Like many of its predecessors, the Asus ROG Flow X13 aims for mobile gaming nirvana. This time, however, there is a twist. While most laptops try to do it all in one too-thin chassis, Asus has taken a different approach by releasing the Flow X13 with a powerful dock that houses an external graphics card, an eGPU that Asus calls the ROG XG Mobile

This is not a new idea, but Asus seems to have come closer to it than most. In particular, docking the Flow X13 can call on the raw power of a mobile GeForce RTX 3080 to drive its vibrant panel. Oh yeah, this laptop is also a 2-in-1 and can be used as a tablet. It's not a perfect fit for everyone, but for those who need this kind of flexibility, it has the makings of being the perfect machine.

As the name suggests, the Flow X13 is 13 inches, making it the perfect size to take with you on the go, while still providing enough space to actually see what you're doing Asus has changed things up a bit here, as the aspect ratio on the Flow X13 is not the usual 16:9 This is great because it gives Windows a little more vertical workspace.

The 1920 x 1200 native resolution is less exacting than 1080p, so it doesn't suddenly demand a lot from the GPU, which is a good thing when moving away from the eGPU, since the Flow X13's thin chassis only has a GeForce GTX 1650. This is because the Flow X13's thin chassis is only equipped with a GeForce GTX 1650.

In fact, it is safe to say that the GTX 1650 is the weakest part of the entire Asus ROG Flow X13 proposition. the GTX 1650 is not a useless GPU and can play many games at native resolution. using the GTX 1650, the screen's native resolution Using the XG Mobile eGPU, we were able to get even more performance, which we will discuss later.

Still, I would not normally recommend approaching a laptop this expensive simply because it has an entry-level, previous-generation GPU. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that this is not a gaming laptop worth considering on its own. What makes sense for gamers is the complete package of Flow X13 and XG Mobile, which retails for about $3,000.

There is no denying that $3,000 is a lot of money for a gaming laptop, but that is about what you would pay for this type of hardware. Desktop machines can be had for much less, but such machines are not portable. But this one is not that heavy, even the eGPU dock weighs 1 kg. It could easily be placed next to a laptop and carried in a bag.

External GPUs have been tried before, but the problem has been insufficient bandwidth between the external GPU and the machine itself. Asus' answer to this is to use a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface; the XG Mobile has 4x USB 3.2 ports, RJ-45 for networking, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors.

If there is a problem with Asus' solution, it is that the short connector between the dock and the laptop is unwieldy. Despite the fact that it supports both portrait and landscape mounting, it really doesn't feel like it's in the right place. Data cables and power cords come out of both ends of the unit, so they end up fighting for space on the desk. Again, the lightness of the unit is somewhat detrimental in this regard.

The connector itself is large, a clever combination of a standard USB Type-C port and a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface, but it is a chunky solution whereas everything else is a brilliantly sleek and minimalist solution. Removing the connectors isn't easy either, which can be frustrating when you're in a hurry. Nevertheless, it does provide the necessary bandwidth and performs well in that important respect.

Gaming Performance

As ever, it is performance that makes or breaks such a high-end product, and overall, the ROG Flow X13 with XG Mobile is a strong combo for handling today's games. While it didn't take first place in all benchmarks, it competes for a near even position with the other 3080 machines we've recently examined.

The competition here is the chunky but powerful Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 and the new MSI GS66 Stealth. There isn't much difference between the two in terms of price, so basically your choice will come down to which form factor is best suited for you. [Horizon Zero Dawn" at 115 fps, "Hitman 3" at 144 fps, and "Metro Exodus" at 80 fps. These are all good scores for demanding titles, and each looks impressive.

Basically, this combo of an eGPU and a versatile 2-in-1 laptop/tablet works well, and the Asus connection does not hinder performance. At least on average, some machines have lower minimum frame rates than others, but this may have something to do with the external nature of the graphics card.

System Performance

Asus used AMD's high-end Ryzen 9 5980HS as the brains of its operation. This is a powerful 8-core, 16-thread processor with a stock frequency of 3.1 GHz and a maximum boost of 4.5 GHz. With the mobile Ryzen 5000 generation, AMD introduced the HX series. The Scar 17, for example, uses the 5900HX, which offers much better performance in CPU-intensive tasks.

Battery life is not particularly impressive, with gaming draining the battery in 1 hour and 21 minutes, which is not particularly surprising given the size of the chassis. It could do much more when performing more mundane tasks. Realistically, this machine would be connected to an eGPU for gaming. To do so, it would need to be near a power outlet.

Overall, the Flow X13 with XG Mobile is an attractive, if somewhat unusual, portable gaming powerhouse. Few gaming machines are like this one. While it is true that not everyone needs or wants to use it as a tablet, they do have the option to do so, and using the included pen is comfortable and easy.

But forget the idea of playing games or watching movies in so-called tent mode. This is a machine to be used primarily as a laptop or tablet, not some weird in-between state.

The biggest winner here is the XG Mobile eGPU dock. The cables may be clunky, but they serve their purpose well: giving you access to the power of an external graphics card on a laptop. This means that you can use your laptop's screen or connect it to a fixed monitor to enjoy the latest games at their highest settings.

This is still a very expensive solution and not for everyone, but if the idea of taking your laptop to work and then plugging it in at home for some serious gaming is appealing, the good news is that this is no longer a silly fantasy. Asus is making the eGPU concept a reality. If you just want a seriously powerful gaming laptop, there are better options like the Asus Strix Scar 17, but if you want something a little different, this might be it. Or check out our guide to the best gaming laptops.