If you have used the FLOW X13, you probably enjoyed how Asus achieved both power and portability in a gaming laptop. It was nothing short of a fantasy to see the combination of a gaming laptop and external GPU in a single device.
This year, Asus has done something entirely different with ROG FLOW Z13.
The device is built on the same foundation as the X13, but this new device is a gaming tablet with a detachable keyboard and an optional external GPU. It’s a wild concept, and the device is expensive. It also makes some compromises.
Now, let us look at Asus ROG FLOW Z13:
A Surface Pro-like device with supercharged graphics
The Asus ROG FLOW Z13 is the thinnest and lightest pro-level gaming rig in recent time. Asus did a great job with this. It has the aesthetics of a gaming laptop with aggressive cut-outs and an eye-catching design. It looks like the Z13 is made for gamers, and the design says it all.
On the back is the rear glass window, beneath which you can see a section of the motherboard highlighted in rainbow-hued RGB lighting. You cannot ignore the small glass panel on the rear, as it adds certain elegance to the chassis.
You could say that Z13 took design cues from other detachables, but the display can tilt at different angles with its Surface-like kickstand. It has the same high-quality build quality I expect from a premium laptop.
With the keyboard cover attached to the device, Flow Z13 weighs 1.2 kg, making it lighter than traditional gaming laptops. A few years ago, I never thought I could carry a gaming laptop to a cafe, but now it is possible.
Asus ROG FLOW Z13 – Highlights
Although you can use it as a regular tablet to scroll the web, watch Netflix or play mobile games on the touch screen. When it comes to productivity, the device excels in clamshell mode when using the kickstand and included keyboard to revolutionize your user experience. Create the ultimate gaming rig for the latest games by connecting an external monitor, mouse and any other peripherals such as an Xbox controller.
For content creation, utilize robust external I/O with the optional XG Mobile to pair extra monitors, ethernet networking, or extra USB accessories. You can also leverage the muscle of the XG Mobile for intense loads such as video or 3D rendering. One device, infinite possibilities.
Having multiple scenarios is the most important feature of the FLOW Z13. It represents the concept of “one device, infinite play” and provides better entertainment/creation experience than regular tablets.
Here are some examples of the numerous scenarios available with the Asus ROG FLOW Z13:
Keyboard & mouse
FLOW Z13 offers precision and accuracy for the games that demand it. Yes. For standard mouse and keyboard inputs, the FLOW Z13 is ready to roll. A USB-A port and wireless connectivity allows you to seamlessly hook up your favorite mouse, and the screen cover doubles as a fully functional keyboard.
Controller
The Asus ROG FLOW Z13 was designed with robust gamepad support. If it is PC compatible, you can use it with the FLOW Z13. With multiple controllers, you can take your games on the go with friends for some classic split screen action with up to 4 controllers at the same time on one device.
Touch gaming
With a 13-inch touchscreen display, all your favorite mobile and touch compatible games are supported. Or you can simply scroll through Netflix or YouTube. Enjoy accurate, responsive touch control on this incredibly powerful tablet.
Multitasking
The FLOW Z13’s connectivity is what makes it so versatile. Feeling like multitasking with two external monitors? Let the two USB Type-C ports do the work for you. And there is an extra USB Type-A port for lower bandwidth devices.
Heavy-load content creation
While the Asus ROG FLOW Z13 is powerful enough for most scenarios, it still has room to flex some extra muscle. By pairing an XG Mobile external GPU, you can boost the graphics power and port selection connectivity with just one simple connection.
More possibilities (music editing)
With this much power and portability, the FLOW Z13 is a machine that can thrive in any scenario. For example, it can leverage its desktop level power and tablet level portability to become a mobile DJ dream station.
Simply connect your DJ controller, like a Pioneer DDJ-400, to this lightweight leviathan to become the star of the show.
ROG FLOW Z13 – Design
Since the release of the mothership, our design philosophy and innovation has evolved leaps and bounds.
Although FLOW Z13 inherits elements from its predecessor, it has been modernized with a more portable form factor, while maintaining its sci-fi, spaceship inspired heritage.
The design concept of ROG FLOW Z13 is inspired by retro-futurism, embedding the vibe of futuristic spacecraft into the chassis of the device.
To create a Sci-Fi aesthetic on the back, we used high density aluminum alloy 6063. After many experimentations, 39 different processes, including 10 precision CNC cuts with 2 anodizing coats, it resulted in a unique space pattern.
The built-in kickstand can be opened to 170 degrees, ensuring optimal viewing angles for your favorite games or movies, no matter where you use the Z13.
Space inspiration is reflected clearly on the back glass window enclosure with RGB lighting. This CNC-milled window allows looking straight into the mainboard of the machine and gives the components beneath more space than traditional designs.
The chassis itself is covered with spacecraft- inspired machining, and the built-in kickstand can be opened to 170 degrees, ensuring optimal viewing angles while staying stable and sturdy.
This is a clear separation from traditional tablets and laptops, with the addition of a convex display window. While providing gorgeous RGB accent lighting, it also allows the layout of chip components on both sides of the motherboard to achieve higher performance despite the limited space of a 13″ device.
The inclusion of this window allowed larger than normal components to be used on the motherboard, allowing for higher performance for such a small machine.
Performance
For extra gaming horsepower and I/O expansion, the FLOW Z13 is compatible with the XG Mobile family of external GPUs. Connect it to the 2021 XG Mobile with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, or this year’s new addition to the XG Mobile family, which includes an AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT GPU. With a 330W integrated power adapter, additional USB ports, DisplayPort and HDMI, and ethernet, the XG Mobile is ready for any task.
Intelligent Cooling
Despite having up to a Core i9 CPU and up to an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, the FLOW Z13’s ultra-compact form factor allows it to have more cooling space than traditional gaming laptops. The ROG FLOW Z13 also comes with a vapor chamber, which has significantly more surface area for heat dissipation than a standard heat pipe design. Because a tablet form factor does not require a hinge, this machine was able to use much larger fans and a wider vapor chamber than its size would suggest.
Another benefit of its tablet design form factor and the built-in kick stand is keeping the heat-generating components of the FLOW Z13 stand high above the desk when in operation, giving much better access to fresh air than standard laptops. When added together with 0db Ambient Cooling, this means that the FLOW Z13 is completely silent during light operations and remains incredibly quiet even under full load.
Battery Life
For a portable gaming machine, battery life is critical. Despite its slim form factor, the FLOW Z13 has over 10 hours of battery life, for a machine that can truly last all day.
The included 100W adapter weighs just 300g. Despite its small size, it supports Fast Charging Technology which can charge the FLOW Z13 up to 50% battery in only 30 minutes.
Speaking of portability, battery is an important criteria. FLOW Z13’s battery lasts around 8 hours, users can have more time enjoying the tablet without connecting to the adapter.
The adapter itself is also compact and portable. The 100W PD adapter weighs only 300g and is almost half the size of ROG’s normal 180W adapter. It also supports fast charging technology
Portability
The Z13 is a true featherweight, weighing in at just 1.1kg and only 12mm thin. This extremely lightweight chassis means the Z13 is exceptionally portable, fitting in even small bags and carrying cases.
The included 100W adapter weighs just 300g, but despite its svelte size, supports Fast Charging Technology which can juice the Z13 up to 50% battery in only 30 minutes.
Gaming RGB Keyboard and Controller
The FLOW Z13 was designed with versatility in mind. For a traditional PC gaming experience, connect your favorite wireless mouse with our bundled keyboard. With N-key rollover, a 1.7mm travel distance and single- zone RGB with Aura Sync support, the keyboard has the same premium feature set as our other ROG laptops. For supported games, the FLOW Z13 also connects seamlessly with wireless controllers for a whole new take on ultra-portable gaming. No matter how you play, the FLOW Z13 can adapt to your style.
Audio
Dual Smart Amp speakers with Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos support provide excellent stereo sound for your favorite content. For voice communications, a 3-mic array and AI Noise Cancelation keeps comms clear for both you and your teammates, even in noisy environments.
Even within a 13” tablet form factor, FLOW Z13 didn’t compromise the Audio experience. The device comes with 2 Smart Amp speakers on both sides of the screen (1 on each side), assuring the audio volume won’t become a minus when enjoy games/entertainment. Dolby Atmos and Hi-res audio technology provides a clearer and more immersive audio experience.
When in need to communicate, the Hi SNR 3 array mic next to the webcam captures your sound easily, while AI-noise cancelation makes you and your teammates’ sound loud and clear even under noisy environment.
Camera + Wifi 6E
Capture the action of life on the go with dual cameras. Video chat with friends and family using the front facing camera, or take shots of the world with the rear facing 8 megapixel camera. Support for the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard ensures lower latency and better network connections, even on crowded Wi-Fi.
Asus ROG FLOW Z13 has two camera, the rear camera lets users have more flexibility on capturing the fun moment and create content wherever they like
Wi-Fi 6E provides faster and broader network connection for real-time gaming
Software
ROG Armoury Crate unifies system and lighting controls to put essential settings at your fingertips in a single utility. You can easily define and customize Scenario Profiles that automatically make adjustments when you launch your favorite titles
Xbox Game Pass
Unlimited access to over 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 11. A one month subscription to Game Pass is included with the purchase of your device. With games added all the time, you’ll always have something new to play.
Game Visual
ROG GameVisual software offers six expertly tuned graphic modes designed to optimize your visual experience for specific game genres. First Person Shooter (FPS) mode, for example, enhances visibility in dark environments, allowing you to get the drop on any enemies lurking in the shadows. Use GameVisual to get the best experience for every game in your library.
Specification:
Price of ROG FLOW Z13 in Nigeria:
The device is available on Konga at ₦760,300.
Conclusion
The most important thing for me is that the 2-in-1 form factor vastly improves its usage, especially in scenarios where I need my tablet to be more like a laptop.
Well, one thing is certain for me: Carrying the Z13 as a standalone tablet feels a kind of bizarre to me. It is chunkier than most tablets I have used; like the experience does not come close to the iPad.
But the Z13 packs in a discrete Nvidia GPU, so any comparison to the iPad is also unfair.
The Z13 is a full-power gaming PC in a compact shell. A generous array of ports for a tablet/laptop of this size is exceptional. You’ve got a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, a MicroSD card slot (under the hinge), and a headphone jack. The power button is located above the volume rocker and doubles as a fingerprint sensor.
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