Asus has been trying out new form factors and design for a while, giving it the ideal first-mover benefit and scope to improve and evolve the products. The ZenBook Duo is a result of these innovations, giving you a dual-screen laptop running on Windows and doubles up as a tablet and even a unit that negates the point of buying an external display for your laptop.
The company’s overall focus on quality is undoubted but now it is time for these products to trickle down to a more palatable price range, especially in comparison to what you had to pay for the first-gen models.
The ZenBook Duo 2024 starts at Rs 1,59,900 which is not affordable by any means, but for the tech on offer, it is definitely showing us signs that the form factor will eventually come to a price that will appeal to many. It is powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor and focuses on the creatives and pros who need a machine like this.
But what can this jack-of-all-trades PC offer that a regular laptop can’t? We went searching for these answers by using the ZenBook Duo for a few weeks and here’s what we found.
Dual-Screen And Not Gimmicky
Let’s get one thing clear, the dual-screen on the ZenBook Duo is not at all a gimmick. Asus has put a lot of thought into the design and the engineering of the displays and also making sure it is functional in all the modes. Asus has further energised the displays with software support thanks to its in-house apps that helps people convince about its use with real experiences.
The fact that you get dual touch screens on the Duo means the bundled stylus is an accessory that helps you convert the laptop into a tablet anytime you want. The overall package of the dual screen and the optimised software gives it the right balance of functionality and innovation.
Intel Power For The Dual Life
Asus is using the Intel Core Ultra processor up to version 9 with 32GB RAM and 2TB storage, which is the variant we got. Right off the bat, we realised the focus on the ZenBook Duo and it is clearly not meant for gaming. However, the dual screen aids basic PC activities, along with creative professionals who need raw power to use powerful apps for their purposes. Having the stylus is the add-on that we didn’t realise would amplify the use case of the Duo.
The benchmark scores suggest the Core Ultra 9 is the top-end unit from Intel but the version running on the Duo feels underwhelming for all its numbers. That said, we feel the extra grunt is not needed when most of the tasks are well served by the laptop. What we do get extra with the processor is battery efficiency which delivers 7 to 8 hours of life that most people want. The bundled charger is smaller than what you get with a smartphone (at least those who give) which is again a very strong aspect of Asus and its product thought process.
Durable But Not-So-Portable
Asus has managed to fit dual screens into a laptop that weighs less than 2 kg which is commendable. The build quality of the ZenBook Duo 2024 is nothing that we haven’t seen from the brand with its other products. The solid body and construction with military-grade rating gives it the ideal durability.
However, that sturdiness comes at the cost of a not-so-portable laptop as it still weighs 1.6 kg which is hefty in today’s standards and even for Asus that has laptops weighing under 1.2 kg in the market. But I guess that’s the compromise one has to make for durability.
You have enough ports like USB 3.2, USB C and even Thunderbolt that works for charging too.
Versatility At Its Core
The whole reason for giving a dual screen on the ZenBook Duo is to make use of the multiple modes it supports. You have the basic laptop version, with the keyboard attached to the unit. The second you detach the keyboard, you are greeted with the second screen hiding underneath. Open the stand at the bottom of the laptop and you can make it stand tall or vertical, whichever way you prefer.
The display itself is a stunner, which is a word we don’t use often in our reviews, but it is. The colours are crisp, and blacks are deep, the ideal ingredients dished out by an OLED panel. The glare on the screen is unavoidable but that’s the caveat of these panels. The keyboard has good tactical feedback and even the travel is ideal for most people who have average-sized fingers. Windows 11 adds the sweet cherry to the cake which will get further improvements when the AI apps and use cases increase in the near future.
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