ASUS ProArt P16: $7,000 Laptop for Local AI
The new machine uses NVIDIA's RTX Spark chip to run large language models locally, but the price tag limits its appeal to professional creators.
By Thomas Rogers ·
ASUS has launched the ProArt P16, the first laptop to feature NVIDIA's new RTX Spark chipset. The device is designed for users who need to run large artificial intelligence models directly on their computers without relying on cloud servers. While the hardware is impressive, the high cost makes it a niche product for specific professionals rather than a general consumer device.
The base model starts at $2,800, but the price increases rapidly as memory capacity rises. The specific unit reviewed by Engadget includes 128GB of RAM and carries a price tag of $7,000. For comparison, a dedicated gaming laptop with similar graphics performance costs significantly less. The P16 is built for creators who prioritize local AI processing over traditional gaming features.
The laptop uses a system-on-a-chip design that combines a 20-core Arm CPU with a Blackwell GPU. This architecture mirrors Apple's M-series chips, offering up to 128GB of unified memory in a single package. NVIDIA and Microsoft have promoted this platform as a major shift in PC design. The hardware sits alongside existing x86 processors from Intel and AMD, creating a new branch for AI researchers and enthusiasts.
Benchmark results show a mixed performance profile. The P16 scored approximately 3,000 points lower in PCMark 10 Applications tests than an ASUS laptop equipped with a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. In single-threaded CPU tasks, it also trailed slightly. However, the system excelled in graphics and AI workloads. It outperformed a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip by 4,700 points in GPU tests and led in AI computer vision and image generation benchmarks.
In real-world usage, the laptop successfully ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which requires 42GB of RAM, leaving plenty of memory available for other tasks. It also handled demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings. In Control: Resonant, the system achieved 70 frames per second at 1440p with ultra settings and medium ray tracing. Lowering the graphics settings increased the frame rate to 120 fps.
The build quality is strong, featuring a sturdy aluminum chassis that weighs 3.9 pounds, making it lighter than Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch OLED display is extremely bright, reaching 1,600 nits. The port selection includes three USB-C connections, USB Type A, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader, though it lacks an Ethernet port. The keyboard and haptic touchpad are generously sized for a device of this profile.
Compatibility remains a potential issue for gamers. Most games rely on Microsoft's Prism emulator to run on the Arm CPU, which can reduce performance and cause technical problems. Native Arm64 builds are available for titles like Fortnite and DOTA 2, but NVIDIA is still working with anti-cheat developers to ensure broader multiplayer support. Adobe has already ported its major software to the platform, but support for other multimedia applications remains uncertain.
Battery life is a notable weakness, lasting ten hours and 51 minutes in testing, which is below the fifteen-plus hours typical of many premium laptops. Performance did not drop when the laptop was unplugged. The black finish is prone to fingerprints. For general users or gamers, the ASUS Zephyrus G16 offers better value at $2,124 with an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz screen. The ProArt P16 is best suited for AI professionals who can justify the premium cost.
Source: Engadget
