The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024: A Laptop Revolution in the Making
It’s not every day that a new piece of tech truly excites me. Laptops and phones have stagnated in terms of form factor for decades, making it hard to find something genuinely innovative. However, the moment I held the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024, I knew this was different. This wasn’t just a new laptop; it was a glimpse into the future of computing design. Asus has been striving for "Incredible" since 2013, and with the Zenbook Duo 2024, they’ve achieved something truly remarkable. This laptop is poised to dramatically change how we think about portability and productivity.
I’ve spent the past two weeks using the Zenbook Duo 2024, and I can confidently say it’s the most exciting product of 2024 for me. Its innovative design, impressive performance, and incredible dual-screen functionality make it a game-changer in the laptop world.
Asus Zenbook Duo 2024: Pricing and what you get
Let’s talk numbers first. In India, the Zenbook Duo 2024 starts at Rs. 1,59,990 for the variant featuring an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. That’s a competitive price. For instance, the new Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage comes in at Rs. 1,54,900, but only has a single screen.
There’s also an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H variant of the Zenbook Duo 2024, priced at Rs. 1,99,990 with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H models start at Rs. 2,19,990 for the 32GB RAM and 1TB storage variant and Rs. 2,39,990 for the 2TB storage option.
I’ve been reviewing the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H variant with 32GB RAM and 2TB storage. Included in the box, you get a laptop sleeve, Asus Pen 2.0 stylus with extra tips, a 65W fast charger (remarkably smaller than most mobile chargers), a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, manuals, warranty papers, and, of course, the laptop itself.
Design: A Sleek and Sturdy Dual-Screen Laptop
At first glance, the Zenbook Duo 2024 can easily be mistaken for a regular, albeit slightly thick, laptop. It’s roughly the same size as an M1 Macbook Air in terms of length and width. The laptop sports an aluminium-magnesium alloy lid and base with a matte finish, available only in an Inkwell Grey colour option. Subtle glossy lines run across the lid, a design cue familiar to the newer Asus Zenbook series laptops. While a slight flex is noticeable on the lid, the rest of the laptop feels incredibly solid. It also carries a MIL-STD 810H military standard rating, promising durability.
On the underside, you’ll find a metal kickstand that proved remarkably sturdy during my testing. The hinge appears robust and I anticipate it lasting a long time. This kickstand elevates the laptop at varying angles, adapting to your chosen dual-screen use configuration. A cardboard-like contraption is included in the box for even more flexible angled positioning.
The lid rotates on a 180-degree hinge that feels reliable and durable. Opening the lid reveals the keyboard and a large touchpad, staples of the Zenbook line. However, the touchpad here doesn’t double as a virtual numpad, as the keyboard is detachable, requiring Asus to pack a lot into a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. The Zenbook Duo 2024 comes with a detachable keyboard that connects to the laptop via pogo pins and 14 powerful magnets. It’s sturdy and features a soft touch finish on the underside to prevent damage to the display it sits on.
Connectivity is a strong point for the Zenbook Duo. On the left side, you find dual Thunderbolt 4 ports that support Power Delivery and Display Port, along with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A port. The right side offers an HDMI 2.1 port and a combo audio port. Both sides feature exhaust vents. The power key sits on the top bezel of the second display, alongside indicator lights for battery and system activity.
Despite the dual screens and detachable keyboard, the Zenbook Duo 2024 weighs 1.65kg with the keyboard, almost as heavy as the latest Apple Macbook Pro 14 with the M3 Max chipset. But, removing the keyboard drops the weight to 1.35kg.
Display: The Dual-Screen Star of the Show
Let’s get to the real star of the show: the display. The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 boasts dual 14-inch OLED touch displays offering full-HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution, a 0.2 ms response time, and a 16:10 aspect ratio. Both panels support a 60Hz refresh rate, 500-nits peak brightness, HDR, Dolby Vision, and are Pantone validated. They also come with TUV Rheinland and SGS Eye Care Display certifications, ensuring comfort for extended use.
The displays are surrounded by slim bezels, achieving a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio. When used in landscape mode, these screens can be expanded to a total usable area of 19.8-inches. Both displays are protected with Corning Gorilla Glass – I didn’t notice any scratches during my time with the laptop. The glossy finish on the panels isn’t too problematic outdoors, as they can reach impressive brightness levels. Touch input is responsive and responsive, and you get the Asus ScreenXpert suite of software enhancements to fully leverage the dual displays.
The Zenbook Duo’s versatility shines through in its various usage modes. You can use it as a traditional laptop, or detach the keyboard and stack the dual screens on top of each other – my preferred setup. As a journalist, I can’t imagine ever wanting another laptop solely for productivity. You can also expand the displays and use the kickstand in a 90-degree angle, positioning the screens in landscape mode. This is ideal for running multiple apps simultaneously, like Twitter, Instagram, browsers, etc.
The displays are equally great for consuming content. While they only offer full-HD+ resolution and 60Hz refresh rates, I enjoyed watching Netflix and YouTube in HDR mode. The colours are vibrant, blacks are deep with impressive contrast. While it would have been preferable to have a single large flexible panel like the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, this configuration offers greater durability.
Keyboard, Touchpad, Speakers, and Camera: A Mixed Bag
I was pleasantly surprised by the slim detachable Bluetooth keyboard Asus developed for the Zenbook Duo 2024. As mentioned earlier, the keyboard connects via pogo pins on the bottom of the second display, held in place by 14 magnets. Bluetooth LE connection is instant upon detachment, and there’s a power toggle on the side of the keyboard, along with a USB Type-C port for charging. Charging also occurs through the pogo pins when attached to the laptop.
Despite the keyboard’s mere 4 mm thickness, it still offers 1.4mm of key travel, which I found sufficient. Typing was comfortable, and you get three levels of backlight.
Below the keyboard lies a large touchpad that supports multi-touch gestures. Despite the keyboard’s thinness, Asus managed to include a decent touchpad with a 0.23mm travel distance. The smooth surface features a coating that resists fingerprints, and provides satisfying click feedback. It’s almost as good as Asus’ other touchpads, but it lacks the touch numpad. The second screen can be used as a touch keyboard, but I recommend avoiding it as it feels awkward.
The speaker system is the only aspect of the Zenbook Duo 2024 that doesn’t impress. You get dual Harmon Kardon tuned speakers with Dolby Atmos support but, due to the laptop’s design, they’re placed on the bottom. Although they can get loud, the bass is lacking. Even worse, the speakers face away from you if you’re using the dual-screen mode. Fortunately, Dolby Atmos comes in handy for dialogue clarity in movies. It’s not the best speaker setup on a laptop, but it’s not terrible either.
The web camera features a 1080p sensor that performs well in good lighting conditions. It’s coupled with an IR scanner for Windows Hello, which also worked well, even in low-light situations. Asus integrates AI features like Studio effects, background effects, noise reduction, Eye contact, and automatic framing, enhancing the video calling experience.
Specifications, Software, and Performance: A Powerhouse Inside and Out
The review unit came equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor boasting a 35W TDP and a clock speed up to 5.1 GHz. It’s paired with 32GB LPDDR5X RAM clocked at 7,467 MHz and a 2TB PCIE 4.0 SSD in an M.2 slot. The CPU is supported by Intel Arc graphics and an NPU for AI features. Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The Zenbook Duo 2024 packs a 75Wh battery supporting 65W fast charging. To manage heat, the laptop features dual fans, two heat pipes, and a heat spreader strategically placed between the second display and the motherboard. The CPU is positioned away from the screen, further minimizing heat transfer.
The dual-screen magic is primarily powered by the Asus ScreenXpert software and Windows optimisations. The laptop runs Windows 11 Home out-of-the-box. ScreenXpert offers a variety of features to maximize the dual display experience. You can tap with six fingers on the secondary display to transform it into a full-screen touch keyboard (choosing between half-screen or full-screen display). Swiping down with six fingers accesses various utilities. Swiping outward with five fingers expands your window to fill the screen.
A Sharing mode flips the second screen for convenient content sharing with someone sitting opposite you. This screen can be configured to mirror the main display or show something different. However, the laptop’s 180-degree hinge prevents tent mode, restricting positioning to flat or upright.
Task Groups allow you to assign apps to specific groups, ensuring they open in your desired layout each time. The Control Panel detects running apps and automatically assigns knobs and switches for controlling various aspects within each app. For productivity, the Zenbook Duo 2024 is a formidable tool.
Performance and Battery Life: A Stellar Combination
During my testing, the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 performed exceptionally well, effortlessly handling multiple apps and countless Chrome tabs. PCMark 10 benchmarks yielded an overall score of 6,637 points, with a Productivity score of 8,851 and an Essentials score of 10,417, surpassing the recently tested HP Omen Transcend 14. Video editing was a breeze, and I encountered no issues with any app. While you can play games on the laptop, it’s clearly designed for the creative and productivity-driven individuals.
The laptop remained cool even during extended video editing sessions. Despite running benchmarks, no severe heating issues arose, with the secondary display only warming slightly to the touch. The fans, though relatively silent, effectively manage heat dissipation.
Battery life was also exceptional. In dual-screen mode, I consistently achieved 8-9 hours of usage. In single-screen mode, the advertised 13 hours is likely achievable, but I rarely used it in this configuration. The included 65W charger efficiently replenishes the battery.
Verdict: A Game-Changer in the Laptop World
In a nutshell, the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 is a transformative device for the laptop landscape. With dual 14-inch OLED touch displays, impressive speakers, exceptional battery life, and robust performance for most productivity and creative tasks, it’s a dream come true for journalists, writers, engineers, programmers, artists, and researchers. Asus claims it’s also incredibly durable, though we’ll need to test this over time.
For those seeking a compact, lightweight, productivity powerhouse, the Zenbook Duo 2024 is a clear winner. After experiencing this device, I’ll struggle to go back to using a traditional laptop. The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 is that good.
