Asus ZenBook Duo (2026) review: Dual Screen magic

The actual fact is that the ZenBook Duo runs a full Home windows working system and, with its conventional laptop computer type issue mixed with two screens, is a powerhouse. There isn’t any different to the ZenBook Duo available on the market, which makes it very distinctive. I spent a number of days with the Duo, and right here is my assessment.

What: Asus ZenBook Duo | Worth: Rs 2,99,990

Smaller measurement is a welcome transfer

I’d be mendacity if I stated I didn’t discover earlier variations of the ZenBook Duo sensible, particularly since I hardly ever carried them on my work journeys. I spend extra time travelling all year long than I do at my workplace or residence. There’s no level recommending a pocket book if I battle to hold it in a backpack. That, nonetheless, modified with the brand new ZenBook Duo.

There’s no flex within the lid, and it feels clean and premium in your fingers. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

With the most recent ZenBook Duo, Asus has lowered the load and thickness to the purpose the place I can simply journey with it. That stated, the ZenBook Duo is over 0.91 inches thick and weighs 1.65 kg, which can make it appear thicker and heavier than different notebooks. Nonetheless, when you think about that it contains two shows and a keyboard, it’s truly spectacular. I’m impressed by how Asus has managed to suit it into such a slim package deal.

Since I’m on the go and may get on and off Uber or the Delhi Metro, I want to have the ability to simply carry this one-handed. Not that I at all times do, however I need to. I can do with this a MacBook Neo, and it was exhausting with the final generations of ZenBook Duo. Right here it appears to be Okay.

The ZenBook Duo feels solidly constructed, with Asus utilizing a brand new “Ceraluminum” end that offers the laptop computer a extra ceramic-like texture, making it really feel much less like a typical steel gadget and extra refined within the hand. I like the contact and really feel of the ZenBook Duo; it is vitally completely different from holding a MacBook Air or Professional, which feels colder.

Whenever you open the lid of the pocket book for the primary time, it appears like every other 14-inch laptop computer, with a stunning OLED display screen and a keyboard. However issues change whenever you raise the keyboard. The keyboard is removable and attaches through magnets housed within the backside display screen’s bezels; it fees through a set of pins on the base of the laptop computer.

At occasions, Home windows doesn’t totally perceive the dual-touchscreen system, and I blame Microsoft. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The keyboard does have a small quantity of flex whenever you apply sufficient stress on both aspect, which might trigger it to shift barely backward and forward. That stated, the magnets are robust sufficient that you just shouldn’t have any points whereas typing. It’s no surprise the ZenBook Duo’s essential USP is the secondary display screen, which is revealed when the keyboard is eliminated, exposing the second show.

Alternative ways of utilizing twin screens

Utilizing the ZenBook Duo’s two screens doesn’t require a PhD, and also you don’t need to be a tech nerd to grasp how they work. Throughout my testing, I attempted each doable means to make use of the ZenBook Duo, truthfully.

Maybe the commonest means to make use of the ZenBook Duo is sort of a common laptop computer, with the keyboard connected to the secondary show. I used it that means about 60 to 70 per cent of the time, and that’s a truth. It’s higher described as a single-screen configuration on this mode. The opposite means I used the ZenBook Duo was after I wanted a multi-screen setup, so I opened the built-in kickstand, which allowed me to make use of the laptop computer in a complete new means.

Multitaskers, creators, builders, and energy customers who work with a number of home windows open will certainly just like the ZenBook Duo. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The ZenBook Duo’s hinge and kickstand really feel strong, and when prolonged, they help a stacked dual-screen setup with the screens aligned horizontally. A built-in kickstand props the gadget as much as about 90 levels, and Home windows 11 routinely detects the format, making it simple to maneuver apps between shows.

Frankly, when you get the cling of it and change into a bit comfy, there’s nothing higher than utilizing two screens on the similar time. In fact, you additionally want a nicer desk for a setup like this. I discovered this setup actually comforting.

I used to be impressed by how the multi-screen setup works. You possibly can browse the online on one show and watch YouTube or use WhatsApp on the secondary show. Throughout earnings season, which is presently occurring, a multi-screen setup is a godsend. I opened a Google Doc on one display screen to jot down a duplicate and an earnings launch on the opposite. Not solely do two screens allow you to keep centered, however additionally they enhance focus, particularly if you find yourself working with numbers. It’s a win for productiveness for my part. I don’t know if you’re conscious, however I may stretch a browser window throughout two screens.

As I noticed throughout my testing, the kickstand design works finest in a centred horizontal setup. Though the ZenBook Duo can be utilized in a vertical or “book-style” orientation, which is beneficial for coding, that configuration feels much less steady.

Talking of the screens, each are 14 inches, help a 2880×1800 (3K) decision, are OLED panels, help contact, and provide a 48–144Hz refresh fee through VRR (variable refresh fee). They’re extraordinarily shiny, and the colors actually pop. They deal with shiny daylight pretty properly, and I haven’t had any brightness points throughout indoor use, though the screens is usually a bit shiny.

Having one app open on one display screen and one or two on the opposite additionally labored very well, corresponding to Photoshop on the underside display screen and my Chrome and Slack on the highest display screen. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The ZenBook Duo comes with an HDMI port, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. The keyboard additionally has a separate USB-C port for charging when it’s not connected to the laptop computer. The gadget encompasses a six-speaker system, together with two tweeters and 4 woofers. Though the audio system ship clear sound, I discovered it to be a bit flat.

A phrase of warning: don’t use the ZenBook Duo as an enormous eBook reader. In fact, you’ll be able to, however solely if you’re okay with holding a weighted e-reader. To take action, you want good muscular tissues.

I’d additionally like to spotlight the keyboard, and whereas it aligns completely with the setup, you do get restricted key journey. Nonetheless, typing stays comfy. The trackpad’s built-in gesture controls really feel a bit off to me.

Intel’s comeback with the Panther Lake sequence

The extra I assessment notebooks powered by Intel’s Panther Lake sequence, the extra the processor impresses me. For this assessment, Asus loaned me a unit with an Intel Core Extremely X9 388H, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. And despite the fact that it doesn’t have a discrete graphics chip, the built-in Intel Arc B390 is way extra succesful than I anticipated.

The ZenBook Duo gives wonderful battery life and strong efficiency, however its followers can change into noisy beneath heavy load. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

Every little thing screams velocity. I’m somebody who will get anxious when a laptop computer slows down, particularly when a deadline to file a narrative is close to. And truthfully, I can’t afford to have a gradual laptop computer. The Intel chip is quick, whether or not I’m switching between apps and tabs with ease, taking notes, writing copy, or doing analysis at midnight, the ZenBook Duo by no means misses a beat. What I’m actually impressed by, nonetheless, is the chip’s means to deal with AAA gaming, which is spectacular for a laptop computer of this measurement. In Cyberpunk 2077, the laptop computer can attain as much as 50 fps on the excessive settings preset at 1080p.

Battery life is one other spotlight of Panther Lake. On common, I used to be getting between 16 hours of battery life in single-screen mode and roughly 12 to 13 hours in dual-screen mode, with brightness set at 50 per cent and the refresh fee capped at 60Hz. For a laptop computer with twin screens designed for each productiveness and gaming, that is spectacular. Nonetheless, Apple’s M-series chips nonetheless have an edge in battery life.

Observations

Whereas Asus has nailed the {hardware} with the ZenBook Duo, I query Microsoft’s lack of enthusiasm for units like this. We all know Home windows 11 in and out, however I get the impression that Microsoft lacks curiosity in elevating the software program expertise on the ZenBook Duo and foldable laptops.

The magnetic Bluetooth keyboard connects on to a set of six pogo pins and sitting securely in place. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Categorical)

The typing expertise with the contact keyboard nonetheless hasn’t improved. The way in which Home windows 11’s aggressive window snapping could make it tougher to freely resize and place apps, particularly on units just like the ZenBook Duo, the place versatile multitasking ought to shine.

So, must you purchase the ZenBook Duo?

With the ZenBook Duo, Asus has made a greater dual-screen laptop computer. I bear in mind earlier variations, the place the second show was lower in half and positioned above the keyboard deck. I used to be by no means a fan, however on the newer ZenBook Duo, I discover the secondary show has a goal and is beneficial for artistic work and media professionals.

Certain, it is vitally costly at nearly Rs 300,000, and I’m not positive I can suggest it to the common person. However if you’re a artistic skilled on the lookout for a dual-screen laptop computer, centered on productiveness, and cash isn’t a difficulty, there’s a pocket book only for you – simply take into account its flaws and deserves earlier than you get one.