Is The ASUS Zenbook Dual-Screen Laptop Worth It? We Had an Editor Test it Out
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TOTAL: 93/100
Confession: When I got my first MacBook in 2012, I never looked back. I had been sequestered to using my Mom’s hand-me-down Dell for years, and after unboxing the sleek Apple packaging, it felt like my first lick of freedom. So now, 12 years later, you can imagine my skepticism when I was pitched to review the ASUS Zenbook Duo. I was a Mac devotee; could I possibly leave that behind? Still, I was intrigued after seeing that the Zenbook Duo boasted two screens and was described as an “ultraportable laptop that provides a huge workspace for effortless multitasking.”
As a writer who likes to work out of libraries and coffee shops, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to the detachable Bluetooth keyboard and built-in kickstand—it looked like the kind of on-the-go office I could get behind. But even with all those special features, could it possibly justify a $1,500+ price tag? After 30 days spent testing it out, here’s my honest take.
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First, Let’s Get Into Product Specs
My immediate reaction when I unboxed this baby was, oh boy. The dual-screen laptop features two 14-inch touchscreens with dual displays, both of which have stunning 3K resolution. It also includes a detachable full-size keyboard and a built-in kickstand—allowing you to prop it up and see both screens at once—and a handy touch-style pen with an included USB charger. It’s also worth mentioning that the touchscreens feature Corning Gorilla Glass, which is enhanced to be scratch-resistant and extra strong, so it’s less prone to cracking or shattering. Beyond the build, however, I’ll admit that the Microsoft interface was intimidating at first. But after tinkering around for 30 minutes, I found the ‘ScreenXpert’ feature, which makes it easy to navigate between screens.
Basically, ScreenXpert is one of the main features that sets Zenbook apart. It eliminates the need for constant tab or window switching, thanks to a floating window that appears on the main display. This means that for everything you do on one screen, there’s a toolbar at the bottom with entirely customizable controls. Not only does this include apps like Spotify and Microsoft, but it provides quick access to controls like brightness and volume. For example, you could stream music on one screen and control the volume, song choice and playlist on the bottom. Or you could edit video on the bottom screen and use the top to pull templates or unedited clips. Depending on the ‘mode’ you choose (more on that below), it makes it easy to navigate from top to bottom.
What’s The Difference Between Each of the Zenbook’s ‘Modes’?
Naturally, the standout feature of the Zenbook is the dual-screen design. The most important thing to note is that the keyboard is detachable, but you can still type with it when it’s removed from the laptop. This also allows for some flexibility in how you use the laptop, which ASUS refers to as ‘modes.’ Here’s a breakdown of each one:
What Makes the Zenbook Special?
TBH, this thing is so jam-packed with features, we could be here all day. So, for the sake of getting down to the nitty-gritty, I’ll focus on what I found most useful (or just downright cool). The first thing that stood out was the customizable settings—including ‘whisper mode’ to keep the laptop fan ultra-quiet—and ‘eye care’ mode, which can reduce blue light emissions by up to 30 percent. To that end, the visuals on this laptop are next level. Not only is everything crystal clear, but it also comes with a customizable color gamut function, which lets you change the display color to your preferences. While the default mode is an ultra-vivid ‘native color,’ there are custom-tailored color settings that work best for creating web content or browsing, as well as one for editing film with movie-grade colors. (Bonus: It has a ‘draw’ feature that would make the artists among us love the range of colors even more.)
Another thing I appreciated was how it really lived up to the promise of being an all-in-one solution with portability in mind. It literally weighs three pounds (or 3.64 pounds with the keyboard) and I walked 20 blocks with it—without feeling bogged down. Plus, the battery life was just as impressive; a full charge lasted me six hours of continuous use before I got the low battery notification.
As if that weren’t enough, Zenbook also has AI software woven into its design. For the hardware, it has noise-canceling speakers and microphones that use AI technology to automatically adjust to your surroundings. Then, on the right-hand side of the laptop, you have Microsoft Copilot, which can help you tweak settings, answer questions/offer suggestions and deliver creative content based on questions asked in the chat. It’s also worth mentioning that it comes pre-installed with Xbox and Xbox Live applications (which I can assume is a major plus for people who are into gaming).
For me, the major downside was the fact that the laptop automatically idles when it’s not being used for 30 minutes. According to the brand, this feature is there to help reduce the chance of burn-in (aka color loss in the display). But for me, it was just annoying—especially if I was in the middle of reading something important—and it didn’t seem to be a feature you could turn off. Otherwise, I’d have to say the major downsides stemmed from my Mac-biased background. Since the entire interface runs on Microsoft, I found it difficult to adjust from the Apple preferences I’m used to. Add to that the fact that there are so many customizations on the Zenbook, it’s almost overwhelming. From the numerous display options to the keyboard shortcuts to the apps that never seem to end… I personally found it to be over-the-top (coming from someone who likes simplicity in my devices).
Still, I have to reiterate that this device is great on the go—especially if you need to bounce from task to task. It’s ultra-lightweight, fits seamlessly into a laptop bag and the battery life can practically last an entire 9-to-5 workday on a full charge. That, coupled with the ultra-wide screen options, came in handy when I was knee-deep in research for a dating theory that required hours of bouncing between reading and writing.
All in all, my major drawbacks were a side effect of being a ‘less techy’ person. For my day-to-day life, a second screen is more of a nice to have than a need. However, for anyone who needs a powerful, versatile device on the go, I’d say this is definitely worth the investment. It not only has a brilliant display with an ultra-fast interface, but the versatility of each mode comes with endless customization options. On the other hand, if you’re more like me (aka someone who could survive with Google Docs and Netflix password), this might have too many bells and whistles to justify the cost.
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