Local AI Laptop Hits $7,000 Mark

The cost to run large artificial intelligence models on a personal computer just climbed to $7,000. ASUS published pricing for the ProArt P16, the first laptop built around NVIDIA’s new RTX Spark chip. The specific configuration tested by Engadget includes 128GB of unified memory. This setup allows users to host models that typically require server-grade hardware, all within a portable chassis.

The device targets a narrow group of professionals. It is designed for AI researchers and power users who need to process data locally without relying on cloud servers. The platform departs from traditional Intel or AMD processors in favor of an Arm-based system-on-a-chip. Microsoft and NVIDIA have promoted this architecture as a new direction for personal computing. The hardware mirrors the design philosophy of Apple’s M-series chips, combining the CPU, GPU, and memory into a single package.

The price structure reflects the high cost of memory. The base model of the ProArt P16 starts at $2,800. Prices rise sharply as buyers add RAM. The top-tier unit with 128GB of memory costs $7,000. This premium is difficult to justify for general consumers. The review notes that the laptop is lighter than a 16-inch MacBook Pro at 3.9 pounds. The aluminum body features a bright 16-inch OLED display and a large haptic touchpad.

Performance results in benchmarks were mixed. The P16 scored approximately 3,000 points lower than a comparable ASUS laptop in PCMark 10 Applications testing. It also trailed slightly in single-threaded CPU tests. However, it outperformed an M5 Max MacBook Pro in graphics and AI workloads. The P16 scored 3,895 in Procyon’s AI Computer Vision 2 test, compared to 3,267 for the Apple machine. In AI image generation, it recorded 1,519 points, exceeding the Apple laptop by 600 points.

Real-world usage demonstrated the system’s capacity for heavy AI tasks. The laptop ran the Qwen3.8 27B model, which consumes 42GB of RAM on its own. The machine handled this load with memory to spare. It also played Cyberpunk 2077 and Control: Resonant at high settings. In Control: Resonant, the system achieved 70 frames per second at 1440p with ultra settings. Lowering the graphical quality boosted the frame rate to 120 frames per second.

Compatibility remains a primary concern for buyers. Most games rely on Microsoft’s Prism emulator to run on the Arm CPU. This emulation can reduce performance and occasionally cause stability issues. Native Arm64 versions exist for titles like Fortnite and DOTA 2. NVIDIA is working with anti-cheat providers to resolve multiplayer conflicts. Adobe has brought its major creative software to the platform, but support from other multimedia applications is less clear.

The physical design has some trade-offs. The black finish attracts fingerprints easily. Battery life in standard testing lasted 10 hours and 51 minutes. This is shorter than the 15-plus hours typical of other premium laptops. Performance did not drop when the machine was unplugged. The OLED display reached 1,600 nits, placing it among the brightest panels available in laptops.

For gamers, the value proposition is weaker. An ASUS Zephyrus G16 with an RTX 5070 and a 240Hz screen is available at Best Buy for $2,124. That machine offers better gaming performance and full compatibility with x86 software. The reviewer suggested waiting at least a year before recommending the RTX Spark platform to general users or gamers. AI professionals represent the clear target market for the current lineup.