ASUS announced the ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet at CES 2022, and now it is available for pre-order but with a price that leaves a hole in the pocket. Detachable Windows 2-in-1s are growing in popularity as their form factor appeals to many people who don't want to have a separate tablet and computer. Microsoft is one of the leaders in this segment with offerings under its Surface line, but other brands such as ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and HP also have several options.
The ROG (Republic of Gamers) line is ASUS's brand of gaming products. The name is used for computers, keyboards, mice, headsets and graphics cards. In 2018, ASUS launched its first gaming phone, and unlike its other smartphones, it and its successors carry the ROG branding. In addition, ASUS has a second gaming brand called TUF (The Ultimate Force) that it uses for its more affordable gaming products.
There are not a lot of tablets like the ROG Flow Z13, which may be one reason it is getting a hefty price tag. As reported by Liliputing, pre-order for the gaming tablet has gone up in a few regions, including the United States. A variant of the device with a Full HD 120Hz display, Intel Core i9 12900H processor, RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD has been spotted on Best Buy with a price tag of $1900. Those in Canada can check their local Best Buy site for the same configuration but with a C$2500 price. It has also been revealed that a version of the tablet with the same RAM, Intel CPU, GPU, and storage stated above but a 4K 60Hz display will be sold in the United Kingdom for £2,998 (~$4059).
There Will Be Cheaper Models
The prices above are by no means affordable, but ASUS will be offering other configurations which should be more pocket-friendly. For example, the ASUS website reveals a configuration with an FHD 120Hz display, Intel Core i5-12500H CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. It also doesn't have an NVIDIA graphics card but an integrated Intel Iris Xe, which means it should cost significantly less. Alongside is a Core i7-12700H version with the slightly less powerful RTX 3050 graphics card and 512GB of storage. There is also a likelihood ASUS will announce AMD versions of the ROG Flow Z13. However, it is not yet known when these configurations will be available for purchase.
Except for the differences in display, chipset, GPU, and storage, some features are the same across the board. So regardless of the configuration, the ROG Flow Z13 will have a 13.4-inch glossy display with support for Dolby Vision and Adaptive-Sync, an 8MP rear camera, a 720P HD web camera, rear window lighting, a detachable backlit chiclet keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 56WHr battery with support for 100W charging. ASUS will also ship it with Windows 11 Home. If the ROG Flow Z13 is not the type of Windows tablet you want, the smaller and less-powerful ExpertBook B3 Detachable might be of interest.
Source: Liliputing, Best Buy