Asus updated its sleek 13-inch 2-in-1 convertible laptop, the Asus ROG Flow X13, with the latest hardware, including AMD’s Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and a powerful integrated GPU.
Pros:
- Compact and sleek design
- Vibrant 13.4-inch screen
- Reliable specs all around
Cons:
- Performance hindered by slim design
- 165Hz display drains the battery faster
You have the option to choose from three Nvidia dedicated graphics chips: GeForce RTX 4050, 4060, or 4070 mobile GPUs. The laptop features a 13.4-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate, with a touch-enabled display and a 360-degree hinge supporting various modes.
For even more power, you can connect an external GPU via the Asus XG Mobile box. The laptop weighs 1.3kg and comes in a sleek 13-inch chassis, offering high-quality construction and minimal keyboard bounce.
While not cheap, the Asus ROG Flow X13 offers excellent value for the money. The slim design does limit performance, with our review unit running an RTX 4060 capped at 60W and 1,470MHz.
With USB4 connectivity, this laptop provides a versatile package and an intriguing alternative to competitors like the Razer Blade 14, especially with its 2-in-1 convertible functionality.
Asus Rog Flow X13 Price And Availability
- Price: $1,699 / £1,699 / AU$2,699
- Availability: Available now
- Where to buy: US, UK, and Australia
Priced at $1,699, the Asus ROG Flow X13 is available now and offers excellent value. With AMD’s Ryzen 9 7940HS, Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, it’s a great deal for a high-quality 13.4-inch ultraportable.
In the UK, it’s also reasonably priced at £1,699, undercutting similarly specced competitors like the Razer Blade 14.
In Australia, the Asus ROG Flow X13 is priced at AUD 2,699, which is competitive considering its quality and specifications.
Asus Rog Flow X13 Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Review configuration | Asus ROG Flow X13 |
| Price | $1,699 / £1,699 / AU$2,699 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS |
| GPU | Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB |
| Memory | 16GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe SSD |
| Display | 13.4-inch, QHD+ (2560 x 1600), IPS, 165Hz, 3ms, 100% DCI-P3 |
| Ports | 1x USB4, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio, 1x XG Mobile |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Camera | 1080p webcam |
| Weight | 1.3kg (2.87 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 29.9 x 21.2 x 1.87 cm (11.77 x 8.35 x 0.74 inches) |
Asus Rog Flow X13 Design
- Gorgeous Build Quality
- Slim Proportions
- 2-in-1 Convertible Functionality
Asus’s ROG laptops are known for their excellent build quality, and the Asus ROG Flow X13 (2023) lives up to that reputation. While not the thinnest 13-inch laptop, it’s still impressively slim, especially considering it can be equipped with up to an RTX 4070 GPU.
The mostly metal chassis is incredibly rigid, offering no keyboard bounce, and features appealing textured finishes on the top and screen enclosure. It’s a premium laptop through and through.
The 360-degree hinge operates smoothly, providing just the right amount of resistance. While it may not replace a dedicated tablet for some tasks, the ability to flip the screen is undeniably convenient.
Slim bezels around the screen contribute to the laptop’s compactness while accommodating a 1080p webcam. Overall, the design is well-considered, enhancing the laptop’s versatility.
Connectivity options are somewhat limited due to the slim proportions, with just enough ports to suffice. The laptop includes a USB4 port for charging, a full-sized HDMI port, one USB-A port, a microSD slot, a headphone jack, and Asus’s XG Mobile IO port, which supports a powerful external GPU and additional ports via the XG Mobile box.
Asus Rog Flow X13 Performance
- Impressive Specs
- Strong CPU Performance
- Slim Chassis Limits Frame Rates
The Asus ROG Flow X13 packs a punch with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile GPU, making it a versatile option for gaming and portability.
However, due to power limitations, the RTX 4060’s performance is capped, resulting in lower frame rates compared to dedicated gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 14.
Here’s how it performed in our benchmark tests:
| Benchmark | Performance |
|---|---|
| 3DMark: Night Raid | 45,567 |
| 3DMark: Fire Strike | 16,013 |
| 3DMark: Time Spy | 7,430 |
| GeekBench 6: Single-core | 2,603 |
| GeekBench 6: Multi-core | 11,312 |
| Total War: Warhammer III | 1080p Ultra: 52 fps; 1080p Low: 148 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1080p Ultra: 51 fps; 1080p Low: 104 fps |
| Dirt 5 | 1080p Ultra: 59 fps; 1080p Low: 121 fps |
| Battery Life Test | 6 hours 54 minutes |
Despite this, the RTX 4060 supports NVIDIA DLSS features, allowing for playable frame rates at the laptop’s native resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
The AMD CPU offers solid performance, paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, with an option to upgrade to 32GB of RAM if needed.
Asus Rog Flow X13 Battery Life
- Efficient AMD APU
- 165Hz Display Compromises Battery Life
Combining an efficient AMD APU with a 75WHr battery in a small chassis sounds promising. However, in reality, the Asus ROG Flow X13 (2023) falls short in battery life, managing just under seven hours in a basic video playback test with moderate screen brightness.
Increasing brightness or engaging in demanding tasks will further decrease battery life. In essence, the Asus ROG Flow X13 (2023) doesn’t offer a long-lasting battery for light usage, which is disappointing for a supposedly portable laptop.