Asus refreshed its dual-screen laptop, the Zenbook Duo, this year with a new processor. Unfortunately, there isn’t much else the company did with this refresh, for better or worse.
The performance boost is nice, but if the dual-screen laptop didn’t appeal to you last year, I don’t think the new chip will be enough to compel a purchase this year. At the same time, Asus still has a winning formula on its hands with the Zenbook Duo – I still haven’t tried a better dual-screen laptop.
The Duo isn’t perfect and is definitely in need of refinement, so here’s hoping the 2026 model delivers more change.
Specs
- Display: 2x 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED dynamic 120Hz 16:10 with 500nits peak brightness
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 285H
- Memory: 32GB RAM
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Dimensions: 31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm
- Weight: 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs)
- Camera: FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Battery: 75Wh
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio
- Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
Note: The above specs are for the model I tested. All Zenbook Duo configuration options are available on Asus’ website.
What’s new this year?
There are only two significant changes with the Zenbook Duo (2025) compared to the 2024 model. The first is the chip, going from the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H last year to the Ultra 9 285H this year. (There are other configurations available, but I’m mostly comparing the one I tested this year with the one I tested last year.)
The other major change is an upgrade to the connectivity, with the 2025 variant boasting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
These are both welcome changes, of course, but not particularly exciting. Neither of those warrants an upgrade for anyone who bought a Zenbook Duo last year. Given how expensive this laptop is, I’d argue anyone in the market for one should try and pick up a 2024 variant at a discount if they can find one.
Just like last year, the Zenbook Duo (2025) handled everything I threw at it with ease. Performance was never an issue even when web browsing with tons of tabs and editing photos.
Aside from those two things, everything else is the same as last year. In some respects, that’s just fine. I think Asus did a great job with its first iteration of the dual-screen laptop, at least compared to other attempts like Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i.
The Zenbook Duo’s keyboard accessory remains excellent and works well regardless of whether you have the computer in its single-screen laptop mode or set it up on your desk in dual-screen mode.
Part of what makes Asus’ keyboard accessory so good – and, in my opinion, the one to emulate for other PC manufacturers – is that it locks onto the bottom screen through a combination of magnets and three small, plastic bumps along the bottom edge of the keyboard. These help keep the keyboard secure so it doesn’t slide around while typing on it. Additionally, the metal contacts on the keyboard allow it to charge while connected to the laptop, so it’s rare you’ll need to charge the accessory on its own (though you can via the keyboard’s lone USB-C port).
The Zenbook Duo (2025) still has a built-in kickstand, which is great for quickly transitioning between different use modes. It adds some extra bulk to the already weighty laptop, but I find it helps portability more than hindering it. I can easily use the Zenbook Duo like a laptop while on the train into the office, and then switch to dual-screen mode for extra productivity when I get to my desk.
What still needs improvement
When I reviewed the Zenbook Duo (2024), there were several issues I highlighted, many of which could be addressed with small refinements. Unfortunately, with so much staying the same as before, these issues remain.
Perhaps the biggest pain point with the Duo (2025) is battery life, however, and there isn’t an easy solution for that one. The display will always be a significant source of power drain on laptops, and the Zenbook Duo has two of them.
Couple that with the displays being 3K resolution (more pixels require more rendering work from the GPU) plus the dynamic 120Hz refresh rate hit, and it’s a big hit to the battery. You’ll definitely want to bring the charger whenever you take the Zenbook Duo on the go. In my testing, it took about four hours to drain the battery from 100 percent to 30 percent with light work like web browsing and word processing – I didn’t even do photo editing! – while using both displays.
Beyond that, Asus loads the Zenbook Duo with software intended to make using two displays a little easier, such as a tool to quickly move windows from one screen to the other. I didn’t encounter as many bugs or issues as with the 2024 model, but these software additions still occasionally got in my way.
Another, more superfluous complaint I had with the 2024 model is that the laptop’s design isn’t that nice. Asus clearly opted for function over form, which is fine, but I’d love to see the company take measures to refine the style. I really liked Asus’ Zenbook A14, which sports the company’s Ceraluminum material and is super light. Perhaps future Zenbook Duo models could borrow some styling from the A14 to reduce the weight.
Worth it if you want two portable screens
The bottom half of the Zenbook Duo is as thick as some laptops, plus you’ve got the keyboard accessory and the lid adding even more bulk.
Overall, the Zenbook Duo (2025) offers a solid laptop package that will appeal to a niche set of users who want a portable dual-screen setup. I really like the ability to transform a portable computer into a two-screen productivity powerhouse on the fly, and that’s the Zenbook Duo in a nutshell.
However, there are tradeoffs necessary to achieve that. The Zenbook Duo is thicker, heavier, and less efficient than other laptops. For myself, as much as I like the dual-screen vision, I find I prefer traditional clamshell laptops that are light and thin. But not everyone will feel the same way, and for those willing to make the tradeoffs, the Zenbook Duo is the best dual-screen option around.
Here’s hoping that Asus’ next iteration of the Zenbook Duo can address some of those tradeoffs and make the dual-screen category a little more compelling.
The Zenbook Duo (2025) starts at $2,499.99 in Canada and is available directly from Asus, Best Buy, or Amazon. The 32GB model I tested costs an extra $200. Notably, Asus still has the 2024 variants available at discounted prices, including the Core Ultra 9 185H for $1,999.99 or the Core Ultra 7 155H for $1,799.99.
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