Just what number of screens do you want in your every day laptop computer? How a lot RAM is sufficient? And is touchscreen and stylus help even essential? How you reply all of those questions doubtless is determined by the form of work you do every single day.
If you might be somebody whose work entails plenty of Photoshop, video modifying, and different resource-intensive duties, then Asus is hoping its latest Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED will cater to your wants.
But is it the suitable laptop computer and does it stay as much as the guarantees? Here’s what I believed after utilizing over two weeks.
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED specs: Model quantity UX8402 | 14.5-inch 2.8K OLED show | Intel Twelfth gen Core i9 processor with Nvidia RTX3050Ti_4G | 32G RAM with 1T PCIe SSD | Windows 11 with Office 365 for Home and Students | Sleeve + stylus included within the field.
Price in India: Rs 1,44,990 for the bottom core i5 variant | Rs 2,24,990 for Core i9 variant
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED: Design, and people shows
When I first opened the Asus laptop computer I observed one change. While the outer packaging stays as cumbersome as ever, the field inside has turn out to be sleeker and extra trendy. And sure, it was good to see Asus pack a sleeve case for carrying this laptop computer contained in the field. The laptop computer itself has a magnesium-aluminium physique and comes with military-grade certification ( MIL-STD 810H) for sturdiness.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED has probably the greatest shows you’ll get in a laptop computer. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
The Zenbook appears to be like like a really trendy laptop computer and muted, although you possibly can see a touch of the long-lasting concentric circle design that the Asus Zenbook collection tends to sport. The black variant will attraction to those that desire a laptop computer they’ll carry to work. But given the twin screens, that is heavy and hulking. For somebody like me, who’s used to the lighter MacE book Air M1, it was fairly a change. Asus says the laptop computer weighs round 1.7 kg, which doesn’t appear a lot, however in the event you desire lighter laptops, this may not be the suitable match. The laptop computer is thicker at 17.9mm given there are two shows and a hinge that holds the second display at an angle.
The major show is 14.5-inches and that is one powered pack show. It is a top-of-the-line OLED with Asus packing all the very best specs and options. This is a 2.8K show with Dolby Vision certification, touchscreen-enabled with 120 Hz refresh fee, 100 per cent help for the DCI-P3 color gamut and is Pantone validated. If you’re somebody whose line for work requires color accuracy and also you want a extra transportable choice within the type of a laptop computer, this one needs to take that area. The second display or what Asus known as the Screenpad Plus is 12.5-inch, additionally has a 120 Hz refresh fee and is touchscreen enabled as properly. This additionally helps the stylus.
The Asus Zenbook has a touchscreen and the stylus within the field additionally works on each screens. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
I fairly loved utilizing this major display for my every day work which entails principally writing, modifying, and a few very gentle Photoshop utilization. I additionally watched some exhibits on Netflix on this, and it’s clearly probably the greatest shows on a laptop computer. The viewing angles, and the general expertise stays unmatched with wealthy colors. But what I actually appreciated probably the most was the touchscreen on this laptop computer. The purpose: switching from Mac to Windows 11 meant I used to be simply doing plenty of muscle reminiscence combating at instances, forgetting fundamental instructions. So, I might simply faucet the display to open or shut a window or make a swap. The touchscreen was quite a bit quicker and a lifesaver in some moments.
I additionally used the stylus a bit, however this isn’t one thing I might attain for lots as it’s not one thing I actually require. The ScreenPad Plus or the second display is beneficial to create a customized set of functions or Task Group that may be accessed simply at one. For occasion, I created a set the place I may open Chrome and Photoshop side-by-side. This will likely be helpful for people who require these items every day and have a set set of apps they should group collectively.
You may also launch an app on the second display, however once more this isn’t one thing I actually had a lot use for. For me, the one display is sweet sufficient. Do observe that the second display is at a slight tilt under the principle show. Asus is utilizing what it calls its personal “Active Aerodynamic System Ultra (AAS)” which helps obtain this auto-tilting. The second display is at 12 levels angle and the corporate claims it additionally retains the general gadget cooler and ensures higher thermal administration.
The chiclet model keyboard on the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo is disappointing. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED: The keyboard and trackpad
This is the place the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo acquired somewhat difficult. That’s as a result of the gorgeous second display is taking over area the place the keyboard would have been properly unfold out. The keyboard on the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo appears tiny in comparison with the general laptop computer.
I used to be not a fan of typing on this explicit Zenbook and it felt like I all the time wanted extra space. The similar goes for the trackpad. It is far smaller in comparison with what I’m used to and doesn’t actually do justice. I gave up and caught to a Bluetooth mouse. Anyway, I predict that almost all people who do purchase this laptop computer will use an exterior mouse for extra accuracy.
Overall, the trackpad was nonetheless acceptable and I managed to make use of it. But it took fairly some time to get my typing abilities to be correct on this keyboard. It felt cramped. Asus claims the important thing journey is round 1.4mm, however I used to be by no means completely snug on this one. This chiclet-style keyboard shouldn’t be for me.
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED: Performance, battery
The review unit Asus despatched me is a laptop computer with the best-in-class specs. It has the top-end Intel Core i9 Twelfth-gen processor, 32GB RAM, and 1TB cupboard space. My every day line of labor does not likely want a lot, and this was plenty of energy from me. I didn’t anticipate any lags or hiccups or Chrome freezing on this and none of that occurred. The laptop computer labored easily throughout my every day routine, although I used to be not doing too most of the duties that may require plenty of pushing. The solely resource-intensive program I used quite a bit was Photoshop, however once more at a extra fundamental degree.
Still, if you need a laptop computer which gained’t decelerate it doesn’t matter what you throw at it, this one has all of the chops and doesn’t disappoint. What I did discover was that the Asus laptop computer did get reasonably heat at instances. The fan can be reasonably loud on this one, particularly when you’ve numerous functions open and are doing completely different duties suddenly.
The laptop computer comes with two thunderbolt ports and a USB Type A port. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
This laptop computer additionally comes with a enough variety of ports. It has an SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI 2.1 port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C) and an old-school USB Type A (USB 3.2 Gen 2) port as properly. This ought to preserve most people who’re into creating content material comfortable. At least, you’ll not want additional dongles to switch video information from your digital camera’s SD card to the laptop computer.
There can be a devoted port on the again for the charging, although you possibly can cost it utilizing a Type-C charging cable as properly. The laptop computer helps 180W charging. The battery life, although, is on the decrease facet and when you have each shows on always you’ll need that charger with you. I used to be capable of get round six hours of my workday with the laptop computer absolutely charged and never plugged in. Again, this was not all the time with the second display on or getting used.
The laptop computer additionally comes with a 5MP HD net digital camera with an Infrared Sensor as properly which is sharp sufficient for Zoom calls that you just may have to take. Asus has additionally packed this with plenty of different software program options designed for creators corresponding to the power to recalibrate the show for color accuracy. There can be efficiency optimisation and different options which may be accessed from a devoted dashboard.
Asus has additionally included a devoted HDMI port, SD card reader on the again together with a devoted charging port. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
The Zenbook Pro 14 Duo additionally consists of Dolby Atmos help and stereo audio system. The audio high quality ought to preserve most customers comfortable. Of course, the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo runs Windows 11 and consists of three months of free entry to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED: Verdict
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is little question a really succesful laptop computer. It has probably the greatest shows you will get, the efficiency is top-notch—not less than for the high-end variant that I used—and you’ll get a second display as properly, supplied you want one thing like this.
The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED as seen from the skin. (Image credit score: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
But this laptop computer shouldn’t be meant for everybody. It shouldn’t be meant for somebody who’s simply beginning out as a ‘creator’. I might say that is for individuals who have been within the business of making digital artwork or modifying movies for some time now and could be on the lookout for one thing new or extra highly effective. This is ideally for somebody who has spent just a few years now on Adobe’s key apps be it Photoshop or Premiere Pro or Indesign.
If you’re a type of and wish a laptop computer with help for all the pieces—be it a second display, a touch-enabled major show, and a stylus—and don’t want to compromise on energy, then the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED doesn’t disappoint. But for individuals who are simply beginning out, this could be a little bit of an overkill.