Forget Microsoft — I just tested this Asus 2-in-1 that destroys the Surface Pro 11
Introduction
The Asus ProArt PZ13 has become a convincing contender in the 2-in-1 laptop market segment, outshining even some of its well-established competitors like the Surface Pro 11. With a price tag of around ₹91,000, the ProArt PZ13 becomes an outstanding package and surely will be worth considering.
Of course, it has rapidly grown into one with competitive pricing and impressive specs-making it a go-to device for just about anyone who needs a jack-of-all-trades workhorse. What really sets the PZ13 apart from current competitors, though, is the thoughtful inclusion of a detachable keyboard-often sold separately with other devices like the Surface Pro 11.
Considering the 10-core Snapdragon X Plus in the Surface Pro 11, one might say that it outshines the PZ13 with an 8-core X Plus processor. Offsetting this, though, is that the ProArt PZ13 offers better storage, a brilliant OLED display, and more in its package for a bit less money. In fact, this is an ideal blend of performance and price, which should appeal to those looking for a 2-in-1 with good flexibility. So, let's take a closer look at what makes this device stand out as a real competitor.
Design
Sleek and aesthetic, made for pros and creatives alike, this is just what one would want in a device promising premium quality. With its metallic shell, the Asus ProArt PZ13 combines stylish looks with an assurance of strength. The first thing to strike the eyes of any observer is the attention to detail used in the build quality through tactile smoothness, well-balanced structure, feeling solid and sure in your hand.
Weighing just 860 grams, the PZ13 is exceptionally lightweight and is an ideal travel companion or a working professional on the go. The ultra-thin profile at 0.4 inches in thickness easily fits into your bag or briefcase without adding bulk and still retains toughened construction suitable for everyday use.
One of the main points of the ProArt PZ13 is its detachable keyboard, which comes with the device, a rather rare thing in the 2-in-1 segment. All in all, the keyboard will be quite comfortable to work on and provides enough key travel for typing efficiently even after work hours. It magnetically clicks into the device's tablet part, making it slide in and out between tablet and laptop mode as smooth as possible, offering users flexibility.
The full-size SD card slot included is very helpful to content developers, as photographers and videographers can directly transfer files from their cameras. However, despite all of its strengths, the lack of a headphone jack and really limited port selection is a step down for those that use the laptop with many peripherals attached. While these omissions will not sink the deal for a lot of customers, it's a consideration worth noting for users who frequently hook up extra gear.
Display
The most dramatic feature of the Asus ProArt PZ13 is surely the 13.3-inch OLED display that sports a resolution of 2800 x 1800 to reinstall creative and media experiences. Indeed, this is a high-resolution screen that easily converts it into a great companion for professionals engaged in graphic design, photography, and video editing.
Most importantly, this display features a Pantone-calibrated OLED panel, which promises excellent color accuracy. Especially useful for designers and photographers who require the most accurate color representation in their work, whether high-resolution photo editing, designing complex graphics, or taking in video-this screen provides deep contrasts and rich colors to bring out the very best in every single frame.
Even with this remarkable visual quality, the only drawback is related to the brightness of the display.
With an average 361-nit brightness, the screen may struggle to keep up in outdoor or brightly lit environments, especially considering how direct sunlight hits the screen. However, that would be good enough to represent details clearly indoors for most users. To make further improvements in visibility, laminated displays reduce reflections, making the whole appearance of this device less distracting and more interesting.
The ProArt PZ13 represents an exceptionally outstanding 86% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This is somewhat impressive for a device in this price range and will no doubt be very useful for creatives who need color accuracy. The display of the ProArt PZ13 effectively balances performance with affordability, making the experience quite premium.
Features
Still, the 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor-powered Asus ProArt PZ13 manages to hold its ground with such powerful antagonists as the Surface Pro 11 with a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus. The same goes for the 16 GB of RAM in it-which makes multitasking smooth-and a 1 TB SSD can store big files or projects that are going to be opened on it.
The ProArt PZ13 is excellent to use and operate in daily activities like browsing the internet, editing documents, and even casual play of games; thus, it can be used both for work and play.
Another area where the PZ13 does exceptionally well is certainly the battery life that boasts up to 15 hours of endurance, beating most of its rivals with ease and even includes the Surface Pro 11. Thus, these have proved ideal for longer workdays or during travel when one may not have constant places to recharge it.
Additionally, the device supports fast charging for users to get back to work almost instantly. Like most machines based on Arm-based architecture, though, the PZ13 suffers a little from app compatibility issues. Sure, many popular apps run optimized on Arm, including Chrome and Photoshop, but others-Think Premiere Pro-are still playing catch-up. A translation layer called Prism helps to fill in the gaps, but doing so can lead to a 20-30 percent performance drop in some applications.
Conclusion
The Asus ProArt PZ13 makes for an attractive option, as it strikes the right balance between performance, portability, and affordability for the no-doubt hordes seeking a 2-in-1 versatile device. Further, from the bright OLED display down to the outstanding presentation of deep contrasts, accurate color representation, and plenty more, it's ideal for creative professionals in need of premium display for photo editing, video production, and designing.
In addition, this makes the device fit not only for work but also for media consumption-an excellent companion that adds to a movie or streaming experience. Furthermore, long hours of batteries guarantee a user can work or view content uninterruptedly for hours without worrying too much about recharging, which is particularly convenient for users on the go.
Further flexibility is provided by a detachable keyboard, whereby the user can easily switch between a tablet and a laptop depending on their needs. Ending at a price of approximately ₹91,000, the Asus ProArt PZ13 gives great value for money; hence, it is competitive in the 2-in-1 device market segment.
While the minor port selection and compatibility issues of apps with Arm architecture might faze a few users, to most on-premise users, these would be more synonymous with nitpicking. These small inconveniences are eclipsed by the general capabilities that make this device a solid option whether you're looking for display quality, battery life, or flexibility-whether you're a creative, professional, or casual user.
FAQs
1. Can I game on this Asus ProArt PZ13?
It features an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor for casual gaming, but the Asus ProArt PZ13 isn't a high-performance gaming machine. It runs light gaming well, which can mean most of the popular mobile titles or older, less resource-intensive PC games, but it falls short in running modern AAA titles or games that need high-end graphics and fast processing speeds.
It's more oriented toward creative tasks, such as photo editing, video rendering, and design, rather than gaming. Overall, the cooling system and build of the device have not been done to bear the kind of intense heat generation that happens in gaming laptops, which makes it less able to handle excessive gaming.
That said, the PZ13 is adequate for users who either don't game much or primarily play less demanding games. With its vibrant OLED display, it makes sure the games get sharp and pops in colors, but for the really serious gamers, they would rather need a device with a much better graphics card and higher refresh rates.
2. Can the RAM on the Asus ProArt PZ13 be upgraded?
The RAM of the Asus ProArt PZ13 cannot be upgraded, since it comes with 16GB and is soldered.
This could be a limitation for users who run memory-intensive applications, including yet not limited to 3D modeling and heavy video editing software.
Although 16GB of RAM may be sufficient for general use, such as basic multitasking between apps, creating, and light gaming, this might not be enough for professionals working with extremely huge files or those that require running high-end software all at once. An inability to upgrade the RAM leaves users with whatever is initially installed, basically the usual life of a laptop. With 16GB, most creative pros will be okay doing graphic design, light video work, and photo editing.
Power users who need a bit more RAM for things like animation or advanced rendering may have to consider other options or external solutions. Therein, those buyers must weigh against other strong features of the device, such as display and processor performance, the said non-upgradeable RAM limitation.
3. How does the Asus ProArt PZ13 rank against Microsoft Surface Pro 11?
For one, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is worth every buck compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, especially for professionals into creative tasks.
One of the biggest strong points with the ProArt PZ13 is that it comes with a detachable keyboard right out of the box, while the Surface Pro 11 often does not include the keyboard and must be ordered separately. Besides that, the ProArt PZ13 has double the amount of storage, leaving users with more room for large files and projects.
It also includes an OLED display with a number of very vibrant colors and deep contrasts that are ideal for creatives doing visual work. But the Surface Pro 11 commands the most pure power. With a powerful processor, higher brightness on the display, power users can code their applications, perform 3D rendering, and multitask with diligence. Overall, the ProArt PZ13 offers satisfactory creative performance at a more affordable price, though serious takers of work considering these requirements may look toward the Surface Pro 11 for maximum power and brightness.
4. How much battery life does the Asus ProArt PZ13 hold?
Still, the Asus ProArt PZ13 can boast with truly excellent battery life, up to 15 hours on a single charge, unlike many other competitors within the same category that boast power-hungry processors and displays.
With this impressive battery performance, it's ideal for professionals who are in and out of town or spend more time working in areas where charging options are limited. Be it photo editing, content streaming, or work in creative projects, the PZ13 can sustain prolonged use without the need for constant recharges. The effective Snapdragon processor also contributes to managing energy consumption to ensure full utilization of each charge.
With the PZ13, it's going to be an excellent device for those who do not want to run out of power in the middle of a workday or any other creative session. It will be a very good friend on long flights, conferences, or in situations where searching for an outlet could be a little more challenging.
5. Does the Asus ProArt PZ13 support stylus input?
Yes, the Asus ProArt PZ13 does support stylus input, one plus for creatives and professionals working with precision, such as in drawing, design, and even in handwritten notes. It works with the Asus Pen 2.0, hence assuring users of a smooth and highly responsive stylus experience. This would make it a very great tool for illustrators, graphic designers, architects, and people who just feel that a pen does the job better.
The sensitivity in the stylus allows granular control, which enables one to make complex designs, draw sketches, or make edits directly on the screen. At this point, it is relevant to note that the Asus Pen 2.0 is an accessory sold separately and not like the detachable keyboard that comes in the package. For power users of stylus input, this may be an additional cost consideration.
However, the support for stylus just adds another layer to what can be a most versatile device-the PZ13-for both creative and productivity tasks: annotating documents, sketching concepts, or fine-tuning designs-all better with the help of supported styli.
