Test: Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 – dual-screen laptop

Previous Zenbook Duo laptops I've tested are still fairly standard laptops, but part of the bottom has been replaced with an additional half-height screen, allowing you to expand your workspace. A little, and at the expense of the surface area for the mouse and keyboard. With the new model, you can expand your workspace by 100 percent, in height or width, while retaining a full-sized bottom area for your keyboard.

It's the same concept as the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i I tested last fall. A full-sized monitor instead of a keyboard, and instead a separate keyboard and mouse section that is the same size as one of the monitors. It can be placed on top of the bottom screen, which is then turned off and detached. This makes the computer a completely normal laptop. Or place the keyboard part to the side, on the table in front of the computer, and let the monitor work on it.

It's a bigger, heavier, more expensive, and more powerful PC than the Yoga Book 9i. First, there are 14-inch screens instead of 13.3 inches, so the external dimensions are generally a bit larger. Second, the design is a bit more angular, with straight sides and sharp edges that make it less comfortable to hold.

PC quality has been stamped with MIL-STD-810H durability tests. It includes resistance to different temperatures and humidity and against vibrations, shocks and blows. Within reason, it's not a real armored computer. However, it is not unreasonably heavy. 1.65kg is good compared to other rugged 2-in-1 laptops.

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Work all day, charge seamlessly

It also has a more built-in battery, with a solid runtime of 8 to 12 hours of mixed use during the workday, or up to 15 hours of light driving. Heavy tasks like video rendering and 3D modeling can drain the battery faster. It's very nice that the computer comes with a simple charger, which is the smallest and lightest 65-watt adapter I've seen, and smaller than many cell phone chargers.

The keyboard is full-sized, with both a keyboard and a separate mousepad, where the Lenovo only has a half-height keyboard and uses the screen as a mousepad. So the Zenbook Duo is thicker and heavier when folded with the keyboard part on it.

The Asus keyboard solution has obvious advantages. You know where the keyboard is, and a real mouse pad provides significantly better mouse control. Everything about the keyboard feels like any high-quality laptop to work on and use. There's also enough stroke height in the well-designed buttons to be a laptop anyway, and you can activate the keyboard's backlighting.

The only thing I miss is a fingerprint reader, but it's possible to log in using IR-assisted facial recognition, and it's a separate camera because it's located next to a well-certified 1080p webcam. Because the Zenbook Duo is equipped with Intel's new Core Ultra processor, the Core Ultra 7 155H to be exact, it has access to an integrated npu and new AI functions that improve the quality and functionality of the webcam, automatically blur background, and eye contact. Filter and frame your face dynamically. You also get smart microphone noise reduction.

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The Ultra can handle most things

It's also a huge performance boost over previous generations of Intel processors, not least thanks to the integrated Arc graphics that give it plenty of computing power in many programs, and even make it possible to play simpler games on it. As long as you stick to one monitor, set it to 1080p mode and don't have high frame rate requirements.

But no, that is not the purpose of a computer, but flexibility, productivity and creativity are first and foremost. There are many ways you can fold and set up your computer. On the side as an open book, flat on a table to work with the included active pen, or on the edge with two screens high, and the keyboard in front. The only thing missing for complete flexibility is the 360-degree foldable screen. You can't set it up as a dual photo frame.

Despite the fast performance, the computer is not overly hot or extremely cooling. In Performance mode, a setting that can be activated in the My Asus control software, the fans are the loudest, and even then they're not particularly loud. However, the computer does not remain completely silent even when the fans are stopped. There is a distinct whining and clicking from the electronics, which could be a potential source of irritation.

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Correction of drawing sense

The pen has a comfortable grip and offers good control with nice sensitivity to pressure and tilt, so as long as you use the right drawing software to make use of it, it's truly professional. You also get a selection of different pen nibs that give a different feel to the paper to use. The pen must be charged via USB-C before pairing with Bluetooth. Unlike a flexible, ready-to-jump keyboard that charges and communicates with a surface contact when in place.

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With high-quality displays, 1800p resolution, full OLED contrast and dynamics, SRGB, DCI-P3 modes, and P3 display with good color accuracy, it will be an excellent PC for all types of media creation. Setting up the Zenbook Duo and cutting video on dual displays is something I can quickly get addicted to.

If I can afford it. The computer costs approximately 30,000. It's not exactly a budget-friendly option, but it's quite reasonable for what you get, and is worth the investment if you're an ambitious builder who doesn't feel the need to optimize for weight. If you buy it in March directly from Asus instead of in-store, they'll get a handy backpack with your purchase. They also always come with a simpler carrying case in the package. There you will also find a pen holder, which may be in danger of getting lost. There is no way to connect it to a computer.