Looking for a Windows laptop that rivals the MacBook Pro 16 for creative work? The Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) aims to deliver just that. With powerful hardware, a stunning 4K OLED display, and thoughtful design, it’s clearly targeting creative professionals—photographers, videographers, and designers—who demand performance and precision. But does it truly stand up to Apple’s flagship? Here’s our full review, and the one issue that could be a deal-breaker.
✅ Design & Build: Premium, Professional, and Portable
From the first glance, the Asus ProArt P16 impresses with its sleek black aluminum chassis and minimalist design that echoes the MacBook Pro—yet with a more industrial flair. It’s just 15mm thin and weighs 1.85 kg, making it relatively portable for a 16-inch powerhouse.
Key design highlights:
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Premium build quality with excellent rigidity
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Professional, understated aesthetics
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Thin profile without compromising internal power
🔌 Ports & Connectivity: Almost Everything You Need
Despite its thin body, the ProArt P16 offers a wide range of ports, including:
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2× USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
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2× USB-C
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HDMI 2.1
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SD card reader
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3.5mm combo audio jack
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USB-to-Ethernet adapter (included)
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Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Missing: No Thunderbolt 4, which may disappoint some pro users—likely due to its AMD platform.
⌨️ Keyboard & Touchpad: Excellent for Creatives
Typing on the ProArt P16 is a joy:
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Large, well-spaced keys with 1.7mm travel
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Great tactile feedback for long writing/editing sessions
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Spacious touchpad (15×10 cm) with Asus DialPad for creative software control (Photoshop, Premiere, etc.)
While the DialPad enhances workflow for some, its usefulness may vary depending on your editing habits.
🔊 Audio & Webcam: Good, Not Best-in-Class
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Stereo speakers offer clear, balanced sound with decent bass.
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Full HD webcam is adequate for video calls, though image quality drops in low light.
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Windows Hello support via infrared sensors is a plus.
Still, Apple’s MacBook Pro remains ahead in webcam and audio fidelity.
🌈 Display: Stunning 4K OLED Made for Professionals
Arguably the standout feature, the 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen is calibrated for color-critical work:
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10-bit panel, Pantone Validated
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Covers 100% sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3
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DeltaE < 1 for excellent color accuracy
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Deep blacks and infinite contrast
Drawbacks:
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Peak brightness (373 nits) is average
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Glossy panel reflects a lot of light
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Fixed 60Hz refresh rate
This makes outdoor or bright-environment work challenging. Apple’s XDR display still wins in HDR and brightness.
🖊️ Stylus Support
The screen supports the Asus Pen 2.0 stylus (4096 pressure levels). However, lack of convertible hinges limits its usefulness for drawing or tablet-style use.
⚙️ Performance: Desktop-Class Power in a Portable Body
Inside, the ProArt P16 is packed with high-end hardware:
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AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores, up to 5.1 GHz)
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (105W TGP)
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64GB LPDDR5X RAM (non-upgradable)
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Fast SSD storage
It breezes through 4K video editing, 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking. In DaVinci Resolve, it handled complex timelines with no lag.
🌡️ Thermals & Noise: A Loud Compromise
This is where the ProArt P16 struggles:
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Triple-fan cooling system ramps up quickly
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Noise reaches up to 52 dBA under load
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Temps: CPU at 95°C, GPU around 80°C during intensive tasks
While performance is stable, fan noise becomes distracting—even in lighter workloads.
🔋 Battery Life: A Weak Spot for Mobile Creators
Battery life is underwhelming:
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Up to 5 hours for basic tasks
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Around 2.5 hours under creative load
Compared to MacBook Pro 16 M3/M4, which easily lasts 10–18 hours depending on usage, the Asus falls short.
💬 Final Verdict: Is the Asus ProArt P16 Worth It?
The Asus ProArt P16 (H7606) is a top-tier Windows laptop for content creators, with:
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An exceptional OLED display
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Incredible performance
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Great build quality and I/O
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Unique productivity features (DialPad, stylus support)
However, it loses points for loud fan noise and poor battery life, which creative professionals on the go may find frustrating.
⭐ Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5
✅ Best for:
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Creative professionals needing top-tier performance
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Color-accurate work (photography, video, design)
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Users who prefer Windows over macOS
⚠️ Not ideal for:
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Quiet working environments
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Long mobile use without charging
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Those needing Thunderbolt support
📌 FAQ: Asus ProArt P16 vs MacBook Pro 16
Is the Asus ProArt P16 better than the MacBook Pro?
In raw performance and display color accuracy, it competes well. But Apple wins in battery, thermal efficiency, and ecosystem.
Does the Asus ProArt P16 support Thunderbolt 4?
No. Due to its AMD CPU, it lacks Thunderbolt 4.
Is the Asus DialPad useful?
Yes, especially in Adobe apps. But it’s not essential for all users.
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