They are saying that good issues are available in small packages, and Asus proves this as soon as once more with the newest iteration of the Asus ROG Circulation X13 (2023). This transportable powerhouse packs severe {hardware}, together with a Ryzen 9 7940HS and an RTX 4070 right into a smooth 13-inch chassis that feels extra like an ultrabook than among the best gaming laptops.
Asus made waves with the unique Circulation X13 in 2021, and it’s listened to suggestions to enhance upon its newest design, together with a a lot bigger touchpad, a 165Hz QHD show, and a GPU able to high-refresh gaming. With all this energy packed inside such a small bundle, does the ROG Circulation X13 stay as much as its legacy? Asus despatched a evaluation unit over, and I’ve spent the previous month utilizing it for gaming, productiveness, and even some content material creation to seek out out whether or not it suits in our finest Asus gaming laptop computer information.
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Specs
The Asus ROG Circulation X13 specs:
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080/4090 |
CPU | Intel Core i9-13980HX |
RAM | 16/32GB |
Storage | 1/2TB SSD |
Ports | 1 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x HDMI 2.1 |
Display | 2560 x 1600, 165Hz |
Dimensions | 0.66 x 11.77 x 8.35 in |
Weight | 2.37 lbs |
Design
The general design of this yr’s Circulation X13 is basically unchanged from earlier fashions, with a couple of welcomed quality-of-life enhancements. The lid options textured diagonal traces and muted accents that enable the laptop computer to mix into any atmosphere, reasonably than asserting its standing as a gaming gadget. The body is barely smaller than earlier fashions, whereas nonetheless weighing simply 2.87lbs – solely a hair greater than Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air, which clocks in at 2.75lbs.
Inside, the attractive Nebula show extends almost to the sting of the highest and sides, which sadly doesn’t go away room for a webcam. That is changing into extra frequent on gaming laptops, as many individuals appear to want a extra skilled cam for streaming, so it’s forgivable on one in all this dimension.
What amazes me concerning the X13’s design is how snug the keyboard feels when typing and gaming, regardless of my reasonably giant fingers. ASUS claims that it’s a 15-inch laptop computer keyboard in a 13-inch laptop computer body, which feels about proper to me. Maybe one in all my favourite refined modifications to the Circulation X13 is the touchpad. They’ve elevated the scale by 56%, which I discover to be extra snug after I’m casually shopping.
I used to be shocked to notice that, in contrast to most ROG units, the Circulation X13’s keyboard doesn’t function customizable RGB lighting. There’s a uniform backlight that’s a bluish-white shade, however you may solely regulate the general brightness, which is a bit disappointing at this worth level.
Very similar to earlier generations, the 2-in-1 design of the X13 lends nicely to different artistic duties, due to a touchscreen with stylus help. A fast flip of the display screen transforms this highly effective gaming machine right into a artistic workspace, which got here in helpful whereas engaged on a few of my animated tasks that require a stylus for linework.
Options
Whereas the skin of the up to date Circulation X13 could also be largely the identical as earlier fashions, the true modifications are beneath the hood. A powerful CPU was at all times part of the X13 lineup, nevertheless, Asus pulled out all of the stops by together with a Ryzen 9 7940HS, which is essentially the most highly effective cellular chip that AMD at the moment presents, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 5.2 GHz max increase clock. However the largest change this yr needs to be within the GPU division.
Earlier fashions featured mid-range inner GPUs and relied on their exterior GPU which they name XG Cell for severe gaming energy. This yr ASUS determined to up the ante by together with an RTX 4070 (60W Max TGP) proper out of the field. This highly effective GPU means that you can make the most of the 165Hz WQXGA show without having any further {hardware}. In case you demand solely the perfect GPU to your laptop computer, you may nonetheless join the ROG XG Cell eGPU to unlock the Circulation X13’s full potential.
Talking of the show, this is among the most shocking and welcome upgrades to the X13. With the upgraded GPU, it is smart for ASUS to incorporate a higher-refresh display screen, and the 165Hz Nebula show delivers spectacularly. I used to be comfortable to seek out nearly no ghosting throughout my testing, and it was shiny sufficient for all of the working situations I examined it in, save exterior within the daylight.
What shocked me, nevertheless, was the truth that the show covers 100% of the DCI-P3 house and is Pantone-validated. Whereas which may not imply a lot to players, skilled creators in movie and TV depend on these requirements to make sure colours are as correct as attainable. As somebody who splits their time between gaming and content material creation, I normally depend on totally different shows relying on what I’m doing. The Circulation X13’s show offers me the perfect of each worlds, which is uncommon in such a transportable bundle.
With regards to connectivity, the Circulation X13 leaves room for enchancment. On the precise aspect, you’ll discover a single USB Sort C port (USB 4.2 Gen2), which you’ll want to make use of for charging, and the one USB Sort A (USB 3.2 Gen2) port. On the opposite aspect is the three.5mm audio jack, full-size HDMI 2.1 port, and MicroSD card reader. There’s an extra Sort C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2) hidden behind a rubber stopper on the left aspect, which is a part of the XG Cell interface.
Whereas there are sufficient ports for many duties, I’m disenchanted that ASUS opted to place one of many three USB ports behind a rubber stopper. Positive, it covers up the XG Cell port that most individuals gained’t use, however the stopper isn’t utterly detachable, which meant I needed to fiddle with it each time I wished to cost the laptop computer from the left aspect, or wanted each USB-C ports. It’s hardly a deal-breaker, however one thing for them to think about subsequent time round.
Wi-fi connectivity is unbelievable on the Circulation X13. I upgraded to a WiFi 6E community final yr, and that is the primary alternative I’ve had to make use of it with a succesful laptop computer. As you may think about, switch speeds are lightning-quick, which is useful after I’m working with giant pictures and video recordsdata.
As one may count on on a tool of this dimension, there’s not plenty of room for audio system. A pair of them is positioned on the underside of the laptop computer, and aren’t something to jot down house about. They work nicely sufficient for basic music and media, however I discovered them to have a tinny sound and so they may have been louder.
Benchmarking
Efficiency
There’s no query that should you drop $2,199 on an ROG Circulation X13 you’re going to count on a great deal of efficiency inside this smooth chassis. I’m comfortable to report that in my time with our evaluation mannequin, it took each video games and video manufacturing work in stride. After all, when it’s packing an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, that comes as no shock right here.
To check out the Circulation X13’s efficiency I ran a sequence of artificial benchmarks and pushed the machine to its limits with a couple of video games at its native decision of 2560 x 1440. As you may see from the chart under, this fantastically thin-and-light laptop computer has loads of energy beneath the hood. You’ll need to make the most of the DLSS choice at any time when accessible, because the RTX 4070 sees a substantial efficiency enchancment on video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 22.
Whereas sheer efficiency is among the fundamental components I take into account when choosing a laptop computer, it’s not the one one. For me, I want a steadiness of energy, consolation, and battery life. When it comes to consolation, the laptop computer by no means obtained sizzling sufficient to be a trouble, although throughout particularly taxing gaming classes it might get hotter than I want.
I’m impressed with how quiet the Circulation X13’s followers are, even when working at full pace, however they’re nonetheless reasonably noticeable after they kick on. This was much less of a problem whereas gaming, however at occasions the followers would activate whereas merely utilizing an internet browser or watching a video, which is lower than best, and a bit distracting at occasions.
Gaming laptops and poor battery life typically go hand-in-hand, as they’re power-hungry machines that recreation higher whereas plugged in. Nonetheless, the Circulation X13 is positioned as a tool for creators, in addition to players, so my expectations have been fairly excessive throughout my battery assessments. I’m comfortable to report that ASUS’s software program does an amazing job of switching between the RTX 4070 and its iGPU to maximise each battery life and efficiency.
We make the most of the PCMark 10’s “Fashionable Workplace Battery Life” check right here at PCGamesN, because it supplies an amazing mixture of typical duties like internet shopping and video playback that mimic real-world utilization. The ROG Circulation X13 lasted a little bit over 9 hours on common, which is a superb rating, contemplating the quantity of energy this little machine packs.
Utilizing PCMark 10’s “Gaming Battery Life” check, the laptop computer solely clocked in round 2.5 hours of gaming earlier than it wanted a cost. Whereas underwhelming, you do take a efficiency hit from working off the battery, so your most intensive gaming classes will happen whereas it’s plugged in. Nonetheless, two and a half hours is sufficient time to recreation your approach by way of a flight or move the time once you’re away from an outlet.
Do you have to purchase the Asus ROG Circulation X13?
- Sure: Skinny and lightweight convertible design
- Sure: Highly effective CPU and GPU for gaming
- No: Excessive price ticket
- No: Followers may be distracting
With a $2,499 price ticket (with out offers) the ROG Circulation X13 isn’t geared toward everybody. Asus is concentrating on players and creators that want plenty of energy, however need it within the lightest and thinnest bundle attainable, and I’d say they hit their mark.
In case you’ve obtained the price range and demand essentially the most highly effective {hardware} and unparalleled portability, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher choice than the ROG Circulation X13 (2023).
Asus ROG Circulation X13 (2023) evaluation
The ROG Circulation X13 (2023) marries energy and efficiency within a smooth 2-in-1 chassis that’s excellent for on-the-go gaming and content material creation, however the sticker shock could scare some folks away.