The Asus ProArt PX13 emerges as a powerful and versatile convertible laptop, tailored for creatives who are constantly on the move. Offering four distinct modes—laptop, tablet, tent, and stand—this device is designed to cater to the needs of photographers, designers, digital artists, and videographers. Its standout features include a 13.3-inch 3K OLED touchscreen and an impressive level of processing power, making it one of the best laptops for photo editing in its class.
Design and Build Quality
The ProArt PX13 showcases a high-quality design with an all-aluminum textured chassis in nano black. Asus has paid close attention to durability, claiming that the laptop exceeds the MIL-STD 810H military standard for reliability, with resistance to sand, dust, and humidity. Weighing just 1.38 kg (3.04 lbs), the PX13 is compact and lightweight, ideal for creatives on the go. However, its small size may make it less suitable as a primary computer, where an external keyboard and monitor might be necessary.
The backlit keyboard is comfortable to use despite the laptop’s compact size, though the cramped surrounding keys may lead to accidental keystrokes. The keyboard’s backlighting can be adjusted to three levels and automatically fades off when watching full-screen videos, reducing distractions. The device also includes a dedicated Windows Copilot key, which integrates with the AI features of the processor but may be redundant for users uninterested in this operating system feature.
Specifications and Performance
At the heart of the ProArt PX13 is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, capable of reaching speeds up to 5.1GHz with 12 cores and 24 threads. Paired with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6 discreet GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD, this laptop delivers exceptional processing power. These specifications allow the PX13 to handle demanding creative software, such as Adobe Creative Suite and DaVinci Resolve, without skipping a beat.
Performance tests in Lightroom demonstrated the laptop’s capabilities, with tasks like applying Super Resolution to a 42MP RAW file taking just 18 seconds, and merging a five-exposure HDR image comprising five 61MP RAW files in 19 seconds. The device also excels in Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, where editing tasks were both fast and smooth. While the ProArt PX13 could handle gaming, its 60Hz refresh rate, though sufficient for creative work, may not satisfy hardcore gamers.
Display and Color Accuracy
The 13.3-inch 3K OLED touchscreen delivers crisp, clear visuals with deep blacks, excellent contrast, and vibrant colors. Asus claims the screen can display 100% of the P3 color space, and calibration tests confirmed impressive results: 97% P3, 96% Adobe RGB 1998, and 100% sRGB. This level of color accuracy makes the ProArt PX13 an ideal choice for color-sensitive work.
Usability and Features
The ProArt PX13 includes several features aimed at enhancing creative workflows. The Asus Dial, integrated into the trackpad, functions like an external dial controller and can be customized to adjust various settings within creative software. Though it may take some time to get accustomed to, the Asus Dial works as intended, eliminating the need for an external device.
Another notable feature is the Asus Pen, which transforms the laptop into a graphics tablet. However, when in tablet or tent mode, users lose access to the keyboard, which might be a drawback for those who prefer to use both simultaneously.
Pricing and Value
The Asus ProArt PX13 is available in two configurations: one with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 discreet GPU and a 2TB SSD, and a slightly more affordable version with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 and a 1TB SSD. While both GPUs are highly capable, the RTX 4070 offers superior performance, though the price difference might not justify the additional cost for all users.
As a high-end 2-in-1 laptop, the ProArt PX13 may be on the pricier side, but it offers excellent value for creatives who need the power to run hardware-intensive photography and video editing software. For those with the budget, this laptop is a stunning choice that delivers both versatility and performance.
