The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is back, and this time, it’s not just trying to be a flashy Windows gaming tablet. Powered by AMD’s new Ryzen AI Max 390 chip, this year’s Z13 might just be the most compact, power-efficient, and deceptively powerful gaming machine on the market. That’s a big claim, considering it weighs under 1.2kg and has no fans on the GPU side.
So what happens when you stuff RTX 4060-level performance into something smaller than a MacBook Air? Is it really the future of gaming or just another expensive tech flex? Let’s dive in.
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) – Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (12-core, 24-thread, up to 5.0 GHz)
- GPU: AMD Radeon 8050S integrated (APU)
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Display: 13.4-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, 180Hz Dynamic Refresh Rate
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (Upgradeable)
- Weight: ~1.2kg (tablet only)
- Ports: 2x USB-C (USB4), 1x USB-A, HDMI, headphone jack, XG Mobile port
- Battery: 56Wh
- Cameras: Front 1440p, Rear 4K30
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) Review: Design, Build Quality, Keyboard And I/O
The ROG Flow Z13 continues ASUS’s tradition of blending PC performance with tablet portability. At first glance, it still looks like a tech enthusiast’s fever dream—transparent elements on the back, solid magnesium build, and a rugged kickstand that can handle any desk, couch, or blanket you throw at it.
It’s light enough to carry everywhere, and the detachable keyboard snaps on with strong magnets, though the typing experience does suffer due to the lack of solid support beneath. The touchpad is functional but a little less responsive than what you’d find on a traditional gaming laptop. Bonus points for easy SSD upgradability, though, you just remove a screw and you’re in.
Port selection is solid too: USB-A on the right, HDMI and two USB-C (40Gbps) on the left, but no Thunderbolt 5 on the tablet itself. Ironically, the latest XG Mobile eGPU does support it, which creates a bit of a performance mismatch.
You can actually game on your lap, bed, or bean bag, thanks to the cooling vents placed away from the base. You won’t block airflow, and it won’t burn your legs. The front 1440p webcam is serviceable, but a bit grainy. The rear 4K cam with EIS is much better, great for creators or hybrid work scenarios.
Physical buttons include power, volume, and a shortcut to ASUS’s multi-display software. Nice touch.
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ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) Review: Display & Audio Tests
The 13.4-inch WQXGA display is better than expected for a gaming tablet. With 518 nits of peak brightness and near 99% sRGB + 95% DCI-P3 coverage, this thing isn’t just for gamers—it’s a legit creative tool too. Colour accuracy is top-tier (ΔE ~1.5), and the 180Hz refresh rate with dynamic scaling helps extend battery life.
The dual-speaker setup is decent, but not mind-blowing. The volume is acceptable for close-range use, but it won’t cut through louder environments, especially when the fans kick in. You’ll want headphones.
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 Review: Performance, Benchmarks, and Gaming Tests
Let’s get straight into the meat of it. The ROG Flow Z13, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390, delivers benchmark numbers that are genuinely impressive given its compact tablet form factor. In Cinebench R23, it scored 1,958 in the single-core test and 23,106 in the multicore benchmark. That puts it ahead of machines running on the Intel Core i7-14650HX and i7-13700HX, which scored 1,872 and 1,741 in single-core, and 20,560 and 16,981 in multicore, respectively. However, it does trail the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Core i9-13950HX, which pull ahead with scores crossing 33,000 and 28,000 in multicore.
But numbers alone don’t tell the full story, thermals and power draw matter, especially for a tablet. Under stress testing, the Ryzen AI Max 390 held an average CPU package temperature of just 80°C. That’s cooler than the 14650HX’s 85°C, and nearly on par with the 13650HX in the Aorus 16. The thermal performance becomes even more impressive when you consider the total power draw: just 70W. In comparison, gaming laptops with discrete RTX 4060 GPUs consume more than double that, around 170W for the Lenovo Legion 5i and 185W for the Aorus 16.
The 3DMark scores continue to tell an interesting story. The Flow Z13 scored 9,461 in TimeSpy and 21,026 in Fire Strike, lower than RTX 4060-based laptops like the Legion 5i (11,601 / 25,390) and Aorus 16 (11,351 / 24,494), but not dramatically so. Where the Z13’s APU does fall short is ray tracing.
In the Port Royale test, it managed a modest 3,428, whereas the RTX 4060 laptops comfortably crossed the 6,000 mark, highlighting a clear gap in real-time ray tracing capability.
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But when it comes to actual gaming, the Flow Z13 still delivers a surprisingly smooth experience. In Dirt 5 at 1200p high settings, it pulled in 104 FPS, while Metro Exodus ran at 85 FPS. Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Gears 5 both crossed the 110 FPS mark, scoring 117 and 121 FPS respectively. Again, these are very respectable numbers considering the power efficiency and compactness of the tablet. For comparison, the Legion 5i averages around 150 FPS in the same titles, but at more than twice the power consumption.
So, what does all this mean? In short, the AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 doesn’t just punch above its weight, it rewrites the rulebook for integrated GPU performance. It’s not quite a full replacement for a high-wattage RTX 4060 laptop, especially if you care about ray tracing or ultra settings at 1440p. But for mainstream gaming at 1200p and light content creation, it’s more than capable, and far more efficient.
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025): Verdict
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is two things in one: a solid Windows tablet, and a showcase for AMD’s groundbreaking Ryzen AI Max 390 chip.
Let’s be honest: the tablet itself is impressive but not life-changing. The keyboard could be better, the sound could be louder, and the touchpad isn’t exactly elite. But the chip inside? That’s the story.
You’re looking at desktop-grade gaming performance from an integrated chip running under 85°C and sipping just 70W. This is the future of thin-and-light gaming, perfect for the next Zephyrus G16, or even a handheld console.
Ironically, the only thing holding it back is the fact that it’s in a tablet. But maybe that’s the charm, and the challenge, of the Z13. Either way, AMD’s APU has just redrawn the roadmap for laptop gaming.
Also read: Apple’s ‘Lessons’ campaign shows how Mac and AI tools aim to support students
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (GZ302EA-RU420WS) Key Specs, Price and Launch Date
| Release Date: | |
| Market Status: | Launched |
Key Specifications
operating system (with
Windows 11 Home
-
display size (in inches)
13.4
-
processor model name
AMD Ryzen AI MAX 390
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Storage drive capacity
1 TB
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Yetnesh Dubey
Yetnesh works as a reviewer with Digit and likes to write about stuff related to hardware. He is also an auto nut and in an alternate reality works as a trucker delivering large boiling equipment across Europe. View Full Profile
