ASUS and Singer target ‘hybrid’ user market with new gaming V16 laptop in Sri Lanka

ASUS Sri Lanka Country Channel Manager Ishkey Irshard, Singer Sri Lanka Marketing Director Janmesh Anthony, ASUS Sri Lanka Country Product Manager Joseph Tsai and Singer Sri Lanka General Manager Marketing Tharaka Warnakulasuriya

 Newly unveiled ASUS Gaming V16 laptop

PIX BY PRADEEP PATHIRANA

By Nishel Fernando

Global technology leader ASUS, in a significant strategic move with its exclusive retail partner Singer Sri Lanka PLC, has launched the new ASUS Gaming V16 (V3607) laptop. 

The launch targets a burgeoning and often overlooked segment of the Sri Lankan market: the “hybrid” user. 

This demographic includes corporate professionals, students and content creators who demand high performance for their work and creative pursuits but also desire a powerful machine for gaming, all packaged in a single, elegantly designed device.

Priced starting from Rs.389,990, ASUS Gaming V16 is positioned not just as another addition to the gaming landscape but as a versatile “hybrid powerhouse” built to bridge the gap between professional productivity and high-end entertainment. It will be available exclusively across Singer’s islandwide network of more than 400 showrooms, a testament to the deep-rooted partnership between the two giants.

A strategic play for a new niche

The launch event heavily emphasised that Gaming V16 is a carefully calculated response to the evolving consumer needs in Sri Lanka. 

“ASUS V16 is not just another laptop ... it’s a hybrid powerhouse,” declared Singer Sri Lanka Director Marketing Janmesh Anthony, during his keynote address. 

“Imagine a single device that is perfectly suited for a corporate professional during the day, a student working on assignments through the night, a creator editing high-resolution content and yes, even a gamer who wants to have cutting-edge performance. That’s the promise of the V16 series.”

This sentiment was echoed by local tech experts from SL Geek and PC Guide, who provided a hands-on review. They noted the product directly addresses a long-standing challenge for users who are both creators and gamers.

“I love gaming laptops but I’m also a creator,” one expert shared. 

“This means I need a laptop I can open in a café, a co-working space or a client meeting. This is the laptop that solves that problem.” 

They highlighted that while many gaming laptops feature aggressive, RGB-laden aesthetics, V16 opts for a sleek, premium, matte black design with a more subdued “Turbo Blue” keyboard backlight, making it suitable for professional environments without sacrificing its gaming identity.

This strategic positioning is crucial for ASUS as it seeks to expand its dominant market position. According to Anthony, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, 25,000 laptops were imported into Sri Lanka, with ASUS capturing an impressive 30 percent market share. Within that, Singer’s contribution is significant, accounting for 17.5 percent of ASUS sales in the country.

“These are not just statistics,” Anthony asserted. 

“They are proof of what can be delivered when two powerful brands align their strengths ... and with V16, I am confident that these numbers will only grow.”

Power of partnership: ASUS and Singer’s symbiotic relationship

The exclusivity of the Singer partnership is a cornerstone of the launch strategy. By leveraging Singer’s extensive retail footprint, including Singer Mega and Singer Plus stores, ASUS ensures that this cutting-edge technology is accessible to consumers from Colombo to the most remote districts.

“For generations, we have focused on bringing world-class technology closer to Sri Lankan consumers and this launch strengthens that commitment,” stated Singer Sri Lanka Managing Director Mahesh Wijewardene, in the official press release. “Backed by our nationwide retail presence and after-sales service network, together with ASUS we are confident this device will set a new benchmark for accessible, high-performance computing in Sri Lanka.”

ASUS, a 36-year-old company with a global workforce of 16,000, including over 5,000 in R&D, views Sri Lanka as a key market with a high adoption rate for new technologies, particularly AI-powered PCs.

“Our goal with ASUS is to continuously reimagine what gaming and creator laptops can achieve,” said ASUS South Asia Regional Head Eric Ou. 

“With ASUS Gaming V16, we are introducing a powerful fusion of performance, design and AI acceleration — tailored precisely to what Sri Lankan consumers are asking for.”

Under hood: A balance of power and practicality

ASUS Gaming V16 is engineered to deliver on its promise of versatility through a carefully balanced selection of hardware and user-centric design features.

Performance Core: The laptop is powered by up to an Intel Core 7 Processor (Series 2) and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU. This combination is supported by 16GB of DDR5 memory (user-expandable up to 32GB) and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, ensuring snappy performance for demanding applications like 4K video editing and smooth gameplay in popular esports titles.

Visuals and design: A standout feature is the 16-inch FHD+ display, which boasts a fast 144Hz refresh rate for fluid motion and a 16:10 aspect ratio. ASUS Sri Lanka Country Product Manager Joseph Tsai explained that the taller aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, enhancing productivity in applications and web browsing. Despite its large screen, the device maintains remarkable portability, weighing just 1.95kg and measuring as thin as 1.8cm.

User experience: ASUS has integrated several thoughtful features for daily use. The laptop meets US military-grade durability standards, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of travel and daily commutes. The large, responsive touchpad incorporates “smart gestures”, allowing users to control volume or screen brightness with simple swipes. For privacy, the 1080p FHD webcam includes an integrated physical shutter.

The cooling system, dubbed “IceCool Technology”, uses dual fans and dual heat pipes to maintain peak performance during intense gaming or rendering sessions without excessive noise. Furthermore, NVIDIA’s Advanced Optimus technology allows the system to intelligently switch between the powerful dedicated GPU and the energy-efficient integrated graphics without requiring a reboot. This feature, easily controlled via the MyASUS app, allows users to maximise battery life for meetings or lectures and unleash full performance for gaming.

The comprehensive I/O includes both USB Type-A and a USB Type-C port that supports power delivery and display output, alongside an HDMI 2.1 port, minimising the need for dongles.

A new benchmark for Sri Lanka

The launch of ASUS Gaming V16 marks a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s tech market. It signifies a maturation of consumer demand, moving beyond single-purpose devices towards integrated solutions that cater to multifaceted modern lifestyles. By combining ASUS’ innovation in gaming and AI with Singer’s unparalleled market reach and trust, V16 is poised to become the go-to device for a new generation of Sri Lankan professionals, creators and gamers who refuse to compromise. 

As ASUS continues to expand its gaming and creator ecosystem in the country, V16 stands as a powerful statement of its commitment to bridging global innovation with local demand.