Asus’ ROG Circulate Z13 (2025) evaluation: A...

I’ve by no means gone hands-on with Asus’ ROG Circulate line earlier than. So, once I began taking a look at 2025’s mannequin, I did not know what to anticipate. Asus generally develops high-performance gaming rigs. With this in thoughts, I used to be initially thrown off by the ROG Circulate Z13’s small stature and footprint. Nonetheless, I used to be pleasantly stunned by this two-in-one laptop computer once I began to know the ability AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ chipset affords.

2025 has been a 12 months for journey for me. I have been on a airplane practically each week and have persistently rotated via my numerous gaming gadgets. Whether or not it is my Nintendo Switch, ROG Ally X, or 16-inch gaming laptop, I’ve packed at the least one machine away earlier than I hit the airport. Sadly, I all the time felt like I used to be lacking one thing. Both the Swap wasn’t highly effective sufficient to run the video games I needed, or my laptop computer was too large to play on a airplane comfortably. The ROG Circulate Z13 (2025) feels good and might run intensive titles with the one main concession being battery life.

Asus has developed probably the most highly effective laptop-tablet machine I’ve ever used. Given the ROG Circulate Z13 comes with a $2,099 price ticket, this needs to be considerably anticipated.

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ROG Circulate Z13 (2025)

A refresh to 2023’s ROG Circulate Z13. This 2-in-1 gaming laptop computer contains a new AMD Ryzen AI chip, enabling the machine to be a Copilot+ PC, able to supporting AI capabilities. It additionally affords a 13.4-inch 2.5K ROG Nebula show, supporting 180Hz refresh price.

Execs & Cons

• Minimal footprint
• Use of AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip
• Tactile and slim keyboard

• No OLED show possibility
• 4-5 hour battery whereas gaming
• Followers aren’t ample for cooling

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Value, availability, and specs

Proper out of the field, the ROG Circulate Z13’s sheer dimension (or lack thereof) is obvious. It solely measures 11.8 x 8 x 0.5-inches (30 x 20.4 x 1.29 x 1.49cm), making it ridiculously small given what’s underneath its hood. It contains a 13.4-inch 2560 x 1600 pixel decision IPS LCD show that is able to supporting as much as a 180Hz refresh price. Despite the fact that it weighs 2.65lbs (1.2kg), it might probably simply be stowed in a backpack or bag.

The ROG Circulate Z13 I have been testing sports activities an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. This 12 months, Asus ditched the Intel chip the ROG Circulate Z13’s predecessor utilized. Now choosing AMD’s chipset, the corporate affords a 16-core Zen 5 CPU with a 40-core GPU, a strong mixture for duties like high-end video games and video rendering. It additionally offers method to utilizing Copilot+ AI capabilities, if that is of curiosity.

The design of the ROG Circulate Z13 is greatest described as alluring. At first look, it would appear like a pill due to its 5-megapixel digital camera with a canopy that doubles as a sturdy keyboard. The keys are very responsive and have an incredible tactile really feel whereas typing. Alongside the perimeters of the machine, Asus contains two USB 4 Sort-C ports, one USB 3.2 Sort-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, a microSD slot, and three.5mm headphone jack (that is all you’ll be able to ask for from a laptop computer).

The machine’s rear aspect contains a 13-megapixel digital camera and a discreet kickstand constructed into the physique. This kickstand permits the ROG Circulate Z13 to regulate anyplace inside 170 levels, which I’ve discovered works nicely. There’s additionally a small windowed cutout within the design that is complemented by RGB lighting, permitting you to take a fast look on the motherboard.

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What I preferred in regards to the Asus ROG Circulate Z13

Excessive-performance gaming on a small rig

Make no mistake, the ROG Circulate Z13’s dimension definitely does not quantify its efficiency. Regardless of a comparatively small footprint, Asus leverages all the pieces underneath the hood to have the ability to play even probably the most resource-intensive trendy video games. All through my weeks of utilizing the machine, I performed lately launched PC video games like Horizon Forbidden West and jumped into the odd match of Marvel Rivals. With 180Hz refresh price help, the visuals regarded buttery clean. I typically received steady 60fps visuals whereas working video games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider on excessive settings. Horizon Forbidden West ran regular at round 80fps on excessive graphics settings with AMD’s FidelityFX Tremendous Decision upscaling turned. Once I benchmarked the hybrid machine, the ROG Circulate Z13 hit a powerful Geekbench 6 rating of two,884 for single-core and 21,006 for multi-core.

Asus’ ROG Circulate Z13 could appear like it is designed to be a gaming rig, particularly given its RGB keyboard. Nonetheless, it is also a workhorse for content material creation. I might multitask successfully with no slowdown or efficiency points throughout my time with the hybrid machine. Even whereas rendering movies, I used to be capable of proceed doing different issues. The LCD display won’t be as vivid or eye-catching as an OLED, however on condition that the Circulate Z13 contains a 13-inch show, the panel’s readability loss is not that large of a difficulty.

As famous earlier, the ROG Circulate Z13 has a unbelievable keyboard. The spacing between keys feels good, and so they have a satisfying click on to them. This additionally extends to the trackpad. I am usually very harsh on overly delicate laptop computer trackpads, however with the ROG Circulate Z13, I have been delighted that it does not register mild grazes.

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What I disliked in regards to the Asus ROG Circulate Z13

Battery life varies primarily based on utilization, however the jet engine fan sounds not often cease

One of many downsides to utilizing the ROG Circulate Z13 as my journey gaming rig has been managing its battery life. Asus suggests the pill/laptop computer can help 10 hours of utilization on a single cost. Which may be the case if you happen to solely reply to emails or scroll social media all through your day. The second you do some gaming or video modifying, the battery nosedives to roughly 4 hours at most. Fortunately, the battery life has gotten me via most of my flights this 12 months. Nonetheless, my day-to-day workflow usually requires me to virtually all the time have the ROG Circulate Z13 plugged in.

The opposite main problem with the ROG Circulate Z13 is that it simply will get sizzling. The followers begin sounding like a jet engine even when simply putting in video games. This, in fact, persists when taking part in video games, too, even on Medium settings. It is a buzzing distraction that is troublesome to disregard if you happen to’re not carrying noise cancelling headphones whereas working or taking part in video games.

Sadly, because of the machine’s dimension, there’s little or no Asus can do on the cooling prevention entrance. The corporate designed the ROG Circulate Z13 to characteristic a vapor chamber able to providing 55 % higher cooling protection throughout the motherboard in comparison with its predecessors. Sadly, even with the vapor chamber, the ROG Circulate Z13 is a loud 2-in-1 machine, particularly when taking part in video games.

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Must you purchase the Asus ROG Circulate Z13?

If the novelty of getting a high-performance 2-in-1 laptop computer is in your listing, the Circulate Z13 is value contemplating — in case you have the money to spend, in fact

After spending roughly three weeks with the ROG Circulate Z13, I have been pleasantly stunned by its energy and effectivity. I am not used to a tool this small that may competently run trendy, performance-intensive video games so nicely. Asus’ adoption of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has panned out impressively, particularly when including AMD’s FidelityFX Tremendous Decision.

I’d have cherished to see Asus characteristic an OLED panel within the Circulate Z13. As a fan of the colour and distinction OLED screens provide, I needed extra from the ROG Circulate Z13’s LCD. Nonetheless, that will understandably balloon the already steep $2,099 price ticket and possibly additional restrict battery life. Whereas Asus’ ROG Circulate Z13 will doubtless be a premium buy for many, if you happen to can take care of its comparatively low battery life and loud cooling, you will not be disillusioned with how nicely the laptop-tablet handles your favourite PC video games.

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ROG Circulate Z13 (2025)