Portability doesn’t usually go hand in hand with performance, and vice versa, and it’s very rare to find a computer that’s truly portable and still delivers the performance you need for work or even gaming. However, with the new Ryzen AI MAX+, ASUS seems to have found the key, and the new ASUS ROG Flow Z13 promises to give us the best of both worlds. In this article, we take a firsthand look at it.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a 2-in-1 convertible, meaning it can be used both as a laptop and as a standalone tablet. With a touchscreen and compact dimensions, it’s a device that focuses on portability, and yet, as you might expect from the manufacturer’s ROG family, it also focuses on providing the best possible performance.
ASUS ROG Flow Z13, technical specifications
| ASUS ROG Flow Z13 | |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 (16 cores, 32 threads at 5.1 GHz, 64 MB L3 cache) NPU up to 50 TOPs for AI |
| RAM memory | 32GB LPDDR5X at 8,000MHz |
| Graphic card | Integrated AMD Radeon 8060S (40 cores at 2.9 GHz) |
| Storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Screen | ROG Nebula Display 13.4″ IPS with glossy finish 2560 x 1600 pixels 180Hz with Adaptive Sync 100% DCI-P3 coverage Dolby Vision HDR |
| Keyboard and touchpad | Removable Chiclet Type Backlit Touchpad |
| Sound | Smart Amplification Technology Dolby Atmos Audio 3-Microphone Array |
| Communications | Dual webcam (front and back) 13 MPx + 5 Mpx IR WiFi 7 (802.11be) tri-band Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Connectivity | 1x HDMI 2.1 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 2x USB4 Type-C Minijack combo |
| Battery | 70WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion |
| Feeding | 200W AC Adapter |
| Dimensions | 30.0 x 20.4 x 1.30 ~ 1.49 cm |
| Weight | 1.2 Kg |
| Price | 2,499€ |
As you might guess, the main new feature of this ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the incorporation of one of AMD’s new Strix Halo processors, specifically in its most powerful variant: the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395, a processor with 16 physical cores and 32 processing threads with a base clock of 3 GHz but which reaches 5.1 GHz in Turbo mode. It has a dedicated NPU for AI capable of generating up to 50 TOPS of power, 64 MB of L3 cache, and has a default TDP of 55W, quite a lot for a laptop, so we will have to keep an eye on its temperature.
And one of the great novelties of this Ryzen AI MAX+ is its integrated graphics, a Radeon 8060S with 40 cores at 2.9 GHz speed, a graphics card that despite being integrated and not dedicated boasts of being able to move games with some solvency, so it is something that we will put to the test. The processor is accompanied by 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM at 8,000 MHz and a typical 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
The aforementioned is served by a 13.4-inch touch screen with 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution, IPS type, with 180 Hz refresh rate compatible with Adaptive Sync and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. In addition, it has two USB4 compatible with DP, HDMI 2.1 output, a USB-A 3.2, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth, as well as a dual camera, so in terms of communications and connectivity it is quite served.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a 2-in-1 convertible, which means it’s actually a tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard, giving it great versatility. Of course, ASUS includes its ASUS Pen 2.0 as always.
Unboxing and external analysis
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 comes packaged in the typical black cardboard box with a handle that ASUS usually uses for all its laptops in this family, with only a sticker on the outside indicating the model inside.
As always, inside we find several boxes, one containing the laptop and another containing the power supply; the one you can see below is the one containing the external power supply.
The power adapter is relatively large, with the ROG logo adorning its surface. As indicated in the specifications, it has a maximum power output of 200W.
This ASUS laptop also includes a carrying case to keep your device protected when you need to carry it around. We find it odd that many manufacturers create these cases, but they only allow you to fit the laptop inside. It’s a shame they don’t have a pocket or something similar to fit the power adapter.
The laptop comes in another box, this time decorated with ROG motifs and the specific model.
As soon as we remove the top cover, we have access to the device, protected by transparent plastic. However, there are a few more things underneath, which we’ll see shortly.
Under the laptop, we have the typical information pamphlets and the well-known ASUS Pen 2.0 for the touch screen, something that is very useful and appreciated to have included.
Now, let’s take a look at the device. Technically, you can see the bottom of the case in the following image, as this is the bottom of the keyboard. It has some decorative details and little else to highlight, except for the fact that it doesn’t have any rubber inserts.
This is the front, even though it might not look like it. This is actually the top part when the device is unfolded, and we can see that, in addition to a decoration with the ROG slogan, there are two vents for hot air exhaust.
On one side, we have an air intake grille, the combo minijack connector, a USB-A 3.2, and three buttons: the first is configurable, the second is two, for the volume, and the last is the power button.
On the opposite side, we have another air intake grille, a micro SD card reader, a power connector, an HDMI 2.1 output, and two USB4.
On the last side we have yet to see, which is the one that will be behind us when the laptop is unfolded, there is nothing but another ROG slogan.
This is the “top” part, and we put it in quotes because it’s actually the bottom of the device, which, as you know, is actually a tablet with a keyboard. In other words, it’s the part opposite the screen, the one that sits behind it. We find two grilles, various decorations, and even a transparent area that allows us to see part of the internal hardware.
Here you can see this transparent area better.
Here we also have the 13 MP rear camera.
And take a look at this corner decorated with the ROG logo, which, as you can see, has a small rubber protrusion. This is used to extend the “leg” that will allow us to keep the screen vertical.
By pulling it outwards, we can unfold this “foot” with two very strong metal hinges.
After that, we have the device ready to go, but as always, before showing you the empirical performance tests, let’s talk about our experience using the laptop.
To begin with, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a laptop suitable for use on your lap, simply because the keyboard and screen aren’t rigidly connected, so it moves around too much and shifts around unless you’re extremely still. It’s a device that you can use either on a flat surface or in tablet mode, in which case it’s easy and comfortable to hold and doesn’t get uncomfortably hot. Furthermore, weighing just 1.2 kg, the device is very easy and comfortable to carry when folded.
The display, although not OLED, looks great as always, and is ideal for all types of tasks, including gaming, as it has a 180Hz refresh rate. Color representation is more than adequate, and the brightness intensity is also adequate even without OLED. It scores highly in this area.
As for battery life, with normal work usage and not too much effort, it lasted us an 8-hour workday without complaint, although it’s true that when you start pushing it hard, running benchmarks or playing games, the battery life drops considerably. In our tests, at 2 hours and 20 minutes, we received a warning that it was at 20%, although even so, we consider it to be very good, especially considering the processor’s power.
Noise and temperature
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, despite being a 2-in-1, features active cooling with two blower-type fans. The processor consumes quite a bit, but it still doesn’t overheat: at idle, the machine stays at around 50°C, and when pushed hard, it reaches 90°C, but we didn’t notice any thermal throttling at any point.
As for noise, the laptop is completely silent at idle, but even at maximum speed, while the fans are audible, they aren’t at all bothersome or intrusive to what you’re doing. I mean, it’s not a “silent computing” laptop, but we’d give it an A+ for the sound department, honestly.
