What happens when you pair a 13-inch gaming tablet with controllers? You get an oversized yet thrilling gaming handheld experience. Using a pre-production Asus ROG Flow Z13 tablet with a GameSir G8 Plus clamp-on controller, I’ve created a massive gaming device that’s both impractical and exhilarating.
The Z13, powered by AMD’s Strix Halo processor, outpaces most handhelds, delivering smooth gameplay at 2560 x 1600 resolution. Games like Helldivers 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle ran effortlessly at 50-60 fps. The downside? Its battery life is short-lived, lasting just 90 minutes at high settings.
However, this DIY experiment isn’t without issues. The GameSir G8 Plus wasn’t designed for a device this large, requiring risky overextension that could snap back aggressively. At 3.6 pounds, this setup is heavier than the Steam Deck and Acer Nitro Blaze 11, making it unwieldy for extended handheld play.
While cumbersome, the Z13’s large screen makes Windows 11 surprisingly tolerable, bridging the gap between handheld, laptop, and tablet functionality. With its built-in kickstand, it’s best suited for stationary gaming with a traditional controller.
This experiment highlights the potential of larger gaming handhelds. With devices like Acer’s Blaze 11 and the upcoming Switch 2 pushing size boundaries, the market is evolving. If Asus develops custom-fit controllers for the Z13, it could redefine gaming handhelds.
Though not perfect, oversized handhelds hint at a new era of “stay-at-home” gaming devices. Whether this trend catches on or remains niche, one thing’s clear: there’s no universal size for gaming handhelds. Big or small, the future of portable gaming is anything but boring.
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