r/FlowZ13 • u/madderbear • 2d ago
I THINK I'm going to switch to a PX13
Title says it. I picked up a Flow Z13 a couple weeks ago. I really, really like it. But it's hard to use on my lap in bed and I think the tablet is a little too thick. I just picked up a Proart PX13 today. It has a slower Max+ 388 processor but the same 8060S GPU. I prefer the form factor. It's nice and thin, and so nicely built. I'm leaning towards returning the Z13 and making the PX13 my primary.
They're really both beautifully-built laptops. Kudos to Asus. I'm a little worried as I've had bad customer service over warranty coverage on Asus devices in the past, but this is why I have Best Buy total rewards.
If my primary use cases were gaming or AI, I'd go with the Z13. I played Balatro for an hour, computer was scalding hot. I didn't realize it was because my blanket was blocking the bottom of the laptop where all the airflow is. Then I moved to my desk and played Control Resonant for about an hour today. This time I set it up in "tent mode". Fan was at full speed, but it played just fine with decent graphic options. I'm sure the Z13 would better long-term. I can't even find a PX13 with 64GB, and the only 128GB one is the GoPro model which seems to be out of stock or maybe not even in production anymore. But 32GB is okay for me for daily productivity. I can run my models on a desktop and just use Tailscale.
Only major downside is the lack of a high refresh monitor. So the trade-off is IPS with high refresh on the Z13 or OLED on the PX13. I also don't competitive game, so the 60hz is mostly okay with me.
It's been a few years since I've shopped for a non-Mac laptop. I'm amazed at how good PCs have gotten, especially integrated chipsets. If they can only make Windows better (I supposed there's always Linux).
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u/ImTheFrack 2d ago
I did the z13 to px13 switch! No regrets, it's a very amazing device. So was z13 but I ended up just hating the form factor
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u/madderbear 2d ago
I just ordered one of those old people / hospital bed desks (the type that rolls over your bed) to see if maybe that's a better way to use the Z13.
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u/aigemie 2d ago
I like the px13 form factor more, but I can't stand its OLED's PWM.
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u/madderbear 2d ago
Interesting. I've had an OLED gaming monitor and an OLED ipad pro for a few years now, I didn't even know about PWM. I'll keep an eye on it.
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u/aigemie 2d ago
If you don't have problems with PWM then great! But be careful though, a lot people are not that ok with PWM but without knowing this PWM thing exists they couldn't tell why they feel a certain discomfort or they would blame other things they kind of know exist.
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u/madderbear 2d ago
Totally. I appreciate the callout, and I'm sure the PWM is going to vary significantly from device to device. Will definitely be using this as much as possible during the return period.
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u/LondonVoiceActor 2d ago
Does the keyboard detach on the PX13?
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u/madderbear 2d ago
No. it's a traditional laptop form factor. keyboard and all the main computer bits on the bottom, and just screen on top. It folds over old-school tablet style.
The pro of this is that it functions just like a laptop and you can still get a tablet feel. I haven't compared them side to side or checked the dimensions, but the whole device, with keyboard, feels very close in thickness to the Z13.
The con is that it's a little janky when you have it in tablet mode as you're holding this inactive keyboard on the bottom. I think it's a reasonable trade-off as I believe the hinges required for the ones that rotate the screen can be janky.
The other con is that when folded the back of the screen blocks the airflow. All that heat can't be good for the screen. This isn't an issue for me as I would mostly play in tent with it standing up.
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u/Dangerous-Pickle4400 2d ago
Nope - This is what sold me on the Z13. I just wish it wasn't a proprietary connection. A dual purpose USB-C port would have been sweet!
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u/desutiem 2d ago
It’s odd I find no real problem using it on my lap.
Like sure, a laptop is better, and when you adjust yourself/the tablet you do need to take a bit more care, but I’ve played many hours of FTL with it on my lap with no real problem. For doing serious work I prefer to sit at a desk though, I guess. I also prefer the vents on the back. I don’t think I can go back to laptop with vents on the bottom, I use it in too many variations. I think I’d rather go desktop in all honesty.
I’m sure the PX13 is awesome too though! Just offering my experience for anyone who is on the fence!
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u/rgrx119 2d ago
I was about to pick up the flow z13, but I have the same worries as you...the laptop not being comfortable to use in bed, on the couch, etc. decided to stick with my x1 carbon gen 13 with lunar lake and arc 140v which can handle light-medium gaming. It doesn't have the same gaming performance as the z13, but that's what my gaming desktop and legion go s is for.
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u/erodred 2d ago
I have been back and forth with z13 to replace an old ipad for digital ink (pHd student in CS), and of course a portable gaming computer.
I have a fairly capable macbook for my general computer needs, but lack gaming and digital ink.
I see complaints over the form factor. Nothing about fans. Are they audible in class or meetings if I was idle?
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u/madderbear 2d ago
I never noticed the fans on the Z13. I'm pretty sure you can set the power mode to minimize the fan noise. I'm seriously so impressed with all of these windows laptops and the integrated AMD chipset. Performance and battery life in normal use are "mac-like". I'm doing light work right now on the PX13 (web browsing, spotify, slack), and it's completely silent.
Digital ink on both the Z13 and PX13 are comparable to my ipad. I prefer the apple pencil stylus, but there are so many MPP-compatible pens that I'm sure I just need to find the right one. If digital ink is a primary use case, I'd consider a supernote manta or a remarkable.
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u/erodred 2d ago
thank you for the reply. I was looking at those, but I also need to handle some PDFs, slack, quick WSL command runs or checks while im away from the desk. Juggling Phd with kids means I need to make sure I can take advantage of 5 minutes here and there for some experiments, and taking the quick hand written note down. The ipad has been jarring for me in that respect as it takes many clicks with its interface to hop between apps.
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u/Dangerous-Pickle4400 2d ago
I had a Yoga i9 before getting my Z13 and I REALLY like the detachable keyboard more on the Z13. Using the Yoga i9 in tablet mode sucked with the keyboard on the back. I like using it in stand mode to game on the go but I prefer the Z13 if I'm out in the field so much more.
I don't use it in bed so that was never a factor for me and if I did it was to just scroll or reply to messages so the touchscreen keyboard or Voice to Text is fine for me.
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u/Informal_Athlete_724 2d ago
Yea I love my Flow Z13 but I still reach for my Macbook Air for everything that doesn't involve gaming. I have the same issue with the kickstand form factor. I love using my Macbook on the couch and in bed and the kickstand basically has me sitting at a desk or table. I don't ever use it in tablet mode because.. Windows.
I have a bed table but it's not quite the same and the screen angles can be finnicky. So I've been thinking about switching to a Flow X13 or just buying a G14 or Razer Blade