Asus ROG Flow X13 (2023) review

They are saying that good issues are available small packages, and Asus proves this as soon as once more with the most recent iteration of the Asus ROG Stream X13 (2023). This moveable powerhouse packs critical {hardware}, together with a Ryzen 9 7940HS and an RTX 4070 right into a smooth 13-inch chassis that feels extra like an ultrabook than among the finest gaming laptops.

Asus made waves with the unique Stream X13 in 2021, and it’s listened to suggestions to enhance upon its newest design, together with a a lot bigger touchpad, a 165Hz QHD show, and a GPU able to high-refresh gaming. With all this energy packed inside such a small bundle, does the ROG Stream X13 dwell as much as its legacy? Asus despatched a evaluation unit over, and I’ve spent the previous month utilizing it for gaming, productiveness, and even some content material creation to search out out whether or not it matches in our finest Asus gaming laptop computer information.

Specs

The Asus ROG Stream X13 specs:

Design

The general design of this yr’s Stream X13 is essentially unchanged from earlier fashions, with a number of welcomed quality-of-life enhancements. The lid options textured diagonal strains and muted accents that enable the laptop computer to mix into any setting, slightly than saying its standing as a gaming system. The body is barely smaller than earlier fashions, whereas nonetheless weighing simply 2.87lbs – solely a hair greater than Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air, which clocks in at 2.75lbs.

Inside, the attractive Nebula show extends almost to the sting of the highest and sides, which sadly doesn’t depart room for a webcam. That is turning into extra frequent on gaming laptops, as many individuals appear to favor a extra skilled cam for streaming, so it’s forgivable on considered one of this measurement.

What amazes me in regards to the X13’s design is how comfy the keyboard feels when typing and gaming, regardless of my slightly giant palms. ASUS claims that it’s a 15-inch laptop computer keyboard in a 13-inch laptop computer body, which feels about proper to me. Maybe considered one of my favourite delicate adjustments to the Stream X13 is the touchpad. They’ve elevated the dimensions by 56%, which I discover to be extra comfy once I’m casually searching.

I used to be shocked to notice that, in contrast to most ROG gadgets, the Stream X13’s keyboard doesn’t characteristic customizable RGB lighting. There’s a uniform backlight that’s a bluish-white shade, however you possibly can solely regulate the general brightness, which is a bit disappointing at this worth level.

Very like earlier generations, the 2-in-1 design of the X13 lends effectively to different inventive duties, due to a touchscreen with stylus help. A fast flip of the display screen transforms this highly effective gaming machine right into a inventive workspace, which got here in helpful whereas engaged on a few of my animated tasks that require a stylus for linework.

Options

Whereas the skin of the up to date Stream X13 could also be largely the identical as earlier fashions, the actual adjustments are below the hood. A powerful CPU was all the time part of the X13 lineup, nonetheless, Asus pulled out all of the stops by together with a Ryzen 9 7940HS, which is probably the most highly effective cellular chip that AMD at the moment presents, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.2 GHz max enhance clock. However the largest change this yr must be within the GPU division.

Earlier fashions featured mid-range inner GPUs and relied on their exterior GPU which they name XG Cellular for critical gaming energy. This yr ASUS determined to up the ante by together with an RTX 4070 (60W Max TGP) proper out of the field. This highly effective GPU means that you can reap the benefits of the 165Hz WQXGA show while not having any further {hardware}. Should you demand solely the most effective GPU in your laptop computer, you possibly can nonetheless join the ROG XG Cellular eGPU to unlock the Stream X13’s full potential.

Talking of the show, this is without doubt one of the most stunning and welcome upgrades to the X13. With the upgraded GPU, it is smart for ASUS to incorporate a higher-refresh display screen, and the 165Hz Nebula show delivers spectacularly. I used to be glad to search out just about no ghosting throughout my testing, and it was shiny sufficient for all of the working situations I examined it in, save exterior within the daylight.

What shocked me, nonetheless, was the truth that the show covers 100% of the DCI-P3 house and is Pantone-validated. Whereas that may not imply a lot to avid gamers, skilled creators in movie and TV depend on these requirements to make sure colours are as correct as doable. As somebody who splits their time between gaming and content material creation, I normally depend on totally different shows relying on what I’m doing. The Stream X13’s show provides me the most effective of each worlds, which is uncommon in such a conveyable bundle.

In the case of connectivity, the Stream X13 leaves room for enchancment. On the suitable facet, you’ll discover a single USB Sort C port (USB 4.2 Gen2), which you’ll want to make use of for charging, and the one USB Sort A (USB 3.2 Gen2) port. On the opposite facet is the three.5mm audio jack, full-size HDMI 2.1 port, and MicroSD card reader. There’s a further Sort C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2) hidden behind a rubber stopper on the left facet, which is a part of the XG Cellular interface.

Whereas there are sufficient ports for many duties, I’m disillusioned that ASUS opted to place one of many three USB ports behind a rubber stopper. Positive, it covers up the XG Cellular port that most individuals gained’t use, however the stopper isn’t utterly detachable, which meant I needed to fiddle with it each time I wished to cost the laptop computer from the left facet, or wanted each USB-C ports. It’s hardly a deal-breaker, however one thing for them to think about subsequent time round.

Wi-fi connectivity is incredible on the Stream X13. I upgraded to a WiFi 6E community final yr, and that is the primary alternative I’ve had to make use of it with a succesful laptop computer. As you possibly can think about, switch speeds are lightning-quick, which turns out to be useful once I’m working with giant images and video information.

As one would possibly count on on a tool of this measurement, there’s not numerous room for audio system. A pair of them is situated on the underside of the laptop computer, and aren’t something to jot down dwelling about. They work effectively sufficient for common music and media, however I discovered them to have a tinny sound they usually might have been louder.

Benchmarking

Efficiency

There’s no query that in the event you drop $2,199 on an ROG Stream X13 you’re going to count on a great deal of efficiency inside this smooth chassis. I’m glad to report that in my time with our evaluation mannequin, it took each video games and video manufacturing work in stride. After all, when it’s packing an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, that comes as no shock right here.

To check out the Stream X13’s efficiency I ran a collection of artificial benchmarks and pushed the machine to its limits with a number of video games at its native decision of 2560 x 1440. As you possibly can see from the chart beneath, this fantastically thin-and-light laptop computer has loads of energy below the hood. You’ll need to reap the benefits of the DLSS possibility every time out there, because the RTX 4070 sees a substantial efficiency enchancment on video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 22.

Whereas sheer efficiency is without doubt one of the principal components I think about when deciding on a laptop computer, it’s not the one one. For me, I want a steadiness of energy, consolation, and battery life. By way of consolation, the laptop computer by no means received scorching sufficient to be a hassle, although throughout particularly taxing gaming classes it will get hotter than I favor.

I’m impressed with how quiet the Stream X13’s followers are, even when working at full pace, however they’re nonetheless slightly noticeable after they kick on. This was much less of a problem whereas gaming, however at occasions the followers would activate whereas merely utilizing an online browser or watching a video, which is lower than ideally suited, and a bit distracting at occasions.

Gaming laptops and poor battery life usually go hand-in-hand, as they’re power-hungry machines that sport higher whereas plugged in. Nevertheless, the Stream X13 is positioned as a tool for creators, in addition to avid gamers, so my expectations have been fairly excessive throughout my battery checks. I’m glad to report that ASUS’s software program does a fantastic job of switching between the RTX 4070 and its iGPU to maximise each battery life and efficiency.

We make the most of the PCMark 10’s “Fashionable Workplace Battery Life” check right here at PCGamesN, because it supplies a fantastic mixture of typical duties like net searching and video playback that mimic real-world utilization. The ROG Stream X13 lasted somewhat over 9 hours on common, which is a superb rating, contemplating the quantity of energy this little machine packs.

Utilizing PCMark 10’s “Gaming Battery Life” check, the laptop computer solely clocked in round 2.5 hours of gaming earlier than it wanted a cost. Whereas underwhelming, you do take a efficiency hit from working off the battery, so your most intensive gaming classes will happen whereas it’s plugged in. Nonetheless, two and a half hours is sufficient time to sport your method by way of a flight or cross the time whenever you’re away from an outlet.

Do you have to purchase the Asus ROG Stream X13?

• Sure: Skinny and light-weight convertible design
• Sure: Highly effective CPU and GPU for gaming
• No: Excessive price ticket
• No: Followers could be distracting

With a $2,499 price ticket (with out offers) the ROG Stream X13 isn’t aimed toward everybody. Asus is focusing on avid gamers and creators that want numerous energy, however need it within the lightest and thinnest bundle doable, and I’d say they hit their mark.

Should you’ve received the finances and demand probably the most highly effective {hardware} and unparalleled portability, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher possibility than the ROG Stream X13 (2023).