FOR

• Powerful GPU
• Good performance
• Colorful display
• Solid battery life
• Competitive price

AGAINST

• Runs very hot
• Mediocre speakers
• Display could be brighter

The Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502 is a great gaming laptop for those looking to run the most demanding titles. With solid performance from a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, great battery life and a competitive price of $1,579, the laptop is sure to satisfy most gamers. Unfortunately, its mediocre speakers and scalding heat are a few things to be wary of if you’re considering gaming on the Zephyrus M GU502.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502 price and configurations

Our Zephyrus M GU502 is decked out with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU with 8GB of VRAM, an Intel i7-10750H CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It has a 15.6-inch, 1080p, 240Hz display and is available for $1,579 on Best Buy.

There’s also a cheaper option available with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU with 6GB of VRAM, an AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS CPU and a 1TB SSD. It has a 1080p, 120Hz panel and can also be purchased from Best Buy for $1,349 after a $100 discount.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502 design

The Zephyrus M GU502 boasts a slick design with its magnesium-alloy chassis and “Brushed Black” tint finish. The lid possesses a half-smooth surface while the other half is occupied by a dotted pattern that beautifully reflects light to create an impressive rainbow effect. There’s also a silver Republic of Gamers logo that stylishly shines in the right lighting.

The laptop’s speakers peek out the rear of the machine when the lid is closed, along with three status indicators. From left to right, there are indicators for power, battery charge and hard disk access.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502 display

The Zephyrus M GU502’s 15.6-inch, 1080p display with a 240Hz refresh rate does a good job of representing a varied spectrum of colors, but the screen isn’t as bright as it could be.

While watching the latest No Time To Die trailer, the pastel pink and purple of the setting sun reflected on the glass of a skyscraper made for a gorgeous moment. The subtle differences in color were also captured quite well as the shot overlooks a phenomenal icy tundra. However, the darker parts of the trailer were a bit difficult to see. The laptop isn’t necessarily dim, but many of its competitors have it beat in brightness.

From its rocky plains, the vast ocean of reflective blue perfectly contrasting the light orange tinge of a sandy landscape. I was impressed by how beautifully different corners of the Horizon Zero Dawn’s world popped. And when the blistering sun lowered from the sky, the moon shined on every overgrown vine, ravaged machine and haphazard wooden structure, wrapping me in the warmth of a bright night. These scenes explode in vibrancy thanks to the GU502’s colorful display.