ASUS ProArt PZ13 Review: The Ultimate 2-in-1 for Creatives in 2024
The ASUS ProArt PZ13 has entered the market with a strong proposition—an alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro for creative professionals. Featuring a compact design, Snapdragon X Plus processor, OLED display, and multiple connectivity options, this 13-inch Windows tablet aims to deliver on performance, versatility, and value. In this detailed review, we’ll delve into every aspect of the ProArt PZ13, highlighting its strengths and limitations to help you decide if it’s the right device for you.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel with Practicality
ASUS has taken design cues from the Microsoft Surface lineup, but it manages to add its own unique touch. The ProArt PZ13 sports a sleek and modern aesthetic with a matte black aluminum finish that is surprisingly fingerprint-resistant. The device feels premium in hand, maintaining a solid build quality that suggests durability for long-term use.
- Size: 13-inch tablet
- Finish: Matte black aluminum
- Weight: Substantial yet balanced, including the keyboard and back stand
One of the standout features is the magnetic attachment system for the keyboard and back cover. This makes it easy to switch from a tablet mode to a more traditional laptop form factor. The back cover doubles as a kickstand, allowing for various angles that make the device suitable for both typing and drawing.
Display Quality: Stunning OLED for Creatives
The ProArt PZ13 features a 13.3-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. For creative professionals, the quality of the display is paramount, and ASUS delivers here. The OLED panel offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios, which makes it perfect for tasks such as photo editing, digital illustration, and video production.
- Display Type: OLED
- Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels
- Color Calibration: PANTONE validated for color accuracy
The display is color-calibrated to be PANTONE validated, ensuring the colors are as accurate as possible out of the box. ASUS’s inclusion of ProArt software provides additional tools for color management, allowing users to switch between color spaces or fine-tune settings according to their workflow requirements. This attention to detail makes the ProArt PZ13 an ideal choice for artists, photographers, and content creators.
Performance and Battery Life: Efficient Snapdragon X Plus Processor
The ProArt PZ13 is powered by the Snapdragon X Plus processor, an ARM-based chip that is well-known for its energy efficiency. This processor is quite different from the usual Intel or AMD options found in most Windows devices but brings its own set of advantages.
Key Performance Highlights:
- Processor: Snapdragon X Plus (ARM-based)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7
The Snapdragon X Plus processor excels in delivering battery life that easily surpasses most standard laptops. With the ProArt PZ13, users can expect to get almost a full day of use on a single charge, making it a great option for professionals who need to work on the go without constantly hunting for power outlets. Unlike traditional laptops, the ProArt PZ13 remains cool and quiet during prolonged use, which is another plus for users who prioritize a silent working environment.
The processor does have some limitations, especially when it comes to software compatibility. Although many applications work seamlessly through emulation, not all software has been fully optimized for ARM processors. For example, Adobe Creative Cloud applications like Adobe Illustrator and Premiere Pro are now available in ARM-compatible versions, but others like Adobe Fresco are still missing from the lineup.
Ports and Connectivity: Versatile but Limited
ASUS has kept things simple when it comes to ports, which could be a plus or a minus depending on the user’s needs. The ProArt PZ13 features two USB Type-C ports, both of which support charging. However, one of these ports is hidden behind a removable plastic cover that also conceals a full-sized SD card slot. While the inclusion of an SD card slot is excellent for photographers and videographers, the lack of a headphone jack might be a deal-breaker for some.
- Ports:
- 2 x USB Type-C
- 1 x Full-size SD card slot (with mini SD card converter included)
- Missing Features:
- No headphone jack
The removable plastic cover that hides the additional USB Type-C port and SD card slot can be cumbersome for those who frequently swap cards. Furthermore, when an SD card is inserted, the cover cannot be fully replaced, which can expose the slot to dust and debris.
Input Devices: Keyboard and Stylus Performance
The ProArt PZ13 comes bundled with a detachable keyboard, which is an immediate advantage over the Microsoft Surface Pro, where the keyboard is an additional purchase. The keyboard itself is thin and tactile enough for comfortable typing, although it lacks significant key travel due to its slim profile.
- Keyboard: Detachable with magnetic attachment, includes smart gestures
- Trackpad: Large and responsive
- Stylus: WPP (Windows Pen Protocol) stylus
Stylus and Drawing Experience
The stylus is a WPP (Windows Pen Protocol) stylus that supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support. However, it has its quirks. For instance, there is some noticeable jitter in the lines, especially at slow drawing speeds. This could be frustrating for artists who rely heavily on line precision and detail.
Key Issues with the Stylus:
- Some jitter in slow lines
- Occasional palm rejection issues
- Pen requires frequent charging via USB Type-C
While the pen’s performance might suffice for general use, photographers, retouchers, or those who work primarily with vector art might want to consider alternatives. However, if you’re using it for tasks like note-taking or quick sketches, the stylus performs adequately.
Software Compatibility and Limitations: Still Evolving
The ARM architecture of the Snapdragon X Plus processor has brought its share of compatibility issues. While Microsoft has made significant strides in improving emulation on ARM, there are still gaps, particularly with Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite. Adobe Illustrator and Premiere Pro are available as beta versions, but other critical software like Adobe Fresco and Adobe Animate are still not supported on ARM.
Software Compatibility Table:
| Software | Status on ARM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop | Fully Supported | Works well in emulation mode, but some minor bugs may occur. |
| Adobe Illustrator (Beta) | Partially Supported | Available as a beta version, showing promise but still needs optimization. |
| Adobe Premiere Pro (Beta) | Partially Supported | Offers most features needed for video editing, stable in beta testing. |
| Adobe Fresco | Not Supported | No ARM version, and not on Adobe’s current roadmap for development. |
| Clip Studio Paint | Fully Supported | Works seamlessly, making it a great choice for digital artists who are flexible with software. |
| CorelDRAW | Fully Supported | Another solid option for vector art and design work on ARM. |
If you rely heavily on Adobe Creative Cloud, especially for newer or niche software, the ProArt PZ13 might not be the best fit right now. However, for more generalized creative software or alternative programs like Clip Studio Paint or CorelDRAW, it’s an excellent choice.
Value Proposition: Better Than Surface Pro?
When comparing the ASUS ProArt PZ13 to its direct competitor, the Microsoft Surface Pro, several factors stand out that make the ProArt PZ13 a better value. While the Surface Pro starts at around $1,000, that price does not include the keyboard or a significant storage capacity upgrade.
Price Comparison Highlights:
- ASUS ProArt PZ13:
- Starting at $1,100
- Includes 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Keyboard and back cover included in the box
- OLED Display
- Microsoft Surface Pro:
- Starting at $1,000
- Base model includes 16GB RAM but only 256GB SSD
- Keyboard sold separately (additional $180)
- Lesser display quality in base model
By the time you add a keyboard to the Surface Pro and upgrade its storage to match that of the ProArt PZ13, the price difference becomes significant. In terms of raw value, the ProArt PZ13 wins hands down, particularly for users who need the extra storage and appreciate the bundled accessories.
Who Should Buy the ASUS ProArt PZ13?
The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is an ideal choice for:
- Photographers: Thanks to its vibrant OLED display and SD card slot.
- Digital Artists: For those who are flexible with their software choices and can use alternatives to Adobe.
- Video Editors: Great battery life and capable of running most editing software, but with caveats.
- On-the-Go Professionals: Lightweight, portable, and exceptional battery life.
However, if you are someone who relies heavily on Adobe’s Creative Cloud, especially software not yet optimized for ARM, you might want to wait until better support is available or consider a different device.
Conclusion: A Solid Contender for Creative Work
The ASUS ProArt PZ13 stands out as a solid, well-rounded device for creative professionals looking for an alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro. With its superior battery life, OLED display, included accessories, and competitive pricing, it offers excellent value. While it does have some limitations—especially with software compatibility—it remains a compelling option for those willing to adapt their workflow or those who primarily use fully supported applications.
Overall, the ASUS ProArt PZ13 is not just a Surface Pro alternative—it’s a serious competitor in the creative laptop market, providing the right mix of features, performance, and price to earn a spot in any artist or creative professional’s toolkit.