ASUS released its first 2-in-1 gaming laptop and we got to try it out.
The version of the ROG Flow X13 we got our hands on is the Supernova edition, which means it's equipped with AMD's Ryzen 9 and 1TB of memory, making it a very powerful laptop.
This laptop is also available with the ASUS XG Mobile external GPU which also serves as a docking station to augment the limited number of connections that come on the sides of the laptop.
This was my experience testing the ROG Flow X13, which I consider to be one of the most powerful gaming laptops I've ever had in my hands.
Design
Although it is a ROG device, it has a much more "classic" design than most gaming laptops.
The lid and base are free of large logos and have a simple diagonal texture on both sides.
Beneath the screen is a discreet ROG FLOW text logo, and on the lid is an iridescent purple metal plate with an embossed ROG logo that's exclusive to the Supernova Edition.
The side bezels are quite slim, however the top bezel is slightly larger to accommodate the 720p webcam.
Fully adopting the ultraportable design, ROG Flow X13 is just 15.8mm thin and weighs just 1.3kg.
The build quality is excellent.
They used a mix of metal and plastic in the construction that gives the Flow X13 a high-quality feel in the hand.
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There are several ways to use the Flow X13 and this is possible thanks to the touch screen.
You can use it as standard with keyboard access;
In store mode, which helps cooling and is ideal when you play with a controller and that I used with my Xbox Game Pass.
Finally tablet mode, with the screen flipped.
So it's the perfect device for anyone who doesn't want to be tied to a desk and can be used for work and play.
The power button is located on the right side.
It also has a built-in fingerprint reader that works with Windows Hello to quickly unlock the device, which works fine.
Something that I would put as a negative point is that the equipment can be easily stained with forearms and fingers.
keyboard and trackpad
This keyboard has a good typing feel and the click is quiet and satisfying.
Something that surprised me was the backlight because I thought that being a gamer team we would have colors under our fingers, but the Flow X13 has a white backlight, which gives it a very clean aesthetic.
There are also four hotkeys to the top left of the keyboard that control volume, microphone mute, and a quick launch for Armory Crate software.
Many other settings can be activated with Fn key shortcuts, such as adjusting screen brightness, keyboard backlight, sleep mode, and more.
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As for the trackpad, I think it's a decent size considering how little space is available for it, and it's responsive edge-to-edge.
The mouse buttons below the surface have a solid click action, but still use the trackpad or connect a mouse via Bluetooth.
In my case I used the small Logitech Pebble M350 (
$24.90 USD or
MX$294;
on Amazon).
Connectivity and ports
Without the multiple ports available on the XG Mobile, you are left with an incredibly meager amount of connectivity options.
There's a USB-A port, two USB-C Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.0b input, and a headphone jack.
One of the USB-C ports is located under the removable cover that houses the eGPU connection.
So for gamers who normally like to use multiple peripherals like monitors and microphones, this can limit the usefulness.
It's important to note that charging is via a 100W USB-C charger, so when you have the Flow X13 plugged in, you'll only have one USB-A port and one USB-C port available.
The screen of the ROG Flow X13
ASUS ROG Flow X13 is available with two different panels:
13.4-inch UHD Gorilla Glass touchscreen with 60Hz refresh rate and 13.4-inch Full HD touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate.
Because this screen is a touch screen, it is covered with clear glass and does not have any anti-glare coating, so it has the slight drawback of showing reflections in direct light.
I loved the vibrancy and color accuracy of the Flow X13.
It is capable of displaying a rich palette of colors that remained consistent across the entire screen.
The white balance is very good, but what I really appreciated were the black levels which, although not as black as an OLED screen, are much better than what you would expect from an IPS screen.
Price
You can find the ASUS ROG Flow X13 gaming laptop at
$3,299 at Best Buy or
MX$72,699, with the possibility of paying 24 MSI on Amazon.
conclusion
If you're looking for a new laptop, the ROG Flow X13 is a great option.
AMD's Ryzen 9 CPU packs desktop-level performance into an ultra-thin and light package.
Although there are more powerful gaming computers in terms of gaming performance, the ASUS Flow X13 has portability and flexibility, which will probably appeal to other types of users.
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One of the drawbacks I found is that the battery life is just average, although the charge is fast, it is not a device that can stand out for its autonomy.
So this is a team with powerful performance and can be adapted to various types of use.
It's small and light enough to effortlessly carry anywhere, and it's easy to set up.
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