Asus Zenbook Duo review: Watch 'Love is Blind' on top while 'live tweeting' on the bottom | 24S9U43 | 2024-03-08 10:08:01
The Asus Zenbook Duo is as badass as it appears. Stacking one show on prime of another, you'll be able to juggle several apps concurrently. Plus, you needn't smudge the screens together with your grubby fingers &- the Zenbook Duo ships with a removable keyboard.
As somebody who typically works out of espresso outlets, I decided to take the Zenbook Duo for a spin inside two Starbucks' in Manhattan. Yes, there have been a variety of stares, but after patrons obtained over the initial shock of seeing a towering technological marvel, they carried on with their day.
Granted, this is New York Metropolis. It's going to take a hell of a lot more than a dual-display laptop computer to rattle metropolis slickers. Nonetheless, it was a aid that I wasn't sticking out like a sore thumb I initially feared.
However the query is, past its wacky dual-display design, how does it handle my typical, day-to-day workflow? Let's dive into my expertise with the Asus Zenbook Duo.
Asus Zenbook Duo worth
My jaw dropped when Asus advised me the Zenbook Duo's price tag. Laptops that deliver that eye-catching, app-juggling experience, just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold and the HP Spectre Fold, might be quite expensive (the latter will set you back a cool $5,000).
The Zenbook Duo, however, starts at $1,499. That's it &- $1,500 for a dual-display experience that rocks your world. The Zenbook Duo might be purchased by way of Amazon, and it comes with the following specs (which matches the internals inside my assessment unit):
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU
Intel Arc graphics
16GB of RAM
1TB of SSD storage
Dual, 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel, OLED displays
You'll be able to upgrade this configuration to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2880 x 1800-pixel OLED show. With all different specs remaining the same, the Zenbook Duo will set you back $1,808 by way of CDW.
</div> <a class="font-bold leading-6 text-center hover:underline" href="https://zdcs.link/ePWm2?pageview_type=RSS&template=review&module=deal-card&element=offer&item=buy-button&element_label=Get%20Deal&object_type=review&object_uuid=04U6lxQ3PaB1sOQotzqf2w0&short_url=ePWm2&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Fall" rel="nofollow sponsored" target="_blank" data-ga-action="buy-link" data-ga-item="buy-button" data-ga-label="$text" data-ga-element="offer" data-ga-module="deal-card" data-ga-click title="(opens in a new window)"> <button class="inline-block px-5 mt-3 w-full font-sans text-base font-bold tracking-wide md:w-auto md:text-lg btn btn-secondary">Get Deal</button> </a> </div> What I like concerning the Asus Zenbook Duo
Once I first laid eyes on the Asus Zenbook Duo, it terrified me. Though I've reviewed my justifiable share of dual-display laptops, the Zenbook Duo seems to be like double hassle with its intimidating design.
I mean, come on. Take a look at it.
</div> Dual-stacked screens aren't a well-known design, and as such, I used to be afraid that there can be some kind of studying curve to utilizing it. Nevertheless, to my shock, I shortly found my circulate whereas utilizing the Zenbook Duo.
Twin shows yielded quicker workflow
The Asus Zenbook Duo has two 14-inch displays &- both function 120Hz, 1,900 x 1,200-pixel resolution OLED screens.
</div> After working with the Zenbook Duo, single-screen laptops at the moment are cancelled. I'll miss AirDrop and macOS' seamlessness, however I'll gladly surrender my M2 MacBook Air for Asus' dual-screen magnificence.
My typical workflow consists of juggling Slack, Gmail, Google Docs, and other apps concurrently. On my single-screen MacBook, that simply means awkwardly bouncing between a number of windows and switching between Chrome tabs.
</div> On the Zenbook Duo, then again, I used to be zipping via my duties like Roadrunner. Meep, meep! On the highest display, I placed Slack on the left and Gmail on the appropriate. On the underside display, Google Docs took up your complete panel, giving me ample room to see what I'm typing while maintaining a tally of my inbox and work messages.
The app-juggling mixtures are countless. For instance, at one level, I fired up the webcam on the highest display while taking notes on the second panel. After work, I launched Netflix on the highest display to observe Love Is Blind whereas scrolling by means of Twitter to learn the hilarious commentary on the present.
The keyboard is unmatched
The Zenbook Duo ships with a Bluetooth keyboard which you could place on prime of the second display &- it can magnetically connect, because of the embedded pogo pins. With this posture, you should use the Zenbook Duo in a standard manner &- the ol' trustworthy clamshell design.
</div> Nevertheless, you can even detach the keyboard from the Zenbook Duo utterly, permitting you to use each screens whereas utilizing the touchpad to navigate between the two.
Talking of the keyboard, it's value noting that the truth that it even has a trackpad is sort of revolutionary. In my expertise, laptops that ship a multi-screen expertise with a detachable keyboard sometimes don't have trackpads. Consequently, yes, you'll be able to sort just advantageous, however to scroll and make choices, you need to jab your fingers on the display, smudging it together with your ugly prints.
The removable keyboard &- outfitted with a full trackpad &- lets me navigate both 14-inch shows without touching a single panel.
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As a cherry on prime, the detachable keyboard isn't mushy like I anticipated to be. It's virtually nearly as good, if not higher, than the keyboard on my M2 MacBook Air.
The second display doubles as a keyboard, too
When Asus informed me that the second display doubles as a virtual keyboard, I scoffed. "There's no means that's snug, right?"
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Like magic, I summoned the virtual keyboard on the second display by tapping it with three fingers. I began typing on it and I stated, "Wait a minute &- this is surprisingly good." There isn't any haptic feedback, however there's audio-visual feedback. The keys you press are illuminated in blue and you may hear a "click" noise for each letter and symbol you hit.
</div> I nonetheless choose the bodily keyboard; I would like smudge-free screens thank you very a lot. Still, it's a nice-to-have if I don't have the removable keyboard inside attain.
It may well rework into many various modes
The Zenbook Duo has a kickstand on the back of the lid, permitting you to prop up the laptop computer's dual-display screens in landscape mode.&
</div> You can even use the kickstand to rework the Zenbook Duo into e-book mode, too.&
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If you need a big tablet, you possibly can retract the kickstand and lay the Zenbook Duo flat for enormous display actual estate.
Shocking variety of ports
Laptops that facilitate app juggling in a dual-display or foldable trend are often scant on ports &- however not the Zenbook Duo.
It's full of HDMI 2.1, USB Sort-A, two Thunderbolt four ports, and a headset jack.
What's 'eh' concerning the Asus Zenbook Duo?
The Asus Zenbook Duo is a dual-display marvel, but this wacky design is sure to return with some trade-offs.
Bulky design — type of
Considering what the Zenbook Duo brings to the table — a multi-screen experience — I might be mad to anticipate Asus to ship a thin-and-light laptop computer. In truth, I might argue that the Zenbook Duo is far lighter than anticipated.
</div> If you want to carry the Zenbook Duo alongside the keyboard, you will be adding about 3.7 pounds to your journey bag. Nevertheless, for those who depart the keyboard behind, the Zenbook Duo solely weighs 2.98 pounds.
In other phrases, you possibly can take pleasure in a three-pound laptop computer throughout your commutes and travels for those who do not thoughts leaving the bodily keyboard behind. Nevertheless, if you want to convey it with you, you will have to simply accept that the Zenbook Duo won't be a lightweight companion.
Fingerprint-attracting chassis
It's also value noting that the Zenbook Duo's "Inkwell Gray" chassis attracts fingerprints, so hold a microfiber towel useful.
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What I dislike concerning the Asus Zenbook Duo
Asus is arguably probably the most revolutionary laptop producer. They're recognized for experimenting with wacky dual-display designs, 3D gaming laptops (sans the 3D glasses), and extra.&
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The Zenbook Duo isn't new in Asus' portfolio. Actually, it's a successor to a laptop computer that additionally had a twin show, but the prime show was full display and the second one solely took up a few third of the deck. With this new-gen Zenbook Duo, Asus stated, "Let's go massive or go house!" and unleashed a laptop computer with two full-screen displays.
Nevertheless, taking such bold dangers typically comes with some flubs and flaws.
Audio system are too quiet
While using the Asus Zenbook Duo in Starbucks, I fired up a Google Meet chat to touch base with Ziff Davis' Kenneth Butler about his social media strategy.
</div> Sadly, my Sony XM4 headphones have been being uncooperative, so I made a decision to depend on the Zenbook Duo's audio system as an alternative. Sadly, although the Starbucks was far from loud and performed music at a library-quiet degree, I struggled to listen to Butler.
In the event you're typically in loud environments, and you find yourself without headphones, you will doubtless discover that the Zenbook Duo is just too rattling quiet.
Awkward lay-flat mode
It's exciting seeing an internet site splashed throughout two 14-inch shows. For example, I take pleasure in utilizing the lay-flat mode for long-form articles on the web because I can read lengthy, verbose content with minimal scrolling.
</div> Nevertheless, it's exhausting to ignore the display disruption between both panels within the middle (the second panel settles slightly greater than the highest one).
Asus Zenbook Duo webcam
With Asus investing most of its assets on creating this dual-display masterpiece, I'm not stunned that the webcam appears to be an afterthought.
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The 1080p webcam on the Zenbook Duo doesn't look that nice. My complexion is inaccurate with a grey, ghostly forged and colours look like muted. But to be truthful, many laptop webcams are complete potatoes &- and the Zenbook Duo joins the ranks.
Asus Zenbook Duo Geekbench rating
The Asus Zenbook Duo has a multi-core score of 10,344 on Geekbench 6, which exams for CPU performance. For comparison, this is on par M2 MacBook Air's efficiency, which has a multi-core rating of 10,146.
Asus Zenbook Duo battery life
For a laptop computer with two obtrusive shows, the Zenbook Duo's battery life is spectacular. We ran PCMark 10 on it; it lasted 8 hours and 52 minutes on a cost.
Is the Asus Zenbook Duo value it?
The Asus Zenbook Duo is certainly value it. It's priced at lower than $2,000, delivering a wealthy, multi-screen expertise in a market crammed with boring single-screen laptops for twice the worth.
I've stated it as soon as and I am going to say it again: single-display laptops at the moment are cancelled. After working with the Zenbook Duo, I'm spoiled. How can I work on my MacBook Air, my day by day driver, without missing the masterful app-juggling capabilities of the Zenbook Duo?
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