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Engadget
21-05-2025
- Engadget
ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2025) review: When a traditional gaming laptop just won't do
On paper, the idea of a PC gaming tablet doesn't really make sense. Anything with a screen larger than eight to ten inches is generally too big to hold for longer sessions. Their thin chassis don't leave much room for big batteries, ports or discrete graphics. But with the second-gen ROG Flow Z13, ASUS is turning that line of thought on its head with a surprisingly powerful system that can do more than just game — as long as you don't mind paying a premium for some niche engineering. For better or worse, the Z Flow 13 looks like someone tweaked a Surface Pro to accommodate the stereotypical gamer aesthetic. It has cyberpunky graphics littered across its body along with a small window in the back that's complete with RGB lighting. The ROG Flow Z13 fills the gap between traditional gaming laptops and portable workstations, but its keyboard and price are hard to love. $2,300 at Best Buy Unlike a lot of tablets, ASUS gave the Z13 a thicker-than-normal body (0.6 inches), which left space for a surprising number of ports. Not only do you get two USB 4 Type-C ports, there's also a regular USB-A jack, full-size HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio and even a microSD card reader. This instantly elevates the tablet from something strictly meant for playing games into something that can also pull double duty as a portable video editing station. ASUS' 13.4-inch 2.5 IPS display leans into that even more thanks to a 180Hz refresh rate, strong brightness (around 500 nits) and Pantone validation. Regardless of what you're doing, colors will be both rich and accurate. Rounding out the package are some punchy speakers, so you don't have to suffer from subpar sound. But there are limitations here, as deep bass is always tough to produce on smaller systems like this. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Finally, there are some pogo pins along the bottom of its display for connecting its folding keyboard. Sadly, this is one of the system's weak points. Because the Z13 is heavier than a typical tablet PC, its keyboard has to carry a hefty load. On a table, it's fine. But if you try to use this thing on your lap (or any uneven surface), I found that the keyboard can flex so much it can result in accidental mouse clicks. It's a shame because the bounce and travel of the keys generally feels pretty good. Nothing is more of a bummer than playing a game while relaxing on the couch and then having to fight with the tablet to avoid errant clicks. Instead of relying on discrete graphics, ASUS opted for AMD's Ryzen AI Max 390 or Max+ 395 APUs, which feature up to 32 cores and a whopping 128GB of unified RAM. However, our review unit came with a more modest, but still ample, 32GB. Unsurprisingly, this makes mincemeat out of basic productivity tasks while having more than enough power to quickly edit videos on the go. Sam Rutherford for Engadget But without a proper graphics card, can it actually game? Yes, and rather well, I might add. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and Ultra settings, the Z13 hit an impressive 93 fps. And while numbers weren't quite as high in Control at 1080p on Epic presets, 70 fps is still very playable. The one wrinkle is that when I tested Cyberpunk 2077 a second time on Ultra with ray tracing enabled, the Flow's performance was cut in half to just 45 fps. Unless you're playing a brand new AAA title that requires RT support (of which there are a growing number), the Z13 is a shockingly good portable gaming companion for frequent travelers. You just have to be careful about how you configure its power settings. That's because if you're out in public or a quiet room, high performance (especially turbo) can result in a fair bit of fan noise, which may draw some unwanted attention. Or in my case, it got much harder to talk to someone sitting next to me on the couch. Sam Rutherford for Engadget When it comes to longevity, you'll get one of two outcomes. In normal use and on PCMark's Modern Office productivity battery life test, the Z13 fared quite well, finishing with a time of six hours and 54 minutes. That's not quite a full day's worth of work untethered, but it's good enough for most folks. You'll just want to keep its chunky power adapter nearby. However, if you plan on gaming without plugging this thing into the wall, just be prepared for the Z13 to conk out after two hours at best. When I played League of Legends' Teamfight Tactics , I only made it through two games (about 30 to 40 minutes each) before its battery got dangerously low (around 10 percent). And suffice it to say, TFT isn't a very demanding title. The right side of the ROG Flow Z13 features a customizable button that can be programmed to launch an app of your choice. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget) The Flow Z13 is a niche device that's more of an all-rounder than it might seem at first glance. This system fills an interesting gap between ASUS' gaming machines and more creatively-focused PCs from its ProArt family. In a lot of ways, slapping an ROG badge on it doesn't really do this thing justice. It's got more than enough performance to breeze through general productivity or video edits, and its built-in microSD card reader makes transferring footage to the tablet a breeze. Its screen is bright and vibrant, while also offering accurate colors and a decently high refresh rate. And even without a discrete GPU, the Z13 didn't have much trouble rendering games with lots of graphical bells and whistles turned on. However, this tablet's issues boil down to a couple of major sticking points. Its detachable keyboard is simply too flimsy, to the point where if you use it anywhere besides a table or desk, you risk fighting with it just to ensure your mouse clicks are correct. But the bigger hurdle is price. Starting at $2,100 (or around $2,300 as tested), the Flow Z13 costs the same or more as a comparable ROG Zephyrus G14 with a proper RTX 5070. Not only does it have worse performance, it's less stable too due to its tablet-style design. For people trying to get the most value out of their money, that proposition is a hard sell. Sam Rutherford for Engadget Deep down, I want to like the ROG Flow Z13. And I do, to a certain extent. It's got a funky build and unapologetically aggressive styling. But unless you have a very particular set of requirements, it doesn't fit neatly into most people's lives as an equivalent laptop. And that's before you consider how much it costs.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's new Surface Pro could solve our biggest issue with the previous gen
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Microsoft seems to have taken our biggest complaints about the Microsoft Surface Pro (11th Edition) to heart. While we appreciated the Surface Pro (11th Edition)'s fantastic performance, stunning display, and superb battery life, it's price tag was a bit steep for a Windows tablet. But that should change soon. Microsoft announced new Copilot+ Surface devices during today's Surface AI event. The new Surface devices include the smaller, more budget-friendly Surface Pro 12-inch tablet, which was the subject of rumors earlier this year. Starting at just $799, could the new Surface Pro 12-inch tablet be our new favorite Surface product? Like the other Surface Copilot+ PC devices, the Surface Pro 12-inch tablet features an AI PC chipset with an NPU capable of over 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of AI performance. This gives the Surface Pro 12-inch access to the full Copilot+ suite of AI applications including Live Captions, CoCreate, and Recall. The Surface Pro 12-inch is also the thinnest and lightest Surface device, measuring just 0.3 inches thick and weighing just 1.5 pounds, making it the most portable of the Surface lineup. And that makes it ideal for students, artists, and commuters. Microsoft has also revamped the keyboard for the new Surface tablet, with a full-size backlit keyboard and precision touchpad with adaptive touch controls. The keyboard lies flat when open and folds completely back against the Surface Pro tablet for easier use when writing or sketching in tablet mode. Finally, the new Surface Pro 12-inch tablet comes in multiple colors: Slate, Ocean, and Violet. With the addition of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (8 core) Surface devices, Microsoft has options for most budgets in this most recent Surface generation. Between the high-end Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptop (7th Edition) and Surface Pro (11th Edition), to the work-focused Intel Lunar Lake Surface Laptop and Surface Pro for Business that were announced earlier this year, and now the two budget-friendly options, there's soon to be Surface product for most everyone. The Surface Pro 12-inch will be available starting May 20, with configurations starting at $799. We can't get too excited about the new Surface Pro 12-inch until we get a chance to test it out and see if it truly makes up for the faults of the Surface Pro (11th Edition), but based on what we know so far it looks like it should address most of our issues. Microsoft found a way to fix slow Word launches, but it's not all good news Amid the slow death of Windows 10, Microsoft's CEO reveals a bold stat about Windows 11 Microsoft's controversial Recall feature arrives on Copilot+ PCs, here's what you should know
WIRED
16-05-2025
- WIRED
The Surface Pro 12 Is Not Nearly as Great as It Could Have Been
One of my favorite features of the Surface Pro 11th Edition was the ability to use the keyboard when not physically connected to the device, which was handy in various situations. The Surface Pro 12 loses this feature. The keyboard no longer has a dedicated slot to store the Surface Slim Pen, though it can still magnetize (and wirelessly charge) to the back of the tablet. A few other downgrades to the Surface Pro 12: It has a 1080p front-facing webcam rather than a 1440p webcam, and slower ports. There are only two USB-C ports, and they're USB-C 3.2 instead of USB4. Perhaps the most disappointing feature, however, is the lack of repairability. The Surface Pro 11th Edition made strides in this area, letting you access the internals easily and upgrade the storage via the microSD card slot, even earning an 8/10 iFixit score. The Surface Pro 12 undoes this trend, instead opting for a sealed-up chassis and soldered components. This is likely because it's fanless, but having a microSD slot would have at least helped. Apples and Oranges Photograph: Luke Larsen Maybe it's not fair to only compare the Surface Pro 12 to the larger model. After all, it still compares favorably to the iPad Pro 11-inch, which is significantly more expensive. We should also keep in mind the comparison to the Surface Go 4, which came out in 2023. The cheaper 10.5-inch model seems to be defunct, meaning the Surface Pro 12 takes its place in many ways. While the Surface Go 4 had a much lower starting price, those configurations were quite underpowered, starting with just 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. When you line up the configurations, there's only a $30 difference between the Surface Go 4 and the Surface Pro 12 at launch. Because Microsoft needs to ensure that its Surface devices are Copilot+ PCs, those lower-tier configurations have been cut. There's a lot to like about the device on its own. You won't find a slicker 2-in-1, outside perhaps the iPad Pro 11-inch. The design is impeccable, and the keyboard and touchpad feel great to use. The palm rests are plastic and no longer Alcantara fabric, though they feel comfortable and rigid. Compared to the iPad, it's still quite affordable, even with the additional $70 power supply. But here's what it comes down to: As long as the Surface Pro 11th Edition is sold for $799 at Best Buy or another retailer, you should buy that instead. It has faster performance, a higher-refresh-rate screen, more ports, and a better webcam, and it is far more serviceable. And yes, that one comes with the power supply included. The 12-inch does have it beat in portability, but until we see the pricing situation change, the larger sibling is the one to buy.
India Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Microsoft has probably killed the Surface Studio laptop
Microsoft seems to have quietly pulled the plug on one of its most ambitious laptop lines — the Surface Laptop Studio. Production of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has reportedly ended, and the device is expected to be marked as end-of-life by June, as per sources aware of the company's internal hardware plans. While Microsoft has not issued any formal statement on this, its official resellers have confirmed that manufacturing has stopped and availability will now be such reseller acknowledged that while stocks may still be available in some regions, production has officially ceased. Microsoft, however, will continue to provide firmware and driver updates for the device, staying in line with its support policies for Surface Surface Laptop Studio was once seen as Microsoft's fresh take on premium laptops with its unique folding design and focus on creators. But this quiet exit mirrors the recent phase-out of other Surface products like the Surface Studio 2 all-in-one PC and the dual-screen Surface Duo. Over the last couple of years, Microsoft has gradually trimmed its hardware portfolio, favouring mainstream, safe designs instead of experimental ones. The company recently introduced refreshed versions of its regular Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models. These newer devices stick to familiar designs and sizes, signalling a more cautious approach. There's also been no sign of a Surface Laptop Studio 3, suggesting that Microsoft isn't looking to continue the series — at least not anytime of this change seems to have begun after the departure of longtime Surface head Panos Panay, who left for Amazon in 2023. Since then, Microsoft has focused on simplifying its Surface lineup, likely aiming to make its hardware offerings more streamlined and change is also visible on Microsoft's website, where only the core Surface Pro and Laptop lines are highlighted for consumers. Devices like the Surface Go 4 still remain available for business customers, and there's talk of a potential Arm-based successor, possibly tied to Microsoft's growing push into AI-powered PCs under the Copilot Plus interest in AI appears to be influencing its hardware ambitions. In earlier interviews, the company hinted at developing devices built specifically for AI assistants — possibly following the path it once explored with Cortana. With features like 'Hey, Copilot' voice activation now part of Windows 11, the focus seems to be on integrating AI more deeply into the Windows now, though, the departure of the Surface Laptop Studio — a product that once promised to shake up conventional laptop design — is a clear sign that Microsoft is rethinking its hardware playbook. Whether this is just a pause or a complete exit from creative-focused devices remains uncertain.
Engadget
15-05-2025
- Engadget
How to watch the Microsoft Build 2025 keynote
Microsoft's annual Build developer conference kicks off on May 19, and as always, it starts with a keynote. You can watch the opening event live starting at 12:05 PM Eastern time on Microsoft's website, though you'd have to register and sign in to be able to access the livestream. Microsoft will also be streaming the keynote on YouTube, though, and you can access it below. Just like last year, the event will be hosted by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, along with the company's Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott. According to the keynote page, the executives will be sharing how "Microsoft is creating new opportunity across [its] platforms in this era of AI." To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. The company has been introducing new AI features at Build over the last few years, and that's most likely what's going to happen again this time. We expect Microsoft to add more AI agents to Windows 11 to automate more tasks for you on the operating system. It could also give us an in-depth look at Copilot Vision, a feature that allows the AI assistant to see what you're doing on your computer so it could talk you through various tasks. Microsoft likely wouldn't be announcing new hardware at the event, however, seeing as it has only recently launched a 12-inch Surface Pro tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop. Microsoft's Build conference will take place from May 19 to May 22. Two other tech events are also taking place around that time: Google's I/O conference from May 20 to 21 and the Computex computer expo in Taiwan from May 20 to 23. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
