ASUS has once again turned heads at CES with the latest iteration of its Surface Pro-like gaming tablet, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 for 2025. This device, designed with gamers in mind, brings a host of enhancements that could redefine what we expect from portable gaming hardware.

The new ROG Flow Z13 hasn’t strayed far from its roots in terms of design. It maintains its almost half-inch thickness and 13-inch form factor, complete with a built-in kickstand and magnetic keyboard cover. However, ASUS has made some notable updates to the aesthetics. The clear window on the rear, which previously offered a peek at the internals, is now larger, giving a more pronounced view of the motherboard adorned with RGB lighting — a gamer’s dream for showing off their tech.

Here’s where the ROG Flow Z13 takes a surprising turn from its predecessors. Instead of relying on traditional dedicated GPUs, ASUS has embraced AMD‘s new “Strix Halo” processors, introducing integrated graphics to the lineup. This move might raise eyebrows among hardcore gamers who typically chase the performance of discrete graphics cards, but the new chips pack a punch. The Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 and the Ryzen AI Max 390 (which, yes, are quite a mouthful) offer 16 and 12 CPU cores, respectively, with 40 and 32 graphics cores. These chips are designed to handle demanding tasks, supported by a redesigned stainless steel vapor chamber for cooling, capable of managing a 120W TDP.

The display on the Z13 is nothing short of impressive for a device in this category. It features a 13-inch, 2560 x 1600 resolution touchscreen with a 180Hz refresh rate, an upgrade from the previous 165Hz, ensuring smooth visuals for gaming or content creation. Connectivity hasn’t been neglected either, with two USB 4 ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card slot with UHS-II support, and a 3.5mm audio jack. For those who love to capture their gaming moments or engage in video calls, there’s a 5-megapixel front-facing and a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera. Wi-Fi 7 is also on board, promising faster and more reliable internet connections.

Charging the Z13 is done through a USB-C port, but for optimal performance, it comes with a 200W proprietary slim power adapter. Battery life, while not groundbreaking, is listed at about 10 hours, which is reasonable given the power requirements of the new chip.

ASUS has clearly focused on enhancing user interaction with this model. A new detachable keyboard sports larger keycaps and an expanded touchpad, enhancing both typing and navigation. Additionally, a “ScreenXpert” button is now included, providing quick access to various system controls, which is particularly handy in tablet mode.

However, there are some compromises. The absence of Thunderbolt 5 means that while the Flow Z13 can connect to ASUS’s ROG XG Mobile eGPU, it won’t leverage the full bandwidth potential, potentially limiting performance for those looking to expand their graphics capabilities. The XG Mobile, priced similarly to the tablet itself, somewhat defeats the purpose of portability if you’re hauling around both.

The 2025 ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a bold step into integrating high-performance capabilities into a sleek, tablet form factor. While the move to integrated graphics might initially seem like a step back, AMD’s new processors could very well set a new benchmark for what’s possible in thin and light gaming devices. Whether this tablet will be the choice for gamers depends on how these new chips perform in real-world scenarios, but ASUS has undoubtedly pushed the envelope in making gaming on a tablet more viable than ever before.