The ASUS Zenbook DUO laptop with two touch OLED screens is already in Ukraine. Our impressions

ASUS started selling an extremely unusual laptop in Ukraine today Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406. It became the first device in the world with two 14-inch OLED touch screens with a resolution of up to 3K and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. We were able to get to know the device live and make first impressions.

Ergonomics, transformations, software

When folded, the laptop is not much different from classic devices. Unless the lower half is noticeably thicker than the upper half. Well, from the side you can see a sandwich of two halves, between which there is something else.

When dissected, we again see the classic design, with the screen on top and the keyboard on the bottom. But then you can already surprise others and yourself. With a light effort, the keyboard is removed from its place and opens another OLED display.

The keyboard and base have a magnet system that clearly defines how they should be connected. Therefore, it will not work to install the keyboard upside down or by sliding it. In addition, although the keyboard is connected via Bluetooth, it has a proprietary power connector. It can be connected to a laptop with a USB Type-C cable. Interestingly, the keyboard is actually universal and can be used in conjunction with any device by connecting them via Bluetooth.

Under the lower part of the case there is a support that can be placed at different angles. Depending on how to install the laptop, it can be installed in different ways. If you tilt it a little, the screen will rise high above the table.

You can put the footrest perpendicular to the case and unfold the laptop case horizontally. That is, so that both screens become vertical. Handy for watching Tik Tok (joke?) and messenger feeds (it’s not a joke).

Without a keyboard, we get a design with a double screen. Both panels are the same. They have the same resolution of 3K and a diagonal of 14 inches. Features of Zenbook DUO (2024) panels: HDR peak brightness – 500 nits, DCI-P3: 100%, 1000000:1, VESA HDR True Black 500 certification.

At the same time, both are touch sensitive and have a glossy coating. The latter does not play into your hand when the laptop is used in a well-lit room with spot light, it can be seen in the photo. However, the parameters of the matrices are sufficient enough that all these reflections are eliminated.

A touch keyboard can be displayed on the lower half. In this, its virtuality allows you to change the configuration of the keys. Yes, you can reduce it by leaving a strip of space on top by placing the touchpad on the right. And you can display the keyboard on the entire lower display, where the touchpad and buttons will be larger.

While Windows 11 seems like a relatively polished operating system, it’s a nuanced experience with multiple screens. Therefore, ASUS has created a separate software add-on that controls the display of the image on two displays, its rearrangement when turning and installing the laptop by 90 degrees, as well as in different display modes – cloning and expanding the displays.

Features and equipment

The touch interface of both displays supports the ASUS Pen stylus with 4096 pressure levels, and the built-in ScreenXpert software allows intuitive control of the device using gestures.

The latest generation Intel Core Ultra 9 H-series processor is responsible for performance, combined with LPDDR5x RAM up to 32 GB and a PCIe 4.0 solid-state drive with a capacity of up to 2 TB.

The updated high-capacity battery lasts longer and supports 20% more charge cycles than the previous generation models. Zenbook DUO meets the requirements of Intel Evo Edition certification.

Despite its compactness and body thickness of 14.6 mm, Zenbook DUO offers all the necessary set of ports: two Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) and 3.5 mm audio jack. In addition, the laptop body has passed MIL-STD-810H certification.

I was pleasantly surprised by the large battery capacity. It is 75 Wh and this is an indicator that will ensure a full working day and a reserve will remain. With one active display it is 9 hours, and with two – 8 hours in synthetic load mode. And it’s still one of the best in our tests. With simulated active use, the keyboard will work for 7-8 hours, which again is enough for one, and ideally for two working days.

Prices

In Ukraine, the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) laptop will be sold in the top configuration. This is an Intel Core Ultra 9185H processor, 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 2 TB SSD. Its recommended price is UAH 108,499. The first predecessors have already received their devices.

In Ukraine, its configuration will consist of a case with a stand function, a compact 65 W GuN charger and an ASUS Pen stylus.

More details about the cooling system, details of ergonomics, productivity, we will tell when the device arrives in our Test Laboratory.