The ASUS ROG Stream Z13 is the gaming pill I did not know I wanted

I used to be initially skeptical once I first heard in regards to the Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025). I’ve by no means been a fan of gaming laptops, so a 2-in-1 laptop computer that is primarily a gaming pill, did not seem to be it could attraction a lot to me. However after utilizing the Stream Z13, my perspective has utterly modified, and now I do not know if I can return to utilizing an everyday laptop computer.

The ROG Stream Z13’s design is not new, and it is gone via a few iterations now since its debut in 2022. It encompasses a 13.4-inch show, with an adjustable kickstand on the again and a removable magnetic keyboard. The earlier era included a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i9 CPU and a devoted Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Whereas that continues to be a strong mixture for a pill kind issue, Asus has raised the bar even greater with this 12 months’s mannequin, largely due to AMD’s groundbreaking new APU.

The up to date Asus ROG Stream Z13 (2025) consists of AMD’s newest Strix Halo sequence Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, that includes a CPU with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a most increase clock of as much as 5.1 GHz. AMD boasts that its iGPU, the AMD Radeon 8060S, is the world’s quickest built-in graphics.

Other than AMD’s wild naming scheme, on paper, this all sounds nice. However how does it carry out in actuality? For the previous month, I’ve had the possibility to check out this pill, and now, fairly frankly, I do not know if I can think about my setup with out it — or going again to my MacBook Professional.

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The brand new ROG Stream Z13 is a beast

It shredded each AAA sport I threw at it

This 12 months’s ROG Stream Z13 is available in a number of totally different configurations. The one I’ve had the chance to check prices $2,300 and consists of an AMD Ryzen AI Max 395+ CPU, AMD Radeon 8060S built-in graphics, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 13.4-inch IPS LCD touchscreen show with a 2560 x 1600 pixel decision and a 185Hz refresh price. A lower-specced model prices $2,100 and consists of an AMD Ryzen AI 390 CPU and Radeon 8050S built-in graphics. Whereas its value is steep, the Stream Z13’s spectacular efficiency and kind issue makes it distinctive.

I have been hooked on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 because it got here out, so naturally, once I bought my fingers on the Stream Z13, it was the primary sport I attempted. My jaw dropped once I bought 100+ FPS on medium settings, with FSR 3.1 (AMD’s upscaling know-how) set to efficiency operating at its native 1600p decision. Coming from enjoying the sport on extremely on my gaming PC with an RTX 4080, I used to be blown away by how the Stream Z13 did not really feel like a lot of a step-down. The identical goes for Cyberpunk 2077. With FSR 3 set to efficiency on excessive settings, I bought between 80 and 100 FPS, and it felt clean as butter with none stuttering.

I used to be much more impressed with Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle. With FSR set to efficiency on excessive settings, I bought a really playable 60-70 FPS within the sport’s beautiful open-world areas. These visuals and efficiency are nearly remarkable for built-in graphics. But, AMD has pulled it off, rivaling the ability of a devoted GPU just like the RTX 4060 in an APU that attracts much less energy whereas doing it. However what makes AMD’s new CPU shine much more is the eye-catching pill kind issue it is put in.

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Pill-like look, laptop computer dimensions

The Stream Z13 weighs about the identical as a MacBook Professional

One of many standout options of the ROG Stream Z13 is its distinctive 2-in-1 pill design. Nonetheless, if you image a pill, it sometimes evokes ideas of a light-weight and slim machine, which the Stream Z13 doesn’t embody within the slightest bit. It weighs 2.65 lbs with out the keyboard and three.51 lbs with it and has a thickness of 13mm. In distinction, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, one other 2-in-1 Home windows laptop computer/pill, is 9.3mm thick and weighs 1.97 lbs. The Stream Z13’s dimensions are just like many 14-inch laptops, somewhat than a pill. It is nonetheless fairly transportable although, and I had no drawback carrying it round and throwing it in my backpack.

At first, getting used to its 2-in-1 design after utilizing a clamshell laptop computer for thus lengthy was an adjustment, however after some time, I got here to find it irresistible, largely due to its versatility. The again of the pill has a kickstand that may modify as much as 170 levels, so you may place it down and at all times get the right angle. Its hinge is sturdy, holds the pill’s weight effectively, and has by no means felt unstable at any time when I exploit it.

The keyboard attaches by way of magnets, so it is easy to tackle and off rapidly, relying on the way you wish to use the machine. I at all times had the keyboard indifferent when gaming with a controller or utilizing the pill in mattress. At my desk, I sometimes depart the keyboard connected for productiveness work, and sure video games I favor enjoying with a keyboard and mouse. All this echoes what I meant about versatility. The two-in-1 kind issue adapts to so many alternative use instances, and I beloved taking the Stream Z13 from my desk in laptop computer kind to utilizing it on my kitchen counter as a pill.

One other key good thing about the ROG Stream Z13’s pill design in comparison with a standard gaming laptop computer is its lack of a display hinge. This allowed Asus to combine bigger followers and an expanded vapor chamber, which helps maintain it cooler and quieter below heavy masses. Though it produces a good bit of noise below heavy use, it is quieter than most gaming laptops I’ve examined earlier than that sound like jet engines below heavy load. I by no means discovered the noise it produced to trouble me an excessive amount of, and when you use headphones whereas gaming, you hardly hear it. Moreover, as a result of the Z13’s heat-producing parts are elevated above the floor it is on throughout operation, they’re able to entry extra contemporary air than most laptops, which helps with cooling.

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I do not know if I can return to an everyday laptop computer

Every little thing in regards to the Stream Z13 is nice, besides the value

The Asus ROG Stream Z13 is essentially the most enjoyable I’ve had testing a brand new machine in a very long time. Does it have flaws? Completely. For starters, it may very well be lighter, thinner, and cheaper, however what Asus has achieved in design and efficiency right here is worthy of reward. AMD additionally deserves credit score right here, due to its Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, which works wonders in a 2-in-1 pill kind issue like this by way of energy and effectivity, particularly when in comparison with comparable configurations with a separate CPU and GPU.

I used to be additionally pleasantly shocked by this machine’s battery life. It comes full of a 70whr battery, an improve from the earlier era’s 56whr battery. I bought round 8-10 hours of use whereas partaking in productiveness duties, searching the net, and watching movies. Is it pretty much as good as my MacBook? Not an opportunity. However as a gaming-oriented machine, I wasn’t disillusioned. The charging velocity can be spectacular, going from 0 to 50 p.c in about half-hour with its 200W charger.

After a month with the Asus ROG Stream Z13, I now not view my MacBook or different Home windows laptops the identical means. They merely lack the enjoyable and flexibility that the Stream Z13 gives. If you happen to’re on the lookout for an alternative choice to the normal gaming laptop computer, the Stream Z13 often is the reply when you can abdomen its $2,300 price ticket. Whereas extra highly effective and cheaper computer systems can be found, they do not match this distinctive kind issue, and that is in the end what you are paying for.

That is the primary machine I’ve ever used that might legitimately exchange my desktop PC and MacBook Professional. I did not notice I wanted a gaming pill till I used the Asus ROG Stream Z13 (2025), and now I do not suppose I can go with out one. Due to AMD’s new Strix Halo sequence APU, it is a efficiency powerhouse, and I am much more excited to see what the longer term holds for pill and handheld gaming. Think about a future Steam Deck or ROG Ally with this a lot energy? The chances are limitless.

This machine was offered to Pocket-lint by Asus.

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