Configurations: Two CPUs, Two Resolutions
Our CES preview highlighted the premium ZenBook Duo UX8406MA-PS99T model, featuring dual 2,880 x 1,800 OLED touchscreens, Intel’s latest Core i9-185H processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Priced at $1,699.99, it costs $300 less than the 13.3-inch Yoga Book 9i, which offers similar displays but comes with a Core i7-1355U processor and only half the memory and storage.
The model we reviewed today, the UX8406MA-DS76T, costs $1,499.99 and is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16GB of memory, and dual OLED touchscreens with a 1920 by 1200 resolution. Both Zenbook Duo variants come pre-installed with Windows 11 Home and include a stylus that charges via USB-C. The laptop features a slim, flat keyboard that stores conveniently between the two screens when closed and attaches magnetically to protect the lower display.
The Zenbook Duo features a flat-opening design that Asus calls “sharing mode,” allowing users to interact face-to-face across a desk. However, it doesn’t bend beyond 180 degrees like the Yoga Book, so it can’t be folded into a tablet form. Similar to Lenovo’s model, it supports several configurations: a classic laptop setup using the detachable keyboard, or a dual-screen workspace arranged either vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape). In portrait mode, the laptop is positioned standing upright, while in landscape mode, a built-in kickstand props up the lower screen—providing a simpler and sturdier alternative to the Yoga’s separate foldable stand.
Whether you’re using the screens side by side or stacked, there’s a visible bezel separating them, similar to dual monitors on a desktop. Asus highlights that this setup provides nearly 20 inches of combined screen space, far more practical than juggling a laptop alongside a portable USB monitor. The Zenbook Duo also meets MIL-STD 810H military standards, ensuring durability against shocks, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. It feels solid and rigid, with no noticeable flex when handling the screen edges.
The Zenbook Duo comes in a sleek gray aluminum finish, Asus calls Inkwell Gray. It measures just under 0.8 inches thick and spans roughly 12.3 by 8.6 inches in size. The entire setup weighs about 3.6 pounds, with the two-screen portion alone weighing close to 3 pounds and the detachable keyboard adding around 11 ounces. While the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is thinner and a bit smaller overall, the Zenbook Duo’s dimensions and weight are still close to Asus’s standard single-screen Zenbook 14 OLED model.
Hands-On with the Asus Zenbook Duo: Touch, Type, and Thrive
In laptop mode, removing the Bluetooth keyboard activates the lower screen, though an “HDR-ready display detected” message can pop up each time, which may get a bit tiresome. You can tap the screen with six fingers to bring up a virtual keyboard. This keyboard can take up the bottom portion of the display (optionally with a small touchpad to the right) or expand to fill the entire lower screen, placing the touchpad below it. Above the virtual keyboard, icons allow you to switch languages, insert emojis, or enable a row of function keys. A three-finger tap anywhere on the lower screen brings up a simple two-button virtual touchpad.
When you drag a window, a prompt appears letting you move it to screen 1, screen 2, or stretch it across both (also doable with a five-finger zoom gesture). Tapping the ScreenXpert icon on the lower-left of screen 1 opens a quick menu, where you can toggle the virtual keyboard, check the Bluetooth keyboard’s battery, rotate the display, mute the mic, or switch between mirrored and extended display modes. A six-finger swipe down gives access to extra tools like a number pad, handwriting input, or screen controls for brightness and volume.
Unless you’re fine with a cramped typing experience, you’ll likely prefer using the Bluetooth keyboard over the on-screen one. Much like on tablets, the virtual keyboard isn’t ideal—it lacks tactile feedback, frequently misfires with skipped or repeated keystrokes, and suffers from random Caps Lock activation. You can mute the loud click sounds, but that doesn’t fix the awkward typing. I was only able to type a few sentences by slowly tapping each key with extreme care. On the bright side, the virtual touchpad worked without issue.
The physical keyboard is far more comfortable to use, even though a large portion of it is taken up by an oversized palm rest and a buttonless touchpad. One handy feature is that it connects via pogo pins, which not only ensure a stable connection but also allow the laptop to charge the keyboard while it’s attached.
The keyboard includes a Bluetooth power switch and a USB-C port for charging when it’s not docked over the second screen. (Note: the included pen charging cable is quite short.) It features a backlight you can toggle, though using it tends to drain the battery faster. Typing feels flat but generally comfortable. The included 6.5-inch stylus has two buttons and supports 4,096 pressure levels. In a quick test, it handled writing and sketching smoothly, with decent palm rejection throughout.
Final Verdict: Dual Screens with Minimal Trade-Offs
The 2024 Asus Zenbook Duo stands out as a top-tier alternative to last year’s Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, which led us to foresee the decline of portable monitors as laptop add-ons. It offers more connectivity options, a more affordable price point, and a newer Intel processor featuring advanced AI capabilities.