Asus ProArt laptop review: The new PZ13 is ideal for creatives on the go

Lightweight, compact and highly portable

Published Oct 17, 2024  •  5 minute read

Reviewing the new ProArt PZ13 laptop. Photo by Asus

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Asus has released its newest two-in-one laptop and tablet, and students, creatives and professionals will want to take notice. 

As the line between what’s considered a laptop and a tablet continues to blur, the latest Asus ProArt PZ13 offers users the best of both worlds: lightweight portability as well as enough power for all your computing needs. It’s also equipped with tools that make it easy to create and edit photos, videos and graphics. 

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I’m no content creator, but I do spend hours writing at my desk daily with the occasional photo editing in my spare time. Keep reading for my thoughts on the Asus ProArt PZ13, along with recommendations on who should consider the new laptop.

What: Asus ProArt PZ13
Cost: $1,649
Where to buy: Asus | Best Buy 

This two-in-one laptop and tablet is a versatile pick for busy professionals and creatives on the go. With a touch screen that offers the benefits of a tablet and a Snapdragon X Plus processor for power when multitasking, this laptop is up for just about any task – from editing photos and videos to gaming. 

Asus ProArt PZ13 Laptop. Photo by Postmedia/Kate Mendonca

Key features: OLED screen, multifunctional stylus, built-in AI

OLED screen: With this laptop, big things come in a small package – namely impressive visuals thanks to an Asus Lumina OLED display that features a unique panel that glows with no need for a backlight. Asus Lumina OLED displays are billed as being “more accurate, more adaptive, and more reliable than other OLED displays, making them the ultimate choice for professionals, gamers, and entertainment enthusiasts.” The 13” screen offers higher contrast and a wider colour range while emitting 70 per cent less blue light than LCD panels.

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SD slot with a microSD adapter: These days it’s rare to find a laptop or tablet with a built-in SD (secure digital) slot – that’s not the case with the Asus ProArt PZ13. Photography and video enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the device comes equipped with an SD slot and a microSD adaptor, making for straightforward file transfers from digital cameras or smartphones.

Copilot+ AI: Like the Asus Vivobook S 15, the PZ13 incorporates AI-enabled processors with the use of Windows Copilot, their built-in AI program. It features a dedicated Copilot key for instant AI assistance, an integrated AI engine, Copilot in Windows for personalized assistance and a suite of powerful AI applications. With it, you can get answers to your burning questions, generate images, summarize texts and more.

Asus Pen 2.0 Stylus: Whether you’re creating digital artwork, taking notes or retouching photos, the stylus included with this laptop is a noteworthy feature. This dynamic stylus responds to varying degrees of pressure, letting you get the perfect line every time. It also has four interchangeable pen tips (2H, HB, H and B) to suit your writing and drawing preferences. 

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In addition to drawing and writing, this stylus has buttons that act as shortcuts to some of your most-used features, including capturing screenshots, jumping to the next page of a presentation or seamlessly launching apps. Plus, it charges fully in just 30 minutes and lasts for up to 140 hours of use. 

Magnetic cover and keyboard: This Asus laptop has a magnetic cover and keyboard that transforms it into a fully functional (albeit petite) laptop. The included cover is designed for durability, with a military-grade finish and an IP52 rating to resist dust and water. While it may look sleek, that means the PZ13 is suitable for use wherever your adventures take you.

Asus ProArt PZ13 Laptop. Photo by Postmedia/Kate Mendonca

Asus ProArt PZ13 Laptop review

My husband and I have both been using the Asus ProArt PZ13 for over a month and have been loving the size and portability of this laptop. It’s been perfect to bring along when travelling, as it offers all of the apps and programs we could want for work or play. 

With the Microsoft store, you can download your favourite apps – whether that’s for work, personal projects or entertainment. Top picks include the usual suite of Microsoft Office programs for productivity, as well as Adobe software if you’re looking to dive into more creative projects. 

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When it comes to entertainment, this laptop is compatible with all major streaming services and social media apps, as well as both mobile and PC games. 

Favourite features: The battery life on this laptop is impressive. It easily gets through a full day with a battery life that offers up to 18 hours of use. Coupled with its compact size, this laptop is ideal to bring along with you on trips or busy days away from your desk. 

Least favourite features: This device only has two USB-C 4.0 ports, which can be challenging if you’re used to having all the inputs of a traditional laptop. One of the ports is hidden behind a plastic flap, so you may find this laptop lacking in the connectivity department – especially when one of the ports is being used to charge the device. 

Asus ProArt PZ13 recommendations

Those looking for a versatile Windows device will want to consider the Asus ProArt PZ13 laptop. It’s an affordable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro with similar specs. Both devices have a 13” OLED screen and 16GB of RAM but unlike the Surface, the Asus laptop comes fully equipped with a keyboard and stylus. Priced at $1,649, with its compact size and impressive battery, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is well worth it for the benefits of a laptop and tablet in one. 

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What: Asus ProArt PZ13
Cost: $1,649
Where to buy: Asus | Best Buy 

Asus ProArt PZ13 spec summary

Size: 11.71” x 7.99” x 0.35” in
Weight: 0.85 kg/1.87 lbs
Display: 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio
Processor: Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100 Processor 3.4GHz (30MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz, 8 cores, 8 Threads); Qualcomm Hexagon NPU up to 45 TOPS
Operating system: Windows 11 Home
Camera: 5.0MP front-facing camera, 13.0M Ultra HD (4K) rear-facing camera
Audio: Smart Amp Technology, built-in speaker, built-in array microphone
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
Battery: 70 Whrs — Up to 18 hours of uninterrupted entertainment and productivity
Ports: (2) USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C with support for display/power delivery (data speed up to 40Gbps), (1) SD Express 7.0 card reader
What’s in the box: (1) Asus ProArt PZ13 laptop, (1) micro SD adapter, (1) stand/soft keyboard, (1) stylus (ASUS Pen)

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