What do you think about the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581? How do you begin to innovate laptops? Imagine compacting all that power into as small a frame as possible while keeping it mobile? Check this baby out.

DESIGN

Design wise, the ZenBook Pro Duo retains some of the best points of its predecessors, while updating key areas to accommodate new features (namely, the ScreenPad). The tapering edges and diamond-cut chamfered edges remain. The spun-metal concentric circle finish is now non-centered and asymmetric, giving this ZenBook an unmistakable identity. The edges also reflect the surroundings, giving you and your environment “control” of the laptop’s design.

DISPLAY

As mentioned, the main screen is a 15.6″ 4K UHD OLED HDR (3840 x 2160) touchscreen. The bezels are merely 5mm thick, allowing for a 89% screen-to-body ratio. It boasts a wide 178 degree viewing angle and 100,000:1 contrast ratio for true blacks. The 4K ScreenPad has 3480 x 1100 resolution. Both screens support the bundled ASUS Pen, and any active stylus, for precision input or for creative needs.

The ZenBook Pro Duo has an ultra-wide colour gamut of 100% DCI-P3, as well as PANTONE Validated. It truly brings a new level of realism to the colours and would be especially helpful for creative professionals. Get a brighter and more detailed viewing experience thanks to the VESA Display HDR 500 certified main screen.

I tried out Dragon Ball FightersZ and Need for Speed: Heat, neither of which could be recorded in 4K, having to settle with 1080p. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t say I have any complaints about how their respective colour palettes turned out on screen; from the vibrancy of Dragon Ball to the streaks in the night of NFS: Heat.

HARDWARE

The ZenBook Pro Duo is designed for demanding professionals. The screen is backed up by high-end hardware for a truly comprehensive powerhouse. It features up to an ultra-powerful 9th Generation Intel Core i9-9980HK 8-core processor, powerful GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, 32GB of high-speed 2666MHz memory, and up to a 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD with up to 3.2GB/s read speeds. Need it on the go? Not a problem, with its fast charging battery and compact design.

The cooling system means you don’t need to worry about it being heated up in your backpack. There is also ErgoLift for comfortable typing over long periods of time. If you need even more cooling and performance, enable the FAN Boost with the Turbo Fan shortcut key for a 10% fan speed increase, reduction of surface temperature and 17% increase in CPU performance.

The keyboard is backlit so you’ll always be able to see the keys. I’m honestly not sure about the numpad and touchpad combination since I much rather use a mouse. However, you can have both functions on thanks to intelligent software, so it’s very unlikely to pose any issues, especially if you need to pack lighter.

As for sound-discerning users, the ZenBook Pro Duo is tuned by the ASUS Golden Ears audio team and certified by Harman Kardon. Enjoy impressive sound quality driven by Smart Amp and ASUS Sonic Master Premium. Every rumble and tumble of Need for Speed: Heat came through crisp and clear, for an immersive experience.

OVERVIEW

Opening the lid, the first thing you’ll notice will most likely be the secondary touchscreen. Your creativity and productivity can be pushed to the next level with this ultimate efficiency. The 4K UHD OLED display pairs with the full-width, touchscreen 4K ASUS ScreenPad seamlessly. Use Quick Key for one-tap automation of complex keyboard sequences, or Handwriting for intuitive text input. The provided stylus slides across the screens smoothly, and is certainly easy to use.

Easily shift around the apps from the main screen to the secondary screen or vice versa. I like watching videos as I work, and the ScreenPad allows me to emulate a second monitor for a desktop. The Launcher on the ScreenPad allows you to quickly open your favourite apps. If you’ve been drawing, worry not. Use the Keyboard Lock feature so that you avoid any stray lines or wrong buttons! I would say the so-called “Action Menu” – a built-in floating shortcut menu might need some time to get used to, but it’s primary use is convenience.

The ZenBook Pro Duo packs a punch for both creative use, and relatively hardcore gamers, though it won’t necessarily reach the same heights as a dedicated gaming laptop.

VERDICT

The hardware allows apps to transition quite fast and smoothly. If you’re like me and like to do minor multi-tasking, then yes, the secondary screen is certainly appealing. If you’re a creative professional looking to step up their work, you can look towards the ZenBook Pro Duo for an intuitive workspace, seamlessly moving from keyboard inputs to stylus. This would be lower on a gamer’s radar, but if you’re both looking to game and a creative enthusiast, this may be something for you.

You can get the Zenbook Pro Duo in multiple models:

• UX581 (i7) – RM12,999
• UX581 (i9) – RM15,499
• UX481 (i5) – RM4,699
• UX481 (i7) – RM5,699

FULL SPECS LIST