The ProArt ecosystem moves into networking
ASUS has introduced two new networking devices under its ProArt brand: the ProArt Router PRT-BE5000 and the ProArt Switch PQG-U1080. The company positions both as natural extensions of its existing ProArt lineup of monitors, laptops, graphics cards, and motherboards, aimed at offering a more integrated studio solution for filmmakers, video editors, and animators. Availability in Portugal is expected soon, though ASUS has not confirmed a release date or pricing at the time of this article.
Router ProArt PRT-BE5000: Wi‑Fi 7 focused on creative traffic
The ProArt PRT-BE5000 is a dual-band Wi‑Fi 7 router with a declared throughput of up to 5,000 Mbps, split into 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 4,320 Mbps on 5 GHz. Notably, the router does not support the 6 GHz band, limiting it to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. For studios with many simultaneous wireless devices, the absence of 6 GHz could factor into purchasing decisions.
The router supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to transmit data across multiple bands and channels simultaneously, which can lower latency and improve connection reliability. ASUS highlights a feature called Creator-First Adaptive QoE, an adaptive prioritization system that identifies creative workflows in real time and allocates preferred bandwidth to them. ASUS’s documentation does not detail the underlying mechanism, so it is unclear whether this is implemented via conventional QoS profiles or dynamic application recognition.
Switch ProArt PQG-U1080: multigigabit wired transfers
The ProArt PQG-U1080 switch complements the router with high-speed wired connectivity. It offers eight RJ45 ports at 2.5 Gbps and two SFP+ ports at 10 Gbps. ASUS lists a total switching capacity of 80 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 59.5 Mpps, figures suited to environments where multiple workstations move large files simultaneously.
Mounting flexibility is a practical design detail for studio installations: the switch can sit on a desk, attach magnetically, or be mounted to a table leg. Compatibility with existing CAT5e cabling reduces the need to rewire a workspace to take advantage of multigigabit speeds.
Using both devices together in a studio
Deployed together, the ProArt PRT-BE5000 router and PQG-U1080 switch form a studio network infrastructure. The router provides wireless connectivity with prioritization for creative traffic, while the switch expands wired connectivity for fixed workstations, NAS systems, and additional access points. ASUS’s Smart Home Master software lets administrators logically separate network traffic through dedicated SSIDs for IoT devices and VPN connections, a management approach aimed at professional and personal studio environments.
Availability in Portugal
Both the ProArt PRT-BE5000 router and the PQG-U1080 switch are set to arrive soon in Portugal. ASUS has not yet announced retail prices or a firm launch date for the local market.
Implications for the creative gear market
ASUS’s move to ship networking hardware tailored to creators is relatively novel. Until now, studios typically relied on consumer or enterprise network equipment to handle heavy media workflows. ASUS’s pitch is different: networking gear tuned to creative production needs and designed to match the ProArt aesthetic. If Creator-First Adaptive QoE performs as promised in real-world studios, ASUS’s ProArt networking line could become a go-to option for teams that want simpler infrastructure management without sacrificing performance.
