ASUS ROG Flow z13 Review: AMD Strix Halo Is A Potent Beast

You might be forgiven for pondering the ROG Stream Z13 is simply one other AMD-powered hybrid 2-in-1 pill PC. There’s actually nothing externally to provide the concept that it hosts probably the most highly effective laptop computer CPU AMD has ever produced. It positive does, although—AMD’s questionably-named Ryzen AI MAX+, previously identified by the a lot cooler codename “Strix Halo,”  is lastly right here within the flesh, and we have put it by means of its paces after which some.

The ASUS infographic on the machine is detailed above, in order for you some fast particulars at a look. The quick model is that the ROG Stream Z13 is a surprisingly dense 13″-class hybrid 2-in-1 removable pill PC that, at the least in our configuration, comes with the top-end Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 SoC, 32GB of LPDDR5X reminiscence at 8000 MT/s, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and never a lot else. Since AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX+ System on Chip additionally accommodates a ridiculously highly effective built-in GPU although, there is no actual want for anything. We’re getting forward of ourselves, although. Let’s check out the specs in full:

The Zen 5 CPU cores on this chip aren’t the identical as those within the different “Ryzen AI” processors. Whereas it is not precisely clear from the slide above, the sixteen Zen 5 CPU cores reside on a pair of eight-core CCDs—precisely the identical chiplets which are utilized in Ryzen 9000 desktop CPUs and EPYC 9005 server processors. Meaning they’ve the total 32MB of L3 cache and full-width AVX-512 pipes, and it arguably makes Strix Halo extra suited to workstation use than in a gaming machine like this, however the half actually serves on this capability, to make sure.

This isn’t the top-end configuration of this machine; it would even be accessible in a number of equivalent configurations save for the selection of SoC or the reminiscence capability. The most cost effective mannequin begins at $2099 and comes with the twelve-core Ryzen AI MAX 390, whilst you pays the identical worth at Greatest Purchase for this precise machine with 64GB of reminiscence onboard, for a restricted time. There can even be a mannequin with 128GB of RAM, which permits it to ship on the total promise of Strix Halo: devoting a large 96GB of system RAM to the GPU to be used with large 70B-parameter AI fashions, machine studying or workstation graphics process that require tons of VRAM capability.

Different notable particulars from the specs embody the gorgeous “ROG Nebula” LCD display and the machine’s dimension and weight. So far as the display goes, it has zero HDR assist and that is simply wonderful by us. It is an IPS-type LCD, so it was by no means destined for excellent HDR anyway. As an alternative, ASUS has targeted on making it look improbable in SDR, and certainly it does. It might render 100% of the DCI-P3 colorspace and shines at as much as a measured 493 nits, which is shut sufficient to the rated 500 for our functions. It is vivid, vibrant, and ridiculously sharp at 2560×1600, giving it a PPI of 225—sky-high for a laptop computer PC machine, although nonetheless nicely shy of handhelds just like the Ally X or Legion Go.

The ROG Stream z13 is available in trendy packaging with the pill, the keyboard folio, and a 200W energy brick that sadly makes use of what appears to be a non-standard connector. It is kind of like a doubled-up USB Kind-C plug, and identical to that fashionable connector, it’s reversible and connects fairly securely. We do not actually have an issue with the connector or the charger, however it could have been good to see a extra widespread plug kind. With that stated, you truly can cost it off of USB Kind-C, too, simply far more slowly.

That is what the machine appears like with the keyboard folio closed. The floor space might be meant to be some form of fancy artificial leather-based but it surely largely simply seems like rubber. That is truly good, although, as a result of it helps hold the keyboard and trackpad from sliding round whilst you’re making an attempt to make use of them.

Flipping it over, that is the opposite facet of the machine, or the again of the pill. A lot of the again of the system is dominated by air intakes, though the underside half of the system is roofed up by the extensible stand. It is fairly stiff, and has a remarkably big selection of movement, so you’ll be able to choose your angle simply. Within the top-right nook you’ll be able to see the 13-megapixel most important digital camera, whereas on the backside left is a holographic (not LED-lit) ROG badge.

The keyboard itself is like many others of its kind, and makes vital concessions by way of structure for the sake of retaining key dimension. We’re not loopy in regards to the structure, notably the shortage of Print Display screen, Insert, or right-side Ctrl keys. A few of that’s Microsoft’s fault, with its Copilot key losing some house. The dearth of an modifying cluster is considerably forgivable, in which you can maintain the Fn key and use the arrows for PgUp/PgDn and Dwelling/Finish. You too can use Fn+F6 to enter snipping mode, though it is a lot clumsier than simply hitting Print Display screen on different methods.

With all of that stated, the keyboard truly feels fairly good to kind on, with responsive key actuation and a good quantity of key journey. That is true even when the keyboard’s metallic strip on the prime is connected to the pill; there is a little bit of flex to make sure, but it surely’s fairly minimal, all issues thought-about. The keyboard helps RGB LED backlighting and whereas we did not discover any capability for re-binding keys, the Fn layer features are well-thought-out for probably the most half. Oh, and one final notice in regards to the keyboard folio: it attaches to the underside of the pill magnetically and when it’s on there, it’s extraordinarily on there — it attaches very securely.

On the suitable facet of the pill (proven right here with keyboard eliminated), ranging from the underside, you’ve a 3.5mm audio combo jack, a 10-Gbps USB Kind-A port, the ScreenXpert button, a quantity rocker, and the facility button. We actually admire the inclusion of the 2 ports right here. It could have been all too simple for ASUS to omit analog audio out and USB Kind-A connectivity, though if we is usually a little grasping, we’d have preferred a second Kind-A port. It is not the top of the world, although. The controls on this facet work nicely, though we’re not wild about ScreenXpert. Extra on that later, although.

On the opposite facet of the pill, you’ve a UHS-II-capable microSD card reader, that odd energy port, a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port with FRL assist, and a pair of USB4 ports. Connectivity is fairly stacked on the highest left facet, and whereas this actually is not an enormous drawback, it may be slightly awkward in case you have issues linked to all 4 ports on the highest left of the pill. Simply one thing to pay attention to.

From this angle, you may as well get an thought of simply how thick this pill is. It is about as thick as the bottom of most gaming laptops, if not thicker. There’s room for a full-sized HDMI 2.1 port with most of a complete centimeter to spare. Connect the keyboard folio, and it is nearly an entire inch thick on the underside the place the stand folds out.

All advised, my inexpert pictures actually would not do the ROG Stream Z13’s appears justice. It is a trendy, engaging removable 2-in-1 laptop computer, even when a bit full-figured. After all, you are in all probability extra involved about how the system performs versus the way it appears, so let’s begin having a look at that, subsequent…