Gaming laptops are rarely shy about introducing new, and potentially innovative, features. These range from ever-developing display tech to second screens and new external graphics card unit (eGPU) solutions. Asus’ gaming sub-brand ROG has delved into all of these categories, but the latter is the focus here. It’s an interesting idea that offers portability with the choice of spending more to augment your thin device into fully fledged gaming laptop levels.
The ROG XG Mobile eGPU first cropped up with the Asus ROG Flow X13—a super-slim clamshell laptop with the option of having gaming power boosted by the eGPU unit. ROG's new kit takes this performance bump idea further, with the Flow Z13 being a rare fully fledged 2-in-1 gaming tablet.
Asus has already had a stab at creating a good Microsoft Surface Pro-like device with the VivoBook 13 Slate OLED, a machine that looks very similar to this one. However, it was ultimately too underpowered and overpriced to take on Microsoft’s 2-in-1 formula. The Z13 doesn’t make the same mistakes. As a gaming device, the level of portability gained by being a tablet enhances this unique proposition.
Full of Promise
Photograph: AsusThe tablet and keyboard combo weighs in at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), which isn’t quite as light as many thin laptops, but it's impressive given the specs under the hood. It’s also a device that invites you to remove the detachable keyboard (included in the price, unlike with Surface Pro machines), letting you easily position it as you play on a controller or a separate gaming keyboard. This contrasts with many other nongaming 2-in-1s that typically don’t justify themselves as stand-alone tablets. It feels like a truly portable gaming PC, something that cherry-picks the best bits of a hefty high-powered laptop and Valve’s Steam Deck.
