ASUS ROG Flow X13 review
The Asus ASUS ROG Flow X13 ranks as the #157 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 78. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #25-ranked features among 69 laptops. Consider the Alienware m16 R1 or Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a well-built laptop with a great display and good microphone setup. However, its performance falls short due to thermal issues, making long-term gaming and productivity use cases subpar. Battery life is also not impressive. Despite its many positives, the thermal problems and overall value make it difficult to recommend. For heavy users or those who prioritize gaming and content creation, this laptop may not be worth the investment, especially considering other options available in the market.
Build
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's build quality is a highlight, with a sturdy and premium feel to the laptop. The 16x10 display is of high quality, making it great for productivity. However, despite its well-built design, the laptop's thermal performance falls short. Prolonged gaming or productivity sessions result in temperatures that severely impact performance. While the laptop can handle short bursts of intense use, extended periods cause significant drops in performance, with temperatures sapping away power from both CPU and GPU. Despite these limitations, the ROG Flow X13 is well-suited for mobile workstations and gaming on-the-go, but only when paired with an external cooling solution like the XG Mobile dock. While the ROG Flow X13's build quality impresses, its thermal performance issues detract from overall user experience. For those seeking a reliable laptop for extended productivity or gaming sessions, this model may not be the best choice. However, as a mobile workstation or gaming companion with an external cooling solution, it shows promise. You might want to check out Asus ASUS ZenBook 13 UX334, featuring an upgraded build for a superior experience.
Display
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's display is one of its standout features. The 16:10 screen offers high-quality visuals with vibrant colors and crisp text. The display is perfect for content creators, gamers, and multitaskers who need to switch between various applications seamlessly. With a good viewing angle and sufficient brightness, the display provides an immersive experience for both indoor and outdoor use. Overall, the display is one of the laptop's strongest assets, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful and feature-rich device. Take a look at Asus ASUS Chromebook CM30 Detachable - its improved display sets a new standard.
Performance
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's performance is a mixed bag. While it handled short bursts of gaming and productivity well, long-term use revealed significant thermal issues. Temperatures soared, causing the CPU to average 89°C and the GPU to drop from 1000MHz to 800MHz. This led to 25-50% performance drops over time. Benchmarks showed it didn't live up to its specs, with gaming tests revealing subpar results compared to other laptops. Overall, the Flow X13's thermal issues make it less than ideal for prolonged use. If you're after top-notch performance, consider AORUS 7.
Battery and Charging
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's battery life is a letdown, lasting only a few hours despite its promised 12-hour runtime. Charging the laptop takes significantly longer than expected, taking around 3-4 hours to fully top up. This slow charging speed makes it difficult to quickly top off the battery on-the-go. While the laptop's performance and build quality are impressive, its battery life and charging speed are subpar, making it less suitable for heavy users or those who need a laptop that can keep up with their active lifestyle.
Connectivity
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's connectivity options are its strong suit. It features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, and a USB-A port, making it easy to connect peripherals and accessories. The laptop also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. However, I would have liked to see more USB ports, especially given the laptop's size and price point. Give Apple MacBook Air 13 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled connectivity.
Features
The ASUS ROG Flow X13 boasts a compact design with a large 16:10 display, offering excellent expandability options. The laptop features a high-quality screen, good speakers, and a decent microphone setup. The 1TB SSD provides fast storage, achieving speeds of up to 2400 MB/s read and 2000 MB/s write. However, thermal issues hinder performance in long-term gaming and productivity use cases. Get your hands on Apple MacBook Air 13 if you're looking for better features.
Support and Maintenance
The ASUS ROG Flow X13's support and maintenance are subpar. Thermal issues hinder long-term gaming and productivity use, with temperatures affecting CPU and GPU performance. Battery life is also disappointing. Overall, the laptop falls short of meeting user needs.
Pros
1. The expandability that it gives is good.
2. The screen is of high quality.
3. The 16 by 10 display is great.
4. The microphone setup is good.
5. The speakers are good.
6. It's well built.
Cons
1. Battery life is not good.
2. Long-term gaming and productivity use case is not good.
3. Thermal issues make it hard to perform as its specs would indicate.
4. GPU temperatures averaged between 80-85 degrees Celsius and were roughly around a thousand megahertz all the time.
5. CPU temperatures averaged around 89 degrees Celsius and never really went above 3.2 gigahertz.
6. Performance drops significantly with extended use, losing between 25-50% performance depending on how long you want to use the laptop for.
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