ASUS’ ZenBook Duo 14 was one of the most innovative laptops we checked out in 2021. We called it a concept device ready for the real world. As WFH patterns emerged and screen times increased, ASUS’ unique dual-screen laptop offered a whole new dimension for productivity. ASUS has just unveiled the successor to this laptop with some key enhancements. Does this laptop deserve your attention and is this the best Windows laptop for creative professionals?
Edgy design
ASUS has positioned the Pro 14 Duo OLED as the world’s first laptop with an innovative Active Aerodynamic System Ultra design. It raises the rear of the laptop and the secondary screen by 12 degrees (compared to 7 degrees of the 2021 ZenBook Duo 14). This is a clever design update, it positions the ScreenPad Plus at an ideal viewing angle and ASUS also tells us that it has a positive impact on thermal performance by allowing 38% more airflow. The laptop is finished in a premium magnesium-aluminium body. It’s also geared for road warriors with STD 810H military-grade protection.
Vibrant display
ASUS has tweaked the ScreenPad Plus; it’s now a 12.7-inch IPS touchscreen with a 2880 x 864 resolution. It peaks at a brightness of 500 nits. The big story, however, is the primary display. ASUS calls it the world’s first 120Hz OLED screen laptop. I enjoyed binge watching Kleo on Netflix on this immersive screen. The 14.5-inch OLED screen (2880 x 1800) peaks at 550 nits with Dolby Vision. ASUS stretches the screen to body ratio to 93% for an immersive entertainment experience. At 1.7kg it’s a tad heavy (the 2021 version weighed around 1.6 kg) but it’s an acceptable heft for a dual-screen laptop
Hardware powerhouse
We enjoyed the raw power of the 2021 ZenBook Duo. The 2022 version takes it a notch higher. We checked out one of the higher-end versions with 32GB of RAM and it crunched any tasks we threw at it. The ZenBook Pro 14 Duo OLED is powered by Intel 12th Gen core processors. It can hold its own against the new generation of MacBook Pros too. Just like its predecessor, ASUS has loaded the laptop with multiple ports that include two Thunderbolt and 4 Type-C ports.
Crafted for creative professionals
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo OLED is one of the best options for Content creators. Whether you’re working on video or photo edits or art, the convenience of the second screen makes it a compelling option. We can’t think of a Windows laptop for creative professionals. Battery life was average (you should manage 5 – 6 hours, depending on your use case scenario) but the trade-off is the convenience of two screens. Just like its predecessor, this is an innovative almost futuristic product, that also works well in the real world.
The ASUS ZenBook Pro 14 Duo OLED (UX 8402) starts at Rs 144,990.
