4K OLED, AMD and NVIDIA AI power, with unique creative features make this ASUS laptop very special

As a creative professional who spends countless hours editing videos, photos, and designing graphics, I can confidently say that the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) is a game-changer for those of us in the industry. This laptop is not just a tool; it’s a companion that understands our needs and delivers unparalleled performance to help us bring our ideas to life.

As a researcher, I’ve noticed an intriguing convergence in the design of gaming and creative-focused laptops. Both these user groups share a common demand for superior displays and robust performance, which explains why many manufacturers tend to employ comparable strategies in catering to both segments.

In the case of ASUS, it’s quite apparent that they have taken their exceptional ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) gaming laptop and transformed it for creative pursuits. They made design adjustments, optimized its internal components, and incorporated numerous innovative features not commonly found elsewhere. The fruit of their labor is one of the top Windows laptops I’ve had the pleasure of using this year.

The ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) model exudes sophistication and poise while boasting impressive potential to outshine your existing computer in terms of performance. Its 4K OLED screen is top-tier, the revamped aluminum design style by ASUS is at its finest, the performance is outstanding, and the heat management is exceptionally good. Across the board, every hardware feature is performing optimally. Keep in mind that this laptop comes with a high price tag; those who won’t fully utilize the ProArt P16’s capabilities may find more budget-friendly options elsewhere.

A beefy NVIDIA GPU also ensures that battery life is as inconsistent as any gaming laptop, although AMD’s new Ryzen CPUs mean you can turn NVIDIA off and squeeze a surprising amount of endurance out of this machine.

ProArt P16 review: Pricing and specifications

4K OLED, AMD and NVIDIA AI power, with unique creative features make this ASUS laptop very special

Pricing highlights

The ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) starts at $1,900 with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 chip, RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.
Maxed out, you can upgrade the ProArt P16 to an RTX 4070, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage for $2,700.
However, the sweet spot is absolutely the middle configuration, which drops down to 32GB of RAM for a much more reasonable $2,300.
Value rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a researcher, I find the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 to be quite an inspiration for the ProArt P16 (2024), but it’s important to note that the Zephyrus isn’t exactly budget-friendly. However, the ProArt P16 takes things a step further by offering a more affordable starting price. This laptop is available at Best Buy for $1,899.99, which includes a 4K OLED display, an AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 chipset, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.

The configuration that I reviewed shares the exact same design, CPU, display, and tertiary feature set, but bumps up the GPU to a more capable RTX 4070 and doubles the SSD storage for $2,299.99 at Best Buy. In my opinion, this is the most balanced configuration of the bunch and the one I’d recommend to most people considering this laptop, as that extra boost in GPU power can make a huge difference. Also, the max configuration seemingly only doubles the RAM to 64GB and costs a whopping $2,699.99 at Best Buy in return, worth it only if you know you need that extra memory.

In essence, this laptop is quite pricey, yet I don’t find it overpriced when considering its counterparts such as the Razer Blade 16 (2024) or Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023). Remarkably, the ProArt P16 costs less and matches them in terms of quality, performance, and features.

In the package, you’ll find the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) and a unique 200W power adapter. While this display is compatible with a stylus, it’s important to note that the ASUS Pen 2.0 isn’t part of the package. The ASUS ProArt P16 comes with a standard 12-month warranty, but please be aware that local or store warranties might vary.

ProArt P16 review: Design and build quality

Design highlights

The ProArt P16 takes the design language of the new ROG Zephyrus line and refines it further.
This laptop is all coated aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass, and is both sleek and light for a 16-inch device.
It’s a gorgeous and modern design with excellent build quality, and it even meets the MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard for durability.
Design rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The ProArt P16 is almost physically identical to its gaming counterpart, the ROG Zephyrus G16, but I honestly prefer the subtle changes and refinements ASUS made with this device. You’re still looking at a near-unibody aluminum chassis with chamfered edges and a lovely mixture of textures, but this time the “gunmetal grey” finish has been replaced with a luxurious matte black anodization. Unlike most other black laptops, the ProArt P16 is surprisingly effective at resisting fingerprint smudges and other marks, too.

In a shift towards a more professional aesthetic, ASUS ProArt P16 has made modifications, such as replacing the metallic lid logo with the ProArt emblem and opting for standard white LED backlighting instead of RGB-lit keyboard. The ProArt P16 exudes an undeniable elegance that catches the eye, making it a preference over the long-established Razer Blade 16, despite the latter’s superior “unibody” construction.

Build quality is every bit as exemplary as you’d expect for a device demanding nearly $2,000 or more, too, with barely a hint of flex in the keyboard deck or any other part. ASUS has outdone itself in terms of design refinement, and the ProArt P16 is rather thin (14.9-17.3mm) and light (1.85kg) considering its size and performance. In fact, it’s technically a little slimmer than the ROG Zephyrus G16 (by a tiny 0.1mm, but still).

As a researcher, I am delighted with the diverse range of ports that this device offers. There’s a USB Type-C 4.0 port, compatible with numerous Thunderbolt accessories and equipped with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support. This is joined by another USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, also boasting DisplayPort and Power Delivery capabilities. Additionally, there are two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, an SD card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, and ASUS’ proprietary 200W charging port. I would have appreciated if both Type-C ports were USB4 and an extra USB Type-A port was included. However, given the compact nature of this laptop, I can hardly complain about the available options.

One missing feature that many creative professionals are bound to miss, however, is a Kensington Nano lock slot. It’s a common security feature on many enterprise and other pro-grade laptops, so I’m a little surprised ASUS didn’t add it on the ProArt P16.

ProArt P16 review: Display quality

Display highlights

The ProArt P16 rocks a 16-inch, 16:10, UHD+ OLED display with excellent color accuracy and consistency.
It’s everything you want from a display meant for creative work, except for two small weaknesses: it doesn’t get as bright as I’d like, and it’s locked to 60Hz.
Still, this is one of the better-looking screens I’ve seen recently, and ASUS makes it easy to calibrate it to the color gamut best suited to your work.
Display rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

For quite some time now, ASUS has been incorporating top-tier OLED screens into their laptop models. Consequently, it didn’t surprise me much when I saw the remarkable quality of the display on the ProArt P16. This expansive 16-inch screen boasts a 16:10 aspect ratio and offers a sharp 4K (2400p) resolution. The colors are vivid and lively, the contrast is spot-on, and everything appears beautifully natural. Additionally, it supports multitouch and stylus input, although this feature might be less useful with a conventional clamshell design. Nevertheless, having it available is preferable to not having it at all.

Although this screen doesn’t have an anti-glare coating, it means that you will clearly see all reflections, particularly with darker content as it is an OLED panel without a backlight. ASUS might have chosen a glossy screen to maintain color accuracy and enhance touch functionality, but it would have been beneficial if they offered an option for a screen with reduced reflection.

Testing out the ASUS ProArt P16’s display reveals remarkable performance. Even with its factory-calibrated and PANTONE-validated Native color profile, it effortlessly covers 100% of sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, as well as 97% of AdobeRGB. ASUS also provides a simple method to switch among Native, sRGB, DCI-P3, Display P3 color profiles, and even adjust parameters like color temperature, saturation, and blue light emission.

If you own or purchase an X-Rite i1Display color calibrator, the ProArt Creator Hub app offers factory default calibration settings, ensuring that your ProArt P16 monitor maintains its color accuracy as much as possible. While these features are beneficial, many users may not need to utilize them. The white balance remains uniform throughout, with a slight warming effect at maximum brightness, but overall remaining consistent.

Regarding its brightness, I found that the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) turns incredibly dim at only 4.2 nits, and it didn’t reach the desired level of brightness even at its maximum of 337 nits during testing. Ideally, a minimum brightness of 400 nits would have been preferable, and even the HDR peak brightness of 500 nits doesn’t fully utilize the Dolby Vision HDR support. Adding to this, its limited 60Hz refresh rate prevents the ProArt P16’s display from earning a perfect rating in my opinion.

ProArt P16 review: Performance and thermals

Performance highlights

AMD’s new Ryzen AI chipsets are very capable, with great performance across the board and Copilot+ capable NPUs.
The ProArt P16 also does a great job keeping its RTX 4070 GPU cool with some of the best thermal stability I’ve seen in a laptop, even if the fans are a little on the loud side.
This laptop’s one weak point is that the SSD simply isn’t as fast as I’d want for a truly high-end laptop aimed at creators.
Performance rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The ASUS ProArt P16 marked my initial encounter with AMD Ryzen AI processors, and I must say, it left me quite impressed. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 housed within the ProArt P16 delivers performance that surpasses any Intel Core Ultra or Qualcomm Snapdragon X series processor we’ve previously tested, and it even starts to challenge the high-performance Intel Core i9-14900HX found in this year’s top gaming laptops.

A 12-core processor with a supped-up Radeon 890M integrated GPU, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 delivers solid single-core and multicore performance in a wide variety of CPU tasks. The ProArt P16 feels effortlessly smooth and responsive no matter what you’re doing with it, although I will mention that it doesn’t wake up quite as fast or easily from sleep as an Intel Evo laptop would. The ProArt P16 also delivers the best performance we’ve seen from this chipset in any laptop thanks to its truly excellent thermal management, which I’ll talk a little bit more about below.

Regarding performance benchmarks, I found that the ASUS ProArt P16 performed admirably in most aspects, except for its Solid State Drive (SSD). The read and write speeds of 4,809MB/s and 3,937MB/s respectively are typical of a modern PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. However, the ProArt P16 tends to align with mid-tier devices, except for Surface laptops which are not renowned for their blazing fast SSDs. Given its price point and intended user base, a more competitive SSD would have been appreciated. On a positive note, the ProArt P16 houses two M.2 2280 slots, allowing you to upgrade or enhance the SSD storage as per your convenience.

In other places, things turned out as I anticipated. The ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) proved to be a high-achiever in every aspect, often surpassing its gaming counterpart, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16, by slight margins, mainly due to superior cooling systems. Interestingly, during 4K video encoding, the ProArt P16 matched the Razer Blade 16 (with a difference of only 2 seconds in encoding time between the two) despite the latter having a more potent CPU, a more robust GPU, and a faster SSD.

To put it simply, while the ProArt P16’s RTX 4070 GPU may not have excelled in benchmark or gaming performance compared to its peers, it truly shone when it came to consistent performance. In a 25-run test using 3DMark’s Time Spy, the ProArt P16 maintained a frame rate stability of nearly 99.7%, which is significantly better than the around 97-98% I typically see from well-cooled devices.

A quick word on fan noise: the ASUS Pro Art P16 does regularly employ its fans, but they’re usually so quiet you can barely hear them even when listening for them. When the fans spin up they are quite capable of becoming very loud, but it’s never an obnoxious or rattling noise and is easily drowned out by any decent pair of headphones or even the ProArt P16’s own speakers.

ProArt P16 review: Software experience

Software highlights

ASUS continues to have one of the cleanest versions of Windows 11 on its laptops, and it’s the same here.
You’ll find the usual batch of ASUS, AMD, NVIDIA, and other hardware-related programs, but the only “extra” bit of software is a trial version of CapCut.
ASUS also bakes in its ProArt software suite, including an app for the unique control dial built into the touchpad.
Software rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Certain corporations continue to burden their laptops with excessive pre-installed software (software bloat) that is not only superfluous but also irritatingly difficult to uninstall (take a look at HP for example). However, ASUS does not fall into this category. The ProArt P16 comes with the typical suite of applications for its hardware components from ASUS, AMD, NVIDIA, and Dolby, yet it maintains a relatively clutter-free version of Windows 11 compared to others.

There’s a trial version of CapCut, a popular all-in-one video editor and graphic design tool, and that’s basically it. ASUS bakes in its excellent myASUS app for managing your ProArt P16, as well as its cross-device screen-sharing GlideX tool and multi-screen window management ScreenXpert tool. Beyond that, all you’ll find is the ProArt software suite, which includes the Creator Hub, Dial & Control Panel, MuseTree, and StoryCube. Basically, everything can be easily uninstalled should you decide you don’t want it.

In my review of the ASUS ProArt PX13 (2024), my colleague Rebecca Spear delves deeper into the ASUS ProArt software suite if you’d like further insights. I won’t cover it extensively here, but to summarize, the Creator Hub serves as an advanced version of myASUS with extra functionalities, MuseTree is beneficial for those interested in AI-generated images, and StoryCube is an AI-driven tool for managing your files and projects. The most captivating distinctive feature is the ASUS Dial & Control Panel, which enables customization of the ASUS Dial located on the touchpad’s upper left corner.

This dial is fascinating and is a genuinely useful addition for a lot of people, although you will have to spend some time configuring it and learning exactly how it can benefit you. The dial can do a ton of various functions that can be customized through its app, with integrated support for a ton of third-party programs like the Adobe Creative Cloud in addition to built-in Windows features. It’s up to you how simple or complex this dial is, or you can disable it entirely and just use the entire touchpad like normal. All of this software works well and is easy to understand, but it could be a little overwhelming to a new ProArt user on first setup.

Incidentally, the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) is set to transform into a Copilot+ PC later in the year. This machine boasts an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor equipped with an AMD XDNA 2 NPU delivering up to 50 TOPS of performance. This powerhouse is more than capable of handling all the AI features of Windows 11, including the forthcoming Copilot+ enhancements. In other words, you’ll have future-proofing for these AI capabilities if they interest you.

ProArt P16 review: Battery experience

Battery highlights

Because of the new AMD Ryzen AI chipset, the ProArt P16 can actually have fairly impressive endurance for such a powerful laptop.
However, the battery life is woefully inconsistent, ranging anywhere from 3-8 hours of real-world usage.
Even with using the NVIDIA GPU, though, the ProArt P16 is on the upper end of many gaming laptops, and you can disable the NVIDIA GPU for more longevity.
Battery rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The ASUS ProArt P16 boasts a substantial 90Whr battery, yet its performance in maintaining this laptop’s longevity has been somewhat inconsistent. It’s worth noting that this inconsistency may be due to the inclusion of an NVIDIA RTX GPU, which tends to consume a lot of power when placed in high-performance laptops. However, compared to most gaming laptops, the ProArt P16 seems to perform better, possibly thanks to the energy-efficient properties of the AMD CPU it utilizes.

Initially, let’s talk about the figures. I subjected the ASUS ProArt P16 to Procyon’s one-hour battery test under standard conditions, including the Balanced power mode and a display brightness of approximately 200 nits. With typical office workload simulation, the ProArt P16 consumed about 10% of its battery, while playing an HD video at half volume led to a 11% drain. To be honest, these numbers are fairly decent, but real-world performance (as supported by a Windows Battery Report) presents a somewhat contrasting picture.

Over the course of my testing period, the ASUS ProArt P16 provided between three to eight hours of actual operation, with an average of six hours. While this might not seem impressive (particularly versus many gaming laptops), it’s important to note that the variation is due to the NVIDIA GPU. To achieve better battery life and maintain a more stable 8-hour usage, you can turn off the NVIDIA GPU when running on battery power. Although graphic performance will decrease, the AMD Radeon 890M within the Ryzen AI 9 chipset is no pushover.

To power up this device, you’ll require ASUS’ own 200W adapter. While the term “proprietary” might not be our favorite in discussions about laptops and related accessories, this one offers a tight, dependable connection when it’s inserted.

ProArt P16 review: Keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard highlights

The ProArt P16 has a comfortable keyboard with an excellent layout and smart extra functions.
It’s not the most tactile or responsive laptop keyboard I’ve tested, but the touchpad helps make up for it.
This glass touchpad is large, smooth, perfectly responsive and accurate, and includes the ASUS Dial for added functionality.

In simpler terms, I don’t find this keyboard on this ASUS laptop to be my top pick compared to those from companies like HP and Lenovo. They excel more in terms of tactility and responsiveness. However, it’s still a reliable keyboard with a clear and comfortable layout, conveniently located extra functions in the function row that are thoughtfully chosen, and a lockable function row (something ASUS ROG could learn from). Plus, it has bright and consistent backlighting for typing in low light conditions.

Adapting to this keyboard was swift and effortless, enabling me to type quickly and precisely right from the start. The experience is further enhanced by a generously sized touchpad, which stretches across the entire bottom of the keyboard deck, clad in sleek, glassy smoothness. Regrettably, it’s not a haptic pad, but its size makes up for that significantly. The performance is top-notch, with exceptional tracking and gesture recognition made possible by Microsoft Precision drivers. Additionally, you gain some genuinely helpful extra features with the ASUS DialPad conveniently placed in one corner.

As previously stated, setting up and mastering the functions of this dial requires some time, yet its spacious design allows it to sit unobtrusively when not in use, giving you ample room for other tasks. You can effortlessly regain this space by turning off the dial. However, due to its placement, it’s less comfortable for left-handed users and unfortunately, there’s no option to reverse its side since it’s a physical depression on the touchpad.

ProArt P16 review: Everything else

Other highlights highlights

The ASUS ProArt P16 doesn’t have any major hardware misses, from its keyboard to its speakers.
This six-speaker system is especially excellent, counting among the very best Windows laptops.
The only “average” element is the FHD webcam, but you do get Windows Hello support and a 3-mic array.
Other features rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Beyond its keyboard and touchpad, the overall hardware of the ASUS ProArt P16 can be described as not just good, but typically excellent.

The FHD webcam is of the former category, but it’s still a solid camera. It does a decent job capturing detail and reproducing colors faithfully, it will support all the Windows Studio Effects once the ProArt P16 officially becomes a Copilot+ PC, it already includes Human Presence Detection (HPD) support for added convenience, and there’s an IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition — which is fast and reliable. The front-facing camera is supported by a 3-mic array that is above average for a Windows laptop and boasts AI-backed noise cancelation.

With the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), one of the top-rated laptops I’ve evaluated, it appears that ASUS has mastered delivering a superior audio experience in Windows devices. The same six-speaker setup is back, but this time, it sounds even better due to having more room for the speakers to resonate fully. These speakers are fine-tuned by Harman Kardon and feature a Smart Amplifier and Dolby Atmos compatibility. The outcome? Exceptionally clear, detailed, and dynamic audio with surprisingly rich and deep bass tones and volume levels sufficient to fill my entire apartment with sound.

The wireless connection offered by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on this device ensures it’s reliable and ready for future technology advancements. However, some users might be disappointed that it doesn’t have an Ethernet port, given its slim design. Lastly, I should mention that the ASUS ProArt P16 comes with TPM 2.0, a requirement in new Windows 11 devices for enhanced hardware security, and also features a Microsoft Pluton security processor integrated into the CPU, offering an extra layer of protection.

ProArt P16 review: Competition

In a crowded market of high-end, potent 16-inch laptops, the ASUS ProArt 16 (2022) makes its entry, aiming to carve out a niche for itself.

In comparison to this laptop’s gaming equivalent, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024) serves as a very similar alternative in terms of experience and performance. Although the ProArt P16 has a slight advantage, the Zephyrus G16 offers comparable specs at a lower price point. If you’re not interested in the creative features unique to the ProArt line, the Zephyrus G16, which now comes with new AMD Ryzen AI processors, might be a more suitable option for you.

You can also consider the Dell XPS 16 (9640), which finally replaces the aging Dell XPS 15 with a new, more modern and futuristic design. It’s a gorgeous laptop with comparable performance to the ProArt P16, but you definitely won’t be saving yourself any cash, and you’ll be giving up convenient hardware features like legacy ports to obtain that sleek design. In that case, you can split the difference with the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra, which is a boring but safe laptop that excels at all the basics and ties in perfectly with the wider Samsung ecosystem.

Finally, there’s the Razer Blade 16 (2024). This laptop is unbelievably premium and packs an absurd amount of power and features into its chassis, but I only suggest considering it if you specifically need that added performance. The ASUS ProArt P16 is the better creative laptop overall, in my opinion, and it’s thinner, lighter, and significantly cheaper. Still, the Blade 16 is one of the best 16-inch laptops for those who need as much graphical prowess as humanly possible.

ProArt P16 review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅You want a premium, powerful laptop for creative work

The ASUS ProArt P16, unlike other devices, isn’t considered budget-friendly, but its high price conceals top-tier hardware, remarkable internal capabilities, and a set of creator-focused features that make it exceptionally powerful.

✅You need a best-in-class 4K display with great color accuracy

The 4K OLED display on the ProArt P16 might not suit my specific preferences due to its maximum brightness and refresh rate, but for individuals who value high resolution and color precision above speed and brightness, it remains an outstanding screen indeed. It’s truly impressive.

You should not buy this if …

❌You won’t take advantage of the creative features

The ASUS ProArt P16 is an exceptional laptop, suitable for anyone regardless of profession or interests. However, it’s primarily designed with a specific user group in mind. If you don’t plan to utilize the ProArt’s specialized features and instead seek a potent 16-inch Windows laptop at a lower price point, there are equally capable gaming PCs available on the market.

As a writer, my responsibilities sometimes align with, or even intersect with, those of video editors, photographers, CAD engineers, artists, and other creative professionals. They all need a high-performance laptop tailored to their needs, and the ASUS ProArt P16 (2024) is one such laptop that delivers exceptional performance. It’s an excellent choice for those in our creative field.

Is the brightness and speed of the OLED display something I would like to see improved? Yes, definitely. Was the SSD performance something I hoped to see more competitive? Indeed, yes. Has the battery life remained as unpredictable as ever in a laptop equipped with an NVIDIA GPU? Without a doubt. Is the ASUS ProArt P16 one of the top Windows laptops I’ve reviewed this year? You’re right on the money. It exudes premium quality, boasting a sophisticated and durable design that’s crucial for professionals in industries where tools can’t always be handled with kid gloves.

The ProArt 16 is an exceptional workhorse, capable of handling heavy tasks for extended periods without slowing down. Its OLED screen is stunningly clear and accurate in its representation of visuals. The quality of the hardware is top-notch, with a six-speaker system that leads the industry. In essence, this laptop is remarkable… However, it might not be the best choice for everyone. If you’re seeking high-end hardware with substantial power, there are potentially better value options available elsewhere, considering its focus on creative work.

Should you belong to the category of users who can fully leverage the extra features and strengths that ASUS incorporates into its ProArt series devices, then consider placing the ASUS ProArt 16 (2024) at the pinnacle of your consideration list. You can acquire the setup I assessed and endorse from Best Buy for approximately $2,299.99, and keep an eye out for the discounts I’ve noticed starting to appear.

2024-10-06 19:10