Asus has always been known for innovations in the mobile computing space, and the Asus ROG Flow is no exception. It’s one of the most powerful ultra-compact laptops/tablets you can find in the market today.
Featuring an excellent design that focuses on portability and versatility, the ROG Flow does not compromise on build quality, IO slots, display or performance.
There are two variants of the Asus ROG Flow. A 13-inch version that’s incredibly compact, and a 16-inch model that comes with an added performance boost. The feature that links these two is their compatibility with Asus’ XG Mobile external graphics unit, allowing you to use desktop-grade discrete GPU.
Pricing and Availability
The Asus ROG Flow has three primary models you can choose from. There are two 13-inch variants, with one group powered by Intel chips and the other by AMD’s latest generation mobile CPU. The AMD Flow X13 starts at AED 4,999, while the Intel Flow Z13 (US$ 1,349) starts at AED 5,700 (US$ 1,599).
As for the 16-inch Flow X16, it’s priced at AED 10,963 (U$2,999) in the UAE however, there are lesser priced versions available in other parts of the world.
Specs you should know
| ASUS ROG Flow (13”) | ASUS ROG Flow (16”) | |
| Dimensions | 299 x 222 x 15.8 mm | 355 x 243 x 19.4 mm |
| Weight | 1.12 to 1.30 kg | 2.10 kg |
| Screen Size | 13.4-inch IPS Display Touchscreen support | 16-inch ROG Nebula HDR Display Touchscreen support |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 to 120Hz 30ms Response Time | 165Hz 3ms Response Time |
| Display Resolution | Up to 3840 x 2400 pixels | Up to 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Processor (X-Series) | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS |
| Processor (Z-Series) | Intel Core i9-12900H, Intel Core i7-12700H, Intel Core i5-12500H | |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti |
| Memory | 2 x 8GB LPDDR5 (Z-Series), 2 x 16GB LPDDR5 (X-Series) | 2 x 32GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Performance SSD | Up to 2 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Performance SSD |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Battery | 56 to 62 WHr Li-ion | 90 WHr Li-ion |
| Camera | 8MP 720P HD Camera | 720P HD IR Camera for Windows Hello |
| Available Ports | 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack1 x USB 2.0 Type-A1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C1 x Thunderbolt 4 support DisplayPort1 x ROG XG Mobile Interface1 x microSD card reader1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC | 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS support HDMI switch2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort / power delivery / G-SYNC1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort / power delivery1 x ROG XG Mobile Interface |
| Audio | 2-Speaker System with Smart AmpDolby Atmos | 4-Speaker System with Smart AmpDolby Atmos |
| Connectivity Options | Up to Wi-Fi 6E, Up to Bluetooth 5.2 | Up to Wi-Fi 6E, Up to Bluetooth 5.2 |
Design and Build
Whether you have the 13-inch or 16-inch model, the design language is the same across all the variants. As a 2-in-1 laptop-tablet convertible, it’s compact and portable. It’s not the thinnest and lightest laptop out there, but it comes with more powerful components and better thermals than other ultrabooks.
The build quality on the Asus ROG Flow laptops is exceptional. All the components are sturdy and neatly put together so that you won’t notice any squeaks or weird noises while manipulating the hinges. The only downside you’ll find with the ROG Flow models is that they’re a fingerprint magnet that requires constant wiping to keep them clean.
The hybrid design that stands out the most allows you to use any ROG Flow machine, like a traditional laptop or tablet. It does feel a bit unusual with the larger 16-inch gaming-focused variant, but it allows you to use it in tent mode, keeping the display closer.
Display
The panels Asus used for the ROG Flow 13-inch variants are decent and offer several options depending on your needs and workload. You can choose between an FHD+ 120Hz screen or a higher-resolution UHD+ display that runs at a lower 60Hz refresh rate.
Since the Asus ROG Flow 13-inch variants do not have powerful display hardware, the FHD+ 120Hz panel is enough for your work and light gaming needs.
The 16-inch X16 model is a different story, as it features Asus’ ROG Nebula HDR display. It’s an IPS panel with 1,100 nits brightness and 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
Simply put, it’s an impressive screen for gaming, content creation, and consumption.
Performance
Let’s take a look at the two 13-inch variants first, starting with the Flow X13, which comes with the Ryzen 9 6900HS mobile CPU. It’s fast but throttled down due to the laptop’s thermal capacity of the ultracompact design.
The Flow Z13, or the Intel line, is equipped with the latest Alder Lake 12th-generation platform that uses Efficiency Cores. Some models come with the Core i5, Core i7, or Core i9 chip.
The GPU of the Flow X13 and Z13 variants maxes out with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. All graphics chips here are Max-Q versions, which are efficient and run cooler for better thermal performance.
Since the Flow X16’s chassis is significantly larger and roomier compared to its 13-inch counterpart, its Ryzen 9 6900HS is set to be more powerful. It’s designed to run up to 80W of sustained power compared to the Flow X13’s 54W. It provides additional processing capabilities with better multi-threaded performance.
The Flow X16 also has better GPU options that max out with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti.
Features
The most notable feature of the Asus ROG Flow laptops is their compatibility with the XG Mobile external GPU enclosure. It allows you to connect a desktop-grade discrete GPU, which offers a significant performance boost over your laptop’s mobile graphics chips.
The 13-inch and 16-inch variants are equipped with the ROG XG Mobile interface to connect the enclosure to your laptop. The enclosure is not included, and you’ll have to get it separately. You’ll also need to get a discrete GPU that you want to use with the enclosure.
Battery and Charging
There’s a 56Wh battery on the Flow Z13 (Intel) and a 62Wh pack on the Flow X13 (AMD). Both are comparable in terms of their performance, capable of lasting around 8 hours on a single charge. This is enough for an ultra-compact, portable laptop to do some work and consume your favorite content.
The 13-inch variants come with fast charging capabilities thanks to the 100W USB-C charger that can fill up the batteries in 2 to 3 hours.
The larger Flow X16 comes with a 90Wh battery, which lasts around 6 hours of moderate use on a single charge. The 240W power brick enabled fast charging, filling the battery in 2 hours. You can also use USB-C charging, but it will take much longer.
Wrap Up
The Asus ROG Flow laptops are an all-purpose machine that offers a lot of versatility, especially with its design. You can use it like a traditional laptop or fold it up and use it like a tablet. The XG Mobile link is a feature that you want to take a closer look at as it can improve the laptop’s performance compared to a desktop.