PGC NEWS

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has arrived, blurring the lines between tablet portability and PC gaming power. Launched at the “The Rise of Gamers” event in Ho Chi Minh City, this innovative device promises a unique gaming experience. It’s a modern, miniaturized take on the colossal Mothership gaming laptop, boasting significant advancements in manufacturing and cooling technology. But what makes this gaming tablet so special? Let’s dive in.

Redefining Portable Gaming

alt text: ASUS ROG Flow Z13 front view showcasing its slim profile and keyboard attachment

The concept of a powerful yet portable gaming tablet isn’t entirely new. ASUS previously explored this with the ASUS Transformer 3 Pro in 2016, featuring a Thunderbolt port for connecting external GPUs.

alt text: Close-up view of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13's rear stand, highlighting its adjustable angles for optimal viewing and use

However, technical limitations, particularly the underpowered U-series processors struggling with demanding graphics cards, hindered its potential. The “gaming tablet dream” was shelved until now. The ROG Flow Z13, while resembling a traditional tablet, takes a different approach. It’s essentially a laptop with components, including active fan cooling, housed beneath the display.

Design and Portability

alt text: Internal view of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, showcasing its components and cooling system, including vapor chamber and liquid metal thermal compound

Compared to typical tablets, the ROG Flow Z13 is thicker and heavier, measuring 12mm thick and weighing 1.1kg. While lighter than most laptops, including Microsoft’s Surface series, extended one-handed use might be challenging.

Like its predecessor, the Mothership, it features a built-in kickstand with adjustable angles and a detachable keyboard, transforming it into a functional laptop for productivity tasks.

alt text: The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 attached to the XG Mobile eGPU, demonstrating its enhanced gaming capabilities with a high-performance graphics card

Uncompromising Performance

This unique design allows for impressive specifications: up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. The ROG Flow Z13 boasts desktop-level performance in a compact form factor, capable of handling demanding games and applications.

alt text: The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 in tablet mode, showcasing its portability and suitability for mobile gaming and touch-screen applications

Further enhancing performance are 16GB of LPDDR5 5200MHz RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe SSD, enabling seamless multitasking, entertainment, and ample storage for numerous games. In tablet mode, the ROG Flow Z13 excels with mobile and touch-screen PC games, providing a compelling entertainment experience on the go thanks to its responsive 13-inch display.

alt text: Close-up of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13's keyboard, highlighting its design and functionality for productivity tasks

Innovative Cooling and Connectivity

To manage the heat generated by these powerful components, ASUS employs advanced ROG Intelligent Cooling technology. A vapor chamber and liquid metal thermal compound efficiently dissipate heat, allowing for maximum performance within the compact chassis.

alt text: A person holding the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, showcasing its portability and ease of use in various scenarios

Similar to the Flow X13, the ROG Flow Z13 includes a proprietary PCIe 8x connection for the XG Mobile eGPU, supporting high-end graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 3080. This surpasses the bandwidth limitations of standard Thunderbolt eGPUs, minimizing bottlenecks and unlocking even greater gaming potential.

alt text: The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 connected to multiple peripherals, demonstrating its versatility and connectivity options.

Benchmarks and Conclusion

Performance tests demonstrate the ROG Flow Z13’s capabilities both in tablet mode and when connected to the XG Mobile, achieving impressive frame rates in various demanding titles.

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 offers a compelling blend of portability and power, catering to both work and play. It’s currently available in Vietnam for 49,990,000 VND (body only). This innovative device redefines what’s possible in the world of mobile gaming.