Asus ROG Flow Z13
MSRP $1,900.00
“The Asus ROG Flow Z13 proves why gaming tablets may be the way forward for gaming laptops.”
Pros
Bright, lovely display
Amazing portability
Ingenious design
Surprisingly good efficiency
Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
Cons
Poor battery life
Dorky aesthetic
Mediocre webcam, no Windows Hello
The ROG Flow Z13 shouldn’t be potential.
It’s a tool not a lot larger than a Surface Pro, but with some bona fide gaming components inside. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop computer – removable keyboard and all – however with the facility of a professional gaming laptop computer.
It’s extra than simply an engineering surprise for kicks and giggles. As it seems, there are important advantages gaming tablets have over gaming laptops, and the ROG Flow Z13 capitalizes on them.
Design
The ROG Flow Z13 is actually distinctive, nevertheless it does construct on the pedigree of two earlier Asus merchandise. The first is the ROG Flow X13, launched final yr. Like the Z13, the X13 targeted on excessive portability – not less than, for a gaming laptop computer. It’s a 13-inch convertible laptop computer, not not like a Surface Pro or iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard.
The different strand of DNA within the Flow Z13 is the ROG Mothership, a way more audacious challenge. It’s a 2-in-1 tablet, however stretched out to 17.3 inches with a weight of greater than 10 kilos (with the keyboard included). A enjoyable concept, however not precisely sensible.
The ROG Flow Z13 takes that nugget of innovation and turns it into one thing surprisingly sensible. The Flow Z13 weighs simply 2.43 kilos and is simply 0.47 inches thick. That makes it the smallest gaming laptop computer ever tried. It’s straightforward to hold round, and insanely cellular. And whereas the entrance is pretty nondescript, the stylized vents and kitschy branding make it a lifeless ringer for a gaming gadget. It even has a window on the again of the tablet that offers you an RGB-laden peek into the internals, not not like the tempered glass panels featured on fashionable PC circumstances.
Of course, there are downsides to this being a 2-in-1. Like the Surface Pro, the Flow Z13 is hard to make use of in your lap. The 160-degree, built-in kickstand, whereas glorious, doesn’t work so nicely in that situation.
And regardless of how skinny and light-weight the Flow Z13 is for a gaming gadget, typically, it’s too heavy to make use of as an precise tablet. If you propose to make use of it that wy, you’ll doubtless be resting it in your lap or on a desk.
However, it might work fairly nicely propped up on a fold-down airplane tray. Connect up a wi-fi controller, and also you’re all set for some gaming on the go. You may even play in split-screen mode, with as much as 4 controllers supported for enjoying with associates. Not positive you’d need 4 folks crowded round a tablet this small, although.
Lastly, Asus highlights the way you may use the tablet extra as a second display to your desktop setup. These eventualities gained’t apply to everybody, however there are some distinctive conditions that solely a tool just like the Flow Z13 can fulfill.
Display
The ROG Flow Z13 is available in two show flavors, each of that are mini-LED panels. There’s a 4K 60Hz mannequin and the one I reviewed, which has a 1920 x 1200 decision with a 120Hz refresh price. There’s no motive to purchase the 4K mannequin so far as I’m involved. With only a 13.4-inch display, the 1920 x 1200 decision is lots sharp, and the upper refresh price is a must have characteristic.
The Flow Z13 even fixes one in all my issues with the Flow X13’s show, which is the brightness. The X13 maxed out at simply 300 nits, whereas the Z13 might be cranked as much as 528 nits. It’s a vibrant, lovely display — brighter than the newest MacBook Pro and Surface Pro 8. It has a barely hotter tint than these screens, which is to be anticipated on a gaming gadget.
That brightness turns out to be useful, too, because the gadget makes use of a shiny display slightly than having a matte end like most gaming laptops. That’s as a result of it’s touch-enabled, after all, being a tablet. The further brightness is greater than sufficient to keep off glares and reflections.
The Flow Z13 fares nicely sufficient in shade gamut (95% sRGB, 74% AdobeRGB), accuracy (Delta-E of 1.59), and distinction (1050:1), too. It won’t be a display you’d wish to do exact shade grading on, essentially, however this can be a higher display than these on the vast majority of gaming laptops you’ll discover on the market.
Ports
The Flow Z13 is fairly missing in port choice. There’s a USB-A port on the fitting facet and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports on the left. These USB-C ports are USB4-compatible for quick transfers, Power Delivery 3.0 (as much as 100 watts), and DisplayPort 1.4. One of the Thunderbolt ports is part of Asus’ proprietary port for its XG Mobile accent, which is an exterior GPU enclosure.
While that’s a bit restricted for a gaming laptop computer, it’s barely sufficient to get by for a tool like this. The USB-A port is vital for connecting a mouse, however you’ll want a USB hub to attach greater than that. There was doubtless not sufficient room to incorporate one thing like HDMI on a tool this skinny.
Beyond that, you’ll additionally discover a headphone jack, a micro-SD card slot for increasing storage, a quantity rocker, and an influence button.
Performance
My evaluation unit of the ROG Flow Z13 options an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, however you can too configure it with a barely gradual Core i7-12700H. Either manner, it’s a 14-core CPU (six efficiency cores and eight effectivity cores). The result’s improbable processor efficiency, particularly for a tool this small. The Flow Z13 is without doubt one of the first models we’ve reviewed with Intel’s newest Twelfth-gen chips, and it’s off to a really spectacular begin.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (Core i9-12900H)
Asus ROG Flow X13 (Ryzen 9 5900HS)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon (Ryzen 5800U)
Razer Blade 14 (Ryzen 9 5900HX)
Cinebench R23 (single / multi)
1548 / 9664
1486 / 11478
1594 / 11788
1431 / 11226
Geekbench 5 (single / multi)
1784 / 9386
1415 / 7592
1637 / 9139
1448 / 7243
PCMark 10
6417
6249
5682
6612
Handbrake (decrease is healthier)
103 seconds
102 seconds
102 seconds
95 seconds
The largest standout from my CPU testing was the single-core efficiency in Cinebench R23. When turned changed into Turbo mode, its rating was a report setter for laptops, and although it’ll doubtless be surpassed by bigger laptops later this yr, it’s nonetheless spectacular what this little laptop computer can do.
Unlike many laptops, there’s a important distinction between the efficiency modes, which management fan pace and energy throughput. Jumping from Performance to Turbo modes leads to a 15-19% enhance in efficiency, doubtless due to how quietly Asus has tuned the usual Performance mode.
We’ll get to gaming, after all, however the Flow Z13 will deal with absolutely anything else that you just throw at it, too. It scored nicely in PCMark 10, which benchmarks day-to-day duties like internet searching, phrase processing, videoconferencing, and even video modifying. It clearly annihilates the Surface Pro 8, nevertheless it additionally surpasses final yr’s ROG Flow X13 and stays in step with bigger laptops as nicely.
All in all, this can be a surprisingly well-cooled tablet.
Many tablets are passively cooled, that means they don’t use followers. Not the Flow Z13. Asus has thrown in nearly each trick within the ebook to maintain this factor cool and quiet, from massive vapor chambers over each the CPU and GPU to liquid metallic on the processor for higher warmth switch. It all provides as much as a surprisingly well-cooled gadget. Even below the “Turbo” mode, the Flow Z13 is nowhere close to as loud as a standard gaming laptop computer, and since the tablet is propped up off the desk, it advantages from higher airflow.
In Performance mode, with all cores powered up, the Flow Z13’s core temperatures by no means received larger than 70 levels Celsius. I might push it as much as 74 levels in Turbo mode, however all in all, this can be a surprisingly well-cooled tablet.
For the alternative impact, you can too change the efficiency setting to “Silent” within the Armoury Crate software, which turns off the followers solely. You gained’t wish to do something intensive on this mode, however if you happen to’re simply watching a video or searching the net, it gained’t really feel any completely different than utilizing an iPad when it comes to noise or warmth.
Gaming efficiency
The Flow Z13 consists of Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti or 3050 for graphics choices. I examined the extra highly effective possibility, and for the reason that configurations are solely promoting for a $100 distinction, I extremely suggest choosing the 3050 Ti.
The 3050 is as little as you possibly can go and nonetheless name one thing “gaming,” however on a tool like this, the place efficiency is undoubtedly restricted to due lack of airflow, the bump as much as the 3050 Ti is nicely definitely worth the cash.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (RTX 3050 Ti)
Asus ROG Flow X13 (RTX 3050 Ti)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon (RTX 3050)
Surface Laptop Studio (RTX 3050 Ti)
3DMark Time Spy
4612
4503
4223
4266
Fortnite
46 fps
47 fps
40 fps
57 fps
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
34 fps
20 fps
34 fps
37 fps
Cyberpunk 2077
38 fps
n/a
n/a
n/a
Civilization VI
74 fps
65 fps
n/a
75 fps
Our regular suite of recreation checks, all recorded above on the highest settings for every recreation, resulted in anticipated efficiency. As you possibly can see, outdoors of lighter fare like Civilization VI, you’ll wish to play most video games on Medium settings for the most effective outcomes, whether or not that’s Halo Infinite or Fortnite — each of which recover from 60 frames per second (fps) with out dropping an excessive amount of constancy. Rarely will use the complete breadth of the obtainable 120Hz of refreshes, so that you gained’t be bottlenecked there until you intend on connecting up the XG Mobile.
Of course, the tougher video games are the place you begin to see the boundaries of this graphics card. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla solely averaged 45 fps on the High setting (the sport’s medium preset) and 47 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 (once more, at Medium). Both video games have been nonetheless easy sufficient to play, however you’ll have to drop settings significantly to get nearer to 60 fps.
All in all, gaming efficiency strains up with what the Flow X13 can do — it additionally had an RTX 3050 Ti. They’re each forward of bigger laptops with an RTX 3050 however fall behind chunkier funds gaming laptops with an RTX 3050 Ti.
The components of the chassis you’re actively interacting with keep blissfully cool.
But gaming on a laptop computer is about extra than simply body charges. The genius factor concerning the Flow Z13 design as a 2-in-1 is its floor temperatures. Most units, whether or not it’s one thing like a Dell XPS 15 or a Razer Blade, endure from getting heat (and even downright scorching) whereas below heavy load. The Razer Blade 14, particularly, even stays heat throughout extra widespread duties — it’s downright uncomfortable at occasions.
But as a result of the Flow Z13 places all of its scorching elements and thermals behind the display slightly than below the keyboard, the components of the chassis you’re actively interacting with keep blissfully cool. It makes lengthy periods of computing way more comfy, and it’s key to what makes this design so sensible. You’ll by no means find yourself with sweaty palms, and that’s not one thing you possibly can say about any typical gaming laptop computer I’ve ever used.
The Turbo mode I discussed when speaking CPU efficiency doesn’t make as massive a distinction in video games. You’ll nonetheless see a bump of round 5-10% although, relying on the sport, so it’s nonetheless value having on because it’s not too loud.
Keyboard and touchpad
The ROG Flow Z13 features a removable keyboard cowl, which is almost similar to the Surface Pro Type Cover in performance. It’s extraordinarily prime quality, and I’m stunned at how intently the Flow Z13 emulates the Surface Pro on this regard.
The keyboard cowl magnetizes to the highest of the display when closed, and in addition has a secondary magnetized place for typing at extra of an angle. The palm rests have a textured end, like a extra rubbery model of the Surface Type Cover. It picks up crumbs simply, however avoids fingerprints greater than a smoother end would.
As for the keyboard itself, you’ll be comfortable to know you’re getting a full 1.7mm of key journey — and it feels improbable. This is identical keyboard you’ll discover in Asus’ typical gaming laptops, and it’s each bit as tactile and responsive. There’s o room for further media keys, after all, however that is an in any other case acquainted structure. Asus even throws in Aura Key RGB backlighting, although it’s solely single-zone slightly than three-zone or per key.
The touchpad is equally glorious. Sure, it’d be nice if it was a bit taller, however Asus makes up for the dimensions with high quality. The glass floor is tremendous easy, and is one more step up from even many premium gaming laptops.
Battery life
If there’s one pitfall for the ROG Flow Z13, it’s in battery life. The gadget has a 56 watt-hour battery inside, and whereas Asus claims as much as 8 hours of life on a single cost, the fact is you’ll get a lot much less. In 1080p native video playback, the tablet died after just below seven hours. That was with the display at 100 lux, which was 13% display brightness.
In gentle internet searching, the system lasted simply 4 hours and 10 minutes. That’s over an hour lower than the Flow X13 in the identical take a look at, and nearly two hours lower than the Razer Blade 14. All testing was accomplished utilizing the MUX change, which helps the gadget change between the discrete GPU and the built-in GPU.
Don’t even hassle gaming on the battery, although that’s by no means really helpful on gaming laptops.
Cameras and safety
Not a lot effort is put into the webcams and safety features of gaming laptops. Asus even began eradicating webcams altogether from some fashions within the lineup. The ROG Flow Z13 ought to have been gadget to rectify that lapse of consideration, nevertheless it’s missing in that division as nicely.
On the again of the tablet, you’ll discover a world-facing 8-megapixel digital camera able to taking pictures 4K stills or 8-megapixel video at 15 fps. The concept of taking pictures or video with this tablet is laughable — however hey, it’s there if you happen to want it. The front-facing digital camera is the way more vital sensor, and sadly, it’s solely 720p.
Before the current pattern to extend the decision of laptop computer webcams, 720p was the unhappy customary all laptops defaulted to — that’s, aside from tablets. The Surface Pro remained one of many few Windows units to hold a 1080p webcam inside by the early phases of the pandemic and the surge in distant work. Why? Well, there’s much more room to suit a bigger digital camera module behind the display in a tablet than within the lid of a laptop computer.
It’s unlucky we’re caught once more with a 720p digital camera right here, and even worse, it doesn’t embody an IR sensor for Windows Hello. No facial recognition, and never even a fingerprint reader. This is a transportable gadget, and I’m unsure why gaming manufacturers suppose avid gamers care much less about safety and privateness than anybody else does.
Price and configurations
The ROG Flow Z13 is available in just a few variations, with the 2 major ones being the choice between the RTX 3050/Core i7-12700H and the RTX 3050 Ti/Core i9-12900H. My evaluation unit, the extra highly effective possibility, is available in at $1,900, and in addition comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. Of course, costs will differ primarily based on completely different retailers, however the Flow Z13 is actually within the premium vary when it comes to worth.
You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a gaming laptop computer with an RTX 3050 Ti at this worth. However, a comparable Surface Pro 8 will value you much more, and that doesn’t even come with the Type Cover bundled in just like the Flow Z13 does.
Of course, you can too choose to purchase it bundled with the XG Mobile GPU enclosure, which pairs nicely with the gadget. But the XG Mobile hasn’t acquired any updates from final yr outdoors an possibility for the RX 3850 XT, so I don’t wish to indicate that it’s essential. It does, in any case, add on a large chunk of change to your buy.
Our take
The ROG Flow Z13 is a distinct segment product in the identical manner the unique Flow X13 was. But in doing one thing new, this little gadget challenges most of the assumptions we’ve made about makes gaming laptop computer. While gaming tablets will doubtless by no means be the powerhouses that some gaming laptops are, there are some tangible advantages from a 2-in-1 design that show to be an enormous benefit, akin to mobility and floor temperatures.
Are there any options?
All the potential options to the ROG Flow Z13 are compact gaming laptops, such because the ROG Flow X13, ROG Zephyrus G14, or the Razer Blade 14. None of those laptops actually accomplishes what the Z13 does when it comes to portability or design. The Zephyrus G14 does web you considerably improved efficiency at a greater worth.
How lengthy will it final?
The ROG Flow Z13 comes with the newest {hardware}, Windows 11, and a few extraordinarily well-made and sturdy supplies. It feels strong and durable within the hand. The efficiency, nevertheless, might go away you wanting extra just a few years down the street. Nothing inside might be simply changed or upgraded, both.
Should you purchase it?
Yes. If you’re searching for a smaller various to a standard gaming laptop computer, the ROG Flow Z13 will shock you in all types of how.
Editors’ Recommendations
https://www.digitaltrends.com/laptop-reviews/asus-rog-flow-z13-review/
