That ASUS ROG is one of the most innovative players on the market in terms of gaming it’s certainly not a secret. Since 2006, the division of Republic of Gamers (ROG) ASUS has been able to satisfy the needs of players like no one before with products with a great, now iconic design and excellent performance. In this wake, the new is placed ASUS Flow Z13, the first gaming tablet of the company and this is his review.
Yes, you read right, a gaming tablet. These are usually two worlds that never come into contact. The Tablet is in fact used as a work or entertainment tool but which generally fails, due to its nature and logistics, to match the performance of a computer or the versatility of a smartphone. Imagine then approaching it with the adjective “gaming”. But ASUS ROG once again wants to impress with another product like no other (currently) on the market.
In this review, in addition to the ASUS Flow Z13 we will also analyze the modulo XG Mobile which, connected to the tablet, amplifies its performance and performance.
Our review of the ASUS Flow Z13
The ASUS Flow Z13 is a device with the size and features of a tablet but with all the power and performance of a high-end gaming laptop. In fact, we find a 13.4-inch touchscreen display for 1920 x 1200 resolution, a 12th generation Intel Core i9 processor and incredible, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti video card.
But let’s start in order.
Data sheet of the ASUS Flow Z13
- Dimensions: 30.2 x 20.4 x 1.20
- Weight: without keyboard 1.18 kg / with keyboard 1.45 kg
- Display: 13.4″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Processor: 12th generation Intel Core i9
- Form Video: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Memory interna: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
- RAM: 8GB (massimo 16GB)
- Webcam: 8MP camera e 720P HD camera
- Net: Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.2
- Porte: 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4 support DisplayPort, 1x ROG XG Mobile Interface, 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Support DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC
Design
the ASUS Flow Z13 features the elegant and futuristic style typical of ROG products. The chassis is entirely in aluminum where black predominates decorated with low-relief lines that give an elegant tech effect. A small slit in transparent glass, illuminated by the ever-present RGB lights, shows part of the internal hardware, for a truly classy touch. The Chassis is also characterized by a opening support that acts as a stand for the tablet. Thanks to a practical magnetic hook keyboard, included in the package, we will be able to transform the tablet into a real computer in the blink of an eye.
The dimensions are very small, in line with tablets even if its thickness of 12 millimeters could make someone turn up their noses. This is a physiological compromise given the powerful CPU and all the other elements inside it, as well as a battery typically identifiable in laptops and a large fan for heat dissipation.
Technology
Passing through that fascinating little window, we find ourselves in the heart of the tablet. Here we find a processor Intel Core i9-12900H of extraordinary power, equal to top-of-the-range gaming computers. It goes without saying that CPU power is reduced due to heat dissipation and power supply limitations, especially when disconnected from the XG Mobile (more on that later). It must be said, however, that the incredible mix of high-level technology, combined with the power of a video card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti guarantees excellent performance whether it is gaming, work or computer graphics.
Lo touch screen of the tablet maintains a 16:10 format, with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports the 4Kideal when it comes to gaming even if we should settle for a 60Hz refresh rate. Inside the tablet we also find a battery remarkable but which, as can be guessed, does not hold a candle to a normal gaming laptop. We are talking about 5-6 hours of classic use, surfing the net or watching movies. If, on the other hand, we want to play some more recent titles, as it should be, off the electricity grid we will have an hour or so of play available.
XG Mobile support
The music changes when the module comes into play (it should be said). XG Mobile. It is an external unit sold separately which, connected to the tablet, transforms it into a real complete gaming station. The connection with XG Mobilethrough PCI 3.0 x8 yes 63 Gb/s, it acts as an external video card, as a hub and as a new power supply. Consequentially all the features of the tablet, already remarkable, are further amplified.
Specifically, the XG Mobile excludes the video card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti and put the power of one at your disposal NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. The module also includes a 330W power supply more than enough to power and charge the tablet more efficiently and thus allow the GPU to work to its full potential. Not only that, theXG Mobile significantly expands the tablet’s connectivity by adding 4 USB ports, an Ethernet input with 2.5 Gbps speed, an HDMI 2.1 input and a DisplayPort 1.4 output.
Here too, it seems appropriate to insert a…
…ASUS ROG XG Mobile GC31S spec sheet
- Dimensions: 217 x 165 x 32.6 mm
- Weight: 1 kg
- GPU: fino a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 o AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT
- Network Connectivity: Ethernet 2.5 Gbps
- Porte: 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, Uscita HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4
- Power supply: Integrated 330W
Our test of the ASUS Flow Z13 + XG Mobile
We tried the ASUS Flow Z13 and XG Mobile for about a month during which we used it together with our daily tools for playing and working (but mostly playing come on).
Let’s face it right away, ASUS ROG has done it, once again, to create an exceptional product that has been able to amaze us. Let’s not hide from you that the whole idea of a “gaming tablet” had us a little scared. Who would ever need a tool like this?
Well, the peaks of excellence in terms of performance and design of this device made us change our minds enormously. Not only did this little tablet, which is effectively a gaming laptop, manage to run every video game we tried, but it did it very well. And yes we hit hard; from Cyberpunk 2077 a Overwatch 2 until A Plague Tale Requiem, we had intended to put tremendous stress on this tablet but to no avail. Every game moved beautifully and the laptop has never given signs of “yielding”.
The main critical issues concern temperature and noise, the fiercest enemies when it comes to gaming laptops (and now tablets). The situation does not improve even with the XG Mobile connected as the latter has another personal fan to dissipate the heat but this increases the noise even more. The use of headphones is strongly recommended.
The ASUS Flow Z1 review in brief: who is it for?
This is the fateful question we asked ourselves before even starting this review of the ASUS Flow Z13. An important element to take into consideration is theextreme versatility and portability of the tablet. The small size and weight make it an excellent travel gem (we’ve taken it on the go on more than one occasion). Obviously, forget about playing Cyberpunk on an airplane. Both the noise and battery consumption make it not ideal for these situations.
But having an instrument of such power and such performance available when there is an electrical network is something that should not be underestimated. If you’re often on the go or don’t have a fixed location but still want to take advantage of a good gaming laptop with the versatility of a tablet, you’re in the right place.
The price of the ASUS Flow Z13
All this, however, without forgetting the price, a factor that really needs to be taken into account. We are talking about 2000€ per il tablet ASUS Flow Z13 e of 1299€ for XG Mobile. A truly remarkable wombo combo which, however, will require a hefty expense. Justified?
Absolutely yes. Although this figure is in line with the standards of gaming laptops or is even lower than that of a real fixed gaming PC, we must not forget the extreme versatility of the products and the ad hoc technology inside them. An adequate investment to have that available deadly mix of design, power and versatility that this ASUS Flow Z13, together with the XG Mobile are able to offer.