pricing and availability had not previously been confirmed.

The flagship Strix G18 configuration combines Intel’s 24-core Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, placing it just below the more powerful ROG Strix SCAR 18 and its optional RTX 5090 graphics.

A major feature is its 18-inch ROG Nebula HDR Mini LED display, which offers a 2560 x 1600 resolution and refresh rate of up to 240Hz.

The panel features around 2,000 local dimming zones, full DCI-P3 colour coverage and peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits, delivering stronger contrast and HDR performance than the IPS displays used in lower-tier configurations.

Models equipped with RTX 5060, RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti graphics instead use a 2560 x 1600 IPS-level screen with a refresh rate of up to 300Hz, targeting competitive gamers who prioritise speed over Mini LED picture quality.

ASUS has retained an extensive cooling system featuring three fans, a full vapour chamber, liquid metal thermal compound and a full-width heatsink to manage heat during extended gaming sessions.

The laptop supports up to 64GB of DDR5 memory and two SSDs, while a tool-free bottom panel is designed to make storage and memory upgrades easier.

Connectivity includes Thunderbolt support, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, alongside a per-key RGB keyboard and surrounding RGB lighting.

At more than 3kg, the Strix G18 remains firmly positioned as a desktop-replacement gaming machine rather than a lightweight portable laptop.