laptop with foldaway or dual screen are no longer a whatsis . And the Asus Zenbook Duo is proof of that .
Not only does this new car iterate on old designs in some meaningful way , it does so at a damage that ’s really somewhat affordable . Greatly expandingon the previous model , which had the same name and a much smaller 2d display , the new Zenbook Duo sports two 14 - column inch OLED panels and a detachable keyboard . There ’s some performance inconsistencies with the two form I tested , but this is easy the best dual - screen laptop ever made .
Specs and configurations
Asus has two configurations of the Zenbook Duo . The $ 1,500 foot form include an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chipset , 16 GB of RAM , a 512 GB SSD , and two 14.0 - inch FHD+ organic light-emitting diode panels running at 60Hz . Spend just $ 200 more , and you get a Core i9 185H , 32 GB of RAM , a 1 TB SSD , and two 14.0 - in 3 K OLED jury at 120Hz .
On newspaper publisher , it ’s throw away - up as to which of these contour is the well bargain . On the one hand , the incoming - level form is $ 560 less than theLenovo Yoga Book 9i , the Zenbook Duo ’s direct competitor . Lenovo ’s treble - covert laptop be $ 2,060 with the same Core Ultra 7 155H , 16 GB of RAM , a 1 TB SSD , and two 13.3 - inch 2.8 K OLED displays . But even when configured with a dissipated chipset , twice the RAM , and bombastic displays with faster refresh rate ( the Lenovo ’s top out at 60Hz ) , the Zenbook Duo is still $ 360 less .
I ’ll get into more differences between these laptops below , but based on price alone , Asus proffer the more attractive machine . I review both Zenbook Duo configurations , and as we ’ll see , the incoming - level model is the most attractive .
Design
I ’ve reviewed several laptops that offer two display , either actual ones , as with the Zenbook Duo and Lenovo Yoga Book 9i , or practical ones , as with foldaway laptops like theHP Spectre Foldable PCand theLenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold . Although the two approach call tons of flexibleness , their implementation are very unlike .
Foldable laptop computer have large OLED control panel that fold down the midsection , turn over them from very big tablets into smallish clamshell laptop computer . By shore them up and using them with outside keyboards , they can serve as large “ desktop ” machines with a exclusive talkative show . In finicky , the Spectre Foldable PC demonstrates the viability of these “ 3 - in-1 ” laptop .
The double - screen laptop is different . It offers a superior clamshell way with a physical keyboard on the second , larger exhibit . In the Zenbook Duo ’s case , we ’re talking about two 14 - inch panel . It can also be used as a background , with each display standing side - by - side in portrait modality and in a vertically stack constellation with each video display in landscape painting mode .
However , it ’s not one big , unlined display like folding PCs . Notably , the form factor does n’t work as a standard tablet , although its show both stomach participating pens , and its 2d display can be used for digital drawing off and handwriting when the keyboard is removed . None of the laptops can comfortably be used in hand like lighter , simpler tablets .
While they ’re like in functionality , the Zenbook Duo and Yoga Book 9i are n’t identical in their designs . First , the Zenbook has a kickstand built into the 2d video display that holds the laptop firmly in both desktop and vertically stacked mood . It ’s a simple , yet effective implementation . The Yoga Book 9i ’s origami standpoint is more complicated to set up and is another slice to carry around . I found Lenovo ’s approach workable during my review , but I like the Zenbook ’s built - in kickstand much well .
Overall , the Zenbook Duo is an fantastically well - ramp up laptop that felt up light enough with or without its keyboard . It can be carried around either with the keyboard in place or without it , unlike the Yoga Book 9i , which ca n’t hold its keyboard when close . That makes the Zenbook heavier and thicker , but much more convenient as a self - contained unit .
secondly , the Zenbook Duo ’s keyboard is full - sized compare to the Yoga Book 9i ’s half - sized version . While the Yoga ’s keyboard leaves half the second display available for use of goods and services , it ’s not as comfortable for typing , and it lacks a physical touchpad . or else , it relies on a practical facsimile machine . The Zenbook ’s keyboard provides large keycaps , tons of spacing , and light , snappy switching . It ’s an excellent keyboard that might not match Apple ’s Magic Keyboard for vapourous precision , but it ’s close enough .
The Zenbook ’s physical touchpad , although mechanically skillful ( the ThinkPad X1 Fold offers a tactile touchpad ) , was preferable to Lenovo ’s software version . And when used in screen background mode , the Yoga Book 9i take an external computer mouse .
Again , I liked the Yoga Book 9i ’s keyboard during my review , but I care the Zenbook ’s better . To top it off , the Zenbook ’s keyboard colligate via strong magnets and pogo pins , keeping it firmly in place while charging it during function .
It connects via Bluetooth when used externally . The Zenbook Duo also has a software keyboard that can be access with a six - finger tap , and it work as well as all virtual keyboards — it ’s OK for tapping out a immediate school text , but not for even light copy . There are also several pecker available on the 2nd screen , including a hand panel , a control gore , and a virtual numeric keypad .
Finally , the Yoga Book 9i ’s display are separated by its fantabulous Soundbar speaker unit and microphone , and there ’s a smoother transition between them . When sit down in screen background mode , the Zenbook has an slant that go well in clamshell mode , but break up the horizontal arrangement . The Zenbook work much better with both display stacked vertically — which is a lot more comfortable to configure using the kickstand .
Overall , I ’d rate the Zenbook Duo as the best dual - concealment laptop I ’ve used in grapple and stacked manner , but it ’s not as well in desktop style .
Ports and webcam
Unlike the other dual - display laptops I ’ve discussed , the Zenbook Duo has the common 14 - column inch laptop ’s connectivity . That is , it has both forward-looking Thunderbolt 4 port and bequest USB - A and HDMI connectivity . That ’s because , once again , the Zenbook is more of a grapple notebook invention that happens to have two displays . Unfortunately , Asus did n’t admit an South Dakota identity card reader , which would have pleased creators . Wireless connectivity remains a generation behind with Wi - Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 , while some recent laptops have made the leap to Wi - Fi 7 .
The webcam is a 1080p variation , offering a calibre image for videoconferencing . That ’s lower than the 5MP webcam on the Yoga Book 9i , but it ’s still quite serviceable and supports Microsoft ’s Studio Effects feature that leverage the Meteor Lake Neural Processing Unit ( NPU ) . An infrared camera enable Windows 11 facial credit .
Displays
foldaway PCs have low virtual top and bottom displays that create smaller grapple laptops . The Zenbook Duo is n’t so special . It feature two 14.0 - column inch 16:10 organic light-emitting diode gore in one of two firmness of purpose pick , Full HD+ ( 1920 x 1200 ) and 2.8 kB ( 2880 x 1800 ) . The eminent - closure control board tally the benefit of running at up to 120Hz , while the lower - resolving screens are limited to 60Hz . Subjectively , both display options offer bright , colourful image with OLED ’s usual inky blacks . But the FHD+ panels were n’t as precipitous , with noticeable pixelation in text . If , like me , you favour the sharpest text potential , you ’ll want to opt for the high - resolution show .
agree to my tintometer , all displays are excellent . The FHD+ version had slightly secure colors on its main panel , at 100 % of both sRGB and AdobeRGB and 99 % of DCI - P3 versus 96 % of AdobeRGB and 100 % of DCI - P3 for the subaltern jury . Accuracy was low than some OLED panel at a DeltaE of 1.37 and 1.07 ( 1.0 or less is look at excellent ) , respectively , and brightness was good , but not great at 371 and 365 nit . Blacks were perfect on both , with incredibly gamey contrast . The 2.8 K panels had standardized luminance , slimly wider coloring , and cracking truth at a DeltaE of 1.01 and 0.67 .
Regardless of your choose fashion model , you ’ll get outstanding colour and amazing dividing line that will please productivity users , creators , and media consumers alike . High dynamical compass ( HDR ) content will expect great , although cleverness is n’t high enough to do it full Justice Department . Only Mini - run display , like those on Apple ’s MacBook Pros , offer enough brightness for the unspoiled HDR performance .
Performance
I review the Zenbook Duo ’s entry - level and gamey - level configurations , which practice Intel Meteor Lake 14th - gen chipsets . I evaluate functioning of the 28 - James Watt Core Ultra 7 155H with 16 burden ( six Performance , eight Efficient , and two Low Power Efficient ) and 22 threads race at up to 4.8 gigacycle , with 16 GB of RAM . I also tested the Core Ultra 9 185H that has the same nucleus and train of thought count , run up to 5.1GHz , and consumes 45 watts and has 32 GB of RAM . The Zenbook Duo is the first laptop we ’ve screen with the Core Ultra 9 185H.
It ’s not often that we have a prospect to try different chipsets in otherwise identical laptops . The Zenbook Duo is , at heart , a thin - and - light laptop , which have in mind it has limited infinite to move aura and keep things cool . That stand for a higher - magnate chip like the Core Ultra 9 185H wo n’t needs perform that much good than the lower - power Core Ultra 7 155H. In our suite of benchmarks , the Zenbook Duo give some unsurprising and inconsistent results .
In our central processing unit - intensive bench mark , the Core Ultra 9 was faster than the Core Ultra 7 , but not by much . queerly , its grade in the PCMark 10 Complete bench mark was considerably grim . Either the chipset ’s just not much faster or the Zenbook Duo ca n’t take advantage of it , as caloric strangulation chance earlier and more often .
When I launch the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark , the Core Ultra 9 ’s Intel Arc graphics score very badly . In both balanced and carrying out modes , the ostensibly faster chipset scored roughly half that of the slower chipset , coming in at the same tons as the previous Intel Iris Xe graphics . That indicates some serious and troubling throttling ( or an proceeds with the firmware ) . While neither model bring to a fault warm on the chassis bottom , the high - final stage manikin ’s lover whirl up more often and run longer . Neither was ever annoyingly tatty , however , even in operation manner that was importantly faster .
Compared to the other duple - silver screen laptops we ’ve tested , the Zenbook Duo is consistently quicker with the Core Ultra 7 . That ’s peculiarly unfeigned when compare to the two foldable microcomputer . It ’s important to note that the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has recently been updated to Meteor Lake , so it ’s likely to be more competitive .
The Zenbook Duo is fast enough for very demanding productivity workflows when in performance mode . However , like all laptop computer with integrated art , it wo n’t please creators who apply apps that can leverage a discrete GPU . Intel Arc artwork are faster than the older Intel Iris Xe graphics ( with the Core Ultra 7 ) , but they still fall inadequate of entryway - level distinct graphics . It ’s not a gaming laptop .
stamp battery life was surprisingly honorable with the Core Ultra 7 , with the 75 watt - hour battery powering one of the FHD+ OLED panel for 8.5 time of day in our web - crop trial and 13 minute in our video recording - curl test . With both displays running , the Zenbook Duo lasted for about a half minute less in each test . The Core Ultra 9 model , on the other hand , managed just 4.75 hours of connection browse and around eight hour looping our exam video with just one showing participating . I did n’t bother running the tests with both displays turned on .
The low - end mannikin attain intermediate results corresponding to unmarried - show laptop computer even with both display fighting , wee that Zenbook Duo model a very good performing artist . There ’s no significant bombardment life penalty from running both displays . While the laptop may not last for a full day ’s work , that ’s true of most Windows laptop computer . Only Apple ’s extremely efficient MacBooks managed a lot more .
The first great dual-screen laptop
The Zenbook Duo is an extremely well - built dual - screen laptop with some key advantage . It ’s a good duple - screen grapple laptop computer than the competitors and a keen grapple laptop in general . It ’s also the good at stacking its three-fold exhibit in a erect orientation , thanks to a simple , yet effective built - in kickstand . But it ’s not as skilful in desktop style .
At the same sentence , the down - end fashion model ’s carrying into action is superior to those we ’ve tested , with surprisingly good battery life . The eminent - death configuration , on the other hand , demonstrated discrepant public presentation and much worse battery life . So , I can strongly recommend the entry - level model ( which is also the best value ) , with the only caveat being that the OLED displays are n’t quite as sharp . The eminent - death model , while enjoying higher - firmness displays , does n’t offer much else to justify its high-pitched terms .
