ASUS prices ProArt P16 at $7,000 for 128GB local AI workloads
The Arm-based laptop targets AI researchers with massive unified memory, though benchmarks show mixed results against x86 rivals.
By Petra Murphy ·
ASUS has set the price of its new ProArt P16 laptop at $7,000 for the configuration featuring 128GB of memory. The review published on October 23, 2026, identifies this specific model as the primary candidate for professionals running large local AI models. The base price for the device starts at $2,800, but costs rise sharply with increased memory capacity. The reviewer noted that the platform is designed for power users rather than the general consumer market.
The ProArt P16 marks ASUS's first laptop to utilize NVIDIA's RTX Spark chipset. This system-on-a-chip integrates a 20-core Arm CPU, a Blackwell GPU, and up to 128GB of unified memory. This architecture mirrors the design philosophy of Apple's M-series chips. Microsoft and NVIDIA have promoted RTX Spark as a fundamental shift in personal computer design, positioning it as a new branch of hardware that will coexist with x86 processors and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips.
Performance testing yielded mixed results for the new hardware. In PCMark 10 Applications, the P16 scored approximately 3,000 points lower than the ASUS A16 equipped with a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. It also lagged slightly in Geekbench 6 single-threaded CPU tests. Conversely, graphics and AI performance showed clear advantages. The laptop beat a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max by 4,700 points in Geekbench 6 GPU testing. In Procyon's AI Computer Vision 2 test, the P16 recorded a score of 3,895, compared to 3,267 for the Apple device.
In practical use, the machine handled demanding AI tasks with ease. The reviewer ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which requires 42GB of RAM, while maintaining ample free memory. Gaming performance was also strong, with the laptop achieving 70 frames per second in Control: Resonant at 1440p resolution with ultra settings and medium ray tracing. Lowering the graphical settings increased the frame rate to 120 fps. NVIDIA states the graphics hardware matches the performance of the RTX 5070 mobile GPU while consuming less power.
The physical design of the ProArt P16 received positive feedback. The aluminum chassis is sturdy, and the 16-inch OLED display reached 1,600 nits, making it one of the brightest screens tested on a laptop. The keyboard and haptic touchpad are generously sized. At 3.9 pounds, the laptop is lighter than the 4.7-pound Apple MacBook Pro. The port selection includes three USB-C connections, USB Type A, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a full-size SD card reader, though it lacks an Ethernet port.
Battery life emerged as a weakness during testing. The device lasted ten hours and 51 minutes in the PCMark 10 Applications test, falling short of the 15-plus hours offered by many premium competitors. Performance did not degrade when the laptop was unplugged. The black finish also proved prone to fingerprints. Compatibility remains a factor for gamers, as most titles rely on Microsoft's Prism emulator for the Arm CPU, which can reduce performance and cause stability issues.
Native Arm64 builds are available for specific titles such as Fortnite, DOTA 2, and Marvel Rivals. NVIDIA is currently working with anti-cheat companies to address multiplayer game stability. Adobe has ported its core software to the platform, although support for other multimedia applications is less certain. The reviewer concluded that AI professionals are the most logical buyers for this hardware given its cost structure.
For gamers, the review suggests an alternative in the ASUS Zephyrus G16. That model features an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz OLED screen and is available at Best Buy for $2,124. It offers better gaming performance and full x86 compatibility. The reviewer advised waiting at least a year before recommending the RTX Spark platform to general users or gamers.
