2024-03-04 18:03:36
It sometimes happens as a tech columnist that we try a gadget that turns heads and gives the impression of living (a little) in the future. That’s kind of the feeling I had over the past few weeks, trying out the dual-screen ASUS Zenbook Duo.
What you need to know about the Zenbook Duo
The Zenbook Duo is an original computer to say the least, equipped with two large 14-inch OLED screens that can be closed against each other. The device also comes with a detachable Bluetooth keyboard, which can simply be placed on the bottom screen. When the Zenbook Duo is closed or used with the on-screen keyboard, it feels like a completely normal computer (although a bit large by modern standards).
This computer is not the first with two screens. Lenovo also has devices like this, and ASUS launched a few models before this one. It’s probably the first one that really deserves our attention. Its two screens (14 inches, 3K or 1080P resolution, depending on the configuration chosen) are indeed of excellent quality, its performance (at least on one screen) should be the same as with l’excellent Zenbook 14 OLED(depending on the configuration, obviously), its keyboard works well and its compromises (in relation to size, weight, price and battery life, especially with two screens) are not unreasonable, at least considering the benefits.
The keyboard is connected to the computer by a physical position when placed on the bottom screen, or by a Bluetooth connection when separated. The transition from one mode to another occurs automatically, in a fraction of a second.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
In short, it is the first two-screen computer which seems to me a credible alternative to a regular laptop, and which could therefore interest an audience which is not limited to a few hardened technophiles. Besides, the device is out of stock almost everywhere at the moment.
With its two screens, the ASUS Zenbook Duo is thicker (1.99 cm versus 1.49 cm), heavier (1.65 kg versus 1.28 kg) and more expensive ($2199 versus $1399) than the Zenbook 14 OLED, and its battery life is shorter.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
But why a computer with two screens? If you’ve ever had two monitors, you already know the answer. No matter the task, having more than one screen allows you to view multiple documents at the same time, consult different sources, edit a video more efficiently or even view more pages at once, which is convenient for writing or code. No matter our work, we become more efficient.
But what is true for a desktop computer also true for a laptop? And is this format really practical in everyday life? To answer these questions, I have carried the computer everywhere on my trips since the start of the year. Here are my impressions of this ingenious design, in six different locations.
At work (at home or in the office): 6/10
The Zenbook Duo still looks great.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
If your primary computer use is at home or in the office, the Zenbook Duo seemed OK to me, but it’s not necessarily the best option for you. Yes, both screens are beneficial, but you can also just buy an external monitor and use it the majority of the time. You will then save on purchase, you will be able to benefit from a larger screen and the computer will be easier to carry when you travel.
At the cafe: 9/10
No need to encroach on your table neighbors to enjoy two screens in a café.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
I really loved using the Zenbook Duo in cafes. By placing the two screens on top of each other, not only was I able to take advantage of more open windows and work more efficiently, but the top screen was also in a more ergonomic position than with other computers. Another advantage: once opened, the device does not take up more table space to work on, at least if the screens are one on top of the other. So you won’t feel like you’re encroaching on your neighbors (as would be the case with a portable monitor).
Note that I would probably give the same rating in a library or in a school cafeteria, for example. If you spend your life working in these places, it’s definitely worth thinking about.
At the airport: 7/10
You can place the two screens in vertical mode, but the design is then a little less successful, with a viewing angle that is not optimal and the closing mechanism which seems a little crooked.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
The same positives mentioned for coffee hold true at airports. Since work tables are rarer there, however, the Zenbook Duo is a little less interesting, especially considering that your carrying bag is probably more compact. In short, we appreciate its advantages, but its disadvantages seem more present to us than elsewhere.
On the plane: 4/10 or 8/10
If you’re able to write without looking at your keyboard, and you have a seat with space, you can use the dual-screen Zenbook Duo on the plane.
Photo: Maxime Johnson
To my surprise, I was able to work comfortably on the plane with both screens of the Zenbook Duo open, as long as I placed the keyboard on my lap. It may just be an impression, but I really feel like I worked more efficiently than usual during my trip.
I was, however, in the more widely spaced seats at the front of the economy section of the plane. With a place in the bottom of the device, you probably won’t have enough space to work like this, and you will have to use the computer with only a screen.
At the hotel: 10/10
In the hotel, the advantages of the Zenbook Duo are undeniable.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
My biggest crush on the Zenbook Duo is at the hotel. On a business trip where you can sometimes do a lot of work in your room, you get all the advantages of the computer, but none of its disadvantages.
In a crowd: 3/10
With several people around a table, I preferred to use the computer in single screen mode.
Photo : Maxime Johnson
If you’re in a crowd, such as a conference or classroom, the Zenbook Duo isn’t ideal. This can be annoying to others and, unless you really like having all the attention on yourself, you tend to use it in one screen mode. It’s not a bad computer for this purpose, but you can find better, for less money.
Also, electrical outlets are often lacking in these situations, and the autonomy of the Zenbook Duo is rather average compared to the best devices of the moment in this area, such as the Zenbook 14 OLED or the MacBook Air. Note that Asus announces a battery life of between 8 and 13.5 hours depending on the number of screens and usage, which however seems very optimistic to me.
In summary
I was impressed with the Zenbook Duo. The device has its flaws, sure, and it’s not for everyone, but there are definitely some cases where it’s a good buy. This is, for me, the first dual-screen laptop to consider. And something tells me it won’t be the last.
The ASUS Zenbook Duo is on sale from $2199.
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