Ben Madilynn
Hot on the heels of the excellent ProArt PX13, a creator-focused, powerful and portable laptop, ASUS has also released the ProArt PZ13, a detachable laptop designed as the ultimate portable creative tool. Built on the Snapdragon X Plus processor and running Windows 11 ARM, the ProArt PZ13 aims to be the ultimate in portable creative processing. With a sleek, low-profile design and durable construction, the PZ13 aims to be everything a transient creator needs.
The design and build of the ProArt PZ13 are impressive. Constructed for durability, the PZ13 is built to handle temperatures as cold as -30°C and as warm as 70°C, ensuring it can withstand a wide range of conditions. Featuring a minimalist design, the PZ13’s frame is made of sturdy aluminum designed to withstand drops, while also serving as a passive heat sink. The magnetically attached keyboard and backplate provide an additional layer of protection for the core PC, creating a durable and sleek-looking unit when assembled.
This protection is further enhanced by the ProArt PZ13’s IP52 rating, offering resistance to dust and water, making it suitable for outdoor use. During testing, it performed well under water splash tests. Additionally, the material wrapping the keyboard and backplate is resistant to fingerprints and dirt, helping the unit maintain a clean, new appearance even after prolonged use.
“The design and build of the ProArt PZ13 are impressive, with its minimalist aluminum frame designed to withstand drops and serve as a passive heat sink.”
A single intake vent allows for active cooling, with a dual exhaust port facilitating heat dissipation along the top of the unit. In testing, the ProArt PZ13 remained cool and quiet, even when the keyboard case was flipped back to convert the PC into tablet mode, inadvertently covering the intake. Despite this, the passive cooling system kept the unit well within operating temperatures while working.
Measuring 9mm and weighing 0.85 kg, the ProArt PZ13 is impressively thin but heavier than expected. This weight becomes more noticeable when the keyboard and backplate are attached, making it tiresome to hold in one hand for extended periods.
While the design of the ProArt PZ13 has much to admire, the keyboard and backplate have some drawbacks. The keyboard, although effective for quick connection to the base of the PZ13, suffers from the same issues as the original Windows Surface tablets. It’s thin and, as a result, quite flimsy when used on your lap.
While the keyboard works well overall, there is a notable issue when flipping it to the backside to convert the unit to tablet mode—it doesn’t always disable the keyboard. As a result, on more than one occasion, I inadvertently mashed buttons, watching in bewilderment as the ProArt PZ13 attempted to follow my unintended keyboard inputs. While this didn’t happen every time, it occurred often enough to be a point of frustration.
As for the backplate, it includes a small kickstand to prop the unit upright in laptop mode. Unfortunately, unless placed on a hard surface like a table, the kickstand—much like the keyboard—is flimsy and difficult to balance on your lap for extended use. While the detachable components are convenient, they are not ideal for actual laptop use.
Due to its minimalist design, the ProArt PZ13 does lack some of the I/O ports I would have liked to see. To maintain its thin profile, ASUS has included only the essentials for content creators. The ProArt PZ13 comes with two USB4 Type-C ports and an SD card reader (with an included microSD converter). Since one of the USB4 ports is needed for charging, the limited I/O options are somewhat disappointing.
“While the ProArt PZ13 comes with essential ports for content creators, the limited I/O options are somewhat disappointing.”
However, the ProArt PZ13 does come with the ASUS Pen 2.0, which works quite well. I’ve grown to appreciate the design and functionality of the Pen 2.0, finding myself using it more than I did with the PX13. It’s easy to charge via its USB Type-C port and syncs almost instantly with the PZ13. The Pen 2.0 is a great tool that enhances the experience of using the touchscreen display.
As with the ProArt PX13, the display on the PZ13 is absolutely stunning, offering a beautiful 3K 60 Hz (2880×1800) picture. To protect the OLED touchscreen, ASUS has included Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides a protective layer for the device. In testing, the glass held up well to aggressive tapping, a month of stylus use, and countless hours of touchscreen interaction. It’s easily one of the nicest touchscreen displays I’ve worked with recently.
Another impressive element of the OLED display is how efficient and effective the auto-brightness system is. In daylight-to-darkness tests, the ProArt PZ13 was incredibly quick to adjust, offering the perfect brightness for the environment. Alongside this, the colour presentation was stunning, thanks to the built-in colour sensor, which factors in the lighting conditions and auto-adjusts the display’s colour settings for optimal presentation. It’s one of those features that may sound flaky on paper but proved to be impressive in testing.
Performance with the ProArt PZ13 is an interesting affair. Featuring the Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a lightning-fast PCIe SSD, the PZ13 is exceptionally quick at handling any task. Daily tasks like email and processing are easily managed. While the PZ13 houses an ARM processor, Windows 11 does a decent job handling and operating traditional x86 programs, though not perfectly in all cases.
App compatibility is a bit of a concern at the moment. While the ProArt PZ13 boasts an impressive list of supported apps, it’s important to check whether your preferred software is officially supported. In testing, I encountered issues with DaVinci Resolve, which is on the list of supported apps. As my go-to editing software, I was excited to see it included, but after installation, I faced several problems trying to get it to run properly.
On the other hand, apps like Reaper, a DAW audio software suite I use for podcast recording and editing, ran without any issues in emulation despite not being on the compatibility list. Most standard software suites, particularly in the creative sphere, seem to be available on the ProArt PZ13, but getting them to run properly might require some effort. This is something to keep in mind if you’re considering moving to an ARM processor for your daily work.
“Performance with the Snapdragon X Plus processor is exceptionally quick, handling daily tasks, photo, and video editing smoothly.”
However, when the software works as intended, the ProArt PZ13 performs incredibly well. Photo editing was smooth and enjoyable, and video and audio editing similarly posed no significant issues during testing. The Snapdragon Plus processor is impressive and is leveraged effectively in the PZ13. Even running Xbox games via Cloud Gaming was smooth, and the OLED display made them look fantastic.
Another impressive feature of the PZ13 is its 70Wh battery. Thanks to the ARM processor, the ProArt PZ13 is incredibly power efficient, delivering excellent battery life. Offering an easy 15–17 hours of work time, the PZ13 comfortably powers through a full day. In testing, I was able to get nearly two workdays from a single charge, which included a mix of editing and processing tasks.
ASUS attributes much of this efficiency to their ASUS Copilot+ PC experience. This experience leverages the power of AI-enabled processors (the ProArt PZ13 has a dedicated AI chip) to create a more efficient, fast, and secure user experience. Combining Microsoft Copilot, AI applications, and their AI engine, ASUS has designed the PZ13 to excel in processing efficiency.
In real-world testing, this translated to a tablet capable of editing 4K video smoothly and without long render times. While software compatibility remains a concern, the fact that high-end content creation and editing can be accomplished on such a portable device with a stylus is an impressive achievement.
The PZ13 also includes a host of helpful AI-driven apps that assist in managing and organizing content. One highlight is the Creator Hub, which aids in monitoring and adjusting system settings. It provides a streamlined, all-in-one solution that offers a much more user-friendly experience for creators.
While the PZ13 offers perhaps the best mobility in the ProArt lineup, it does come at a cost. The keyboard and backplate, while sturdy in design, can be cumbersome to use when the unit is placed on your lap. It’s simply not as convenient for this type of application as the PX13.
While the efficiency afforded by the ProArt PZ13, thanks to the ARM Snapdragon Plus, is impressive, there are concerns over long-term support from developers for emulation. While these compatibility issues may be temporary, they are currently relevant and worth considering. As a result, some apps may not work properly at the moment. Even supported apps, as I experienced, may require tweaks and adjustments to function correctly.
Additionally, the ProArt PZ13 is heavier than I expected when fully assembled, making it less ideal for holding in one hand while using the pen. While I appreciate the direction the ProArt PZ13 is taking for creators, I still prefer the more traditional ProArt PX13 for content creation. The PZ13 is a solid machine, but some design choices and compatibility concerns left me somewhat disappointed.
Despite these critiques, the ProArt PZ13 remains an impressive innovation and a glimpse of what a hybrid tablet and laptop can offer. Its standout features and design elements help differentiate it from the competition, and I would say it’s the best detachable laptop I’ve worked with. While there’s room for improvement in both design and app compatibility, the ProArt PZ13 is a powerful and efficient detachable laptop worth considering.
