ASUS ROG Flow X13 vs Flow Z13 - Don't Choose Wrong!
Summary
TLDRIn this review, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the ZenBook 13 are compared, highlighting their similarities and differences. Both devices offer 2-in-1 functionality, with the X13 as a convertible laptop and the Z13 as a traditional tablet with a Type Cover. The X13 is lighter, has an HDMI port, and better typing experience, while the Z13 features a more gamer-centric design. Performance-wise, the Z13's Intel i9 outperforms the X13's Ryzen 9 in CPU tasks, but the X13 excels in gaming and battery life. The X13 is also more affordable, making it a better value proposition for most users.
Takeaways
- 💻 The ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a convertible laptop with a 360-degree flip display, while the Z13 is a traditional 2-in-1 tablet with a Type Cover.
- 🔍 Both devices have similar hardware specifications but differ in their form factors and some hardware details.
- 📚 The X13 is lighter at 2.43 pounds, compared to the Z13's 2.87 pounds, but the Z13 becomes heavier when the keyboard is attached.
- 🔌 The X13 offers an additional HDMI port, while both have two USB Type-C ports, one of which is Thunderbolt on the Z13.
- 🔑 Both devices feature a USB A port and a side-mounted power button with an embedded fingerprint scanner.
- ⌨ The typing experience is superior on the X13, and the Z13's Type Cover has more flex, reminiscent of earlier Surface models.
- 🖱 The X13 has a larger and more accurate touchpad compared to the Z13.
- 🌈 The X13 features an RGB keyboard, whereas the Z13 has white backlighting.
- 📐 The X13 has sturdier hinges, while the Z13's hinges allow more wobble, typical for convertibles.
- 🎨 Both devices have 1920x1200 displays with 16:10 aspect ratios, 120Hz refresh rates, and nearly identical color accuracy and brightness.
- 📹 Both have 720p front-facing cameras, but the Z13 also has a 1080p rear camera.
- 💨 The Z13 has a faster Intel i9 CPU, but the X13's Ryzen 9 CPU is more efficient and better for gaming and battery life.
- 🔊 The X13 has clearer and louder speakers, while the Z13's sound is a bit tinny.
- 🔌 Both use a 100W USB Type-C power brick, but the X13 is easier to upgrade with a swappable Wi-Fi card and an NVMe SSD slot.
- 🔋 The X13 offers better battery life, lasting over nine hours compared to the Z13's five hours.
- 💰 The X13 is priced at $1599, while the Z13 is $300 more expensive at $1899, making the X13 a better value for the price.
Q & A
What are the two ASUS ROG devices being compared in the script?
-The two ASUS ROG devices being compared are the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the ASUS ROG Z13.
How does the form factor of the X13 differ from the Z13?
-The X13 is a convertible laptop with a display that can flip 360 degrees, whereas the Z13 is a traditional two-in-one device similar to the Surface Pro 8, with a detachable tablet portion and a Type Cover.
What is the weight difference between the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the Z13?
-The ASUS ROG Flow X13 weighs 2.43 pounds, and the Z13 weighs 2.87 pounds. However, when connected to the keyboard, the X13 becomes over three pounds, making it technically heavier than the Z13.
What additional port does the X13 have that the Z13 does not?
-The ASUS ROG Flow X13 has an extra HDMI port which is not present on the Z13.
How do the typing experiences on the X13 and Z13 compare?
-The typing experience is good on both devices, but it's better on the X13 due to its integrated keyboard. The Z13 requires a Type Cover, which is not as comfortable or stable as the X13's keyboard.
What is the difference in the touchpad size and accuracy between the X13 and Z13?
-The Z13 has a slightly bigger touchpad, but the X13's touchpad is more accurate and preferred for use.
What unique feature does the Z13 have that the X13 does not?
-The Z13 has a second, higher-quality 1080p camera on the back, which the X13 lacks.
How do the displays of the X13 and Z13 compare in terms of specifications?
-Both the X13 and Z13 have 1920 by 1200 displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 120 Hz refresh rate, and nearly identical brightness and color accuracy.
Which device has the better performance in CPU single-core and multi-core speeds?
-The Z13, equipped with the i9 12900H CPU, has better single-core and multi-core performance compared to the X13 with its Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU.
In terms of gaming performance, which device performs slightly better and why?
-The X13 performs slightly better in gaming due to its Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU being able to run hotter and longer, providing a few more frames per second compared to the Z13.
How does the battery life of the X13 compare to the Z13, and what is the reason for the difference?
-The X13 has significantly better battery life, offering over nine hours of use compared to around five hours on the Z13. This is attributed to the more efficient 6900HS processor in the X13.
What is the price difference between the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the Z13, and what conclusion does the script draw about their value?
-The X13 is priced at $1599, while the Z13 is priced at $1899, a $300 difference. The script concludes that the X13 is a better deal considering its superior battery life and overall value for the price.
Outlines
💻 ASUS ROG Flow X13 and ZenBook 13 Comparison
The script introduces a comparison between the ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the ZenBook 13, highlighting their similarities and differences. The X13 is described as a convertible laptop with a 360-degree flip display, while the ZenBook 13 is characterized as a traditional two-in-one device. Both devices share similar hardware specifications, including two USB Type-C ports, a USB A port, and a power button with a fingerprint scanner. The X13 is noted to be slightly lighter and has an additional HDMI port. The typing experience is better on the X13, and it features an RGB keyboard, whereas the ZenBook 13 has a white backlight. The X13's hinges are mentioned to be less tight compared to the ZenBook 13. Both devices have 1920x1200 displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and support for touch and pen input. The camera quality is the same on both, but the ZenBook 13 has an additional higher resolution rear camera. Performance differences are noted, with the ZenBook 13 having a faster CPU but the X13 providing better gaming performance due to its more efficient CPU. Fan noise is mentioned for both devices, and the X13 is said to have louder and cleaner speakers. The script concludes with a discussion on the ease of accessing internal components, with the X13 being easier to upgrade, and a comparison of battery life, where the X13 outperforms the ZenBook 13.
🔋 Performance, Price, and Recommendation
This paragraph delves into the performance capabilities of both devices, emphasizing the ZenBook 13's superior CPU performance in creative applications due to its Intel i9 12900H processor and Quick Sync technology. However, for 3D work, the performance of both devices is similar, relying on the RTX 3050 Ti GPU. The X13 excels in gaming due to its Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU's efficiency. The paragraph also discusses the impact of the XG Mobile GPU on the ZenBook 13's performance, allowing it to surpass the X13 when connected. Noise levels during turbo mode are noted to be high but can be reduced by adjusting performance profiles. The X13 is praised for its sound quality, while the ZenBook 13's speakers are described as tinny. Both devices use a 100W USB Type-C power brick. The X13 is easier to upgrade, but the ZenBook 13 offers a slot for drive upgrades. Battery life is significantly better in the X13 due to its more efficient processor. The script wraps up with a price comparison, suggesting that the X13 offers better value for money at $1599 compared to the ZenBook 13 at $1899, and concludes with a recommendation for the X13 over the ZenBook 13, especially considering battery life and price.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡ASUS ROG Flow X13
💡ASUS ROG Z13
💡Form factor
💡Weight
💡Port lineup
💡USB Type-C
💡Fingerprint scanner
💡Typing experience
💡RGB keyboard
💡Hinges
💡Display
💡Performance
💡Fan noise
💡Sound quality
💡Battery life
💡Price
Highlights
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 and the Z13 are compared for their similar functionality despite different form factors.
The X13 is a convertible laptop with a 360-degree flip display, while the Z13 is a traditional two-in-one device similar to the Surface Pro 8.
The X13 weighs 2.43 pounds, and with the keyboard, it exceeds three pounds, making it technically heavier than the Z13 which weighs 2.87 pounds.
The X13 has an additional HDMI port compared to the Z13, which is beneficial for users requiring more connectivity options.
Both devices have two USB Type-C ports, with the Z13 featuring a Thunderbolt port, and both include a USB A port and a side-mounted power button with a fingerprint scanner.
The Z13 is thicker when the keyboard is attached, and the X13 appears significantly thinner in some portions.
The typing experience is better on the X13, while the Z13's type cover is less comfortable and has more flex.
The X13 has a larger and more accurate touchpad compared to the Z13.
The X13 features an RGB keyboard, while the Z13 has white backlighting only.
The X13's hinges are sturdier and less wobbly compared to the Z13's, which is common in convertibles due to the 360-degree flip requirement.
The Z13 has a more gamer-oriented design with visible motherboard components, while the X13 has a cleaner look.
Both devices have 1920x1200 displays with 16:10 aspect ratios, 120Hz refresh rates, and nearly identical brightness and color accuracy.
Neither device's 4K panel is recommended due to the small size of the display at 13 inches, which does not fully utilize the 4K resolution.
The Z13 has an additional 1080p camera on the back, providing a better sensor for rear-facing photography.
In terms of performance, the Z13 with an Intel i9 12 900H CPU outperforms the X13 with a Ryzen 9 6900HS in single-core and multi-core speeds.
The X13 excels in gaming performance due to its CPU's better efficiency and ability to run hotter and longer.
When the XG Mobile is connected, the Z13's performance is enhanced due to the RTX 3080 Ti GPU taking over, and the CPU running cooler.
Fan noise can be loud on both devices in turbo mode, but it can be reduced by adjusting performance profiles.
The X13 has louder and cleaner-sounding speakers compared to the Z13, which sounds a bit tinny.
Both devices use a 100W USB Type-C power brick, with the X13 being easier to upgrade due to its swappable Wi-Fi card and accessible SSD slot.
The X13 offers better battery life with over nine hours of use compared to around five hours on the Z13.
The X13 is priced at $1599, while the Z13 is $300 more expensive at $1899, making the X13 a better value for the price.
The Z13 may be a better deal compared to a fully specced out Surface Pro 8, which can cost over $2000.
Transcripts
so this is the asus rog flow x13 i
apologize for the stuff he knows i'm
still getting over you know what but the
show must go on and i was gonna review
this by itself right because it's you
know it deserves to be reviewed by
itself but then i thought more about it
i'm like we really need to compare this
to the z13 because both of these devices
even though their form factors are
technically different they kind of do
the same thing and they have sort of the
same hardware with a few differences and
i figure if you're looking at one you
might be considering the other now the
x13 is more of a traditional laptop it's
technically a convertible because the
display can flip 360 degrees and of
course you could use it in a tablet
format whereas the z13 is more of your
traditional two in one something like
the surface pro 8. you get a little
tablet portion and then you have a type
key connector that hits the bottom and
then all of a sudden you have this
two-in-one portable device the other
thing is the weight right this is 2.43
pounds and this is 2.87 pounds but as
soon as you connect to the keyboard this
ends up being over three pounds and it's
technically heavier the port lineup is
very very similar but you do get an
extra hdmi port on
the x13 which you do not on the z13 so
they both have two usb type-c ports one
of them being inside of the proprietary
connector and then of course the other
one is on the outside like this but the
one on the z13 happens to be thunderbolt
force it's using an intel cpu whereas
the x13 is just you know regular usb
type c they both have a usb a port and
they both have a power button on the
side with a fingerprint scanner embedded
inside of it technically the z13 is
thicker because as soon as you add the
keyboard to it you can see that the
thickness is increased and there's
portions of the x13 which just looks
significantly thinner the typing
experience is good on both these devices
but it's obviously better on the x13
with the z13 you have to use a type
cover and this is not as good as the
newer surface pro 8 type covers this
reminds me of their earlier version so
it works well you can type okay but
there's just a lot of flex
on the top of the keyboard even if you
have it flat against the table it's just
not as comfortable as typing on
something like this you do have a
slightly bigger touch pad it also feels
a lot more accurate on this guy they're
obviously still technically a little bit
small but if i had to use a touch pad i
would rather use the one on the x13 now
this does have a rgb
keyboard right it changes different
colors you can't do perky rgb but you
can change the colors whereas on the x13
you have just white lights and quite
frankly as long as i have a backlight
for my keyboard that's all that really
matters to me i will say this though the
hinges on the x13 they're pretty good
like when i have the laptop on the table
there's no major wobbling but you know
you pick this up and you can tell that
the hinges are is not as tight as i'd
like them you know because you could
actually make this
fall back this is a little bit more
common on
convertibles just because it needs to
flip 360 degrees but i feel like these
hinges could use a little bit more
tightening as for the designs it comes
down to personal preferences like this
z13 has more of a in-your-face gamer
look like this little thing here lights
up and you can see the motherboard
inside which i think looks super cool
whereas the x13 just looks super clean
it has like this black
beautiful case with these lines going
diagonally you open it up you can
actually see the rog logo on the right
hand side of the keyboard deck it just
feels a bit different as for the
displays they're both 1920 by 1200
they're both using 16 by 10 aspect
ratios and they have the exact same
panel like they're both 120 hertz the
brightness the color accuracy is nearly
identical so no matter which device you
go for you're going to have a very
similar display experience they both
support touch they both support pen
input i feel very comfortable designing
or doing any sort of video work on this
since the color accuracy is quite good i
don't think you should go for the 4k
panel like the x13 offers one i don't
think it's worth the extra money like
the display at 13 inches is just not big
enough to really utilize 4k but overall
it's a fantastic panel the camera 720p
on both devices it looks okay there's no
difference they're using the same camera
sensor but the z13 has a second camera
on the back which is better at 1080p
it's not going to beat on an iphone but
you do have a better sensor to use on
the back now performance is where things
get very interesting because they share
a lot of similar specs like ssd size ram
and gpu rtx 3050 ti but the cpu is
completely different you buy the z13
you're getting the i9 12 900 h from
intel it's been power limited a bit just
so that it can run properly in a chassis
this thin but if you buy the x13 you're
getting a ryzen 9 6900 hs if we're
talking about single core and multi-core
speeds the z13 always comes out on top
it's just the faster cpu in general same
holds true if you're using any sort of
creative applications regardless of
whether you're using photoshop premiere
pro or even after effects deset 13 is
going to perform better because it also
utilizes quick sync which rdna 2 as good
as it is
it's just not utilized by these
applications properly however when it
comes to 3d work it really doesn't
matter which one you go for it's just
using the rtx 3050 ti and it performs
very similarly on both of these devices
but the one area the x13 kind of comes
out on top is gaming it got slightly and
i mean a few frames per second more
better scores than the z13 and the
reason being is because this cpu and the
6900 hs
can run hotter longer than the 12900h
it's just a better optimized cpu due to
its efficiency right like this is a six
nanometer
piece of technology compared to the 10
nanometer that's inside of the 12900h
however once you connect the xg mobile
connect
the z13 comes out back on top because it
no longer needs to use that 3050 ti so
all the performance can be sucked up by
that 12 900 h it can run cooler and the
rtx 3080 ti can take over in the gpu
department as for fan noise they
definitely get loud when it's on turbo
mode we're talking over 50 decibels but
since there's different profiles you can
choose from you can nerf the performance
a little bit and you can keep the fan
noise around 40 decibels now when it
comes to sound x13 is louder even though
the speakers are on the bottom compared
to the side on the z13 they just sound
cleaner and get louder the z13 is not
terrible but they do sound a bit tinny
the other thing is they both use a
similar power brick it's 100 watts it's
fairly small and it's usb type-c
internally the x13 is just a lot easier
to get into but you can't really upgrade
anything except for the nvme ssd which
is a 2230 which is smaller than the
traditional 2280s and this has a
swappable wi-fi card the ram is soldered
onto the motherboard and if you want to
upgrade the drive on the z13 there's a
little slot right over here now battery
life is another area where the x13 is
just so much better that 6900 hs
processor is way more efficient and i
got over nine hours of use on this guy
compared to around five on the z13 now
here's the big thing
this x13 is 15.99 right whereas the z13
is 18.99 that is a 300 difference and i
don't think the z13 is worth an extra
300 in terms of performance yes it's
technically the faster device but at the
expense of battery life which the x13
excels and i think for the amount of
money you're spending it just makes a
lot more sense to go for the 1599 model
now don't get me wrong if you're looking
at the surface pro 8 i still think the
z13 is a better deal because a fully
specced out surface pro 8 is well over 2
000
whereas this guy is just under so if you
have to have that two in one hybrid form
factor then yeah get the z13 but if
you're choosing between both of these
guys i think the x13 is a better deal i
hope that answers a lot of your
questions if you have any more let me
know in the comment section down below
like the video if you liked it subscribe
if you haven't already and i'll see you
guys in the next one
you
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)