ASUS ProArt P16 costs $7,000 for 128GB of RAM

Consumers who run artificial intelligence models on their personal computers now have a new option, but it comes with a steep price tag. ASUS released the ProArt P16, the first laptop to use NVIDIA's RTX Spark chip. The base model starts at $2,800. However, the configuration reviewed by Engadget on October 23, 2026, includes 128GB of RAM and costs $7,000.

The machine is built for power users rather than general shoppers. It features a system-on-a-chip that combines a 20-core Arm CPU with a Blackwell GPU. This design allows the laptop to hold up to 128GB of unified memory in a slim form factor. The hardware is similar in structure to Apple's M-series chips. Reviewers noted that this platform is intended to sit alongside existing Intel and AMD processors, not replace them.

Performance results show a trade-off between general use and specialized tasks. In PCMark 10 Applications, the P16 scored about 3,000 points lower than a competing ASUS laptop with a Snapdragon chip. It also trailed slightly in single-threaded CPU tests. In graphics and AI benchmarks, the results were stronger. The P16 beat a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max by 4,700 points in Geekbench 6 GPU tests. It also outperformed the Apple laptop in image generation tasks.

The laptop handles large language models efficiently. During testing, it ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which uses 42GB of RAM. The system had plenty of memory remaining for other tasks. Gaming performance is adequate for high-end titles. The reviewer achieved 70 frames per second in Control: Resonant at 1440p with ultra settings. Lowering the settings raised the frame rate to 120. However, the fans were loud during these workloads.

Compatibility is a key consideration for buyers. Most games rely on an emulator to run on the Arm CPU, which can reduce performance. Native Arm64 builds exist for popular titles like Fortnite and DOTA 2. Adobe has moved its main software to the platform. Other multimedia applications have less certain support. Battery life measured 10 hours and 51 minutes in standard tests, which is lower than the 15-plus hours found in many premium laptops.

The build quality includes an aluminum chassis and a bright 16-inch OLED display. The screen reaches 1,600 nits. The laptop weighs 3.9 pounds, making it lighter than the 4.7-pound MacBook Pro. It includes three USB-C ports, a USB Type A port, HDMI, and an SD card reader. The black finish tends to show fingerprints easily.

For gamers, other options may offer better value. An ASUS Zephyrus G16 with an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz screen is available for $2,124. That model offers full compatibility and better gaming performance. The review suggests that AI professionals are the clear target for the P16. General users and gamers may want to wait at least a year before adopting the new platform.