Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo (2022): A more refined dual screen experiment

If you want a multiple-screen experience but don’t have the available desk space, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo is the laptop you’re looking for.

The 2022 edition of the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo is a significant update over its predecessor with improved OLED displays, inputs, ports, and a considerable boost in power and cooling. Although, you still have to compromise with the position of the keyboard which is right at the front edge of the laptop.

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Pricing and Availability

As an innovative laptop, the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo is available in the UAE starting at AED 7499 (US$ 1,999). Different configurations are available going up to the Intel Core i9 processor and the Nvidia GeForce 3050 Ti GPU. The prices will also depend on the amount of memory and storage you want your laptop to have.

Specs you should know

Design and Build

One of the most noticeable aspects of the Zenbook Duo 2022 is its design. Two screens on a laptop were unheard of until Asus released the first generation of this laptop.

The main display is in the same place as all other laptops. However, the differentiator of the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo is its secondary screen positioned on the top part of the chassis. This design pushes the keyboard and trackpad down to the front edge.

A noticeable update on the 2022 version of the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo is the mechanism that pushes the secondary display up as you open the laptop. It allows you to view the screen at an angle for an improved viewing experience.

The downside of the Zenbook Duo’s design is the placement of the keyboard and trackpad. With the inputs so far down, there’s no place to rest your wrist. It’s not the easiest laptop to work on in tight spaces. However, if you have desk real estate, it’s a machine that content creators will enjoy working on.

Display

You’re getting two displays with the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 2022, with significant improvements from previous iterations. The primary one is a 15.6-inch 16:10 OLED panel packing up to 550 nits of brightness. It also scores 100% on DCI-P3 coverage for more accurate colors. Couple these features with fast response times and a 120 Hz refresh rate, and you’re getting one of the best panels on a laptop.

The laptop also comes with a secondary screen named the ScreenPad Plus, a 14-inch IPS panel. Both screens support touch and work smoothly with the laptop’s pen.

The ScreenPad Plus isn’t just a screen for viewing; it also comes with features. The software enables you to create customizable toolbars for editing software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects.

Performance and Hardware

Depending on your model, you can choose between the Intel Core i7-12700H or the Intel Core i9-12900H. Both are top-of-the-line mobile processors that offer exceptional performance, especially in content creation. You can also equip the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo with a dedicated GPU from Nvidia’s RTX 3000 series.

RAM is set to 16GB or 32GB of DDR5 memory for all your multitasking needs. For Storage, Asus is employing high-performance M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD in 512GB or 1TB configuration to transfer all those big video and graphics files without breaking a sweat.

The 2022 version of the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo comes with three thermal and power profiles depending on your processing demands. Performance Mode for editing, rendering, and gaming ramps the cooling fans to their max RPMs.

In the middle is Standard Mode, which slightly clocks down your CPU and GPU. Lastly is Whisper Mode, which limits performance but gives you a quieter laptop.

The Zenbook Duo isn’t considered a gaming laptop, but with the hardware, it comes with, it can run AAA game titles.

Features to Look Out For

The ScreenPad Plus on the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo isn’t your ordinary second screen. It can have a life of its own, especially if you know how to use it well. The new version of the ScreenPad software allows you to open apps independently of the main screen.

It’s possible to watch YouTube on the smaller screen while working on the main one. You can even add shortcuts to make your life a lot easier when editing software like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, and After Effects.

The sound quality on the Zenbook Duo’s built-in speakers is decent and there’s a front-facing HD camera with an IR sensor for Windows Hello. 

As for ports, you get the usual selection of two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 functionality, a USB-A port, a full-size HDMI, and a MicroSD card reader.

Battery and Charging

The Zenbook Pro 14 Duo comes with a massive 92 Wh battery. However, with it needing to power two displays and power-hungry hardware, you will need help getting it to last for the day. You can get up to 5 hours of battery life by turning off the ScreenPad Plus.

Even though the laptop draws a lot of power, there is a silver lining on the charging front. Plugging it in for 30 minutes should give you a couple of hours of battery life.

Wrap Up

The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo 2022 is an interesting take on a laptop, especially if you’re looking for one that offers a multi-screen experience. The ScreenPad Plus can seem like a novelty, but it does have its uses.

As long as you’re willing to compromise on the wrist position in exchange for the extra screen real estate and powerful hardware, the Zenbook Duo is on your desk.

It’s not a mainstream device, but as a content creator on the go, it’s something that you’re going to want to have in your arsenal.