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ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) review: Meant for everything and everyone?

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Let me break down for you what the Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2022) offers and if its high-end performance justifies its cost:

In essence, this laptop boasts impressive power, yet comes with a premium price tag. So, we’re diving into its capabilities to determine whether it’s worth the investment.

This device is not only potent but also versatile, offering top-tier performance that caters to various needs, from gaming to creative tasks. However, before you make your purchase decision, let’s weigh the pros and cons to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

As an enthusiast, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025). At a glance, it appears to be a powerhouse with its impressive internals and support for both touch and pen input. On paper, it seems like a versatile machine. But, to truly know if it lives up to the hype, I decided to put it through its paces. Here’s my review of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025): [Insert Review Here]

First impressions and build quality

In a unique blend, the ROG Flow Z13 seems to be the offspring of an iPad and a gaming laptop. Similar to iPads, its weight distribution leans toward the screen and keyboard sections. The keyboard attachment, however, is removable, lacking the typical weight, connectors, and cooling systems found in traditional gaming laptops.

On the screen’s lower half, you’ll find all these elements. The robust design that’s characteristic of ROG is mostly uninterrupted, save for the backlit panel and its semi-transparent nature, offering a glimpse into the device’s intricate workings – the Flow.

One rephrased version could be: “Half of the screen boasts a robust and reliable kickflip stand, capable of handling the device’s substantial weight in a comfortable manner.

Specs

These are the specifications of the ROG Flow Z13 (2025) on which this review was done.

It came with Windows 11 Home and Copilot+ PC support.

The screen on this device is known as the ROG Nebula Display, which measures 13.4 inches diagonally, boasts a WQXGA resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, and offers a swift refresh rate of 180Hz with Adaptive-Sync capability. The aspect ratio is 16:10.

Ports and Connectivity on the Flow Z13

The ports are situated on the sides of this device, offering a variety of options: two USB-C ports, one for charging via DC input, another USB-A port, an HDMI port, a microSD reader, and a 3.5mm jack. Additionally, it has control buttons including the volume rocker, power button, and a menu button.

The compact design of this device is what prevents it from having multiple ports. If you’re someone who relies heavily on accessories or external drives, this could pose a significant challenge. If finding yourself short on USB connections, I strongly suggest considering a USB hub. In my review of the ROG Flow Z13, I didn’t find the number of ports to be a problem unless I needed to connect an external keyboard.

As a gamer, I appreciate that this device sports Wi-Fi 6 technology, which is a significant boost when other devices in my home are connected. Although it doesn’t have an Ethernet port, most routers can be connected via Ethernet cable. However, not all routers out there support Wi-Fi 6, so it’s good to keep that in mind when choosing a router for the best gaming experience.

Dock and external GPU

ROG provides multiple external graphical expansion stations, which not only boost your gaming performance but also offer additional connectivity options for the Flow Z13. However, these accessories can be quite a financial investment.

Bloatware

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 arrived preloaded with several unique software solutions from ASUS. Among these, Armoury Crate stood out as crucial because it empowers users to customize the lighting on the device’s back panel and keyboard. Additionally, it offers diagnostic tools and fan settings that would otherwise remain hidden.

As a gaming device

I strongly believe that while the ROG Flow Z13 can function as a gaming device, it’s not typically categorized as a gaming laptop in the traditional sense.

On the ROG Flow Z13 laptop, I spent time playing multiple games. Primarily, I tested its capabilities with a multiplayer game, Marvel Rivals, as well as a top-tier title, Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, I gave Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a try on it.

Marvel Rivals

Based on my personal observations, Marvel Rivals stands out as the most problematic among widely played multiplayer games at the moment. This isn’t only due to the 12-player setup or Doctor Strange’s portals that can disrupt gameplay, but because it seems like the game hasn’t been properly optimized, leading to a chaotic experience.

On the Flow Z13, the game adjusted itself to mostly low graphics settings. I managed to play for approximately an hour, which drained the battery from full (100%) to 15%, maintaining a consistent frame rate of around 90 FPS. It’s worth mentioning that during this entire session, the game was displayed at its maximum resolution of 2560p, and I had both screen brightness and volume cranked up to their highest levels.

While plugged in, I was averaging 120 FPS on the same settings. Not bad.

During intense gameplay, the device warmed up slightly, reaching 80 degrees at its hottest point. Considering I only selected the “Performance” fan setting and avoided overclocking, this performance is quite noteworthy. To my surprise, the fans were relatively quiet compared to standard gaming laptops. Even without pushing it to its limits, this device could satisfy your craving for Rivals games.

And yes, I did try playing with the touchscreen. No, it did not work, and it was not fun.

Cyberpunk 2077

It came as a shock to me that by default, Cyberpunk 2077 went with the Lower Profile Ray Tracing option. This setting automatically enabled Ray Tracing and primarily set the other options to High or Ultra levels.

As soon as the game began, the Flow Z13 surprisingly maintained a smooth 50 frames per second, despite operating on battery power. Since I was in an area with few characters, buildings, and illuminations, I decided to explore a region with more non-player characters (NPCs), vehicles, and streetlights. To test its limits, I initiated a gunfight as well.

In this scenario, the object began to weaken. With the continuous blasts, gunfire, and automobile collisions, I found myself maintaining a frame rate of approximately 25 to 30 per second. Regardless of connecting it to a power source, there wasn’t any significant improvement.

Remarkably, such a small device can run Cyberpunk 2077 on one of its highest settings. Given its compactness, this performance is nothing short of an impressive engineering accomplishment.

In simpler terms, when I tested Cyberpunk 2077 using its own benchmark tool, here are the results from the Flow Z13 device, which was being charged at the time.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Expedition 33 isn’t a top-tier game like those labeled AAA, but it does run on the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5. I chose to pair a DualSense controller wirelessly to enjoy playing it.

In the game, I played it primarily at high graphics levels, with all visual enhancements active. The frame rate was around 30-40 per second, whether I was exploring the open world or engaged in battle. Remarkably, I managed to maintain this resolution at a native 2560p on my screen.

Again, the performance difference between plugged in and on battery was not noticeable.

Other titles

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 managed to run these demanding games satisfactorily, including Marvel Rivals, which means you can anticipate smooth gameplay for titles such as Overwatch, VALORANT, and Fortnite. Although Cyberpunk 2077 is a few years old, it continues to be quite challenging to run smoothly on portable devices. If you’re interested in playing games like Red Dead Redemption II or Elden Ring, the Flow Z13 should serve you well.

As a work device

In the assessment of the ROG Flow Z13 laptop, I discovered that its performance might be excessive for office tasks such as typing and moving between Google Docs while listening to relaxing lo-fi tunes. However, with careful management of settings like brightness, sound, and connectivity, it should comfortably see you through a typical workday.

If you’re working on 3D rendering in Blender or After Effects, the Flow’s internal power will be particularly beneficial for you. This machine is ideal for creative work due to its robustness (and additional advantages, as mentioned below). You’ll encounter fewer issues overall, and when it comes to rendering, this tablet stands up well to tough conditions.

It’s beneficial to scroll through content on it horizontally, but be mindful of its robust construction to avoid accidentally pinching your fingers. Despite this, it’s quite a substantial gadget, and I found it challenging to hold it conveniently with just one hand.

The battery also lasts a respectable 3 hours while watching on streaming services.

For the creative

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 laptop features an exclusive ASUS Pen 2.0, boasting 4096 pressure sensitivity levels, much like the Apple Pencil found on certain Apple devices, making them both compatible in this aspect.

Even though I lack any drawing talent whatsoever, I’ve managed to create a basic stick figure representation of myself using MS Paint. Unfortunately, it doesn’t illustrate the pressure points.

In this rephrased version, I tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easier for readers to understand.

If you’re a fan of digital art, the ROG Flow Z13 might be an excellent option for you. It stands out particularly for users who prefer the Windows operating system over iOS.

A screen with HDR support and Pantone validation ensures that the displayed colors are true-to-life as well.

Pricing

Next up is the challenging part: The model I’ve been discussing and highly complimenting throughout this piece retails at $2,099. For those seeking more robust capabilities, there are models available for up to $2,799.

Now we get to the tough section. The model I’ve been raving about in most of this article costs $2,099. If you desire stronger features, options can be found at a price point of up to $2,799.

ROG Flow Z13 (2025) review Final Verdict: 8/10

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 offers an array of versatile features, making it appear suitable for various applications. In truth, it’s adaptable to tasks such as extended office work, playing demanding games, digital art creation, and rendering. However, its premium price tag places it within the reach only of those who can afford it comfortably.

As a gamer, I must admit, this device has some impressive capabilities, but its price tag is sky-high, even for a superhero like me. If we dive deeper, the number of ports on it could use a boost. Now, if you’re considering replacing your gaming PC with this, I’d suggest looking into ASUS’ external graphics docks to make up for the port shortage.

Ultimately, whether the cost is justified depends on your personal preferences. If you appreciate portability and prefer a single device that can serve as a gaming laptop, tablet, and drawing tool, then the ROG Flow Z13 might catch your interest. However, if you’re looking for a device tailored to a specific purpose, it may be wiser to opt for a specialized device instead.

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2025-06-02 09:12

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