Unveiling the Windows Laptop that Outshines the XPS 16: A Performance Powerhouse Redefined

Evan Brooks - Aug 22 - - Dev Community

The Asus ProArt P17 on a sleek, modern surface.
Mark Coppock

In the current market, laptops with expansive screens have gained immense popularity, with 16-inch devices emerging as the preferred choice for creative professionals and power users. The era of requiring a gaming laptop to tackle demanding tasks like video editing is now a thing of the past.

The Dell XPS 16 is the company's latest mainstream offering, but it's a mixed bag. This presents an opportunity for the Asus ProArt P16 to win over Windows users. Can Asus rise to the challenge?

Technical Specifications and Configurations




Asus ProArt P16 Dell XPS 16
Dimensions 13.97 inches x 9.72 inches x 0.59-0.68 inches 14.1 inches x 9.4 inches x 0.74 inches
Weight 4.08 pounds 4.7 pounds
Processor AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
Graphics AMD Radeon 890M
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Intel Arc graphics
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 (50W)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (50W)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (60W)
Memory 32GB
64GB
16GB LPDDR5x (6400 MT/s)
32GB LPDDR5x (6400 MT/s, 7467 MT/s RTX 4070)
64GB LPDDR5x (6400 MT/s, 7467 MT/s RTX 4070)
Display 16.0-inch 16:10 4K+ (3840 x 2400) OLED, 60Hz 16.3-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS non-touch, 60Hz
16.3-inch 16:10 4K+ (3840 x 2400) OLED touch, 90Hz
Storage 1TB SSD
2TB SSD
512GB SSD
1TB SSD
2TB SSD
4TB SSD
Touch capability Yes Optional
Ports 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
1 x USB-C USB4
2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
1 x HDMI 2.1
1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x SD card reader
3 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x microSD card reader
Wireless connectivity Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Webcam 1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition 1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello facial recognition
Operating system Windows 11 Windows 11
Battery life 90 watt-hour

The entry-level ProArt P16 model comes with a price tag of $1,900, boasting an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, and a 16-inch 4K+ OLED display. In contrast, the XPS 16 base model is more budget-friendly at $1,500, but it makes compromises on specifications, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, integrated Intel Arc graphics, and a Full HD+ IPS display. However, when configured with 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a (slower) RTX 4050 GPU, and a 4K+ OLED display, the XPS 16’s price surges to $2,700.

The high-end configuration of the ProArt P16, priced at $2,700, boasts 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and an RTX 4070. The XPS 16, with the same configuration, comes with a heftier price tag of $3,300.

The key takeaway is that the ProArt P16 offers a more affordable option.

Aesthetic Appeal

Dell XPS 16 front angled view showcasing display and keyboard.
Mark Coppock

The XPS 16 exudes a sophisticated, contemporary look, with a streamlined design that has remained largely unchanged over the years. Upon opening it, you’re greeted with cutting-edge features, including a zero-lattice keyboard, a hidden haptic touchpad, and a row of LED touch function keys. Additionally, it boasts the thinnest display bezels on a 16-inch laptop. In contrast, the ProArt P16’s design is more understated, with a minimalist exterior and a more traditional interior. If aesthetics are your top priority, the XPS 16 is likely to be the more appealing choice.

In terms of build quality, both laptops feature all-aluminum constructions. However, the XPS 16 stands out with its exceptional rigidity and density, thanks to its heavier build. The ProArt P16, while solid in its chassis and keyboard deck, exhibits some flexibility in its lid. The XPS 16 also manages to fit a slightly larger display into a slightly smaller frame, although the ProArt P16 is significantly thinner and lighter.

Upon closer inspection, the XPS 16’s modern features become less impressive. The zero-lattice keyboard, with its large keycaps and minimal key spacing, doesn’t offer a significantly better typing experience than the ProArt P16’s traditional layout. The switches on both keyboards are similarly tactile. The XPS 16’s haptic touchpad is more precise, but its hidden nature can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the XPS 16’s LED touch function keys are a letdown, lacking haptic feedback and making it difficult to navigate without looking at the keyboard. In terms of usability, the ProArt P16’s traditional design takes the win.

Asus takes the lead in terms of connectivity, with the ProArt P16 offering a range of ports, although an additional USB4 port would have been welcome. The full-size SD card reader and ability to connect legacy devices without dongles are significant advantages. Both laptops feature the latest wireless connectivity options.

Both laptops feature similar webcams, equipped with infrared cameras that support Windows 11 Hello facial recognition. Additionally, the XPS 16 is fitted with a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. Although the ProArt P16 theoretically has an edge with its faster neural processing unit (NPU), the actual AI support remains uncertain.

Processing Power

Rear view of Asus ProArt P16 showcasing vents.
Mark Coppock

We reviewed the XPS 16 with the 28-watt Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, a 16-core/22-thread processor that reaches speeds of up to 4.8GHz. In contrast, the ProArt P16 is powered by the 28-watt AMD Ryzen AI 9 370 HX, a 12-core/24-thread processor that can reach speeds of up to 5.1GHz. Notably, the Ryzen AI 9 features an NPU capable of 50 tera operations per second (TOPS), compared to the Core Ultra 7’s 10 TOPS. While it’s unclear whether the faster NPU will make a significant difference, it may potentially enable faster, more efficient on-device AI in the future. The XPS 16 can also be configured with the faster 45-watt Core Ultra 9 185H, which has the same core count as the Core Ultra 7 but with a faster clock speed.

The XPS 16’s performance is hindered by the limited power allocation to the CPU and GPU. Even with a faster chipset, this limitation would persist. In comparison, the ProArt P16 outperforms the XPS 16 across all our benchmarks, including the Pugetbench Premiere Pro benchmark, which leverages the GPU to accelerate tasks, and gaming benchmarks, where the ProArt P16 demonstrates significant superiority.

In summary, the ProArt P16 is the clear winner for productivity users, creators, and gamers.

Geekbench 6
(single/multi)
Handbrake
(seconds)
Cinebench R24
(single/multi/GPU)
Pugetbench
Premiere Pro
Asus ProArt P16
(Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 / RTX 4070)
Bal: 2,688 / 14,497
Perf: 2,690 / 14,455
Bal: 50
Perf: 49
Bal: 114 / 1,165 / 11,184
Perf: 114 / 1,208 / 11,421
Bal: 5,444
Perf: 6,451
Dell XPS 16
(Core Ultra 7 155H / RTX 4070)
Bal: 2,196 / 12,973
Perf: 2,238 / 12,836
Bal: 72
Perf: 73
Bal: 100 / 838 / 9,721
Perf: 102 / 895 / 10,477
Bal: 5,401
Perf: 5,433

Visual Experience

Front view of Dell XPS 16 showcasing display.
Mark Coppock

We reviewed both laptops with their high-end 4K+ OLED displays, which are both exceptional. The XPS 16’s panel boasts a faster 90Hz refresh rate, a notable advantage.

Per our colorimeter assessment, the XPS 16's display outshines the ProArt P16's in terms of brightness. However, the ProArt P16's screen boasts a wider color gamut in the AdobeRGB color space. Both displays exhibit comparable precision and the characteristic OLED deep blacks. Undoubtedly, both screens will impress, but the XPS 16's Full HD+ IPS panel, although a viable option, falls short in terms of sharpness and may not suffice for creative professionals drawn to this laptop.
Asus ProArt P16 (OLED) Dell XPS 16 (OLED)
Luminance 359 432
AdobeRGB color gamut 98% 90%
sRGB color gamut 100% 100%
DCI-P3 color gamut 100% 100%
Color accuracy 1.0 0.59
Contrast ratio 25,110:1 27,790:1

Portability

Asus Pro Art P16 left side view showing ports.
Mark Coppock

Both laptops possess substantial size and weight, but the ProArt P16 has a slight edge in terms of thinness and lightness, making it a more appealing choice for those who prioritize portability. Nevertheless, both laptops will still feel burdensome when transported.

Despite a larger battery capacity, the XPS 16 surprisingly falls short in terms of battery life, managing only 5.5 hours in our web browsing and video looping tests. Meanwhile, the ProArt P16 achieves 8.5 hours and 11 hours, respectively.

For video editing tasks, neither laptop will last long without being plugged in. However, for general productivity tasks, the ProArt P16 will endure significantly longer.

The ProArt P16 Surpasses the XPS 16 as a Superior Creators’ Laptop and a Better Overall Choice

The keyboard and lid of the ProArt P16.
Mark Coppock

The XPS 16 is a well-crafted laptop with a modern aesthetic, but its performance and size hinder its appeal. Furthermore, its high price point makes it less competitive, a departure from the XPS line's usual standing as a class leader.

Conversely, the ProArt P16 did not face such lofty expectations, yet it still manages to impress with its outstanding performance, sleek design, and stunning display. Although it may not beIt seems

$~$[{"title":"1 Font - 1001 Fonts","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/1-font.html","snippet":"Download 1 Font · Free for commercial use · This font does not have numbers, except for the 1, for the naming purpose, but instead there's 8 different ...","position":1},{"title":"1 Font | dafont.com","link":"https://www.dafont.com/one-1.font","snippet":"English Français · Español · Deutsch · Italiano · Português · Login | Register · Themes · New fonts.","date":"May 9, 2005","position":2},{"title":"Sans Serif font where 1 looks like an I ? : r/typography - Reddit","link":"https://www.reddit.com/r/typography/comments/80uskq/sans_serif_font_where_1_looks_like_an_i/","snippet":"Hi, is there a name for when the number 1 is just a straight line? I'm looking for a sans serif, geometric or grotesque font with wide ...","date":"Feb 28, 2018","sitelinks":[{"title":"Monospace, Sans Serif Font that distinguishes between the ...","link":"https://www.reddit.com/r/typography/comments/xf0ipr/seeking_monospace_sans_serif_font_that/"},{"title":"I, l, 1, O, 0, ∅ : r/typography","link":"https://www.reddit.com/r/typography/comments/v6kvy/i_l_1_o_0/"},{"title":"Searching for a font with a straight line as 1","link":"https://www.reddit.com/r/fonts/comments/60chjq/searching_for_a_font_with_a_straight_line_as_1/"},{"title":"How do i download all the fonts all at once? : r/MicrosoftWord","link":"https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftWord/comments/xe9b97/how_do_i_download_all_the_fonts_all_at_once/"}],"position":3},{"title":"Embrilliance Font Collection 1","link":"https://embrilliance.com/products/embrilliance-fonts-1?srsltid=AfmBOopLBznLDjxzaKyQH9pVCmsvzcd_SV3gf3i1WB6zPXGLxv4F8qf5","snippet":"Looking for more fonts to use as Monograms or Lettering in Embrilliance? Look no more! This is Font Collection 1 for the Embrilliance Platform.","position":4},{"title":"1001 Fonts ❤ Free Fonts Baby!","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/","snippet":"64897 free fonts in 36629 families · Free licenses for commercial use · Direct font downloads · Mac · Windows · Linux.","sitelinks":[{"title":"Calligraphy","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/calligraphy-fonts.html"},{"title":"Most Popular Fonts","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/most-popular-fonts.html"},{"title":"Handwritten","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/handwritten-fonts.html"},{"title":"Largest Font Families","link":"https://www.1001fonts.com/most-styled-fonts.html"}],"position":5},{"title":"Type 1 Font -- How do I tell which fonts are Type - Adobe Community","link":"https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/type-1-font-how-do-i-tell-which-fonts-are-type-1/td-p/12158403","snippet":"Solved: Hi, How can I tell if a font on my Mac -- or in my InDesign document is Type 1 font? Can you advise what type fonts I need to use?","date":"Jul 5, 2021","position":6},{"title":"Google Fonts: Browse Fonts","link":"https://fonts.google.com/","snippet":"Making the web more beautiful, fast, and open through great typography.","position":7},{"title":"1 Font - Font.Download","link":"https://font.download/font/1","snippet":"Download the 1 font for free to create great typography. Create a custom image with your own words. Embed the 1 font on your website with ...","date":"Jun 8, 2024","position":8},{"title":"One Button Una Font - Single Temperature Water Font","link":"https://marcobeveragesystems.com/products/mix-1-button-font/","snippet":"One button Una font is a sleek, stylish countertop hot water solution ideal for saving space, streamlining workflow and better face-to-face customer ...","position":9},{"title":"What Are Type 1 Fonts? - Dragonfly Editorial","link":"https://dragonflyeditorial.com/type-1-fonts/","snippet":"This font format is longer supported by Adobe products. Type 1 is a font format desktop publishers have used for years.","date":"Jan 5, 2023","position":10}]$~$

It seems like you're looking for information about a font called "1" or perhaps a font where the number 1 has a unique design. From what I can gather, there are a few different fonts that match this description.

One font,

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