I Tried the Asus ROG Flow Z13: It’s a Steam Deck and Laptop Mashup!
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025) packs powerful specs in a compact design with a 180Hz touchscreen, Ryzen AI Max+ 395, and Radeon 8060S.
Over the years, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 has been my go-to device—a unique blend of a gaming laptop and a handheld console. It was never quite the perfect middle ground, but it always felt like a glimpse of the future. Now, in 2025, that future is here—though not without a few trade-offs.
The biggest talking point? AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390 chip. It delivers RTX 4060-level performance in integrated graphics but ray tracing remains a challenge for AMD. That’s a fair critique but the overall experience outweighs this limitation.
For me, this is one of the best gaming laptops available today and hands down the best 2-in-1 I’ve ever used. If you love the portability of a handheld gaming PC and need a versatile laptop for work and play, the Z13 delivers on both fronts.
Battery life has also seen a huge improvement, thanks to the move to integrated graphics. While there are more powerful gaming systems, Asus has struck a fine balance between power, battery life and portability—all in a sleek, well-designed package.
The only real downside? The $2,099 price tag. When a similarly powerful (and cheaper) Asus TUF Gaming A14 exists, Z13 feels like a premium investment. But if you’re after the ultimate portable gaming 2-in-1, Asus has absolutely nailed it.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025) – Specs
| 📌 Feature | ⚡ Details |
|---|---|
| 💰 Price | From $2,099 ($2,299 as reviewed) |
| 🔥 CPU | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 |
| 🎮 GPU | AMD Radeon 8060S |
| ⚡ RAM | 32GB LPDDR5X |
| 💾 Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| 🖥️ Display | 13.4″ 2560×1600, 180Hz IPS touchscreen |
| 🔋 Battery Life | 10h 16m |
| 📏 Size | 11.81″ x 8.03″ x 0.51~0.59″ |
| ⚖️ Weight | 2.68 lbs (3.53 lbs with keyboard) |
Asus ROG Flow Z13 – A True Gaming Tablet Experience
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is unlike most gaming laptops—it’s a gaming tablet first, with the power of a high-performance laptop. Unlike the ROG Flow X13, which was a convertible, the Z13 is a standalone tablet that turns into a laptop with an attachable keyboard.
At first glance, it reminds me of the Microsoft Surface Pro, but the Z13 is built for gaming. It has a built-in kickstand, making it easy to use in tablet or laptop mode. However, at 2.6 pounds, it’s heavier than most tablets, and I did notice the weight when holding it for long periods.
The 13.4-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate is smooth and great for gaming. If you want higher resolution, there’s a 4K option—but with only a 60Hz refresh rate. The keyboard is detachable, which makes the tablet lighter, and I found the kickstand tab super handy for quickly switching modes.
Design-wise, the black chassis with RGB backlighting gives it a gaming aesthetic, though it might be flashy for some users. Connectivity is solid, featuring USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, an SD card slot, and an optional external GPU (XG Mobile) support for extra power.
ROG Flow Z13 is a powerful, versatile device—a true gaming tablet that works as a laptop when needed. If you want a portable gaming machine with flexibility, this might be the perfect fit.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 – Powerful but Pricey
The ROG Flow Z13 isn’t just a gaming tablet—it’s a high-performance machine packed into an ultra-portable design. The model I tested came with an Intel Core i9-12900H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and an RTX 3050 Ti, priced at $1,899.99. Seeing a Core i9 in a tablet is rare, and this 14-core beast delivers solid performance, though the compact design means thermals could be a limitation. A cheaper model at $1,799.99 swaps the Core i9 for an i7.
The RTX 3050 Ti is a nice addition—most tablets rely on integrated graphics. While it’s not the most powerful GPU, it handles mainstream gaming well, and the MUX switch helps optimize performance by switching between integrated and discrete graphics.
But if you’re after higher frame rates, Asus offers the XG Mobile external GPU. The unit I tested had an RTX 3080, which massively boosts performance, but it costs $1,499.99—almost as much as another gaming laptop! With the Z13 and XG Mobile combined, the price hits $3,400, which is a tough sell.
For those wanting portability with decent gaming power, the Z13 is impressive. But if you need higher performance at home, investing in a dedicated gaming laptop might make more sense.
XG Mobile – Does It Deliver?
The idea behind XG Mobile is great: a portable gaming tablet for casual use and a powerful external GPU for a performance boost at home. The tablet is compact and fits easily in a bag, while the XG Mobile is small enough to carry separately if needed.
Asus did a great job with the design and build quality—the tablet, keyboard, and kickstand are easy to use, and the connection process is smooth. Unlike other external GPUs, the XG Mobile setup is hassle-free—just plug it in, flip the locking switch, and within seconds, it’s ready to go.
But here’s the catch: gaming laptops have come a long way. A lightweight machine like the ROG Zephyrus G14 offers similar power in a single device for less money—our test unit was $900 cheaper than the Z13 + XG Mobile combo.
So, is the two-piece setup worth it? That depends on how much extra performance the XG Mobile really delivers—let’s check the benchmarks.
Performance – Power vs. Price
Core i9 Speed, Entry-Level Graphics
The ROG Flow Z13 packs a powerful Core i9 processor, but its RTX 3050 Ti GPU is on the weaker side for gaming. In our tests, the Z13 handled everyday tasks well—productivity, web browsing, and even content creation were smooth. It outperformed most tablets, including the Surface Pro 8, making it a solid pick if you need both power and portability.
However, when it comes to gaming, the results were mixed. The RTX 3050 Ti struggled to maintain high frame rates in demanding games. While it’s fine for casual gaming, a laptop with an RTX 3060 or higher would give better performance at a lower price.
XG Mobile – The Game Changer
When we connected the XG Mobile, the difference was huge. The tablet + external GPU combo went head-to-head with high-end gaming laptops, even outperforming some in key benchmarks. Unlike traditional external GPUs that lose performance, Asus’ proprietary connection keeps the RTX 3080 running at full power.
The biggest downside? Price. The Z13 + XG Mobile setup costs as much as a high-end gaming laptop, making it a tough sell unless you really want a portable tablet + desktop gaming experience.
Battery & Display
Battery life is just okay, closer to gaming laptops than long-lasting tablets. Color accuracy is decent, but the screen is very bright, making it great for outdoor or well-lit environments.
On its own, ROG Flow Z13 is a solid, yet pricey tablet with mid-tier gaming performance. Paired with the XG Mobile, it becomes a desktop-class gaming machine. But for the price, a high-end gaming laptop might be a better deal unless you truly need the two-in-one flexibility.
Cool Concept, but Hard to Justify
The ROG Flow Z13 is an impressive gaming tablet, well-built and capable of entry-level gaming performance. The XG Mobile eGPU works smoothly, delivering a big performance boost.
But is it worth it? Not really. The Z13 alone costs as much as a gaming laptop while being heavier than standard tablets and lacking strong battery life. Adding the XG Mobile makes it even more expensive, often $1,000 more than a comparable gaming laptop.
If money isn’t an issue, the tablet + eGPU setup is cool. But for most gamers, a high-end gaming laptop is the better deal.
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Pros and Cons of Asus ROG Flow Z13
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| ⚡ Powerful for a tablet (Intel Core i9) | 💰 Expensive for RTX 3050 Ti performance |
| 🎮 Can handle entry-level gaming | 📏 Thick and heavy for a tablet |
| 🚀 XG Mobile eGPU boosts performance | 💸 Adding eGPU makes it extremely costly |
| ⌨️ Keyboard included | ❓ No real advantage over a slim gaming laptop |
Conclusion
Asus ROG Flow Z13 has great battery life, strong performance, loud speakers, and a bright display. However, it gets very hot and has a poor gaming keyboard, making its high price hard to justify.
For a more powerful and affordable option with good battery life, the Asus Zephyrus G14 is a better choice.
Still, the Flow Z13’s compact size and portability make it ideal for artists—just be careful of the heat!
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