PArtifact computer systems with a number of touchscreens have lengthy been a function of sci-fi films. However whereas many producers have tried to create dual-screen laptops in the actual world, none of them have actually labored.
Normally it is as a result of they’ve tried to do an excessive amount of with too many compromises. Now Asus thinks it is cracked it with a brand new dual-screen machine that additionally has a full-sized removable bodily keyboard.
In concept, this implies the 2024 version of the Zenbook Duo may very well be the very best of each worlds – a daily laptop computer with an ordinary keyboard and trackpad, and in addition a futuristic machine with two touchscreens.
However such developments all the time include hefty value tags. The brand new machine is offered in a wide range of configurations and costs relying in your area, however begins at £1,799 within the UK and prices £2,000 as examined for the Core Extremely 9 model.
With two full 14-inch touchscreen OLED shows which are joined within the center like a guide, it has a lid and one the place the keyboard could be on a daily laptop computer. The total-size laptop computer keyboard and trackpad magnetically connect to the underside display screen to fully cowl the pins, becoming and dealing so nicely you won’t even understand there is a show beneath. is Whenever you need to use it as a daily laptop computer you are able to do with out many compromises, however the keyboard may also be used individually from the laptop computer through Bluetooth, which could be very handy.
Clip the keyboard and you’ve got two screens. The underside show might have a full-size touchscreen keyboard with a simulated trackpad, which is barely adequate for fast issues like a search question or AI immediate. The included stylus can be utilized both on the display screen for drawing or writing. How nicely it really works is dependent upon the app you are attempting to make use of – Microsoft’s handwriting recognition is respectable, Asus’s system is much less so.
A kickstand on the again of the machine lets you prop the pair in a wide range of configurations past the usual laptop computer L-shape. You’ll be able to stand the pair in order that the screens are on high of one another, which works nicely for utilizing two screens on a desk with an enormous productiveness benefit. You prop it up like an open guide so the 2 screens are aspect by aspect, which is nice for paperwork.
The 3K 120Hz OLED screens on the Core Extremely 9 model look nice, sharp with inky blacks and vibrant colours. However they are not that vivid, struggling to manage glare from direct gentle and reflections that require adjusting the display screen’s angles a bit to manage in low-light environments.
Explanations
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display screen: Twin 14in FHD OLED (60Hz) or Twin 14in 3K OLED (120Hz)
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Processor: Intel Core Extremely 7 (155H) or 9 (185H)
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Ram: 16 or 32 GB
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Storage: 1 or 2 TB
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Graphics: Intel Arc
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Working System: Home windows 11
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Digital camera: 1080P entrance going through, Home windows Whats up
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Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, Headphone
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Dimensions: 313.5 x 217.9 x 19.9 mm
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Weight: 1,650 grams
Efficiency and battery life
The Zenbook Duo comes with Intel’s new Core Extremely chips examined with the Extremely 9 185H, which carried out nicely for a skinny and light-weight laptop computer. It dealt with on a regular basis duties with aplomb, together with refined picture manipulation and operating three screens concurrently: two 3K laptop computer show screens and an exterior 4K monitor.
Benchmarking places its efficiency in opposition to related 14in PC laptops from Dell, Lenovo and others, in addition to Apple’s M1 Professional chips within the 14in MacBook Professional. The Zenbook does get fairly heat, nevertheless, with the highest half of the machine getting noticeably hotter even underneath gentle load.
Battery life is dependent upon what number of screens you are utilizing. It lasts longest when used as an ordinary laptop computer with the keyboard connected and the display screen set to about 70% brightness, operating Chrome, Evernote, a light-weight textual content editor and numerous messaging apps. manages greater than seven hours of sunshine work utilizing simply That determine drops to lower than 4 hours underneath related circumstances when utilizing each screens on the similar time. After all, the battery runs down a lot quicker when performing extra demanding duties.
Home windows 11 + some stuff
The Duo runs Home windows 11 out of the field, with stable help for utilizing computer systems with a number of screens. It is going to bear in mind the positions of apps on the 2 screens, mechanically modify the show orientation whenever you rotate them and can help you simply transfer home windows between them.
Asus additionally bundles some software program that will help you reap the benefits of the dual-screen setup, together with a utility that may flip the decrease display screen on and off, launch a digital keyboard, swap home windows round, and extra. and pops up fast controls for different bits.
The Asus Dial & Management app lets you create a customizable set of digital dials, buttons and instruments on the decrease display screen, such because the one to alter the thickness of your brush in a portray app or the amount knob for Spotify. I typically discovered it greatest to make use of the second display screen as a full monitor, although, moderately than overlaying it in touchscreen controls.
Nonetheless, it is price noting that the Zenbook Duo will not get entry to Microsoft’s new Copilot+ AI instruments as a part of Home windows 11 updates, that are restricted to some newer chips.
Sturdiness
Asus charges the battery to retain at the very least 80% of its authentic capability for at the very least 1,200 full cost cycles. It additionally has care instruments that may lengthen its lifespan by limiting charging to 80%. The system is often repairable within the UK and the SSD may be upgraded. The physique is fabricated from recycled magnesium-aluminum composite and Asus provides free recycling of machines.
Worth
The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) is priced from £1,799 (€1,899.99/$1,499.99) with an Intel Extremely 7 chip and FHD show or £1,999.99 (€2,499.99/$1,699.99/A/$399.99) with an Extremely 399.99K show.
For comparability, the Lenovo Yoga Guide 9i Gen 9 dual-screen laptop computer prices £2,011.50, the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer begins at £1,049 and the Apple MacBook Air M3 begins at £1,099.
The choice
The Zenbook Duo is among the most profitable makes an attempt to make a dual-screen laptop computer work in the actual world. Whenever you need to use it as a daily laptop computer, you can also make do with the wonderful keyboard and trackpad. However whenever you get to your desk, setting it up with two screens takes seconds and actually helps with productiveness, in addition to stopping again and neck ache on the laptop computer. .
The touchscreen keyboard or half method widget-laden controls are much less compelling, although these with an inventive aptitude might admire with the ability to draw with the included stylus.
There are 4 important compromises: it runs hotter than equal customary laptops, the battery life is a bit shorter, it is heavier and thicker, and it prices much more. Regardless of being a model new machine, the duo runs on an Intel chip that will not be capable of run the brand new Copilot+ options that Microsoft is at present including to Home windows. Whether or not these compromises are deal breakers stays to be seen.
It is not a laptop computer I might suggest to everybody, however when you want a dual-screen setup you’ll be able to pack and take with you, the Zenbook Duo does an awesome job.
Benefits: Two nice OLED screens in a single machine, kickstand, a number of laptop computer and desktop modes, good efficiency, good keyboard, included stylus, Home windows Whats up, compact charger.
Disadvantages: Too costly, screens not so vivid and shaky when typing quick in laptop computer mode, heavy, thick, sizzling, brief battery life, no Copilot+ help, software program options hit or miss.
