ASUS
ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB
Core i9-14900HX · 16GB · 2025
94
/ 100
From $3,499
VS
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB wins by 4
Apple
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB
M5 Ultra · 16GB
98
/ 100
From $4,199
Specdex verdict
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB lands at 94 and Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB at 98. That puts Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB if…
- ✓Current-gen silicon
- ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
- ✓Manufacturer warranty
Pick Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB if…
- ✓M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- ✓Larger unified memory ceiling
- ✓Improved ray-tracing iGPU
ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB 94
vs 98 Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB
Score breakdown
ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB
94 cpu 94
gpu 89
display 86
battery 84
portability 81
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB
98 cpu 98
gpu 96
display 92
battery 96
portability 90
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB | Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i9-14900HX | — |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Release year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Chip | — | M5 Ultra |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB
Pros
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
Cons
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB
Pros
- +M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- +Larger unified memory ceiling
- +Improved ray-tracing iGPU
Cons
- −macOS-only
- −Memory non-upgradable
- −High-end configs expensive
FAQ: ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB vs Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB
Which is better, ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB or Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB? +
Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB worth the price? +
At $3,499, ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in cpu.
Is Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB worth the price? +
At $4,199, Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does ROG Strix SCAR 18 · 16GB or Mac Studio M5 Ultra · 16GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.