Bottom Line
The ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHP is a 17″ 1080p 240Hz gaming monitor with FreeSync for tear-free gameplay, an IPS panel for rich colors with wide viewing angles, premium build quality, and an integrated battery. While it is quite expensive, it’s a worthy investment for many traveling gamers.
Need a compact and lightweight monitor to take with you everywhere you go? Want a rapid 240Hz refresh rate as well as vibrant colors and crisp details? Then the ASUS XG17AHP is just for you!
Image Quality
Based on a 17.3″ 1080p IPS panel, the ASUS ROG Strix XG17 delivers excellent image quality with a high pixel density of 127.34 PPI (pixels per inch).
Such high pixel density provides you with plenty of screen space and incredibly crisp and sharp details, while the 1080p resolution is easy on your GPU, allowing you to reach high frame rates more easily.
Further, the IPS technology ensures accurate and consistent colors; the XG17AHP supports 8-bit color depth (for 16.7 million colors) and fully covers the standard sRGB color space.
The colors will also remain vibrant regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen thanks to the wide viewing angles; only minor brightness shifts can be detected when viewing the screen from sharp angles.
As expected from an IPS panel display, the static contrast ratio amounts to 1,000:1. So, blacks won’t be as deep as that of VA monitors with a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, but decent nonetheless.
The peak brightness of 300-nits makes the display more than bright enough under normal viewing conditions, but under direct sunlight, some glare will be apparent.
Overall, you get a great image quality that’s on par with the regular 24″ 1080p 240Hz IPS desktop monitors. In fact, due to the higher pixel density, you’ll even get more vivid details.
The ASUS XG17AHP also has a flicker-free backlight and an integrated low-blue light filter, which helps prevent eye strain and fatigue.
Performance
Obviously, the main reason to get this portable gaming monitor is the rapid 240Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth motion clarity in fast-paced games.
More importantly, the ASUS XG17AHP monitor has a quick enough response time and low enough input lag to back up its high 240Hz refresh rate.
With just ~3ms of input lag, you won’t be able to feel any delay between your actions and the result on the screen.
Now, there are six response time overdrive modes (labeled as ‘OD’ in the OSD menu), which you should change according to the refresh rate of the monitor for the best performance.
At 240Hz, you can crank response time overdrive to ‘Level 5’ for minimal ghosting behind fast-moving objects. Sadly, some minor ghosting will be noticeable here and there, but nothing game-breaking.
At 60Hz, you should use ‘Level 1’ while ‘Level 3’ works best for a refresh rate of around 144Hz.
When using AMD FreeSync, the monitor’s refresh rate will change according to your frame rate in order to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, so the optimal overdrive mode will vary depending on the game.
FreeSync is supported over both USB-C (DisplayPort Alternate Mode) and micro-HDMI ports with a 48-240Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) range.
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can use FreeSync over USB-C even though the monitor is not certified as G-SYNC Compatible by NVIDIA.
Features
Just like ASUS’ desktop gaming monitors, the XG17AHP offers exclusive GamePlus, GameVisual, and Shadow Boost features.
GamePlus allows you to place custom crosshairs and timers on the screen, GameVisual consists of various pre-calibrated picture presets, and Shadow Boost improves visibility in darker games.
Other features include standard image adjustment tools such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, gamma, saturation, etc.
You will also find the VividPixel and ASCR options, which we recommend leaving disabled.
Moving on, the ASUS XG17AHP has an integrated 7800mAh battery, which can provide you with ~3.5 hours of battery life at 240Hz.
You can get over 4 hours of battery life with a lower refresh rate and brightness.
Design & Connectivity
The ASUS XG17 is available as the XG17AHPE, which only includes the basic magnetic cover – and as the XG17AHP with the included tripod for an additional $100.
The metal tripod offers a wide range of ergonomics including up to 115mm height adjustment, +/- 90° tilt, and 360° swivel.
A carrying bag is also provided with the XG17AHP model. The screen weighs only 1060g (2.33 lbs), it has a 1cm slim profile, and an anti-glare matte coating.
Connectivity options include a micro-HDMI port, a USB-C port with 18W Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, an extra USB-C port with 18W PD-only, a headphones jack, and dual 1W built-in speakers.
Price & Similar Monitors
The ASUS XG17AHP goes for ~$550, whereas the XG17AHPE model can be found for ~$450.
It’s rather expensive considering that you can get a 24″ 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor for ~$250, such as the ViewSonic XG2431 with better performance.
Of course, if you need something portable, the XG17 is the only 240Hz IPS model available, so you’ll have to pay the premium or go with a 144Hz model, such as the Arzopa Z1FC for $150.
As for other portable monitors, we have a dedicated buyer’s guide in case you want something cheaper with a lower refresh rate.
Conclusion
All in all, the ASUS XG17AHP offers excellent image quality, smooth performance, plenty of features, and exceptional design quality.
The only thing we hold against it is the price, but those who want to take the smoothness of 240Hz everywhere they go might find it worth the cost.
Specifications
Screen Size | 17.3-inch |
Resolution | 1920×1080 (Full HD) |
Panel Type | IPS |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
Response Time | 3ms (GtG) |
Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync (48-240Hz) |
Speakers | 2x1W |
Ports | USB-C (PD + DP Alt Mode), micro-HDMI 2.0 |
Other Ports | USB-C (PD-only), Headphone Jack |
Brightness | 300 cd/m² |
Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 (static) |
Colors | 16.7 million (8-bit) |
The Pros:
- 240Hz
- Vibrant colors, wide viewing angles
- 1920×1080 screen resolution
- Rich connectivity options
- Built-in battery
The Cons:
- Expensive