ASUS officially introduced the latest ROG Zephyrus series in Taiwan. This series includes the Zephyrus Duo, G14, and G16 models. The new gaming laptops feature the latest technologies such as Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards. They are also equipped with high-resolution OLED displays. However, the launch is overshadowed by unprecedented high starting prices, which have drawn significant attention and surprise from consumers and industry observers.

Key Points

  • The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 2026 series was launched in Taiwan at premium prices.
  • The models are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 9 CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs.
  • The new series comes standard with high-resolution OLED displays.
  • The starting prices have been described as “dazzling” and “painful.”

Expensive Hardware, Expensive Prices

The flagship ROG Zephyrus Duo will be available in Taiwan for NT$269,999 (approximately 8,570 USD) as a dual-screen 16-inch laptop. This model is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H CPU, up to 64GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 24GB GDDR7 memory NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. Its dual 16-inch 3K OLED displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate, 1,100 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and stylus support.

The ROG Zephyrus G16 is also introduced with a 16-inch, 2560x1600p, 240Hz OLED display and the same Intel Core Ultra 9 386H CPU. GPU options include NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, RTX 5070, or RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPUs. The price of the G16 starts at NT$109,999 (approximately 3,491 USD).

The more compact ROG Zephyrus G14 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU with a 14-inch, 3K, 120Hz OLED display. It weighs 1.58 kg and is 18.3 mm thick. The G14 starts at NT$169,999 (approximately 5,396 USD).

Global Price Concerns

While these prices apply to the Taiwan market, initial feedback and reports from other regions indicate a significant price increase compared to previous generations. In the United Kingdom, the entry-level Zephyrus G16 with RTX 5070 is priced at £3,199, which is a notable increase compared to its predecessor. Similar price increases are expected in other international markets, raising concerns among gamers about the accessibility of high-quality gaming laptops.

Some analysts attribute the rising costs to a global PC component shortage, including memory and GPUs, and an increase in demand from AI data centers. This has led to a significant rise in graphics card prices, affecting the final cost of gaming laptops. High prices have even led some consumers to consider alternatives like MacBooks, despite them not being gaming-focused devices.

Looking Ahead

ASUS has not yet announced official pricing for other regions, but the launch in Taiwan serves as an indicator of the direction of the premium segment. Consumers are advised to follow local announcements and stay informed about specific prices and availability. It should also be noted that international prices may vary. The high cost of these new ROG models highlights the increasing expenses associated with the latest PC hardware.