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

I used to be initially skeptical after 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 basically a gaming pill, did not seem to be it might enchantment a lot to me. However after utilizing the Stream Z13, my perspective has fully 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 contains 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 robust mixture for a pill kind issue, Asus has raised the bar even greater with this yr’s mannequin, largely due to AMD’s groundbreaking new APU.

The up to date Asus ROG Stream Z13 (2025) contains 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 prospect 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 yr’s ROG Stream Z13 is available in a number of completely different configurations. The one I’ve had the chance to check prices $2,300 and contains 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 charge. A lower-specced model prices $2,100 and contains an AMD Ryzen AI 390 CPU and Radeon 8050S built-in graphics. Whereas its price 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, after I obtained my arms on the Stream Z13, it was the primary sport I attempted. My jaw dropped after I obtained 100+ FPS on medium settings, with FSR 3.1 (AMD’s upscaling expertise) set to efficiency working 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 obtained 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 obtained a really playable 60-70 FPS within the sport’s gorgeous open-world areas. These visuals and efficiency are nearly exceptional for built-in graphics. But, AMD has pulled it off, rivaling the facility 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, whenever you image a pill, it usually evokes ideas of a light-weight and slim system, 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 much like many 14-inch laptops, slightly than a pill. It is nonetheless fairly moveable although, and I had no downside 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 possibly can place it down and all the time get the proper angle. Its hinge is sturdy, holds the pill’s weight properly, and has by no means felt unstable each time I exploit it.

The keyboard attaches through magnets, so it is easy to tackle and off shortly, relying on the way you need to use the system. I all the time had the keyboard indifferent when gaming with a controller or utilizing the pill in mattress. At my desk, I usually go away the keyboard hooked up for productiveness work, and sure video games I want 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 liked taking the Stream Z13 from my desk in laptop computer kind to utilizing it on my kitchen counter as a pill.

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

The Asus ROG Stream Z13 is essentially the most enjoyable I’ve had testing a brand new system 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 completed 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 when it comes to energy and effectivity, particularly when in comparison with comparable configurations with a separate CPU and GPU.

I used to be additionally pleasantly stunned by this machine’s battery life. It comes full of a 70whr battery, an improve from the earlier era’s 56whr battery. I obtained 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 system, I wasn’t upset. The charging pace can be spectacular, going from 0 to 50 % 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 method. They merely lack the enjoyable and flexibility that the Stream Z13 presents. In case you’re on the lookout for an alternative choice to the standard gaming laptop computer, the Stream Z13 stands out as the reply in the event 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 finally what you are paying for.

That is the primary system I’ve ever used that would legitimately exchange my desktop PC and MacBook Professional. I did not understand I wanted a gaming pill till I used the Asus ROG Stream Z13 (2025), and now I do not assume I can go with out one. Because of 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 probabilities are limitless.

This system was offered to Pocket-lint by Asus.

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