A $7,000 Laptop for AI Researchers

Most modern laptops rely on processors from Intel or AMD, but ASUS released the ProArt P16 on October 23, 2026, as the first model to use NVIDIA's new RTX Spark chip. This device targets a specific group of users who need to process large data sets locally without relying on cloud servers.

The primary advantage of the P16 is its memory capacity. The system-on-a-chip design allows the laptop to hold up to 128GB of unified memory in a slim aluminum chassis. This configuration is similar to Apple's M-series designs and enables the machine to run heavy artificial intelligence models directly on the device. The reviewer noted that the laptop handled the Qwen3.8 27B model, which consumes 42GB of RAM, with plenty of memory remaining for other tasks.

Price is the main barrier to entry for most buyers. The base configuration starts at $2,800, but costs rise sharply with memory upgrades. The specific unit reviewed for this report includes 128GB of RAM and carries a price tag of $7,000. While the build quality is high, with a sturdy chassis and a very bright 16-inch OLED display, the cost exceeds that of dedicated gaming hardware. The device weighs 3.9 pounds, making it lighter than Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro, which weighs 4.7 pounds.

Performance results for general computing tasks were mixed. In PCMark 10 Applications testing, the P16 scored about 3,000 points lower than ASUS's A16 laptop, which uses a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. It also trailed slightly in Geekbench 6 single-threaded CPU tests. However, the machine excelled in graphics and AI workloads. It outperformed a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip by 4,700 points in Geekbench 6 GPU testing and scored 3,895 in Procyon's AI Computer Vision 2 test, compared to 3,267 for the Apple device.

Gaming performance is decent but comes with caveats. The RTX Spark graphics hardware is roughly comparable to the RTX 5070 mobile GPU while using less power. The reviewer recorded 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. Fans became loud during these sessions, indicating the thermal demands of the hardware.

Compatibility remains a concern for non-technical users because the chip uses an Arm architecture. Most games depend on Microsoft's Prism emulator to run, which can reduce performance or cause stability issues. Native Arm64 versions exist for titles like Fortnite and DOTA 2, but some multiplayer games may still fail due to anti-cheat software. Adobe has supported the platform with its major software, but support from other multimedia applications is less certain.

Battery life did not match the duration of other premium laptops. In PCMark 10 Applications testing, the P16 lasted ten hours and 51 minutes. This is well below the 15-plus hours achieved by many competitors. Performance did not degrade when the laptop was unplugged, a common feature in modern high-end devices. The black finish of the chassis attracts fingerprints easily, though the 1,600-nit OLED display is among the brightest available on a laptop.

For general users or gamers, the reviewer suggested waiting at least a year before recommending this platform. A more affordable option for gamers is the ASUS Zephyrus G16, which features an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz OLED screen for $2,124 at Best Buy. That model offers better gaming performance and full compatibility with existing x86 hardware. The ProArt P16 is positioned as a specialized tool for AI professionals who can justify the premium cost for local processing power.