ASUS ProArt PZ14 Launches in Malaysia at RM9,999 — A Snapdragon X Elite Creator Tablet That Has to Justify Every Ringgit

At RM9,999, you're not buying a budget experiment — you're buying a serious commitment to a platform that's still earning its creative credentials. The pro tablet and detachable laptop space in 2026 is genuinely competitive: Apple's iPad Pro M5 leads on app ecosystem depth ^[1], the Microsoft Surface Pro 13 (2025) holds the Windows detachable crown at USD 1,500 ^[1], and now ASUS is asking Malaysian creative professionals to consider a third path. Whether that path is worth it depends almost entirely on what software you run and how much you value that OLED panel.

#1 Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)

9/10

Starts at USD 899 in the US; not officially listed in Malaysia.

Best for: Creative professionals — photographers, illustrators, video editors — who are already in Apple's ecosystem and want the best-supported app library on a tablet ^[1]

Pros

• +Most well-rounded pro tablet tested — great display, laptop-level speed, and the best app selection available ^[1]
• +M5 chip performs up to 30% faster on some video editing tasks compared to the previous generation ^[1]
• +Fast-charging charges battery from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes ^[1]
• +Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard for a complete stylus and typing workflow ^[1]

Cons

• −iPad Pro plus all necessary accessories (Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard) totals around USD 1,500 — accessories are not optional for serious work ^[1]
• −iPadOS still has multitasking limitations compared to a full desktop OS; if you need Windows or macOS apps natively, this isn't the answer ^[1]
• −No official Malaysia retail price or Apple Malaysia listing confirmed in sources — buyers are purchasing via grey channels or overseas

Shopee →Lazada →Harvey Norman →

#2 Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch (2025)

7/10

USD 1,500 from Microsoft US; not officially listed in Malaysia.

Best for: Windows power users who need a detachable tablet with a full desktop OS and don't want to switch to Apple — and can live with occasional app compatibility friction ^[1]

Pros

• +Best option for users who need a full Windows experience in a tablet form factor ^[1]
• +Comes with a detachable wireless keyboard and a useful stylus included ^[1]
• +ARM-based platform offers a genuine laptop-replacement Windows experience ^[1]

Cons

• −At USD 1,500, it sits in the same price bracket as the ASUS ProArt PZ14 and MacBook Air M4 — the value case requires justification ^[1]
• −No official Malaysia retail listing confirmed in sources — no local warranty coverage guaranteed
• −Windows on ARM app compatibility, while improved, still has edge cases in professional creative software suites ^[1]

Shopee →Lazada →Harvey Norman →

#3 Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4)

8/10

Price TBD

Best for: Creative professionals who want most of the iPad Pro experience without the full price — especially illustrators and note-takers who don't need the OLED panel ^[1]

Pros

• +Offers a nearly identical experience to the iPad Pro for hundreds of dollars less — USD 400 cheaper than the comparable iPad Pro ^[1]
• +Performs nearly as well as the iPad Pro for the vast majority of creative workloads ^[1]
• +Same core Apple ecosystem access — same apps, same Pencil Pro support ^[1]

Cons

• −No Face ID and no 120Hz OLED screen — the display is the clearest step-down from the Pro ^[1]
• −No official Malaysia retail price confirmed in sources — local warranty situation unclear
• −If you need the absolute fastest chip for heavy video exports or 3D rendering, the M5 Pro pulls ahead ^[1]
• −Starts at USD 520 from Amazon; no official Malaysia price listed.

Shopee →Lazada →Harvey Norman →

Here's the honest verdict for Malaysian buyers: the ASUS ProArt PZ14 at RM9,999 is a genuinely interesting machine, but it's asking you to bet on Windows on ARM at a price where the alternatives are ruthlessly good. The Apple iPad Pro M5 remains the most well-rounded pro tablet available with the strongest app ecosystem ^[1], and the iPad Air M4 delivers nearly the same experience for significantly less ^[1]. If your workflow is locked into Windows and you want a detachable with a stylus, the Microsoft Surface Pro 13 (2025) at USD 1,500 is the established benchmark ^[1] — but none of these three have confirmed official Malaysia pricing, so factor in where you're sourcing from. Wait for Snapdragon X Elite app compatibility to mature further, or spend the RM9,999 on a MacBook Air M4 and a separate drawing tablet — that combination will cause you less friction today.