Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) Review: Revolutionizing Portable Productivity

Asus has once again pushed the boundaries of innovation with its latest offering, the Zenbook Duo (2024). This cutting-edge device is not just another laptop; it’s a portable productivity powerhouse that’s set to redefine how we work and create on the go. With its unique dual-screen design, the Zenbook Duo 2024 promises to boost efficiency and multitasking capabilities for professionals, creatives, and power users alike. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into what makes this laptop stand out in the crowded market of premium ultrabooks.

Key Takeaways:

The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 features dual 14-inch OLED touch displays
It offers versatile usage modes with a detachable keyboard
Performance is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors
The laptop boasts a durable build with MIL-STD 810H certification
Pricing starts at Rs. 1,59,990, offering competitive value in its segment

Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) Review

The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 is a marvel of modern engineering, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetics. At first glance, it might appear to be just another premium laptop, albeit a bit thicker than usual. However, this extra thickness houses the laptop’s pièce de résistance: a second 14-inch display that’s revealed when the detachable keyboard is removed.

Build Materials and Durability:

Aluminum-magnesium alloy construction
Available in Inkwell Grey color
MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability certification

The laptop’s lid features subtle glossy lines, a signature design element of the Zenbook series. While there’s some flex on the lid, the overall build quality is solid and inspires confidence in its longevity. The bottom of the device houses a sturdy metal kickstand, which allows for various usage angles and enhances the laptop’s versatility.

Dimensions and Weight:

Weight with keyboard: 1.65kg
Weight without keyboard: 1.35kg
Comparable in size to a 14-inch MacBook Pro

Despite housing two screens, the Zenbook Duo 2024 remains surprisingly portable. Its weight is on par with many single-screen premium laptops, making it a viable option for professionals who are always on the move.

The port selection is generous, offering a good mix of modern and legacy options to cater to various connectivity needs.

Dual Display Technology

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Zenbook Duo’s dual-screen setup. Both displays are 14-inch OLED panels, offering:

Full-HD+ resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels)
16:10 aspect ratio
60Hz refresh rate
500-nits peak brightness
HDR and Dolby Vision support
Pantone validation for color accuracy

These displays are not just about the specs; they’re about revolutionizing how we interact with our laptops. The ability to expand your workspace vertically or horizontally opens up new possibilities for multitasking and content creation.

Usage Modes:

Traditional laptop mode
Dual-screen stacked mode
Expanded landscape mode
Tent mode for presentations

The flexibility offered by these modes is unparalleled, allowing users to adapt their workspace to any situation or preference. Whether you’re coding, designing, writing, or presenting, the Zenbook Duo 2024 has a configuration to optimize your workflow.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The detachable keyboard is a technological feat in itself. Despite being only 4mm thin, it offers:

4mm key travel
Three levels of backlighting
Bluetooth LE connectivity when detached
Pogo pin and magnetic attachment

The keyboard’s ability to function wirelessly when detached adds another layer of versatility to the Zenbook Duo. The touchpad, while not as large as some competitors, is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures. It offers a 0.23mm travel distance and provides satisfying tactile feedback.

Performance

Under the hood, the Zenbook Duo 2024 packs serious power:

Processor Options:

Intel Core Ultra 5 125H
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (tested)

Our review unit, equipped with the top-tier Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, delivered impressive performance across various tasks. In PCMark 10 benchmarks, it scored:

Overall score: 6,637 points
Productivity score: 8,851 points
Essentials score: 10,417 points

These scores outperform many competitors in its class, including some gaming-oriented laptops. The Zenbook Duo handles multitasking with ease, making it an ideal choice for professionals who run multiple demanding applications simultaneously.

Graphics: While it doesn’t come with a discrete GPU, the integrated Intel Arc graphics provide sufficient power for light creative work and casual gaming.

Thermal Management: Despite its powerful internals, the Zenbook Duo manages heat efficiently. The dual-fan cooling system, coupled with heat pipes and a strategically placed heat spreader, keeps temperatures in check even during intensive tasks.

Software and User Experience

Asus has put considerable effort into optimizing the software experience for the dual-screen setup:

Windows 11 Home out-of-the-box
Asus ScreenXpert software for display management
AI-enhanced features for camera and audio

The ScreenXpert software is the backbone of the dual-screen experience, offering intuitive gestures and shortcuts to manage windows across both displays. Features like Task Groups and Control Panel enhance productivity by allowing users to create custom layouts and quick access controls for various applications.

Battery Life and Charging

The Zenbook Duo 2024 is equipped with a 75Wh battery, which provides:

8-9 hours of usage in dual-screen mode
Up to 13 hours in single-screen mode
65W fast charging support

While the battery life is impressive considering the dual-screen setup, power users might find themselves reaching for the charger during long workdays. However, the fast-charging capability helps mitigate this issue.

Audio and Webcam

Audio:

Dual Harman Kardon-tuned speakers
Dolby Atmos support
Bottom-firing design (potential audio quality compromise in some usage modes)

Webcam:

1080p sensor
IR scanner for Windows Hello
AI-enhanced features (Studio effects, background blur, noise reduction)

Price and Value Proposition

The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 starts at Rs. 1,59,990 for the base model, with higher-end configurations reaching up to Rs. 2,39,990. Considering the unique dual-screen design and powerful internals, this pricing is competitive, especially when compared to high-end single-screen ultrabooks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Innovative dual-screen design
Versatile usage modes
Powerful performance
High-quality OLED displays
Competitive pricing

Cons:

Average battery life in dual-screen mode
Speakers could be better
Potential learning curve for optimal dual-screen usage

Verdict

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) is more than just a laptop; it’s a glimpse into the future of mobile computing. Its dual-screen design offers unparalleled versatility and productivity potential, making it an excellent choice for professionals, creatives, and power users who demand more from their devices.

While it may have a few minor drawbacks, such as the speaker quality and battery life in dual-screen mode, these are easily overshadowed by the innovative features and powerful performance. The competitive pricing further cements its position as a compelling option in the premium laptop market.

For those willing to embrace a new way of working and who value screen real estate and multitasking capabilities, the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 is not just recommended – it’s a game-changer. It successfully balances innovation with practicality, offering a unique solution to the ever-growing demands of modern computing.

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