Asus Zenbook DUO 2024 Hand-on: First Impression

Unveiled at CES 2024, the new Asus Zenbook DUO 2024 comes with upgraded configurations and various optimizations, enhancing the user experience for those familiar with the previous generation. For those unacquainted with dual-screen laptops, the Zenbook DUO proves to be a compelling device, offering an immersive multitasking experience along with useful applications.

Asus Zenbook DUO 2024 Hand-on: First Impression

Design

When using the Zenbook DUO 2024, users can explore various configurations – adopting the conventional laptop form or harnessing the power of its two screens, which can be arranged either vertically or horizontally. The entire device, including the keyboard, weighs around 1.35 kg, with the keyboard contributing 1.65 kg, making it relatively lightweight for everyday carry. The folded thickness of the device measures 19.9 mm.

The device’s bottom features a kickstand, enabling users to adjust the angle of the two screens as needed. Upon opening the lid and extracting the separate keyboard, the machine seamlessly transitions into the dual-screen display mode.

Display

The Zenbook DUO’s dual-screen multitasking capability is fully customizable according to the user’s preferences, complemented by Asus’s dedicated tools designed to enhance this experience. One notable feature is the 1 to 1 display mode, offering a mirrored setup for collaborative activities, such as content exchange or shared presentations.

Furthermore, the dual-screen setup proves advantageous for entertainment purposes, providing a more comfortable viewing experience compared to side-by-side viewing on a single screen, where the diagonal angle may affect the overall experience.

When dragging a window with the mouse pointer, the device intelligently displays a tool for swift screen switching. The upper screen is labeled as Screen 1, and the lower screen is designated as Screen 2. Alternatively, opting for the full-screen mode seamlessly extends both screens into a unified display.

The mouse pointer transitions between the two screens effortlessly, maintaining precise positioning during switches. This fluidity is attributed to the 120 Hz scanning frequency of the two Lumina OLED screens, boasting a high resolution of 2880 x 1800 on a 14-inch display with a 16:10 ratio, all equipped with touch functionality.

Keyboard

The lower screen of the Zenbook DUO 2024 seamlessly connects to the keyboard through pin and magnetic pogo pins. This not only enables the system to recognize when the keyboard is attached but also facilitates the charging of the accessory’s battery.

The slim and lightweight detachable keyboard features a white backlight for low-light usage, keys with a 1.4 mm travel, and a Precision touchpad positioned just below. Should you prefer not to use the standalone keyboard, the lower screen can serve as a virtual keyboard.

Connectivity

As for connectivity, the Zenbook DUO 2024 is equipped with 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port and 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, ensuring seamless data transfer, image export, and power supply capabilities. Additionally, the device includes 1 HDMI 2.1 TMDS output port and a 3.5 mm audio port for headphones/microphones.

For wireless connections, it supports Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 and Bluetooth 5.3. The built-in 75 Whr battery can be charged via the Type-C port using a 65 W charger. Adjacent to the screen is a Full HD quality webcam with an infrared (IR) feature, facilitating device unlocking through facial recognition via Windows Hello.

Specifications

The Asus Zenbook DUO 2024 comes equipped with Intel’s latest Meteor Lake platform, specifically featuring the highest-tier Core Ultra 9 185H processor. Users also have the option to choose between the Core Ultra 7 155H or Core Ultra 5 125H. The device incorporates soldered LPDDR5X internal memory on the server board, available in 16 GB or 32 GB capacities. It boasts integrated Intel Arc graphics and offers storage options of up to 1 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD.

The screen boasts impressive specifications, including a rapid 0.2 ms response time, 400 nits brightness (extendable to 500 nits for HDR), full 100% DCI-P3 color space coverage, and an exceptional 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Asus has secured PANTONE certification for the display, effectively mitigating potentially harmful blue light exposure.

Final line

As per Asus, the OLED displays ensure 100% cinema-quality DCI-P3 color gamut, guaranteeing vibrant and precise color reproduction. Additionally, these displays achieve VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500, delivering the deepest black levels. High-precision pen input is supported, and users can opt for the optional 4096-level Asus Pen. The built-in ScreenXpert software introduces smartphone-like multitouch gestures, enhancing overall usability.

The Zenbook Duo 2024 is AI-powered, incorporating an AI-accelerated processor and Windows Copilot. Intel Core Ultra processors feature the world’s first integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), promising low-latency AI computing to enhance multitasking efficiency for work, creativity, and entertainment. The practical implications of these advancements in real-world scenarios are yet to be fully understood.

Asus Zenbook DUO 2024 price and release date

The Asus Zenbook Duo 2024 Intel Evo Edition, featuring Intel Core Ultra 9, Iris Xe Graphics, 32 GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD in the sophisticated Inkwell Gray color, is currently listed on Amazon.com at $1,699.99, with availability details yet to be disclosed.