Dual-Screen Laptops: A Niche Gem Gaining Traction—And ASUS Zenbook DUO Leads With Performance
Dual-screen laptops still feel like a rare treat in the market, but their availability is slowly inching up—and that’s a trend worth noting. Not long ago, Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9 (model 13IRU8) wowed us with its packed feature set and flexible, transformable design, setting a high bar for what dual-screen devices could do. Now, ASUS is stepping up with its Zenbook DUO (UX8406), and where it really shines is pure, unadulterated performance. It’s not just another dual-screen option—it’s a device that leans into power, making it a standout in a still-small category.
Under the Hood: Power Meets Dual-OLED Flair
What makes the Zenbook DUO tick? Start with its two OLED displays—vibrant, sharp, and functional—and beneath the second screen lies a key secret: a robust Intel Meteor Lake-H CPU. ASUS gives users choices here, with three processor options all boasting a 28W base power; the top-tier pick is the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, a 16-core powerhouse. We tested this exact variant, and our main goal? To see if the laptop’s cooling system could keep up with such a beast. Spoiler: It’s a critical check for anyone who wants performance without overheating headaches, and the Zenbook DUO rises to the challenge.
Screen-wise, there’s no IPS option—and that’s actually a win. You get two 1200p 60Hz OLEDs as standard, or if budget isn’t a constraint, upgrade to a pair of 3K 120Hz OLEDs for even smoother, crisper visuals. Even light gamers will appreciate this: thanks to snappy Intel Arc (7-Core and 8-Core) integrated GPUs, the high resolution doesn’t hold back gameplay. Sure, this isn’t a dedicated gaming laptop—but we were pleasantly surprised to hit 100 FPS inCS:GOwith maxed-out details. That’s a nice bonus for casual play.
Repairability: A Small Win That Matters
One unexpected highlight? Repairability—though it’s not without its hurdles. Servicing the Zenbook DUO takes effort, but it’s doable. Compare that to the Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3): opening Apple’s laptop is easier, but once you’re in, you can really onlylookat the internals—no tweaks or replacements allowed. ASUS takes a different approach: the Zenbook DUO is designed to be serviceable. Need to swap out the SSD for more storage? Or replace a worn-down battery? You can do that. For anyone who hates the “replace the whole laptop” cycle, this is a small but significant plus.
At the end of the day, the Zenbook DUO isn’t just about dual screens—it’s about doing dual screenswell, with the performance and practicality to back it up. For anyone curious about the future of multi-display laptops, this one’s a must-see.
1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2x Thunderbolt™ 4 with support for display / power delivery (data speed up to 40Gbps) 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Camera
FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
Battery
75WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
Operating system
Windows 11 Home
Colours
Inkwell Gray
Weight
1.65 kg (3.64 lbs) Weight of system: 1.35 kg Weight of keyboard: 0.30 kg
