Introduction
Hi, this is Umair from Best2finds, and I’m in my happy place right now. I genuinely enjoy it when products are good, and today, we’re looking at the Asus ProArt PX13. The ProArt line also has a 16-inch model, but this review is focused on the 13-inch version, a creator laptop with some impressive features.
Design and Build
This laptop belongs to the ProArt line and features a nano-coated, matte black finish that does a decent job resisting fingerprints. It has that high-quality look reminiscent of a MacBook or a Razer Blade, which, while not the most critical factor, definitely adds to the appeal. After all, who doesn’t like looking at a lovely, pricey laptop?
Performance and Power
The pricing is surprisingly reasonable for what you get inside this machine. This model features a new AMD platform with the Ryzen 9 AI HX370 processor, part of AMD’s new AI platform, paired with Nvidia RTX graphics. And yes, all this is packed into a 13-inch laptop with a stunning 3K OLED display.
We’re talking about the Ryzen AI 9 HX370, AMD’s new naming convention, moving away from the Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series. This platform includes 50 top NPU computing power, which may not be the most crucial aspect for everyone.
But it’s there for future applications. What stands out is how AMD has created a faster and more efficient platform with plenty of threads and performance without overheating.
Thermal Efficiency
AMD has always been better than Intel regarding thermals, performance, and power efficiency. This time, they’ve hit the sweet spot with a 28-watt CPU, which is remarkable considering this laptop’s performance.
It competes with and exceeds an M3 MacBook Pro, and the Intel Core Ultra, and it’s on par with the Snapdragon X Elite in many respects.
This is a conventional laptop with incredible power and x86 architecture. While you will hear the fan during intensive tasks, it’s not overly loud. The performance is nothing short of madness, given its size and weight (just over 3 pounds).
GPU Options
You have the choice of Nvidia RTX 4050 or 4060 GPUs. We’re reviewing the 4050 model here. While this isn’t a gaming laptop, it can handle games if you are interested. The GPU is primarily intended for creators who do video editing, Blender renders, and other tasks that benefit from the increased AI computing power.
Memory and Storage
This laptop comes with 32GB of RAM soldered onto the board and running at 7500MHz. While the soldered RAM might be a drawback for some, the speed is a plus. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a 1TB or 2TB M.2 SSD, which is upgradeable.
Display Quality
The OLED display on this laptop is a standout feature. It’s 2880×1800 with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and the colour gamut is near 100% across Adobe RGB, P3, and sRGB, with excellent colour accuracy right out of the box.
The display is HDR 500 rated, though our testing at SDR doesn’t quite reach those peak brightness levels. Whether you’re working or just browsing, it’s still a joy to look at.
Pen and Touch Support
Yes, it’s a touchscreen with Gorilla Glass NBT, and it supports a pen, though one isn’t included in the box. Asus doesn’t emphasize this much on their website, but it’s important for creators. It supports the Microsoft Pen Protocol 2.0, so you can use a Surface Pen or an Asus pen. While it’s not the ultimate solution for 2D artists, it’s certainly good enough for sketching, selections, and note-taking.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard and trackpad are crucial for a creator’s laptop. The keyboard is tactile and white backlit no surprises there, as it’s not a gaming laptop. The trackpad isn’t haptic, which is a bit of a letdown considering the tier of this laptop, but it’s functional.
While not immediately intuitive, the dial pad becomes quite handy in apps like Adobe, where you can scrub timelines.
Ports and Connectivity
Despite its small size, the PX13 doesn’t skimp on ports. It features HDMI 2.1 FRL, a USB-A port (conveniently located for right-handers), two USB-C 4.0 ports with 40 Gbps transfer speeds, and a microSD card slot, a must for creators.
The charging connector is a small, rectangular 200-watt charger necessary for running the laptop at full power.
Battery Life
Here’s where the x86 architecture shows its limitations. With the 3K OLED display, battery life isn’t going to compete with ARM-based laptops like the Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop. On light usage, with brightness set to 200 nits, you’re looking at around 8 hours of battery life, which is passable but not outstanding.
Internals and Upgradability
The PX13’s internals are easy to access. With just a few Torx T6 screws, you can remove the bottom cover to access the 73Wh battery, stereo speakers, four heat pipes with liquid metal cooling, the SSD (a Western Digital SN 740), and the socketed Wi-Fi card (Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth). The RAM is soldered on, so there are no upgrades there.
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt PX13 is a phenomenal achievement. It packs an incredible amount of power into a 13-inch laptop. It’s not the thinnest device, but it’s on par with the 13-inch MacBook Pro in size.
With pen support, a gorgeous OLED display, and x86 compatibility, it ticks many boxes for creators. It’s reasonably priced for what it offers in 2024.
