I recommend this flagship Windows laptop to creatives over the MacBook Pro - here's why

ZDNET reviewed the Asus ProArt P16, a Windows laptop starting at $1,900, highlighting its powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, and high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen display designed for creatives. While the laptop offers extensive customization options and strong performance comparable to the M3 MacBook Pro, it requires user optimization and its glossy display and large trackpad may not suit all users. Separately, new US tariffs on imports from countries like China and Vietnam are expected to increase prices on laptops and PCs by up to 35% due to continued reliance on factories in those countries.

Analysis

The Asus ProArt P16, a new Windows laptop starting at $1,900, is positioned for creative professionals, featuring a potent AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with a 50 TOP NPU, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Its 3840 x 2400 resolution AMOLED touchscreen offers a crisp, bright picture, complemented by a stylus and Asus's customizable DialPad. Benchmarking data indicates competitive performance, with its Cinebench 24 Multicore score of 1,096 and Geekbench 6.2.2 Multicore score of 12,787 placing it generally between Apple's M3 and M4 MacBook Pro offerings, though closer to the M3. While the ProArt P16 boasts robust battery life, exceeding 10 hours for normal use and around seven for intensive tasks, its key differentiators lie in deep customization, which necessitates user engagement for optimization, unlike the 'out-of-the-box' readiness often associated with competitors like Apple. Notable drawbacks include a 60Hz display refresh rate, a trade-off for its price point, an ultra-glossy display prone to glare, and some bundled software exhibiting slow performance. Concurrently, the consumer electronics landscape faces new US tariffs potentially increasing laptop and PC prices by up to 35%. This policy, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, is expected to impact major brands reliant on Chinese and Vietnamese factories, likely leading to higher consumer costs and fewer discounts in the short term, and may accelerate shifts in global supply chains towards regions like Mexico or India.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should monitor AMD and Nvidia, as their components (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, GeForce RTX 4060) are integral to high-performance laptops like the Asus ProArt P16, though overall PC market demand may be affected by tariff-related price increases.
• Apple's competitive positioning remains strong in the premium creative segment due to its 'out-of-the-box' performance and ease of use, presenting a contrast to the Asus ProArt P16's customization focus, but Apple also faces the same tariff headwinds on its hardware.
• The impending US tariffs, potentially raising laptop and PC prices by up to 35%, pose a risk of margin compression or reduced sales volumes for manufacturers heavily dependent on production in China and Vietnam; their mitigation strategies warrant close observation.
• Consider evaluating companies within the electronics sector that are proactively diversifying their supply chains beyond tariff-impacted regions, as this could offer a competitive advantage amidst rising cost pressures and trade policy shifts.