This is the Asus Zenbook Duo 2024, and as the name would suggest, we’re getting more than one of something.
So, it looks like any ordinary Zenbook, but if I just detach the keyboard here and pop it over there, you will see that we, in fact, have two screens – dual 14-inch OLED displays.
This thing is incredible, and it might actually be the best thing I’ve seen all year so far, although granted we are only like a week and a half in. But look at it!
Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 Screen
So, in one laptop, you get a dual-screen setup with two 14-inch 120Hz 3K OLED touchscreens, which look absolutely incredible, I might add. And you can use it any which way you’d like – vertically, is that vertically? I’m not sure, either way, like a book, perhaps.
Handy if you’re coding. You can pop out the kickstand back here, which actually supports up to 15 grams of weight – although I think you’d be hardpressed to really put that much weight on this. And with the keyboard here, perhaps you’ve got your sort of traditional laptop plus second extra monitor above it.
Except this is all-in-one 14-inch form factor, which I’m sure you’ll agree is pretty damn. And actually, it weighs just under 3 pounds, so around 1.3 kg, and it’s actually thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the previous Zenbook Duo, starting, I believe, at a hair under $1500.
Well, I’ve only had this for like a week or so, and this is just like a first impression Hands-On video, not a full review.
You can probably tell I like this thing a lot. Together with this new detachable keyboard, which actually uses these Pogo pins when it’s connected, so there’s no latency or battery limitations, and Bluetooth when detached. You don’t have to hunch over your laptop anymore. You can take it off and use it however you like.
The backlit ErgoSense design and smooth touchpad are every bit as good as any other Zenbook keyboard I’ve used – something you can’t say about most 2-in-1s. They’ve also somehow squeezed in this little Bluetooth on/off switch and also a USB-C charging port. If you regularly use it away from the laptop.
Asus Zenbook Duo Performance
Now, as you would expect for a 2024 model, this is backed up by some pretty impressive specs, including, as I almost drop it, the latest 14th gen Meteor Lake Intel processors. This guy can be specced with up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 – let me get that right – but this one has the Core Ultra 7 155H, which of course also comes with the much improved Intel Arc graphics.
And of course, this year is all about AI with both Intel and AMD. So, we have a dedicated MPU or Neural Processing Unit in here, which can offload some of those AI tasks. Now, to be fair, there are only a handful of AI use cases right now that you run locally on the device. One of the main ones is with the webcam.
We’ve got this TTP Asus AI Sense webcam and some of those Windows Studio Effects, like your eyes looking at the camera and background blur, things like that – free up more of that CPU and GPU. But obviously, it does make it a lot more future-proof. We are going to see a lot more AI integrated into apps locally as well because there are benefits as opposed to Cloud AI. But that’s a conversation for another video.
But with these much more powerful H series Meteor Lake processors, which normally would be like a P series in the past, now we’ve got H series along with 32 gigs of RAM, 2 terabytes of storage I’ve got in here. It’s actually very powerful, especially with those Arc graphics, which we’ll talk more about later on.
So, I’m recording this on the 10TP webcam at the top of the Zenbook Duo – quite a nice position being on the top of the second screen. And I can also move around a little bit. It’s going to track me. You can see I’ve got this portrait blur enabled as well – both things are part of the Windows Studio Effects, which right now are actually able to be offloaded to that new MPU on the second screen.
Below here, I’ve got the Intel AI boost. It’s showing like 27% utilization.
So, it’s offloading a little bit off the CPU and GPU and much more efficiently doing all these AI effects, which is one of the benefits of the new 14th gen chips. But yeah, quality – okay, it seems, again, this is non-final software, non-final hardware. But that’s the webcam.
Now, 5 years ago, 2018, when Harry married Megan, we came fourth in the World Cup – disappointing as always. But also, Asus unveiled this Project Precog concept, their first dual-screen laptop, which was very exciting. But I remember thinking, no one’s going to want to use a virtual keyboard anyway.
Over the next 5 years, Asus evolved the idea with ScreenPad. We had the Zenbook and ROG Zephyrus Duo, and even last year, their fantastic Zenbook Fold OLED, which did also come with a Bluetooth keyboard that could be popped onto the lower half of the screen. And that’s kind of evolved into this – the Zenbook Duo. Something that actually works really well, is about half the price of the Fold, and I actually might go out and buy for myself.
Now, to be fair, Lenovo did beat Asus to market with their Yoga 9i, which launched early 2023 last year. But in my experience, this is a more refined experience. We also have the newer, better hardware, and it’s also a good deal cheaper. Actually, that started at like 2 Grand. This starts about 1,500. Although very good to see competition.
So why would you want something like this?
Well, really, it’s for anyone who’s ever sat in front of their laptop and thought, I wish I had a second screen right now. And of course, you still have the option of connecting external monitors or TVs via the two Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI 2.1 ports.
So, you could have up to what, five screens with this? It might turn a few heads if you do set this up in your local coffee shop or on the train. But half the time, I’ve just been using this like a regular single-screen laptop anyway. And except for being a tiny bit thicker, you wouldn’t really know this is hiding a second screen.
But then when you’re at home or at the office, you have the benefit of the dual 14-inch screens, which also frees up a USB-C port which otherwise you’d use for an external monitor.
But given how low profile this whole setup is, being able to use the keyboard wherever you like and also offering the 180° hinge. So even if you are using it on your lap or laptop stand, you have so much flexibility.
So I’ve been using this well, like a little bit over a week ago – guess over Christmas and New Year. I’ve showed it to a few people – probably shouldn’t have.
Final Words
In conclusion, the Asus Zenbook Duo for 2024 is a remarkable dual-screen laptop that offers a unique and versatile computing experience. The dual 14-inch OLED displays, detachable keyboard, and thoughtful design make it stand out in the crowded laptop market. The device combines powerful hardware, including the latest 14th gen Intel processors and dedicated AI capabilities, with practical features such as a backlit ErgoSense keyboard and a smooth touchpad.
The portability and flexibility of the Zenbook Duo make it suitable for various scenarios, whether you’re working on the go, attending virtual meetings, or enjoying multimedia content. The build quality is top-notch, with a secure stand and sturdy construction, although there is a slight wobble in the top screen. The inclusion of stereo speakers and a range of connectivity options further enhance its appeal.
While I’ve only had a brief hands-on experience and can’t fully assess performance or battery life at this stage, the initial impressions are highly positive. The potential for seamless multitasking, creative workflows, and enhanced productivity with the dual screens is evident. Asus has continued to refine the dual-screen concept, offering a compelling alternative to traditional laptops.
As technology evolves, the Zenbook Duo demonstrates Asus’s commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering innovative solutions. The dual-screen form factor might not be for everyone, but for those who crave an extra level of productivity and creativity, the Asus Zenbook Duo for 2024 seems like an enticing choice. I look forward to exploring its capabilities further in a comprehensive review.