ASUS P16 Targets AI Users

ASUS has released the ProArt P16, the first laptop to utilize NVIDIA's new RTX Spark system-on-a-chip. The device targets creators and artificial intelligence specialists rather than the general consumer market.

The hardware combines a 20-core Arm central processing unit with a Blackwell graphics processor and up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory. This architecture mirrors Apple's M-series designs, diverging from the Intel and AMD processors found in previous ProArt models. The chassis is constructed from aluminum and weighs 3.9 pounds, which is 0.8 pounds lighter than the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Pricing begins at $2,800 for the base configuration. Costs rise sharply with additional memory, reaching $7,000 for the review unit equipped with 128 gigabytes. The laptop features a 16-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. It includes three USB-C ports, a USB Type-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader, but lacks an Ethernet port.

Performance testing showed mixed results compared to competitors. The P16 scored approximately 3,000 points lower than the ASUS A16 powered by a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip in PCMark 10 Applications tests. It also trailed in Geekbench 6 single-threaded CPU benchmarks. In graphics and AI tasks, the device outperformed the MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip by 4,700 points in Geekbench 6 GPU tests. It recorded 3,895 points in Procyon AI Computer Vision 2 tests, compared to 3,267 for the Apple device.

The system ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which requires 42 gigabytes of memory, without exhausting available resources. Gaming performance was solid, with the reviewer recording 70 frames per second in Control: Resonant at 1440p with ultra settings and medium ray tracing. Lowering graphical settings increased the frame rate to 120 frames per second. Fans became loud during intensive sessions.

Compatibility remains a hurdle for many titles that rely on Microsoft's Prism emulator for Arm architecture. Native Arm64 builds exist for games like Fortnite and DOTA 2, though some multiplayer titles may encounter issues with anti-cheat software. Adobe has ported its primary creative applications to the platform, but support from other multimedia tools is less defined. Battery life in PCMark 10 tests lasted ten hours and 51 minutes, falling short of the 15-plus hours common in premium laptops.

ASUS offers the Zephyrus G16 with an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz OLED screen for $2,124 at Best Buy. That model provides better gaming performance and full compatibility with x86 hardware. The review suggests that general users and gamers may prefer waiting for further development of the RTX Spark platform.