One Month with the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (2025): Nearly Perfect, But...

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Hello everyone, Andra here. For the past month, my desk has been occupied by a machine I've long awaited: the latest 2025 version of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15. For those who follow my journey, you'll know the classic dilemma I often discuss: finding a gaming laptop with monstrous performance that doesn't look like a gaudy, heavy 'alien spaceship'. A laptop you can take to a café meeting without embarrassment, yet is ready to tear through AAA games at night.

For 30 days, this G15 wasn't just a 'test unit'; it became my primary daily driver. From late-night gaming sessions to editing videos for this channel, and even regular typing work. The question is: is it truly the perfect 'middle ground' between performance and portability? Let's dive in.

Design & Build Quality: Elegant, Solid, and Smart

My first impression upon unboxing this laptop was, "wow, this feels premium." ASUS has maintained the Zephyrus design philosophy that I love: low-profile gaming. The chassis is made of a magnesium-aluminum alloy that feels sturdy and dense, with a matte finish that, unfortunately, is quite prone to fingerprints. But overall, it feels like an expensive product.

Weighing under 2 kg (around 1.9 kg) and with a thickness of just 1.9 cm, the G15 (2025) remains a champion of portability in the 15-inch gaming laptop class. Sliding it into a backpack feels more like carrying a thick ultrabook, not a gaming machine. Its minimalist design, with a subtle ROG logo and the absence of excessive RGB (except on the keyboard), makes it perfectly suited for professional environments.

When it comes to ports, ASUS isn't stingy. On the left and right sides, we get a very comprehensive combination:

• 2x USB 4.0 Type-C ports (supporting DisplayPort & Power Delivery)
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
• 1x MicroSD Card Reader slot

I really appreciate this selection. The inclusion of USB 4.0 and the ability to charge via Type-C makes life so much easier, reducing the number of dongles and adapters I have to carry.

The Display: More Than Just Numbers

The specs on paper sound heavenly: a QHD (2560x1440) OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate. But what's the real-world experience like?

The answer: phenomenal. This is one of the biggest upgrades in the 2025 model. The OLED panel makes blacks truly black. When I was playing Alan Wake 2 in a dark forest, the contrast between Alan's flashlight and the surrounding darkness felt so real and immersive. Watching the series Foundation on Apple TV+ on this screen also provided an incredible cinematic experience thanks to the rich and vibrant colors.

For competitive gamers, the 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time are a luxury. While playing Valorant, enemy movements felt incredibly sharp and smooth. Flicking and tracking targets felt more responsive, providing a meaningful competitive edge.

For creators, this display doesn't disappoint either. With 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and Pantone validation, its color accuracy is highly reliable for light color grading on 1080p videos I edit in Premiere Pro. It's an all-around display that's a treat for the eyes, no matter what you're doing.

Real-World Performance

This is the heart of a gaming laptop. The unit I tested is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU.

For Gaming:

I tested three games with different demands at the native QHD (1440p) resolution with DLSS set to Quality mode.

1. Alan Wake 2: With graphics set to High and medium Ray Tracing, the G15 delivered a highly cinematic and stable experience, hovering around 55-65 FPS. A very impressive result for a laptop this thin.
2. Cyberpunk 2077: On Ultra settings, the laptop's benchmark averaged 70-80 FPS. Gameplay in the dense streets of Night City felt smooth without any distracting stutters.
3. Valorant: For a competitive game, we're obviously looking for the highest FPS possible. On High graphics settings, the G15 easily pushed 300-350 FPS, fully utilizing its 240Hz screen.

For Productivity:

Honestly, outside of gaming, this is where the G15 truly won me over. As someone who often deals with 3D rendering for architectural projects, I'm used to the 'ritual' of hitting the render button in Lumion or V-Ray and then leaving the laptop to make coffee—or even sleep—because the process takes hours. With this G15, that ritual is shattered. A scene that used to take an hour to render is now done in a dozen minutes. This isn't just an improvement; it's a revolution in my workflow.

The same goes for working on high-resolution poster files in Photoshop with dozens of layers and smart objects that would usually make other laptops choke; here, it feels effortless. Opening and editing a 2GB .PSD file while running Adobe Illustrator for vector assets on the side? No problem at all. This laptop isn't just "capable" of multitasking; it feels like it's daring me to throw even heavier work at it. It’s no longer just a tool, but a creative partner that truly frees me to create without technical barriers.

Keyboard, Audio, and Thermals

The laptop experience isn't just about performance. The keyboard on the G15 (2025) has a satisfying travel distance of about 1.7mm. It feels comfortable and tactile for typing long scripts, while also being responsive enough for gaming.

Its audio system, with six speakers and Dolby Atmos support, is one of the best in the Windows laptop class. The sound is clear, has good stereo separation, and even a bit of bass punch. It's loud and immersive enough to enjoy movies or games without always needing headphones.

Now, the most important part: heat and noise. With a body this thin, thermal management is the biggest challenge. When playing AAA games, the area above the keyboard and the bottom-center of the screen will get quite hot. However, the palm rest area and WASD keys remain at a comfortable temperature. The fans? Yes, when Turbo mode is activated, they become clearly audible. Not as loud as a 'traditional' gaming laptop, but you will definitely hear them. I highly recommend using headphones for heavy gaming sessions.

PROS (What I Liked):

• Beastly Performance in a Slim Body: The latest CPU and GPU combination provides incredible power for such a portable laptop.
• Spectacular 240Hz OLED Display: The visuals are a treat for the eyes, whether for gaming, watching movies, or creative work.
• Elegant & Professional Design: It doesn't scream 'gaming,' making it suitable to take anywhere.
• Premium Keyboard & Audio: The input and output experience feels very mature and high-quality.
• Comprehensive Connectivity: The inclusion of USB 4.0 and a MicroSD slot is a very functional bonus.

CONS (What to Note):

• One Soldered RAM Slot: Although my unit came with a sufficient 32GB, having one on-board RAM slot limits future upgrade flexibility.
• Smudge-Prone Chassis: The matte surface looks cool, but it's a magnet for oils and fingerprints. You'll need to clean it often.
• Fairly High Surface Temperatures: Honestly, the heat in the area above the keyboard bothered me a little. While internal components are safe, the heat on certain parts of the chassis can be noticeable under maximum load.
• Webcam is Still 1080p: In 2025, for a laptop at this price, I'd expect better webcam quality. It's good enough for video calls, but not exceptional.

Conclusion: Who Is This Laptop For?

• Who MUST Buy It: If you're wondering if the Zephyrus G15 is worth it, the answer is yes, especially if you're a "Hybrid User." Your profile is a creative professional, a gamer, or perhaps this is the laptop for a design student or engineering student who needs one reliable machine for everything. You're the type of person looking for the best thin gaming laptop on the market—one that doesn't sacrifice performance for portability. For those who fit this profile, the experience of using the ROG G15 will be incredibly satisfying and will meet all your needs in one elegant package.
• Who Should LOOK for Alternatives: You are a "Performance Purist" who doesn't care about weight, thickness, or design. You just want the highest possible FPS for the same price, and your laptop will stay on a desk 99% of the time. Thicker and heavier gaming laptops (like the ROG Strix Scar series or other brands) might offer slightly better thermal performance and power for a similar price.

Andra's Final Verdict

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (2025) is a mature evolution. It improves on what was already good and adds modern features like the 240Hz OLED display, bringing it even closer to being the perfect "do-it-all" laptop. It's proof that a gaming laptop doesn't have to be heavy and gaudy.

Despite a few minor notes, especially the soldered RAM and surface temperatures, its advantages far outweigh its shortcomings.

Personal Score: 9.2/10