ASUS ProArt PZ13 Review: The Affordable OLED Windows 2-in-1 for Creators

In the crowded landscape of Windows 2-in-1 devices, ASUS' ProArt PZ13 marks a notable shift: it is the first Copilot+ PC to go toe-to-toe with Microsoft's recently launched Surface Pro 11, challenging the company's near-monopoly on high-end detachable Windows tablets. With a vibrant 3K OLED display, competitive pricing, and crucial artistic features, the PZ13 targets creators who want to balance performance with portability—without breaking the bank. Yet, as is often the case with first-generation challengers, its ambition is accompanied by compromises, and its claim to the creator throne is not without caveats.

ASUS ProArt PZ13: A Standout in the Copilot+ 2-in-1 Category​

ASUS’ ProArt PZ13 is not just another Windows tablet. It’s the first major hardware competitor in a new generation of ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, leveraging Microsoft’s AI initiatives and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X silicon to bring a genuinely fresh option to the table. ASUS positions the PZ13 firmly against the Surface Pro 11 OLED, but undercuts it in price and boosts value with thoughtful inclusions—most notably, a bundled magnetic kickstand keyboard that Microsoft insists on selling separately.
The device packs Qualcomm’s latest 8-core Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a fast 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (the same WD SN740 found in pricier ultraportables). Its 13.3-inch 16:10 OLED display, peaking at a 3K resolution (2880x1800), is color-calibrated and stylus-ready—a boon for photographers, illustrators, and digital content creators.
For $1,099.99 (as of early 2024, available through Best Buy), the ProArt PZ13 presents as an affordable alternative to the Surface Pro 11 and, by extension, the iPad Pro M4—especially when factoring in the cost of accessories and storage capacity. However, prospective buyers should note that at launch, there are no configurable hardware options; what you see is what you get.

Specification	ASUS ProArt PZ13
CPU	Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 (8-core)
RAM	16GB LPDDR5X
Storage	1TB PCIe Gen 4 WD SN740 SSD
Display	13.3" 3K OLED (2880x1800) touchscreen
GPU	Snapdragon X Adreno X1-85
Camera	5MP IR (front, Windows Hello), 13MP rear
I/O	2x USB4-C, microSD UHS-II
Networking	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Battery	70Wh, up to 12hr real-world use
Weight	1.87lb (tablet) / 3.36lb (with case)
OS	Windows 11 Home (ARM64)

Design and Build: Familiar Yet Distinct​

From a distance, the PZ13 could easily be mistaken for a Surface Pro. ASUS embraces the formula, but adds its own tweaks, such as a sturdy magnetic kickstand cover and a front cover offering serious protection. Notably, the kickstand is built into the case, not the tablet itself—a tradeoff that enables ruggedness but adds weight, pushing the assembled device to 3.36lb, noticeably heavier than the Surface Pro 11 with its own keyboard.
The build meets MIL-STD 810H standards and boasts IP52 water/dust resistance, reflecting ASUS' confidence in the device’s durability—a significant point for mobile professionals. Initial setup is streamlined, with a clean Windows 11 experience and minimal bloatware. The only pre-installs outside essential ASUS utilities are CapCut and Microsoft’s own kit, which can be easily managed or uninstalled. Firmware updates and driver patches via MyASUS and Windows Update proceed without hiccup.
There is, however, no power/status LED, which makes confirming charging status slightly awkward—a peculiarity that users might find frustrating, especially after running the battery down.

User Experience: Keyboard, Touchpad, and Pen Support​

If imitation is flattery, then ASUS tips its hat to Microsoft’s Surface Pro keyboard. The ProArt keyboard is thin (6mm), solid, and attaches with precision. Most importantly, it comes bundled—a key differentiator at this price point. Typing feel is on par for detachable tablet keyboards: not luxurious, but sturdy, with a responsive precision touchpad that cleverly mirrors the 16:10 display aspect ratio for seamless pointer movement.
Dedicated function keys offer immediate access to the ProArt Creator Hub, emoji picker, and keyboard backlight—evidence that ASUS knows its creative audience. Gestures are baked in, although the inclusion of ScreenXpert (for window management) as a touchpad shortcut may annoy some users until disabled.
The experience with ASUS’ Pen 2.0 stylus, while positive in terms of precision and pressure sensitivity, falls short on ergonomics. The included fabric pen loop blocks access to all ports when in use. Given Microsoft’s integrated stylus storage on its Flex Keyboard, ASUS’ approach feels like an afterthought. Moreover, while ASUS included the stylus for review, retail buyers must purchase it separately for around $70.

The Display: True to Its ProArt Name​

Perhaps the PZ13’s most compelling feature is its 13.3-inch OLED panel, which boasts 100% sRGB, 99% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage (Datacolor Spyder X Pro calibration). These figures are exceptional for a device in this price bracket, verifying ASUS’ claims. The panel excels for photo editing, illustration, and other creative tasks where color accuracy trumps all.
Brightness is the one notable drawback: at a measured 388 nits, the ProArt PZ13 falls short of the Surface Pro 11’s brightest models and struggles outdoors or in direct sunlight due to screen glare. Indoors, with HDR content enabled, the visuals are rich and impressive. A built-in screensaver functions to protect against OLED burn-in—an essential feature for creative professionals working with static UI elements.

Performance: ARM Ups and Downs​

Snapdragon’s X Plus X1P-42-100 is the new face of Windows on ARM, and on paper, it slots in below the flagship 12-core Snapdragon X Elite. Synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024 confirm as much, showing respectable burst and sustained performance that matches or beats Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 chips, though it cannot touch the peak speeds or graphics muscle of the X Elite or Apple’s M4.
Real-world use backs up those numbers: the device remains responsive, doesn’t stutter under creative workloads, and has effective active cooling that only kicks in under heavy stress. The SSD is blazing fast, matching much more expensive laptops in boot and file transfer speeds.
The integrated Adreno X1-85 GPU, while efficient, is not cut out for serious gaming or intensive video workloads—fair given the device's creator-first positioning. Native ARM games like World of Warcraft are playable (40-60 FPS), but graphically demanding titles or emulated software will push the hardware to its limits. For gaming, purpose-built devices like the ASUS ROG Ally are still the way to go.
In AI processing, the PZ13’s NPU (rated for 45 TOPS) compares well to Intel’s latest laptop chips, meeting Microsoft’s Copilot+ requirements. Benchmarks are still in their infancy for measuring AI on Windows devices, but the numbers here suggest meaningful acceleration for supported creative workflows.

Battery Life: Impressive for Its Class​

ASUS advertises 17-21 hours on light workloads—claims that are, as is typical, on the optimistic side. In realistic mixed use (writing, web browsing, image editing, and some video consumption), the PZ13 reliably achieves between 10 and 12 hours—outpacing the Surface Pro 11 in reviewer tests, albeit with a slightly larger battery. At heavy loads, expect closer to 8 hours. These numbers are confirmed both by Windows’ own battery reporting tools and reputable third-party reviews.
Thermal management is excellent: the Snapdragon X Plus idles silently and only activates its small fan under sustained stress. At maximum, fan noise is measured at 47.5 dBA (just above the level of a quiet refrigerator), while average use is nearly silent at about 34 dBA. Surface temperatures remain comfortable, never straying into truly hot territory even under load.

Camera and Audio: The Weak Link​

For a device aimed at creators, the PZ13 is hamstrung by its cameras. The 5MP front webcam suffices for video calls, with IR support for fast Windows Hello sign-ins. The 13MP rear camera, however, is lackluster: video quality is noticeably poor and colors are muted. Third-party reviews concur, warning against using it for more than basic document captures or whiteboard shots. For those hoping to film and edit video on a single device, the PZ13 simply cannot compete with Apple’s iPad Pro or high-end laptops packing better rear sensors.
Audio is a mixed bag—speakers are clear and sufficiently loud for movies or calls, but deliver little low-end bass. The microphone array suffices for conferencing but does not stand out.

Software: A Clean, Focused Windows 11 ARM Experience​

ASUS earns credit for keeping the out-of-box software experience lean. Beyond the MyASUS utilities and ProArt Creator Hub (which provides precise color management and diagnostics), there’s little bloatware. The device ships with Windows 11 Home for ARM, and benefits from the growing ecosystem of ARM-native creative apps (notably, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom run smoothly, while others, such as DaVinci Resolve, remain a mixed bag depending on emulation).
Of note, however, is that Windows Recall—Microsoft’s much-touted new Copilot+ AI feature—was absent from the review unit’s Settings menu. This may change in subsequent updates, but at launch, buyers should calibrate their expectations regarding Copilot+ features.

The Competition: Surface Pro 11 and iPad Pro M4​

In direct competition, ASUS wins on value: the PZ13 packs a larger SSD and keyboard for less money than an equivalently equipped Surface Pro 11 OLED. Microsoft’s offering, however, has an edge in reduced weight (2.73lb with keyboard/pen), display brightness, and stylus integration (with its Pro Flex keyboard). The Surface Pro’s 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and optional Elite processor are faster, but only slightly in real-world use.
Apple’s iPad Pro M4, meanwhile, is a step above in camera quality, display brightness, and graphics prowess, but cannot match Windows’ flexibility for productivity software or creator workflows—especially when factoring in the cost of the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

Model	Price (est.)	Display	Processor	Weight (w/keyboard)	Stylus/Keyboard Included	Storage	Camera Quality
ASUS ProArt PZ13	$1,099.99	13.3" 3K OLED	Snapdragon X Plus	3.36lb	Both	1TB	Poor rear, adequate front
Surface Pro 11 OLED	$1,199.99*	13" 3K OLED	Snapdragon X Plus/Elite	2.73lb	No (sold separately)	256GB+ (up to 1TB)	Good front/rear
iPad Pro 13" M4	$1,599+	13" Ultra Retina	Apple M4	2.79lb (w/keyboard)	No (sold separately)	256GB+ (up to 2TB)	Excellent front/rear

• Surface Pro 11 OLED with equivalent storage and keyboard fetches a much higher price than the advertised entry model.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Risks​

Notable Strengths​

• Display Quality: The OLED panel, with near-perfect color accuracy and high contrast, is a standout for professional artists and photographers.
• Competitive Value: The inclusion of a quality keyboard and 1TB storage at a lower price than rivals makes the PZ13 a compelling choice for cost-conscious creators.
• Solid Build and Battery Life: MIL-STD 810H durability and real-world battery performance (10-12 hours) rival or best competitors in its class.
• ARM Native Experience: Snapdragon X Plus is fast enough for everyday productivity and creative workflows; future Windows on ARM app support looks promising.
• Noise and Thermals: Cool and quiet under nearly all workloads.

Potential Risks and Pain Points​

• Weight and Ergonomics: At 3.36lb with the keyboard, the PZ13 is among the heaviest in the detached 2-in-1 class, detracting from its portability appeal.
• Camera and Video Limitations: The disappointing rear camera limits its suitability for on-the-go content creation—a significant downside for the "creator" target market.
• Stylus Storage Flaw: Lack of integrated stylus storage makes for an awkward user experience compared to Surface Pro.
• Outdoor Usability: The 3K OLED screen’s limited brightness and high reflectivity restrict its use in direct sunlight.
• Limited Processor Upgrade Path: No configuration options at launch; power users wanting the absolute fastest ARM performance must look elsewhere (e.g., Surface Pro 11 Elite or future models).
• Software/Ecosystem Maturity: While the Windows on ARM ecosystem is improving, certain creative apps and AI features (like Recall) may lag behind expectations at launch.

The Verdict: Should You Buy the ProArt PZ13?​

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 is a bold, mostly successful attempt at breaking the Surface Pro’s grip on the professional Windows tablet market. For digital artists, photographers, and creators focused on color-sensitive work, it delivers top-tier display fidelity and ARM-based power in a package that’s affordable compared to its name-brand rivals. With all-day battery life, robust build quality, and minimal software bloat, it absolutely nails the essentials for its audience.
Yet, the device’s practical limitations—chiefly its uninspiring camera, port-blocking pen loop, and added weight—mean that it is best suited for creators who prioritize indoor work and rarely need to shoot video or work outdoors. For such users, the PZ13 offers a ton of value and a frustration-free Windows 11 experience, but remains one or two meaningful refinements away from true class leadership.

Buy it if…​

• You want a more affordable OLED-equipped 2-in-1 with a keyboard and huge storage included out of the box.
• You prioritize display color fidelity above all else for artwork or photography.
• You are committed to the Windows creative ecosystem and value growing ARM-native support.

Don't buy it if…​

• You require good camera performance or often shoot/edit video on the go.
• You need a lightweight tablet-first device for constant travel or fieldwork.
• You rely on established x86-64 apps without fully native ARM versions.

In short, ASUS’ ProArt PZ13 represents the state of the art for Windows on ARM creator devices, with meaningful strengths in display, price, and accessory value—but users should weigh its heavy form factor and disappointing camera against the clear gains in affordability and usability. For the right creator, it’s a price-aware artist’s companion that outshines pricier alternatives in what matters most.
As Copilot+ and Windows on ARM continue to mature, the PZ13 may well be the “proof of concept” that lights a fire under both Microsoft and its hardware partners to keep raising the bar.

---

Source: Windows Central ASUS ProArt PZ13 review: The first 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC to challenge Microsoft's Surface Pro 11