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The Asus ZenBook Duo is far cheap, but it really does feel different from other notebooks on the market.
After testing the Asus ZenBook Duo for several days, its dual-screen feature left a remarkable impression. The additional screen significantly enhances multitasking capabilities, providing a unique and productive user experience compared to typical single-screen laptops.
I've been using Asus’ ZenBook Duo for the last two weeks as a mobile productivity device. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
I've been using Asus’ ZenBook Duo for the last two weeks as a mobile productivity device. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
I was in 10th grade when the Nintendo DS, a portable video game console with two screens, one above the other, was unveiled. Years later, I got my hands on the original DS and was blown away by the form factor and how dual screens elevate the gaming experience. The Nintendo DS and its successive iterations have remained the most successful experiments in mainstreaming the dual-screen concept. Others have failed to create a different experience with dual screens on mobile devices. But now companies like Asus are trying to revive the dual-screen concept by bringing it onto the laptop form factor. It’s a bold gambit for sure. However, the question remains: what will you do with extra screens and will they add any value to users? As someone who has seen the evolution of dual-screen devices, I was intrigued to test Asus’ ZenBook Duo.
So, here’s my review after spending days with the dual-screen laptop.
I don’t multitask excessively on my computer. Like many writers, I take brief breaks between work sessions. When I'm not writing, you'll often find me engaged in activities like reading, exploring new apps or software, contemplating ideas, and sometimes, simply gazing at a screen. Consequently, rather than focusing solely on processing speed, I prioritize maximizing the form factor to accommodate diverse tasks. While it may seem unconventional, this approach aligns with my personal preferences and workflow.
Interestingly, the location of my workspace holds less importance now compared to a couple of years ago. The size of the space is no longer a significant factor for me. Whether it's a small compartment or the tray table of an airplane seat, I find contentment in any setting. As my priorities have shifted, so have my preferences for computers.
Hence, I prioritize portability when selecting a computer. Whether I'm working from home one day or from an airport lounge the next, my device must be versatile enough to adapt to various environments. Minimizing the number of gadgets, especially while traveling, is essential to me. Therefore, I expect my computer to be capable of handling a wide range of tasks, enabling me to consolidate multiple devices into one.
Asus ZenBook Duo has a secondary screen instead of a traditional keyboard and trackpad deck. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
While the ZenBook Duo stands out from other laptops on the market with its unique design, its distinctiveness isn't immediately apparent when the device is closed. However, upon opening and powering on the device, the ZenBook Duo transforms into a completely different notebook experience, which we'll delve into further later on.
The ZenBook Duo boasts a top-notch design, characterized by its sleek profile crafted from premium magnesium alloy. Its ultrabook-like portability is evident, with squared-off edges and a grey color scheme lending it an industrial aesthetic. Furthermore, the notebook has successfully passed the MIL-STD-810H durability test, ensuring its resilience to everyday wear and tear. The chassis accommodates a variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a full-size HDMI 2.1 port, and a headphone jack, enhancing its connectivity options.
Furthermore, it effortlessly fits on standard-sized train or plane seat trays. Weighing 1.36 kg without the keyboard and approximately 1.66 kg with it, the notebook strikes a balance between portability and functionality. In fact, measuring 14.6mm thin without the keyboard and 19.9mm with it, its weight is surprisingly manageable. The ZenBook Duo's compact form factor left a lasting impression on me, prompting me to consider if this is indeed the ideal size for a dual-screen laptop.
The Asus ZenBook Duo may not be the pioneer in the realm of dual-screen laptops. Lenovo introduced a similar concept a few months prior, albeit with distinct differences between the two. In comparison, the ZenBook Duo exudes a higher level of refinement, with Asus successfully honing the form factor to perfection, unlike Lenovo's approach with the Yoga Book 9i. One notable distinction lies in the inclusion of a kickstand: Asus integrated one directly into the ZenBook Duo, whereas Lenovo provides a separate kickstand in the box. Additionally, the handling of the keyboard sets the two devices apart. The ZenBook Duo features a full-sized keyboard that seamlessly fits between the two screens, courtesy of a wider hinge. This elegant design enhances portability, in contrast to the Yoga Book 9i, where users must carry the notebook, a kickstand, and a keyboard separately.
With the Asus ZenBook Duo, the “second screen” becomes much more useful. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
At its essence, the ZenBook Duo is a dual-screen clamshell touchscreen laptop that deviates from the conventional keyboard design by incorporating a second touchscreen on the bottom half. This design sets it apart from traditional 2-in-1 convertibles and distinguishes it from Asus' foldable notebook, which features a screen that folds in half.
The ZenBook Duo features two stacked 14-inch OLED displays, each boasting resolutions of up to 2880 x 1800, aspect ratios of 16:10, and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. Combined, they provide an impressive total of 19.8 inches of usable screen real estate. Both displays are touch-enabled and support Asus' active stylus. In terms of quality, OLED displays typically offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios, resulting in an immersive viewing experience with excellent color accuracy and clarity. The high resolution and refresh rate further enhance the visual performance, making the displays well-suited for various tasks such as content creation, multimedia consumption, and productivity. Overall, users can expect the ZenBook Duo's displays to deliver exceptional image quality and responsiveness, ideal for a wide range of usage scenarios.
The displays on the ZenBook Duo are truly remarkable. Setting aside all the various marketing terms Asus uses to describe the technology, these displays are likely among the brightest and sharpest I've encountered on a notebook. While watching the teaser of Joker: Folie à Deux, I was impressed by the rich and true-to-life colors they produced. Additionally, the speakers deliver equally impressive performance, capable of reaching high volumes with excellent stereo separation. While they may not fill a room like a Bluetooth speaker, they are sure to impress anyone in the vicinity when music is playing.
The presence of two distinct 14-inch displays offers a range of advantages, fundamentally altering the way one interacts with a computer. This configuration provides ample screen real estate for spreading out apps and engaging in multitasking, a feat not achievable with a single screen. Moreover, the ZenBook Duo offers various usage modes. In standard laptop mode, the bottom screen is fully covered by a removable traditional keyboard and trackpad. Alternatively, users can opt to rest the keyboard on their desk and arrange the two screens vertically for "Dual Screen" mode or horizontally for "Desktop" mode, providing flexibility to suit different workflow preferences.
On most days, I utilized the extra screen on the ZenBook Duo to replicate the functionality of a multi-screen monitor, made possible by the built-in kickstand beneath the bottom screen. This allowed me to position the notebook with its monitors stacked on top of each other. Without a doubt, this may be the most effective implementation of a secondary screen on a portable notebook. As someone who frequently juggles multiple tasks simultaneously—such as editing copies, researching stories, and responding to messages on WhatsApp—the ZenBook Duo's additional screen introduces a new dimension to multitasking. Frankly, the concept of a dual-screen setup resonates with me and significantly enhances productivity.
One of the standout features of the dual-screen setup on the ZenBook Duo is its ability to maintain proper ergonomic monitor height, enhancing comfort during extended usage. This eliminates the need to strain the head and neck to reach the eye level of the display. Thanks to the Duo's integrated kickstand, adjusting angles to maintain direct eye contact with the webcam during Google Meet calls is no longer necessary. The top display remains positioned at eye level, while the bottom display can function either as an extension of the top display or as a separate workspace. Additionally, the keyboard can be detached from the secondary display and used wirelessly. On any typical working day, I utilize the top display for writing stories using Google Docs, while keeping track of daily traffic on the bottom screen.
Asus has implemented convenient software features atop Windows 11 to streamline screen management on the ZenBook Duo. The ScreenXpert app enables users to utilize various shortcuts for docking windows or moving content between screens effortlessly. Additionally, the laptop offers useful gestures, such as swiping down with six fingers on the lower display to access quick controls, a touchscreen keyboard, and more. Tapping with three fingers activates a floating touchpad for mouse control, while swiping up with five fingers maximizes an app to fill the display. Despite these enhancements, there's still room for improvement in Windows 11's compatibility with dual-screen notebooks. While there are numerous potential use cases for two stacked screens, the software currently lacks optimization to fully leverage their capabilities.
The ZenBook Duo surprised me with its impressive power and performance, surpassing my initial expectations of it being primarily a lifestyle-oriented computer. The model I tested came equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra 9 185-H processor, along with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and Intel Arc graphics. Additionally, the ZenBook Duo is an AI-ready PC, featuring the processor's dual neural compute engine, enabling it to handle machine learning and AI tasks with ease.
Having tested numerous laptops recently, few have impressed me as much as the MacBook Pro. However, I must acknowledge the supremely powerful performance of Intel's new chips. With the ZenBook Duo, I found myself able to tackle productivity tasks and intense creative workloads with ease, all while enjoying battery life that lasts for hours. Even with both displays enabled, I experienced an impressive 10 hours of battery life, a remarkable feat for a dual-screen notebook. I've spent hours working on this laptop without realizing it wasn't connected to a power outlet. The 75-watt-hour (Wh) battery proves invaluable in this regard, and the inclusion of a 65W charger in the box is equally convenient, providing a quick 50% charge in just 30 minutes.
It's worth noting that the ZenBook Duo can become slightly warm during use. I want to highlight this aspect, as I observed that after an hour of usage, the notebook exhibited warmth even with just a few tabs open in Chrome, along with YouTube and WhatsApp Web.
On a brighter note, the detachable physical keyboard included with the ZenBook Duo is truly exceptional. The keyboard attaches magnetically to the bottom screen and remains securely in place. What's more, the typing experience it offers is nothing short of delightful. Its feel closely resembles that of a conventional keyboard found on modern laptops, rather than on tablets or foldables. The keyboard is stable, with sufficient key travel, making typing a comfortable experience. Additionally, the keyboard features a large and responsive trackpad that provides satisfying click feedback.
My initial impression of the ZenBook Duo was that of an unconventional notebook. However, after using it for a couple of days, my perception of this dual-screen device has evolved significantly. When reviewing laptops, performance and battery life often take center stage. Yet, with the ZenBook Duo, it's not just about top-tier specs—it's about maximizing productivity with two screens. The unique form factor enables users to accomplish more, and in this regard, Asus has truly excelled. That said, if you're considering the ZenBook Duo, be sure to appreciate its dual OLED screens, excellent keyboard, and commendable performance.
Source: Indian express
