ASUS P16: $7,000 Laptop Targets AI Researchers with 128GB Memory
The first device to use NVIDIA's new Arm-based RTX Spark chip offers high local AI performance but comes with a steep price tag and mixed benchmark results.
By Thomas Obasi ·
ASUS released the ProArt P16 on October 23, 2026, marking the debut of a laptop built around NVIDIA's new RTX Spark system-on-a-chip. The device is designed primarily for professionals who run large artificial intelligence models locally, rather than for general consumers or dedicated gamers. A review by Engadget described the machine as a premium option that prioritizes memory capacity over traditional processor speed.
The top configuration tested in the review costs $7,000 and includes 128GB of unified memory. The base price for the P16 starts at $2,800, but costs rise sharply as memory increases. For comparison, an ASUS Zephyrus G16 equipped with an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz OLED screen is available at Best Buy for $2,124. The reviewer noted that the P16 is lighter than Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro, weighing 3.9 pounds compared to 4.7 pounds for the Apple device.
Inside the aluminum chassis, the RTX Spark combines a 20-core Arm CPU with a Blackwell GPU. This architecture mirrors Apple's M-series design and allows the laptop to hold massive amounts of data in a single pool of memory. The device features a 16-inch OLED display with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, which is among the brightest panels available in laptops. The keyboard and haptic touchpad are large, and the port selection includes three USB-C connections, HDMI, and an SD card reader, though it lacks an Ethernet port.
Performance benchmarks showed mixed results. In PCMark 10 Applications, the P16 scored approximately 3,000 points lower than an ASUS A16 laptop using a Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. It also trailed slightly in Geekbench 6 single-threaded CPU tests. However, the P16 outperformed a MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip in graphics and AI tasks. It beat the Apple laptop by 4,700 points in Geekbench 6 GPU tests and scored 3,895 in Procyon's AI Computer Vision 2 test, compared to Apple's 3,267.
Practical testing confirmed the laptop's strength in AI workloads. It successfully ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which requires 42GB of RAM, while leaving ample memory for other tasks. Gaming performance was functional but not optimal. The laptop achieved 70 frames per second in Control: Resonant at 1440p with ultra settings and 4x frame generation. Lowering graphics settings increased the frame rate to 120 fps. NVIDIA states the graphics hardware matches the RTX 5070 mobile GPU in power efficiency.
Compatibility remains a hurdle for many users. Most games rely on Microsoft's Prism emulator to run on the Arm CPU, which can reduce performance and 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 brought its core software to the platform, but support from other multimedia applications is less certain.
Battery life in the PCMark 10 Applications test lasted 10 hours and 51 minutes, falling short of the 15-plus hours seen in many premium laptops. The black finish is prone to fingerprints. The reviewer concluded that AI professionals are the clear target demographic for the P16, while general users and gamers should wait at least a year before considering the RTX Spark platform.
