Macs are renowned for their sleek design, intuitive interface, and powerful performance. However, to truly harness the full potential of your Mac, it’s essential to optimize and personalize your machine to suit your specific needs and workflow. By implementing a few key strategies and using the right tools, you can significantly boost your creativity, productivity, […]
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We might call them laptops, but these portable desktops are not really great for being used on your lap. Never mind the heat that will cook your thighs and other body parts, it leaves you in a painful posture that might leave your neck and wrists cursing you. That said, sometimes we can’t exactly choose the location where we need to open up a laptop to get something done quickly, and there may or may not be a table available to set it down. This briefcase-like concept tries to alleviate some of that discomfort by providing not just a home for the laptop but also a slightly more ergonomic height even when you use it on a table.
Designer: Shivaprasad Vijayan
Laptops are convenient and powerful when you need a computer on the go, but their very design wasn’t exactly made with ergonomics in mind. You crane your neck and hold your hands at an unnatural angle, and that’s when you have it on a desk without any other accessories. And while laptops are portable in a sense, the need for a large power brick, a mouse, and any other peripherals means you’ll need to carry more than just the laptop itself.
LAPCASE is a concept that tries to resolve all the issues attached to a laptop’s usability when on the go, at least to some extent. It’s a laptop bag, technically more like a briefcase, that has room not just for the laptop but for all accessories you might need to bring along with it. It doesn’t just have pockets but actual dividers that organize those peripherals while also keeping them from getting tangled and protecting them against bumps and shocks.
The most important part, of course, is the laptop compartment at the top which is covered by a two-fold magnetic flap. This cover is set to an angle so that the laptop’s back is raised slightly when placed on it. The idea is to rest the laptop on top of the bag when using it, which raises it higher when placed on your lap or raises the screen to a slightly ergonomic height when on a table.
The concept definitely has merit, but there are a few drawbacks to the execution. For one, you will require an external keyboard whenever you use it on a table, as the laptop’s own keyboard will be too high for comfortable typing. And then there’s the issue of the case itself being too bulky, especially at a time when people are trying to actually carry smaller laptop bags. Then again, you are practically carrying a mobile office, so it might be a trade-off worth paying for the convenience of bringing everything you need whenever you leave the office.
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Choosing the right Mac for your studies can be a daunting task, especially with the wide range of Macs for students available in the market. As a student, you need a reliable, efficient, and versatile machine that can keep up with your academic demands. The video from Nikias Molina compares various Mac models to help […]
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Enhancing productivity on your Mac can be as simple as integrating the right tools and Mac apps into your workflow. While popular applications like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Chrome are well-known, there are many lesser-known Mac apps that can significantly streamline your tasks and boost efficiency. The video below from Jeff Su […]
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MacBook Fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Apple M4 MacBook Pro models, slated for release in late 2024 or early 2025. These upcoming models promise significant enhancements in performance, efficiency, and battery life, solidifying Apple’s position as a leader in the laptop market. The video below from Matt Talks Tech gives us more […]
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Apple has recently released macOS Sequoia 15 Beta 7, bringing a host of new features, fixes, and improvements to the operating system. This update is part of a larger release that encompasses updates for various Apple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, VisionOS, and watchOS. The video below from Half Man Half Tech gives us more […]
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Setting up a new Mac involves several key steps to configure the system, customize settings, and optimize performance. By following the awesome video below from Kyle Ericksone, you can ensure your Mac is set up efficiently and tailored to your specific needs and workflow. The process begins with the initial setup wizard, where you’ll configure […]
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Enhancing your MacBook experience is easier with the right apps. The video below from Shiv’s Studio four essential MacBook apps designed to save you money, improve efficiency, increase productivity, and simplify usage. These apps are carefully selected to address common challenges faced by MacBook users and provide practical solutions to streamline your workflow. By integrating […]
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The ASUS ProArt PX13 makes the impossible possible, delivering unbeatable performance and uncompromising mobility in an elegant and accessible package.
The nature and execution of work have changed significantly in the past years, especially for those who use computers all the time. Mobility and flexibility have become an important part of the business, sometimes requiring people to be able to take their work anywhere life leads them. At the same time, it also allows people to do their work in the best possible location for them, which isn’t always the office. To support these new work arrangements, computer vendors have been trying to shove more power into laptops without turning them into gargantuan machines that would force people to leave them in the office anyway. It’s a delicate balancing act, one that very few brands have successfully pulled off, but the ASUS ProArt PX13 makes that very promise to one of the more discerning and particular markets. Is the ProArt PX13 able to deliver that promise of unbounded creativity anywhere or does it make too many compromises along the way? We give it a flip and a spin to bring you that answer.
Designer: ASUS
The first impression you’ll have when seeing the ASUS ProArt PX13 is how compact and thin it is, at least for a supposedly powerful laptop aimed at creative professionals. Your second impression will be how sleek and elegant it looks with its deep, all-black design. It’s an aesthetic that doesn’t scream at you but instead talks mellowly, fitting a professional product. There are barely any markings on the laptop’s cover; no fancy RGB lighting at its sides, protruding edges, or sharp angles. Just one truly black slab.
Unlike other laptops that advertise a black colorway, the ASUS ProArt PX13 really walks the walk thanks to the company’s Nano Black coating that almost poetically matches the deep blacks of the OLED screen on the opposite side. It’s admittedly a matter of taste, as some will prefer the luster of silver metal like those on MacBooks or Dell, but its more subdued aesthetic makes it less distracting as well. Thankfully, that same Nano Coating also prevents fingerprint smudges so there’s very little that will stain that darkness.
Minimalist doesn’t mean plain, however, and there are a few accents that bring out the ProArt PX13’s designer-centric character. The ProArt branding, for example, is smooth and a little bit reflective, tastefully set against the blackness of the cover. The vertical stripes on the hinge are supposed to be a nod to pro camera designs, but even if you don’t make that connection, they’re still an interesting touch. All in all, the ASUS ProArt PX13’s minimalism puts the focus not on the laptop but on the creator and the content, while also providing a dark, blank canvas for owners to use to let their own creativity shine through if needed.
The ProArt PX13 is hardly the thinnest laptop, whether traditional or convertible, but it’s not terrible either for a 13-inch. When you consider that it packs enough hardware to cater to creative professionals and even some gamers, you’ll even be amazed at how ASUS managed to keep the numbers down to an accessible level. At 17.78mm (0.7 inches) thick and 1.38kg (3.04 lbs) heavy, this is something you can easily stow in your bag and be on the move in a flash.
This is very important when you consider that ProArt PX13 is more than just a laptop. It can also be a tablet you can draw on, whether on your table or on your lap, as well as a “tent mode” presentation and entertainment display. Changing forms is as easy as folding the screen back and forth, and the sturdy 360-degree hinge makes sure that it stays open at whatever angle you leave it. At the same time, however, the laptop’s weight is distributed properly so that you can open it up with just a single finger, lifting the lid while the body anchors it down.
The typing experience is pretty good as well, with well-spaced keys and a good 1.7mm travel. The cursor keys are squashed, of course, but that’s nothing new nor is it extremely uncomfortable. The touchpad is a decent size, but its mechanical design might disappoint fans of more haptic touchpads.
Right off the bat, the ASUS ProArt PX13 has some of the best hardware you’ll find in a 13-inch laptop. It’s one of the first to utilize AMD’s new AI-powered Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, giving it a wide lead in AI operations. This is paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, like in our review unit, or an RTX 4060. Either way, you’re getting a powerful graphics processor that, to no one’s surprise, handles AI skillfully as well. Benchmark numbers don’t always tell the whole story, but they’re impressive nonetheless. Whether the laptop is plugged in or running on battery, it will meet almost anything you can throw at it, whether it’s Photoshop, Da Vinci Resolve, or Blender.
Gaming is a bit of a different issue, though the ProArt PX13 is definitely capable. You will definitely feel the heat when pushing the system to its limits, but the cooling system does a stellar job of regulating its impact. The fans are definitely audible under heavy loads, but they quiet down just as quickly when no longer needed. And they’re barely noticeable at all if you’re just doing basic computing tasks like browsing the Web or typing up documents. The biggest setback when using this machine for gaming is actually one of its biggest strengths as well: its screen.
The 13.3-inch OLED touch screen is simply stunning, with rich colors, deep blacks, and a sufficient amount of brightness so that you can even work outdoors under overcast skies. The display is Pantone-validated and supports a wide gamut of colors, an important detail for graphics artists and content creators who need color accuracy more than anything else. The screen has a 3K resolution of 2880×1800 in a familiar 16:10 aspect ratio and a refresh rate of 60Hz. The latter is what makes the ProArt PX13 less suitable for gaming, at least for those who live and breathe 120Hz or higher. It’s not totally unusable for fast-paced games, and it completely marks the laptop as a machine primarily for work, with just a bit of gaming on the side.
Battery life for the ASUS ProArt PX13 is so-so. Given its size, the 75WHr battery it packs is actually generous, but it’s offset by the more powerful hardware. On Eco/Power Saving mode and average computing tasks, it can last an average of 8 hours, definitely shorter once you push the hardware to the limit. It ships with a 200W power brick that’s large but not gigantic. It can charge over USB-C using a 100W charger, but you’ll probably bring the official charger with you anyway unless you’re traveling extra light.
Port selection is on the light side as well. It has most of the important basics but is also oddly missing a few ones. There are two USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the proprietary DC-in charging port. There’s a microSD card reader but not a full-sized one, which is strange considering how digital cameras still mostly use SD cards, not their tiny cousins. We could always do with an extra USB-A port, especially if the only available one is already in use with an Ethernet adapter because the laptop doesn’t have its own RJ45 port.
The ASUS ProArt PX13 is overflowing with features designed for creative professionals, from hardware to software. There’s the somewhat odd DialPad in the order of the touchpad, giving quick access to actions like changing brush sizes in Photoshop, scrubbing through timelines in Premiere, and more. Not everyone will love this convenience, and it is fortunately easy to disable it completely. From the ProArt Creator Hub which has all the settings you can tweak for performance or monitor calibration, to the AI-powered software that takes advantage of the combined strength of AMD processors and NVIDIA graphics, the ProArt PX13 offers a multitude of tools to assist content creators in whatever kind of work or problem they’re facing.
ASUS has been making big waves when it comes to its commitment to helping protect the future of the planet, from the use of recycled materials in its products to the decrease of plastic in its packaging. It might not be visible or advertised for the ProArt PX13, but we’re banking on the company giving it the same treatment even in small amounts.
In terms of prolonging the life of the laptop, ASUS definitely took steps to make it a bit easier. The bottom plate can be removed easily using a screwdriver, except for the middle screw that’s also covered by a sticky rubber material. The NVMe SSD storage, battery, and Wi-Fi 7 module are easily replaceable, which are some of the most common components that need to be repaired or upgraded. Sadly, the LPDDR5X RAM is soldered to the motherboard, but having 32GB of memory isn’t that bad anyway.
The ASUS ProArt PX13 is available in two configurations, with the RTX 4050 and 4060 being the only real difference between the two, as well as the Windows 11 Home and Pro licenses. Given the performance difference between these two very capable NVIDIA graphics processors, you couldn’t go wrong if you picked the base configuration that goes for only $1,699.99. At that price point, it already surpasses larger laptops and can hold its own against a MacBook that’s nearly double its price.
It’s pretty mind-blowing how much ASUS was able to cram inside the compact 13.3-inch body of the ProArt PX13 without hitting any significant compromises. It’s hardly the best gaming laptop or the most powerful movie maker, but what it offers is the flexibility to take your work or game anywhere without missing a bit. In that regard, it is pretty unrivaled, making it a truly tempting device for creative professionals, even those who mostly stay at their desks.
The way we make content these days has changed greatly over the past years. Videos and graphic designs no longer have to be made on hulking towers tethered to desktops. Sometimes, the ability to quickly churn out content at a moment’s notice has become more important than production-level quality that will take hours on a regular laptop. Then again, why do you have to choose when the ASUS ProArt PX13 can give you the best of both worlds? Powerful, portable, and flexible, this convertible laptop delivers the tools that creative professionals need to bring their work to the next level, whenever inspiration strikes, wherever they are.
The post ASUS ProArt PX13 Laptop Review: An Agile Content Creator’s Best Friend first appeared on Yanko Design.
macOS Sequoia offers a wealth of features and customization options that can significantly improve your user experience and boost your productivity. Many of these settings are not enabled by default, but with a few simple tweaks, you can unlock the full potential of your Mac. In the video below, Mac Vince explores twelve essential settings […]
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