ASUS ROG Z13 Gaming Laptop Review : Compact Powerhouse or Overpriced Marvel?
The ASUS Flow Z13 is an impressive 13-inch laptop/tablet hybrid that sets new standards in performance. Despite its compact size, it outpaces some 18-inch gaming laptops in raw CPU power and handles modern games at 1440p high settings effortlessly. Powered by AMD's Strix Halo, or Ryzen AI Max+ 395, this device showcases remarkable capabilities, including comparisons to RTX 4060 gaming laptops across 25 games. The review explores all the standout features and functionalities this cutting-edge machine has to offer!
Design & Build Quality The ASUS Z13 boasts a solid all-metal build with a sleek glass touchscreen, complemented by RGB lighting on the back. Its sturdy metal kickstand offers adjustable angles up to 170 degrees. Switching between laptop and tablet modes is seamless, thanks to the magnetically attached keyboard, which also serves as a screen protector when folded. While the keyboard feels improved from the 2022 model, it still has some flex compared to standard laptops—though lying it flat reduces this at the cost of a less ergonomic typing angle. Overall, it’s a well-designed and versatile device.
Size & Weight The ASUS Z13 is compact and highly portable, weighing 3.6lb (1.6kg), which increases to 4.9lb (2.2kg) with its 200-watt charger. While not the lightest device tested, it remains competitive when compared to ASUS’s Zephyrus G14 and TUF A14, especially without its keyboard cover. Although using a lighter Type-C charger is possible, it may not be the best option for maintaining performance. Overall, the Z13's portability combined with its powerful features makes it a convenient choice for on-the-go users.
Laptop Specs The ASUS Z13 is equipped with impressive specs, including the powerful Max+ 395 processor, Radeon 8060S graphics, 32GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory, and a 13.4-inch 180Hz touchscreen. It's a powerhouse in a compact form!
Keyboard, Lighting & Touchpad The ASUS Z13 features a chiclet keyboard with a single RGB lighting zone that illuminates all keys and secondary functions, though the brightness remains somewhat dim. Typing feels decent, despite slight mushiness and some keyboard flex. Lighting effects, including the rear RGB light window, can be customized via the Armoury Crate software. The touchpad, larger than the previous generation, offers smooth functionality with a satisfying click, though it flexes slightly near the top. Lying the keyboard flat mitigates both flex issues but compromises the typing angle. Overall, a balanced setup for practicality and style.
Touchpad Problems? The touchpad on the ASUS Z13 had intermittent functionality during testing, despite being enabled in the Armoury Crate software and attempts to reinstall its driver. ASUS offered a replacement, but the review continued as this issue is presumed to be uncommon. However, it's worth noting this experience in case it affects other users.
Ports & Display Output Connection The ASUS Z13 offers versatile connectivity options. On the left side, it features two USB 4 Type-C ports (supporting 100W charging and DisplayPort 2.1), an HDMI 2.1 port, a rectangular charger port, and a UHS-II MicroSD card slot. On the right side, there's a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and buttons for power (lacking a fingerprint scanner), volume adjustment, and the command center for tablet mode shortcuts. HDMI output supports 4K at 12-Bit 120Hz, showcasing impressive display capabilities. A thoughtfully designed setup for seamless use.
Upgrade Options The ASUS Z13 has limited upgrade options due to its compact design. It includes a single 2230 M.2 storage slot, accessible via a metal hatch and TR5 screw behind the kickstand. Upgrading the SSD is possible but inconvenient, as it requires reinstalling Windows. This results in a low score for upgradeability, which is expected for a smaller 13-inch tablet device.
SSD, MicroSD Card & Wi-Fi Speed The ASUS Z13 delivers excellent speeds from its 1TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD and impressive MicroSD card slot performance. The MicroSD card sits securely within the device but can be tricky to remove. It also features Wi-Fi 7 for solid connectivity, though the MediaTek chip falls slightly short compared to Intel and Killer alternatives. Nevertheless, it offers around 2 Gbps speeds, sufficient for most users' needs.
RAM Situation - Set Your Own VRAM! The ASUS Z13's RAM is non-upgradable due to AMD's design limitations with the Strix Halo chip, which prevents upgradeable memory. However, buyers can choose from models with 32GB, 64GB, or even 128GB of memory. A unique feature is the ability to customize the GPU's VRAM allocation through the Armoury Crate software, with up to 96GB assigned in the 128GB variant—ideal for local AI workloads. Testing showed that allocating 8GB of VRAM and 24GB for system memory delivered better performance for apps and games, highlighting its flexibility despite the lack of upgrade options.
VRAM Problem to be Aware of The default VRAM allocation on the ASUS Z13 is set to 4GB, which may impact gaming performance. Setting it to 8GB would likely offer better results, though users can manually adjust this through the Armoury Crate software. It's an important consideration for optimizing your experience.
Speakers & Latencymon The ASUS Z13's speakers, located at the bottom on both sides, offer a tinny sound with minimal bass quality. ASUS introduced a new boot sound this year, which is enabled by default but can be disabled via Armoury Crate software or BIOS. On the bright side, Latencymon results were acceptable and notably better than many laptops tested recently, showcasing solid performance in this aspect.
Battery Size & Power Saving Features The ASUS Z13 features a 4-Cell 70Wh battery, offering a 25% increase in capacity compared to the previous generation. Its default Panel Power Saver automatically adjusts the screen refresh rate to 60Hz when unplugged to conserve energy, reverting to 180Hz when charging resumes. This transition occurs seamlessly unless manually changed in Windows, which briefly causes a black screen. Additionally, MyASUS software enables a battery care mode to limit the maximum charge to 80%, prolonging battery longevity. Smart, efficient power-saving design!
Battery Life Comparison The ASUS Z13 delivers strong battery performance, lasting nearly 9 hours in YouTube video playback and almost 2 hours while gaming. It holds its own against AMD-based laptops, though the Intel-based Omen 14, with a similarly sized battery, performed slightly better during gaming and matched closely in video playback. Reliable endurance for varied usage!
Cooling Design The ASUS Z13 features an advanced cooling design with two fans, a vapor chamber cooler, and liquid metal for optimal thermal management. Its rear vents allow for efficient air intake, avoiding the limitations of traditional laptop designs that press vents against surfaces. Exhaust vents at the top ensure hot air is directed away, keeping user comfort intact—no warm mouse hands to worry about! Effective and thoughtful engineering.
Performance Modes The ASUS Z13's performance can be adjusted through ASUS’s Armoury Crate software, offering four modes: silent, performance, turbo, and manual. Manual mode allows full customization of CPU and GPU power limits, as well as fan settings. For testing, power sliders and fans were maximized in manual mode to push the device to its full potential, showcasing its impressive capabilities.
Thermal Testing - Temperatures / Clock Speed / TDP The ASUS Z13 handles thermals impressively, with cool idle temperatures and a maximum of 80 degrees even under combined CPU and GPU stress tests—solid for a compact 13-inch device. Higher performance modes lead to increased clock speeds, as they allow more power to be applied, showcasing the device's adaptability and efficient thermal management.
Weird Power Limit & Performance Issues? The ASUS Z13 exhibited inconsistent power limits during testing, with the CPU and GPU running at 85 watts in manual mode at one point and 75 watts during earlier tests. This variation might explain intermittent performance issues, where games would drop to 20 FPS unexpectedly but recover after reboots. However, these problems occasionally reappeared despite fresh reboots, sometimes requiring multiple restarts to stabilize. The issue felt similar to running games on integrated graphics instead of discrete ones, though the Z13 only has one GPU, leaving the root cause unclear. ASUS has been informed of this anomaly, though other reviewers did not encounter such problems, possibly due to less extensive testing. Hopefully, this gets resolved, assuming it's not widespread. The review results reflect moments when the device functioned correctly.
Game Performance in Different Modes & FSR Testing The ASUS Z13 delivers solid game performance across different modes. Without upscaling, native results show reliable gameplay, while enabling FSR in balanced mode significantly boosts performance. Gaming with a smaller 100W Type-C charger remains feasible, even at a native 2560x1600 resolution, and outperformed the larger 200W charger in performance mode. However, the battery drained by 5% in just 10 minutes, indicating limited sustainability for extended gaming sessions on the smaller charger.
CPU Performance (All Performance Modes) The ASUS Z13's CPU demonstrates exceptional performance, particularly in CPU-only workloads like Cinebench, where it can draw more power with the GPU idle. Single-core performance remains consistent with the 200W charger, while higher power from performance profiles boosts multi-core capabilities. Using 100W Type-C power in manual mode yields less performance compared to silent mode with the 200W charger. Despite this, the results are highly impressive when stacked against other laptops. A powerhouse in compact form!
Cinebench vs Others (On & Off Battery) While Intel laptops maintain the lead in single-core performance, the ASUS Z13 impressively outperforms many larger 18-inch laptops in multi-core performance, despite its compact 13-inch tablet design. Performance drops when running on battery, as it is restricted to performance mode, but it remains remarkable—only slightly trailing AMD’s older 16-core laptop chip found in much larger devices. A highly capable machine with standout results!
Does it Feel Hot - Keyboard Temperatures The ASUS Z13's glass touchscreen may become slightly warm under load, but it remains far from feeling hot. Thanks to its unique design without heat-generating components beneath the keyboard, the Z13 maintains temperatures well below typical ranges, even under load. In fact, it boasts the coolest keyboard hot spot measured in recent years—a standout feature for comfort during extended use!
Is it Loud - Fan Noise The ASUS Z13's fans are silent at idle but get progressively louder under stress, especially in higher performance modes. Maxing them out in manual mode generates significant noise, though it doesn't yield much of an FPS improvement compared to turbo mode. Gaming is feasible with quieter fan settings, and manual mode allows for fan customization, enabling a balance between noise and performance.
Touch Screen (Color, Brightness, Contrast & Bleed) The ASUS Z13's glossy touchscreen improves upon its predecessor with a higher 180Hz refresh rate (up from 165Hz). It offers a good color gamut, though its out-of-the-box Delta E wasn't ideal for a Pantone-validated display—easily corrected with calibration. Brightness reaches over 500 nits, comparable to the previous model, while backlight bleed is minimal and panel-dependent. The screen, as expected, attracts fingerprints but can be cleaned easily with a microfiber cloth. Overall, a vibrant and user-friendly display!
Screen Response Time & Latency The ASUS Z13's panel, with default overdrive enabled via Armoury Crate, achieves an impressive average gray-to-gray response time of 3.6ms, making it faster than most non-OLED gaming laptops and a significant improvement over the original Z13. However, it can't match OLED screens in speed. Total system latency in games like Counter-Strike 2 was decent, though some less expensive laptops performed faster in this regard. Overall, strong performance for its category.
MUX Switch/FreeSync? The ASUS Z13 lacks a MUX switch due to having only one GPU, eliminating the need for switching. FreeSync, however, is enabled by default, ensuring smoother gameplay with adaptive refresh rate support. A straightforward yet effective setup!
Dual Cameras & Microphone Test The ASUS Z13 is equipped with two cameras: a 5MP front-facing camera with IR for Windows Hello face unlock, capable of recording at 1440p, and a 13MP rear camera that supports 4K recording. The front camera and microphone provide good quality for typical use, while the rear camera offers higher video resolution for those wanting to record in 4K. A versatile setup for varied needs!
(3x Game Comparison (1080p & 1440p) The ASUS Z13 performs impressively across different games. In Cyberpunk 2077, it slightly surpasses AMD's 6800M at 1080p and trails behind Nvidia's RTX 4060, though it beats lower-powered 4070 models like HP's Omen 14. At 1440p, its higher 1% low indicates fewer performance dips, likely due to the Max+ 395 processor's large 80MB cache. In Red Dead Redemption 2, it underperformed compared to expectations for AMD Radeon graphics, delivering 70 FPS at 1080p high settings but lagging behind even RTX 4050 laptops, possibly needing a newer driver. In Control, despite favoring Nvidia GPUs, the Z13 matched the AMD 7700S and exceeded performance of lower-powered RTX 4060 and 4070 laptops, reaching nearly 60 FPS at 1440p. Overall, it exhibits competitive game performance.
Z13 vs RTX 4060 in 25 Games The ASUS Z13 proves to be impressively capable for gaming despite its compact size. It has been directly compared against an RTX 4060 laptop across 25 games, demonstrating its performance potential. For more detailed insights, the full comparison offers a deeper look into its capabilities!
3DMark & Content Creation The ASUS Z13 excels in content creation, delivering one of the best results in Adobe Photoshop, only surpassed by XMG's larger Neo 16. In DaVinci Resolve, its performance is comparable to RTX 4060 and 4070 laptops, even though it trails behind them in gaming. Unfortunately, tests for Adobe Premiere and Blender couldn't be completed due to hardware compatibility issues. A standout option for creators!
BIOS The ASUS Z13's BIOS interface is visually appealing but lacks extensive customization options compared to brands like Lenovo or MSI, offering a more limited experience for users seeking advanced adjustments.
Linux Support Linux support on the ASUS Z13, tested with an Ubuntu 24.10 live CD, showed partial compatibility. The keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, Wi-Fi, and front camera functioned, but the rear camera couldn't be accessed. Speakers, Bluetooth, screen brightness shortcuts, and keyboard RGB lighting were non-functional. Given the newness of the hardware, improvements are anticipated with future updates. A promising start but room for enhancement!
Pricing, Availability & Laptop Deals Pricing and availability for the ASUS Z13 will vary over time. As of early March, the 64GB version starts at $2200 USD, while the lower-tier 32GB version costs $100 more, possibly due to limited stock. Although the Z13 is unique and not focused solely on gaming value, the price comparison highlights alternatives—such as three RTX 4060 gaming laptops or even an RTX 4080 gaming laptop offering better gaming performance at a lower cost. For updates and deals, gaminglaptop.deals is regularly updated to help users save money.
Z13 vs RTX 4060 in 25 Games The ASUS Z13 has been compared against an RTX 4060 laptop in 25 games at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. This video offers a comprehensive performance analysis across varied gaming scenarios, showcasing the capabilities of both devices side by side. A great way to dive deeper into the Z13's gaming strengths!
Conclusion The ASUS Z13 is a remarkable device that combines a sleek tablet-style design with powerful performance capabilities, making it stand out in the portable computing market. Its strengths lie in its advanced cooling system, customizable performance modes, excellent battery life, and impressive multi-core CPU performance. The vibrant 180Hz glossy touchscreen and versatile camera setup add to its appeal, while features like FreeSync and manageable keyboard temperatures enhance the overall user experience.
However, some compromises include occasional performance inconsistencies, limited BIOS customization, and partial Linux compatibility. Additionally, while gaming performance is solid, the pricing may not offer the best gaming value compared to other laptops with stronger GPUs. For creators, the Z13 excels in tasks like Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, positioning itself as a versatile tool for work and play.
As for my opinion, the Z13 is an impressive achievement in engineering, especially for a compact 13-inch device. Its unique design and versatility make it appealing to users seeking portability without compromising on power. That said, its price may deter those focused purely on gaming value. Ultimately, it shines as an all-around device for those who appreciate cutting-edge technology in a compact and stylish form factor. A niche but exciting contender!
