Review: ASUS Zenbook Duo Delivers a Productivity Boost with Dual-Screen Innovation
I recently had the chance to test the ASUS Zenbook Duo, and it quickly became clear—this dual-screen Windows laptop is a game changer for creative professionals and multitaskers alike. Priced attractively at around $1,499 to $1,699 at Best Buy, the Zenbook Duo challenges the traditional clamshell design with its innovative form factor, robust hardware, and versatile configuration options.Design and Display
At first glance, the Zenbook Duo appears like a conventional laptop. However, a major surprise awaits: the detachable keyboard unveils a second, equally stunning display beneath. Both screens are 3K OLED touch displays with auto-adjusting features that let you manage multiple applications simultaneously. For creative professionals, this means:- Multitasking Redefined:
Seamlessly snap, pin, and arrange multiple windows across two screens. The flexibility to toggle between layouts allows for using one display for your primary application while the second acts as a dedicated palette, messenger, or research panel. - Customization At Its Best:
Beyond the automatic repositioning when you flip the laptop on its side, you can further personalize the experience with custom gestures, stylus button configurations, and task group management. This level of control transforms how you interact with your content, turning the device into a mobile workstation, a digital sketchpad, or even a presentation tool for client meetings.
Hardware Performance
The Zenbook Duo is built to handle intensive creative workloads:- Powerful Processing:
Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 (Series 2) processor, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, it ensures smooth multitasking and rapid response times even when many apps are open. - Graphics and Efficiency:
With an Intel Arc GPU onboard, it effectively manages demanding visual tasks. Although the GPU isn't upgradable—and while some users might wish for more powerful graphics—the current configuration delivers more than adequate performance for content creation and productivity. - Battery and Thermal Management:
ASUS boasts over 13 hours of battery life under light usage, and in my testing, even under demanding video editing tasks both displays can run for a solid five hours without overheating. Effective thermal design, including a heat spreader and strategic component placement (with the CPU positioned away from the OLED panels), keeps performance steady without excessive warmth.
Usability and Workflow Enhancements
The Zenbook Duo isn’t just about impressive specs—it’s about redefining your workflow:- Responsive Touch and Stylus Support:
Both touch inputs and the included stylus work flawlessly on the OLED displays. The stylus, in particular, offers precision for drawing or note-taking while avoiding the smudges that often come with finger input. - Innovative Input Methods:
Instead of laboriously dragging windows between screens, you can "flick" the top of a window to snap it into the desired position—a small but effective feature that minimizes disruption. The keyboard, with its magnetic, auto-align mechanism, attaches effortlessly and supports comfortable typing. - Configurability for Creative Work:
Customizable settings allow you to assign specific tasks or shortcuts to various buttons, streamlining repetitive actions and maximizing productivity. Whether for coding, drafting an email, or designing, the dual-screen setup adapts to support your creative process.
Final Verdict
The ASUS Zenbook Duo stands out as a breakthrough device for creative professionals and productivity enthusiasts. Its dual-screen design, extensive customizability, and powerful hardware make it an ideal choice for those seeking a portable yet potent tool for multitasking. While its innovative design comes with a bit of a learning curve—and a few thermal quirks under sustained heavy use—the versatility it offers is unmatched in today’s laptop landscape.If you’re ready to push your creative and productivity boundaries further, the Zenbook Duo is definitely worth considering. Its unique blend of dual OLED displays and performance-oriented internals provides a significant boost to daily workflows, making it a compelling option amidst a crowded market of traditional laptops.
Source: ZDNet
Source: ZDNet I tested a dual-screen Windows laptop - and it gave me a big productivity boost
