I use a lot of Windows laptops but most don’t perform strenuous tasks like video editing or similar production work for me.
For those tasks I’ve been using MacBook Pros and desktop Macs ever since Apple moved to Intel in 2006 followed by Apple Silicon. As an early adopter of HD video, I found PCs hopeless and painfully frustrating. So, I ordered a A$17 000 Mac Pro system with dual cinema displays for work and never looked back.
Until now.
There are two laptops I want to point out that actually highlight what makes PC notebooks attractive. Especially if you’re a Mac user who really hasn’t bothered looking across the aisle at the Windows crews.
Note: I’m reviewing these in detail separately so keep an eye out for those videos.
ASUS PROART STUDIOBOOK 16 OLED
When I told ASUS I had real issues with PCs handling my workflow they said, “Why don’t you give the ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED a go?” So I said yes and that got me thinking, “Maybe I can switch back.”
I used the ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED for several months and I really loved it. It’s a big unit but when you open it up that 16-inch 3.2K 120 Hz OLED touchscreen hits you between the eyes. It’s just beautiful.
The main task I had for this Windows laptops was video editing using DaVinci Resolve. I was happy to see the laptop cruise through a lot of demanding 4K work. It’s worth noting that in Resolve I use a 1080P timeline before switching to 4K and exporting at the original resolution. The difference between using the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 graphics and software for encoding was vast. Overall I didn’t notice too much of a difference when editing video and photos when compared to Mac.
With a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9 HX processor, 64GB of memory and 2TB of storage, the ProArt was fast at everything. There was plenty of I/O – thunderbolt, USB-A, SD Card reader, HDMI and more.
The ASUS Dial looks like a bit of gimmick so I didn’t start using it until late in the review. Turns out, it’s actually pretty useful. You can use it like a jog wheel in DaVinci Resolve or flick through tabs in a browser with your left hand. I also started to use it in Photoshop.
The power supply is massive so it will add bulk to your laptop bag.
Thankfully ASUS allowed me to test this laptop for several months. This makes a huge difference in determining if a device can handle sustained hard work. I’m pleased to say it did.
ASUS PROART STUDIOBOOK 16 OLED SPECS
- Windows 11 Pro – ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business
- Intel® Core™ i9-13980HX processor
- Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070
- 16” 3.2K 120 Hz OLED 16:10 display
- Up to 64 GB two SODIMM slots memory
- Up to 8 TB two M.2 slots PCIe® SSD
- ASUS Dial
- Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C®
This laptop is not about power. It’s about being the best multipurpose laptop I have ever used. I know that’s a big statement but it is extremely well thought out and brilliantly engineered. Not enormously powerful like the unit above but when you look at the sum of all parts it’s a road warrior.
If you need multiple screens this fits the bill. The laptop opens up to reveal two 13.3 inch OLED displays. They can work in several ways. My preferred option is dual-landscape mode (top and bottom screen) resting on the fold-up stand and supplied bluetooth keyboard.
This gives me two screens with a smaller footprint, ideal for hotel desks or even a coffee shop. You can turn sideways for two portrait screens (side-by-side) but that will cut off access to at least one USB-C port and the camera will be on the side. You can use it like a tablet, fold it over so you have screens front and back or you can combine both screens to have one large display.
The clever use of the on-screen keyboard can really save the day. By tapping 8 fingers at once you’ll bring up the virtual keyboard (three fingers for trackpad) and you’ll be typing away.
Despite the two internal screens the notebook is very slim. I think this is why I love it so much. The whole package fits neatly into a laptop back or sleeve, then expands into massive workstation, anywhere!
The OLED screens are gorgeous, although limited to 60 Hz. There’s a pen as well that fits into the foldaway stand.
Although I’ve been editing video with DaVinci Resolve on the 9i EVO, it’s not meant for complex, demanding edits. But it can do most of what I need to do on the road before I head home to use a more powerful system.
So for light editing jobs on Resolve and basic photoshop work, it’s fine. When it comes to browsing, website work and other ‘normal’ tasks, this laptop has no problem.
It has 3 x Thunderbolt 4.0 ports, so you’ll need dongles. And the bluetooth keyboard has a great feel to it when typing.
LENOVO YOGA BOOK 9i EVO SPECS
- Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1355U 1.70 GHz
- Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)
- System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
- Pen and touch Pen and touch support with 10 touch points
Others may not think the same way as I do but I’m telling you, this is a brilliant device. If you need to write a lot on the road, need to update websites, watch content, host meetings or do some light video editing and photo work, then this 9i EVO is worth checking out.
I’d love to see a more powerful version in the future but for now it does the job as long as I have a beefy system to do intensive work on.
As for switching from Mac? Not just yet but it is very tempting.