Zenbook Duo (2024): A dual-screen laptop with a detachable keyboard

Asus has been experimenting with dual-screen laptops for a while, and its latest offering is the Zenbook Duo (2024), a 14-inch laptop with two OLED touchscreens and a detachable keyboard. The Zenbook Duo is a unique device that aims to offer more productivity and creativity options for users who want to multitask and work on multiple apps at the same time.

But how does it compare to other dual-screen laptops, such as the Lenovo Book Yoga 9i? And is it worth the hefty price tag? Here’s our hands-on review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

Key specifications, price and release date

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) comes in two variants: one with dual 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED touchscreens and one with dual Full HD+ (1,920 x 1,200) OLED touchscreens. Both have a refresh rate of 120Hz and support stylus input. The screens are connected by a twin 360-degree hinge that allows them to be adjusted to different angles and orientations.

The laptop is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which are designed for thin and light laptops with high performance and efficiency. You can choose from the Core Ultra 9 185H, the Core Ultra 7 155H, or the Core Ultra 5 125H, depending on your budget and needs. The laptop also features Intel Arc graphics, which are integrated graphics that can handle gaming and content creation tasks.

The Zenbook Duo (2024) comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, which should provide plenty of speed and space for your files and programs. The laptop also has a 75Wh battery that Asus claims can last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

The laptop comes with a full-size Bluetooth keyboard that can be magnetically attached to the lower screen, turning the Zenbook Duo into a conventional laptop. The keyboard can also be detached and used wirelessly, giving you more flexibility and comfort. The keyboard has a pogo pin connector that charges it and transfers data when it’s attached to the laptop.

The Zenbook Duo (2024) also has a built-in kickstand that can prop up the laptop in different positions, such as dual portrait or landscape mode. This can be useful for watching videos, reading documents, or using the screens as a canvas for drawing or writing.

The laptop has a decent selection of ports and sockets, including two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one HDMI 2.1 port, and one 3.5mm audio jack. The laptop also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity.

The Zenbook Duo (2024) is expected to be available by the end of January, with prices starting from £1,700 for the Full HD+ version and £2,000 for the 3K version.

Key features and first impressions

The Zenbook Duo (2024) is a laptop that tries to do a lot of things at once, and it succeeds in some aspects more than others. The main attraction of the laptop is, of course, the dual-screen setup, which gives you more screen real estate and more ways to interact with your apps and content.

The screens are both OLED panels, which means they have excellent contrast, colours, and viewing angles. They also have a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes everything look smooth and responsive. The screens support touch and stylus input, which can be handy for taking notes, sketching, or annotating documents. The screens can also be adjusted to different angles and orientations, thanks to the twin 360-degree hinge, which gives you more flexibility and versatility.

However, the dual-screen design also has some drawbacks. For one thing, the laptop is quite thick and heavy, especially when the keyboard is attached. The laptop measures 313 x 217 x 19.9mm (WDH) and weighs 1.65kg with the keyboard, which makes it less portable and more cumbersome than most 14-inch laptops. The laptop also has a rather large bezel around the screens, which reduces the screen-to-body ratio and makes the laptop look less sleek and modern.

Another issue with the dual-screen design is that it limits the laptop’s usability in some modes. Unlike the Lenovo Book Yoga 9i, which can fold its screens around 360 degrees and use them in tent or tablet mode, the Zenbook Duo (2024) can only fold its screens up to 180 degrees and use them in laptop or stand mode. This means you can’t use the laptop in more ergonomic or comfortable positions, such as on your lap or on a couch. It also means you can’t use the laptop as a single-screen device, which might be preferable for some tasks or scenarios.

The keyboard is another feature that has its pros and cons. On the positive side, the keyboard is full-size and feels comfortable and responsive to type on. The keyboard has a good amount of travel, feedback, and stability, and it doesn’t rattle or wobble. The keyboard also has a pogo pin connector that charges it and transfers data when it’s attached to the laptop, which eliminates the need for pairing or plugging in cables.

On the negative side, the keyboard is detachable and wireless, which means you have to carry it around separately and worry about its battery life. The keyboard also doesn’t have a touchpad, which means you have to rely on the touchscreens or an external mouse for cursor control. The keyboard also covers up the lower screen when it’s attached, which reduces the visibility and accessibility of the apps and content on that screen.

The performance of the laptop is another aspect that we haven’t fully tested yet, but based on the specifications, it should be able to handle most tasks and applications without any issues. The laptop uses the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, which are designed for thin and light laptops with high performance and efficiency. The laptop also features Intel Arc graphics, which are integrated graphics that can handle gaming and content creation tasks.

The laptop comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, which should provide plenty of speed and space for your files and programs. The laptop also has a 75Wh battery that Asus claims can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is impressive for a dual-screen laptop. However, we’ll have to wait and see how the laptop performs in real-world scenarios and benchmarks, and how the battery life is affected by the dual-screen usage and the high-resolution displays.

 Verdict

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) is a dual-screen laptop with a detachable keyboard that offers more productivity and creativity options for users who want to multitask and work on multiple apps at the same time. The laptop has two OLED touchscreens that can be adjusted to different angles and orientations, and a full-size Bluetooth keyboard that can be attached or detached from the laptop. The laptop also has the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, Intel Arc graphics, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage, and a 75Wh battery.

However, the laptop also has some drawbacks, such as its thickness and weight, its limited usability in some modes, its lack of a touchpad, and its large bezel around the screens. The laptop is also quite expensive, starting from £1,700 for the Full HD+ version and £2,000 for the 3K version.

The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) is a laptop that tries to do a lot of things at once, and it succeeds in some aspects more than others. It’s a unique and innovative device that might appeal to some users who value screen real estate and versatility, but it might also frustrate or disappoint others who prefer portability and simplicity. It’s a laptop that you’ll either love or hate, depending on your preferences and needs.

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