Scratching the Surface of Mobility: Work hard and play hard with the ROG Flow Z13
Scratching the Surface of Mobility: Work hard and play hard with the ROG Flow Z13
As far as gaming devices are concerned, the concept of 2-in-1 notebooks holds a vast amount of potential. After all, today’s users don’t just want to get tasks done efficiently - they want to be able to do all of them on a single device.
Yet, most 2-in-1 notebook options available on the market tend to be optimised for corporate or professional purposes, leaving a supposedly unsatisfied demand for 2-in-1 notebooks that are tailored for gaming. However, for gamers who want to play it all and do it all on a 2-in-1 notebook, Republic of Gamers now has a solution, so say hello to the brand-new ROG Flow Z13.
But first, here's a note from Microsoft!
Discover your next favourite game - Play over 100 high-quality PC games with the new ROG Flow Z13 and one month of Game Pass Ultimate including EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new keep the excitement going, and there’s really no better way to make full use of your new 2-in-1 notebook!
A quick once-over
Fundamentally, the Z13 is touted to offer everything a gamer could need for top-notch notebook gaming experiences, while still providing the flexibility afforded by the 2-in-1 concept. Of course, such claims are easy to make, and by that token, it’s fair to argue that a compromise has to be made somewhere along the way. However, in the case of the Z13, you might be surprised to find that the “compromise” does not actually impact the performance of the notebook.
At first glance, the Z13 appears to be no different from a regular 2-in-1 notebook-tablet hybrid, with the exception of some RGB lighting and ROG’s signature aesthetic emblazoned on the back. It measures 30 x 20 x 1.2cm and clocks just 1.18kg on the scales, making it only slightly chunkier than a Microsoft Surface Pro or an Apple iPad equivalent. In fact, it has a very similar kickstand to prop the screen and it used a detachable keyboard, just like the Microsoft Pro series.
However, as we’ve discussed in our test drive of it - the fact that ROG has been able to stuff up to an Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700H CPU, which is a beefy 14-core processor, as well as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics processor into it, among numerous other bits of tech is an impressive feat. With such powerful components hidden in its slim chassis, having a little extra bulk certainly sounds like a reasonable exchange.
Beauty is not just screen-deep
First up on the list is the Z13’s display, and those who appreciate jaw-dropping cinematic experiences in their games are going to be very pleased. The Z13’s 13.4-inch screen might not be as large as its regular 15-inch notebook counterparts but is still impressive enough to blow you away with lifelike visuals and graphics fidelity.
Specifically, it sports a Pantone Validated Full HD resolution edge-to-edge glossy touchscreen display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing it to render today’s top-shelf video games with relative ease. On top of that, the display also supports Dolby Vision content, as well as full compatibility with both stylus and fingertip inputs for maximum versatility when getting work done or indulging in Friday movie nights with ease.
This mix pairs well in tandem with the aforementioned NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with ray-traced games, NVIDIA DLSS to boost performance through AI enhancements, and Adaptive Sync tech, but if that’s still not enough to scratch your gaming itch, you can even hook up the ROG Z13 to the XG Mobile family of external GPUs, though this option will only be available at a later date. Regardless, this functionality allows you to scale your graphics output up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or an AMD Radeon RX6850M XT, allowing the ROG Z13 to deliver awe-inspiring gaming experiences when you truly need the extra edge.
Power in spades
Needless to say, you can’t have a good graphics card without a solid processor to lead the charge. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the Z13 sports an Intel 12th Gen Core i7-12700H CPU, so if you’re concerned about running demanding titles like Elden Ring and Call of Duty: Warzone, you can put all of those worries aside and enjoy your games to the fullest.
Of course, a good processor isn’t just good for gaming. When you’re not demolishing armies or knocking tough bosses into the Great Beyond, the ROG Z13’s processor also provides more than enough horsepower for even the most demanding professional tasks. With 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM running at 5200MHz and a super-fast PCIe Gen 4 512GB SSD, the ROG Z13 is more than ready for these tasks. So, whether you’re editing a video to share with friends and family, or doing up an article for work (like we are!), you’re in good hands with the ROG Z13. Plus, the detachable keyboard is pretty comfortable to type on, though the flexibility of the base may take some getting used to. Find out more from our test drive with the ROZ Z13.
Keep cool and play games
Although the Z13’s processor and graphics are impressive in and of themselves, what is perhaps most praiseworthy is the one thing that’s keeping them going at 100%: the notebook’s high-performance, multi-layered cooling system.
The first of these layers is a set of powerful Arc Flow Fans with curved blades. The variable design of the blades maximises airflow and reduces turbulence as the fans rotate, which helps to keep the noise level down. The next layer consists of a vapour chamber as well as liquid metal-based cooling implements, allowing for efficient heat transfer and dissipation from the hottest parts of the notebook.
Third, an array of heatsinks with 0.15mm thin copper fins. They’re half the size of typical cooling solutions, allowing for greater density and surface area for more effective cooling. Last but not least, the cooling system is topped off by zero-decibel (0dB) Ambient Cooling technology, which is accessible via the notebook’s three Scenario Profiles, namely Silent, Turbo and Performance. In Silent mode, the fans automatically switch off while users carry out everyday tasks like typing and surfing the Net, allowing the system to be cooled quietly and naturally. However, they’ll switch on again if the system begins to heat up, letting you work or game comfortably in any situation.
Priced to Please
With all that’s been laid out above, it’s time we answered the biggest question in the room: would you have to fork out a big sum for all that the ROG Z13 boasts?
Granted, the ROG Z13 isn’t the most affordable 2-in-1 notebook on the market at S$2,998 (comes with the detachable keyboard and stylus), but for a ROG tier and its capabilities, you would be hard-pressed to find a gaming-focused option in this category that offers as much as this does. For example, a Surface Pro costs almost as much (with similar storage and RAM options) but neither does it have the hardware specs to match the ROG Z13, nor come with all the accessories by default to make full use of the device.
So if you thought a ROG class device would always be expensive, the ROG Flow Z13 is here to defy the norms and is definitely a laptop that you can easily consider for a versatile 2-in-1 form factor – be it for flexible usage needs, as well as double up for both work and games. How’s that for value?
It’s not often you see a 2-in-1 notebook condense so much powerful tech into such a slim chassis, and this can be attributed to ROG’s use of larger-than-average components as well as the dual-sided motherboard, delivering relatively higher performances than other 13-inch options. It’s hard to imagine that you have all of these and then some tucked snugly within a mere 1.1kg of steel construction.
A little extra spice
Finally, if you thought the notebook itself didn’t provide enough value, ROG is even tossing in some added goodies to sweeten the deal, the first of which is a launch promotion that will be live for the first two weeks after launch. Specifically, customers who purchase the notebook will also be entitled to a 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription worth S$108, which puts every digital office tool you’ll need right at your fingertips.
Alternatively, if you’re more intent on playing the best games available, you can also opt for a 6-month Xbox Game Pass subscription that’s worth a tidy S$119.94*.
Ready to scratch the surface of mobility and make the leap to a laptop that defies the norms? Then head over to the ASUS ROG Store here!
*Terms and exclusions apply. Complimentary Game Pass Ultimate 6-months subscription consists of a 1-month subscription redeemable via Game Pass app on the device and a 5-month subscription redeemable via digital codes. Game catalog varies over time, by region, and by device. See xbox.com/gamepass and https://www.ea.com/eaplay/terms, for details. Xbox Cloud Gaming: Streaming limits apply. Requires compatible controller (sold separately), supported device and Xbox Game Pass app; see system requirements. System requirements vary by game; performance scales with higher-end systems.