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

I used to be initially skeptical once I first heard concerning 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 look like it will enchantment a lot to me. However after utilizing the Circulate Z13, my perspective has utterly modified, and now I do not know if I can return to utilizing a daily laptop computer.

The ROG Circulate 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 technology included a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i9 CPU and a devoted Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Whereas that is still a robust mixture for a pill type issue, Asus has raised the bar even larger with this yr’s mannequin, largely due to AMD’s groundbreaking new APU.

The up to date Asus ROG Circulate Z13 (2025) consists of AMD’s newest Strix Halo collection 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.

Aside from 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 Circulate Z13 is a beast

It shredded each AAA sport I threw at it

This yr’s ROG Circulate Z13 is available in a number of completely 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 charge. 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 Circulate Z13’s spectacular efficiency and type issue makes it distinctive.

I have been hooked on Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 because it got here out, so naturally, once I bought my arms on the Circulate 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 taking part in the sport on extremely on my gaming PC with an RTX 4080, I used to be blown away by how the Circulate 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 gorgeous open-world areas. These visuals and efficiency are nearly unprecedented 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 pulls much less energy whereas doing it. However what makes AMD’s new CPU shine much more is the eye-catching pill type issue it is put in.

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Pill-like look, laptop computer dimensions

The Circulate Z13 weighs about the identical as a MacBook Professional

One of many standout options of the ROG Circulate Z13 is its distinctive 2-in-1 pill design. Nevertheless, whenever you image a pill, it sometimes evokes ideas of a light-weight and slim system, which the Circulate 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 Circulate Z13’s dimensions are just like many 14-inch laptops, reasonably than a pill. It is nonetheless fairly moveable 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 therefore lengthy was an adjustment, however after some time, I got here to like it, largely due to its versatility. The again of the pill has a kickstand that may regulate 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 nicely, and has by no means felt unstable at any time when I take advantage of it.

The keyboard attaches by way of magnets, so it is easy to tackle and off rapidly, 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 sometimes go away the keyboard connected for productiveness work, and sure video games I choose taking part in with a keyboard and mouse. All this echoes what I meant about versatility. The two-in-1 type issue adapts to so many various use circumstances, and I liked taking the Circulate Z13 from my desk in laptop computer type to utilizing it on my kitchen counter as a pill.

One other key good thing about the ROG Circulate Z13’s pill design in comparison with a standard 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 hold 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 for those who 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’re able to entry extra recent air than most laptops, which helps with cooling.

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I do not know if I can return to a daily laptop computer

Every part concerning the Circulate Z13 is nice, besides the worth

The Asus ROG Circulate 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 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 type 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 filled with a 70whr battery, an improve from the earlier technology’s 56whr battery. I bought round 8-10 hours of use whereas partaking in productiveness duties, looking the net, and watching movies. Is it nearly as good as my MacBook? Not an opportunity. However as a gaming-oriented system, 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 Circulate Z13, I now not view my MacBook or different Home windows laptops the identical manner. They merely lack the enjoyable and flexibility that the Circulate Z13 gives. In case you’re on the lookout for a substitute for the normal gaming laptop computer, the Circulate Z13 could be the reply for those who can abdomen its $2,300 price ticket. Whereas extra highly effective and cheaper computer systems can be found, they do not match this distinctive type issue, and that is finally what you are paying for.

That is the primary system I’ve ever used that might legitimately substitute my desktop PC and MacBook Professional. I did not understand I wanted a gaming pill till I used the Asus ROG Circulate Z13 (2025), and now I do not assume I can go with out one. Due to AMD’s new Strix Halo collection APU, it is a efficiency powerhouse, and I am much more excited to see what the long run 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 system was offered to Pocket-lint by Asus.

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