ASUS ROG Flow Z13 vs iPad Pro (2022): Which Tablet Is Better For You?

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 and iPad Pro are designed for different types of users, with the former targeting the gaming crowd, while the latter is for work or productivity and content consumption. If you are in the market for a new high-end tablet, these two are pretty much the best options. So which one do you choose? Below is our iPad Pro vs ASUS ROG Flow Z13 review and comparison.

ASUS ROG Flow Z13 vs iPad Pro Comparison Chart

Model	ASUS ROG Flow Z13	iPad Pro
Price	Check Price	Check Price
Dimensions and Weight	11.89 x 8.03 x 0.47 inches 2.6 lbs (i9 and i7 models) 2.47 lbs (i5 model)	11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches, 1.50 lbs (12.9-inch) 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 inches, 1.03 lbs (11-inch)
Display	13.4-inch IPS LCD 3840 x 1200 pixels, 60Hz (i9) 1920 x 1200, 120Hz (i7 and i5) Dolby Vision	12.9-inch mini-LED, 2048 x 2732 pixels 11-inch IPS, 1668 x 2388 pixels 120Hz HDR10, Dolby Vision
Processor/SoC	Intel® Core™ i9-12900H Intel® Core™ i7-12700H Intel® Core™ i5-12500H	Apple M1 8-cores
Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Ti (i9) RTX™ 3050 (i7) Intel® Iris Xᵉ (i5)	Apple GPU
RAM and Storage	8GB RAM (up to 16GB) 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe (i9) 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe (i7 and i5)	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM
I/O Ports	1x 3.5mm Jack, 1x USB 2.0, 1x Thunderbolt™ 4, 1x ROG XG Mobile Interface, 1x card reader, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C	USB Type-C 4
Camera	8MP main camera 720p front camera	12MP (wide) 10MP (ultrawide) main cameras 12MP front camera
Network and Communication	WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.2	WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 5G
Battery Life	Around 5 hours	Around 10 hours
OS	Windows 11	iPadOS

Design

The iPad Pro is more portable and has a better screen than the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, but the latter comes with a keyboard.

In the looks department, these two can’t be any more different. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is bigger and heavier, and it has a busier design with gamer aesthetics. At the back, there are vents and cutouts for cooling and branding. Also, it has a built-in kickstand, along with numerous ports at its sides, including a 3.5mm audio jack, a Thunderbolt port, ASUS’ ROG XG interface, a card reader and a couple of USB-A and USB-C ports.

All ASUS ROG Flow Z13 models measure 11.89 x 8.03 x 0.47 inches. The i9 and i7 models weigh 2.60lbs, while the low-end i5 model weighs 2.47lbs. These are heavy tablets.

On the other hand, the iPad Pro has a more simplistic and streamlined look that you’d expect from a tablet. It’s lighter so it’s easier and more comfortable to hold for extended periods. There’s no kickstand, and there’s only one USB-C port.

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch measures 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches and it weighs 1.50lbs, while the 11-inch model’s physical dimensions are 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 inches and it only weighs 1.03lbs.

Display

Both tablets’ screens are impressive, but the Apple iPad Pro definitely has the advantage here. All ASUS ROG Flow Z13 models come with 13.4-inch IPS touchscreens with adaptive sync technology. The i9 model’s display has a resolution of 3840 x 2400 but it only has a max refresh rate of 60Hz. Meanwhile, the i7 and i5 models have a resolution of 1920 x 1200, but their max refresh rate is 120Hz.

The iPad Pro has mini-LED screens with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The only difference between the two models is the size and resolution, with the 12.9-inch variant having a resolution of 2048 x 2732 and the 11-inch model having 1668 x 2388 pixels.

The iPad Pro’s screen has a higher peak brightness and it covers 99% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Also, mini-LED is superior to LED in almost every way. You’ll get better colors and pictures that pop with the iPad Pro. That said, the Z13’s screen is not that bad, it just pales in comparison against the iPad Pro’s.

Accessories

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 comes with a keyboard folio and power adapters and cables. The keyboard uses a physical connection to the tablet, so it performs without latency, unlike with Bluetooth keyboards. It’s quite sturdy and there’s no flex. Meanwhile, the Apple iPad Pro comes with a USB-C cable and a power adapter. If you need a keyboard, you’ll have to purchase it separately.

Hardware and Performance

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is faster and more powerful than Apple’s flagship iPad Pro.

On the hardware front, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the clear winner. Apple’s M1 chip with its 8-core CPU can keep up with the Z13 base model’s i5-12500H in single core performance, but when all cores are in use, the i5 has the clear advantage. The i7-12700H and i9-12900H are even faster, so the result will be pretty obvious when they are compared to Apple’s M1 chip.

It’s the same story with their GPUs, with the Z13 having an overwhelming advantage. The i9 and i7 models are equipped with NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti and 3050, respectively, while the base i5 model comes with an integrated Iris Xe graphics. These are much better than Apple’s 8-core GPU.

In addition to having a more powerful graphics card, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 can also connect to an external GPU for even better gaming performance. The Z13 has one ROG XG Mobile Interface that supports ASUS proprietary external GPUs, and it also has one Thunderbolt 4 port for eGPUs. If you are a gamer, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the obvious choice between these two tablets.

Software and OS

Windows 11 on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 allows you to do more than Apple’s iPadOS on the iPad Pro.

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 runs on Windows 11 while the Apple iPad Pro runs on iPadOS. All of the basic everyday tasks are doable on both devices, tasks such as web browsing, social media, emails and more. However, one advantage of Windows 11 is it’s not as restrictive as Apple’s iPadOS. Also, you can run full versions of various software on Windows 11 while on iPadOS, some or most features of these software are disabled.

Both operating systems are not perfect. While you can do more on Windows 11, Apple’s iPadOS is more streamlined and easier to use for a lot of people.

When it comes to gaming, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the clear winner. You can play many casual and mobile games on the iPad Pro, but for AAA and AA games, you’ll want a more powerful device such as the Z13. It’s also worth mentioning that on the iPad Pro, you can only play games offered on the App Store, whereas on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, you have access to more digital storefronts.

Battery Life

The iPad Pro lasts longer than the ASUS ROG Flow Z13.

Battery life is where the Apple iPad Pro trumps the ASUS ROG Flow Z13. The iPad Pro, both the 12.9-inch and 11-inch models, can last up to 10 hours due to the efficiency of Apple’s M1 chip. Also, it’s internal components are not as power hungry as the Z13’s. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 can last up to only five hours when used for gaming, which is acceptable, but still not very good.

Verdict

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a better gaming and all-around machine, but it’s also more expensive than the iPad Pro.

ASUG ROG Flow Z13

Best for gamers and users who want performance

Apple iPad Pro

Best for people who want a high performance tablet for everyday use

If you are a gamer, the obvious choice is the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 since it runs on Windows 11 and it has better hardware. It can also connect to external GPUs for even better gaming performance. Now, if you just want a high-end tablet, the Apple iPad Pro might be the better choice since it is cheaper, and it’s more than capable when it comes to basic tasks such as browsing, conference calls, checking emails and social media, as well as other advanced tasks such as light editing and more. It’s also the better choice if you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 can also do these basic tasks, but it’s a bit overpriced for this use-case.

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