For a long time, tech companies have been engaged in an arms race to make laptops thinner, tablets more powerful, and gaming rigs less portable than a small fridge.
And just when you thought they had hit a ceiling, ASUS decided that you deserve all three in one device–a gaming tablet that thinks it’s a laptop but secretly wants to be a desktop.
The ROG Flow Z13 (2025), a machine that refuses to be labelled. With the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and Radeon 8060S Graphics, this device handles AAA gaming, AI tasks, and content creation while still being light enough to toss into a backpack.
It’s ASUS’ equivalent of giving a sports car wings and telling it to fly. After a week of testing this machine to its limits, here’s what I found.
Design – A Practical Build
ASUS took inspiration from the 20th-century Space Race, carving the high-density aluminium alloy chassis with precision CNC machining.
This results in a sleek and durable design that weighs only 1.2kg without the keyboard and 1.59kg with it. The kickstand opens to 170 degrees, enabling flexible usage, whether in gaming, working, or binge-watching Netflix.
A unique RGB-lit window at the back reveals the machine’s internals, adding to its futuristic look. Unlike traditional laptops, the keyboard is detachable, giving it an ultra-portable form factor.
However, for those who are used to a full-size mechanical keyboard, the smaller keycaps and touchpad might take some getting used to.
Connectivity
Despite its compact size, the Flow Z13 doesn’t skimp on ports. You get:
- 2x USB-C (USB4 + DP 2.1 + PD 3.0)
- 1x USB 3.2 Type-A
- 1x HDMI 2.1
- 1x microSD Card Reader (UHS-II)
- 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
For a device this small, the dual USB4 ports supporting Thunderbolt eGPUs (like the XG Mobile external GPU) is a massive plus for serious gamers and creators.
Performance and Portability
The ROG Flow Z13 GZ302EA I tested was powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, a 16-core, 32-thread processor capable of handling AAA gaming, creative workloads, and AI tasks.
Combined with the Radeon 8060S Graphics, this device delivers gaming performance comparable to some dedicated GPUs while consuming less power.
Memory & Storage
ASUS built the Z13 with 32GB LPDDR5X 8000 on board RAM and 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage. A unique feature is the unified memory design, which allows the system to dynamically allocate RAM between the CPU and GPU, optimising performance based on the task at hand.
Gaming Performance
With integrated Radeon 8060S Graphics, the Flow Z13 isn’t just for casual gaming—it’s built for serious play. I tested a range of games, and here’s how it performed:
Game |
Settings |
Avg FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Medium | 50-60 FPS |
| Metro Exodus | Medium | 55-65 FPS |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Medium | 55 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | Low | 70-80 FPS |
| Rainbow Six Siege | Medium | 120+ FPS |
While the performance is commendable for an integrated GPU, users looking for higher FPS and ray tracing might want to pair it with an external GPU (XG Mobile).
AI & Content Creation
Thanks to AMD’s XDNA AI Engine, the Z13 can handle AI tasks like running local LLMs (large language models) with DeepSeek R1. It also breezes through video editing, music production, and 3D rendering, making it a solid choice for content creators.
Cooling – Smart and Efficient
One of the biggest challenges with high-performance tablets is cooling, and ASUS has tackled this with:
- A stainless steel & copper vapor chamber
- 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans
- Ultra-thin cooling fins
These allow the CPU and GPU to stay cool even under full load. While the device does get warm during long gaming sessions, it never became uncomfortably hot, and the fans remained quieter than most gaming laptops.
Display – 180Hz of Smoothness
The 13.4-inch 2.5K ROG Nebula Display is one of the interesting features of the Flow Z13.
- 180Hz refresh rate ensures ultra-smooth gameplay
- 3ms response time reduces motion blur
- Pantone Validated & Dolby Vision support for colour accuracy
- 500-nit brightness makes it usable outdoors
Whether for gaming, video editing, or general productivity, the 16:10 aspect ratio touchscreen is a joy to use. The Gorilla Glass DXC coating also helps reduce glare while improving durability.
Battery Life – Better, But Still Needs Work
The 70Wh battery in the 2025 model is a noticeable improvement over the previous model’s 56Wh unit. However, given its powerful hardware, you shouldn’t expect all-day battery life.
Usage |
Battery Life |
| Gaming | ~2.5 – 3 hours |
| Productivity (Browsing, Docs) | ~7-8 hours |
| Video Streaming | ~6 hours |
The 200W fast charger gets the battery from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes, and USB-C PD charging means you can use a portable power bank on the go.
Audio – Surprisingly Good for a Tablet
The quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos produces clear and immersive audio. It’s loud enough for gaming and movies, and the AI noise-cancelling microphone ensures crystal-clear voice calls. While bass isn’t as deep as full-sized laptops, the overall sound quality is better than most 13-inch devices.
Software & Features
Armoury Crate
ASUS’ Armoury Crate software allows customisation of performance modes:
- Silent Mode – For quiet operation, ideal for office use
- Performance Mode – Optimises power for gaming without excessive noise
- Turbo Mode – Maximises CPU and GPU speeds for heavy workloads
- Manual Mode – Allows full fan and power customisation
Game On & Stay Covered: Exclusive Perks with Your ASUS ROG Purchase!
A one-month subscription to PC Game Pass is included, giving access to over 100 high-quality games.
For added peace of mind, ASUS Perfect Warranty (APW) covers accidental damages up to $250. Register your product within 90 days of purchase to secure your benefits.
And don’t forget to join the ROG Elite Rewards Program! Register your product to earn points, unlock exclusive game codes, ROG wallpapers, and more: ROG Elite Rewards.
Scenario Profiles
Automatically adjusts performance, fan speed, and lighting based on the application in use.
Finally – A Beast in a Small Package
The 2025 ROG Flow Z13 is an engineering amazement, successfully merging laptop-level power with the portability of a tablet.
While integrated graphics limit gaming at ultra-high settings, the powerful Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, gorgeous display, and premium build make it one of the best portable gaming and creative devices out there.
Who Should Buy It?
✅ Gamers who want a portable powerful device
✅ Content creators needing a high-performance tablet
✅ AI & data enthusiasts looking for on-device LLM capabilities
✅ Professionals needing a flexible 2-in-1 device
Who Should Skip It?
❌ Hardcore gamers who demand RTX-level graphics (unless paired with an XG Mobile GPU)
❌ Budget buyers, as this device is premium-priced
Final Score: 8.5/10
The ROG Flow Z13 (2025) is one of the most powerful gaming tablets available today. If ASUS bundles an external GPU option at a lower cost, this could easily be the ultimate hybrid gaming machine.
