ASUS prices its new AI-focused laptop at $7,000

ASUS has set the price of its ProArt P16 laptop at $7,000 for the top-tier configuration, a cost the company says reflects the machine's ability to run large artificial intelligence models locally. The device features 128GB of unified memory and uses NVIDIA's new RTX Spark system-on-a-chip, marking a departure from traditional Intel or AMD processors.

The shift toward Arm-based silicon in premium laptops began with Microsoft and NVIDIA pitching the RTX Spark as a redesign of the personal computer. ASUS is the first to ship a device with this chipset. The hardware combines a 20-core Arm CPU with a Blackwell GPU. This architecture mirrors Apple's M-series designs, allowing the laptop to hold massive amounts of data in a slim 3.9-pound aluminum chassis.

The pricing structure starts at $2,800 for the base model. Costs rise sharply as memory increases. The review unit tested by Engadget included 128GB of RAM, which pushed the price to the $7,000 mark. While the build quality is strong, with a bright 16-inch OLED display and a large haptic touchpad, the expense is a major barrier for general consumers.

Performance tests showed mixed results compared to competitors. The P16 scored roughly 3,000 points lower than an ASUS A16 running a Snapdragon X2 Elite in PCMark 10 Applications. However, it outperformed a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max in graphics and AI tasks. In Procyon's AI Computer Vision test, the ASUS device recorded 3,895 points against Apple's 3,267.

In real-world use, the laptop handled the Qwen3.8 27B AI model, which requires 42GB of RAM, without issue. It also ran Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings. Gamers may face compatibility issues, as many titles rely on Microsoft's Prism emulator for the Arm CPU. Native builds exist for games like Fortnite and DOTA 2, but support for other software is still developing.

Battery life reached ten hours and 51 minutes in testing, a figure below the 15-plus hours seen in many competing premium laptops. The display is extremely bright, peaking at 1,600 nits. The machine is lighter than the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which weighs 4.7 pounds.

Buyers looking primarily for gaming power might find better value elsewhere. An ASUS Zephyrus G16 with an RTX 5070 GPU and a 240Hz OLED screen is available at Best Buy for $2,124. The ProArt P16 remains a specialized tool for AI researchers and creators who need local processing power, rather than a replacement for standard x86 laptops.