One of the best real-world products to come out of CES was undoubtedly the ASUS Zenbook Duo and now just weeks after we first saw it, we have a price and availability for Australia with interested buyers able to pre-order from today ahead of the February 14 launch date.
Known formally as the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406 we’ll call it Zenbook Duo for simplicity, but there’s nothing simple about this and we can’t wait to share a full review soon.
This might look like any other laptop weighing in at 1.35kg, but it’s not just a 14 inch OLED laptop. No no, this is a dual 14 inch 3K 120Hz laptop with two impressive ASUS Lumina OLED displays.
The second screen is hidden perfectly under the keyboard, which is easily removable and can be used wirelessly while the Zenbook Duo is in dual-screen mode.
And it’s that “mode” concept that is fantastic here. Not a new thing as we’ve had 2-in-1 laptops before of course, but this ASUS Zenbook Duo has four core working modes. Here’s how ASUS describe those modes:
- Dual Screen mode: When used with the wireless keyboard, this mode provides 19.8 inches of screen real estate, which can be used as a single expansive screen via the ViewMax feature. Alternatively, the twin 16:10 displays can be used independently, with easy window management via the App Switcher feature that puts users in full fingertip control of app windows, reducing interruptions and helping users maintain focus on the task at hand.
- Desktop mode: The laptop can be used with the hinge aligned vertically for side-by-side portrait screens. Combined with the wireless keyboard, this makes it perfect for programmers, researchers, writers, and those who need access to large data worksheets for things like financial analysis — and many more. Users can display productivity apps on one screen while the other shows reference materials, documentation, or research sources. Alternatively, using the ViewMax feature they can display content across the entire screen width, giving them a massive 19.8-inch display
- Laptop mode: Users can place the ASUS ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad onto the lower display for a traditional laptop-style experience, replete with a 14-inch display and tall 16:10 aspect ratio. A pogo-pin connector automatically recharges the keyboard. Alternatively, the lower screen can be configured as a full-size virtual keyboard if required, so users don’t have to travel with the keyboard if space is tight.
- Sharing mode: Allows easy content sharing in meetings and business presentations. The 180° hinge allows the screens to lay flat so everyone can view the screen without having to huddle around, fostering better engagement and discussion. Additionally, content on the upper screen can be rotated by 180° if needed.
While the dual-screen capabilities here are both groundbreaking and fantastic for productivity, you’re not compromising in any other way.
Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, there’s a premium audio visual experience and 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Connections, along with a USB 3.2 Type A and HDMI 2.1.
Windows Copilot gives you the power of AI thanks to Intel’s first integrated Neural Processing Unit, along with the fantastic graphics and processing power. This is a serious flagship laptop.
And that’s reflected of course in the price. At $3,999 this is a premium device, but it has every premium feature you could want for.
Under the hood is a 75Wh battery for a strong 8 hour use-time and in just 49 minutes you can get to 60% charge. Critically, the battery is also a redesigned high-capacity format which has an eco-friendly lifespan which means 20% more charging cycles than previous generations.
You’ve got two OLED screens, and a keyboard, yet the whole device is just 14.6mm thin – without compromising all those connectivity options, including a 3.5mm audio jack.
For those doing video calls at the Cafe, worry no more, using the ASUS AiSense camera along with Windows Studio Effects you’ll look your best thanks to background blur, eye contact correction and auto-reframing.
ASUS has a strong commitment to sustainability and durability here too with the Zenbook Duo. It has a variety of recycled materials in it’s construction and is durability tested to US MIL-STD-810H Spec to maximise its lifespan. All packaging is made from 100% recycled papers, it exceeds energy efficiency requirements and is constructed fro 90% post-industrial recycled magnesium aluminium alloy.
Pre-orders for the ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406 begin today at the ASUS e-Shop and JB Hi-Fi, with general availability at leading retailers from February 14.
| ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406 | |
| CPU | Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor 185H |
| Display | Dual displays: 2 x 14″ 16:10 3K (2880 x 1800) ASUS Lumina OLED touch screens with 91% screen-to-body ratio, up to 500 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, DisplayHDR™ True Black 500 certification, 120 Hz refresh rate |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| Graphics | Intel® Arc™ Graphics |
| NPU | Dual neural compute engine: dedicated low-power AI engine with broad software support |
| Main memory | Up to 32 GB LPDDR5x 7467 MHz RAM |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB PCIe® Gen 4 SSD |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth® 5.3 |
| Camera | FHD (1080p) IR camera with Windows Hello ASUS AiSense Camera |
| I/O ports | 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C® 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x HDMI® 2.1 (TMDS) 1 x Audio jack |
| Touchpad | 129 x 74 mm ASUS ErgoSense touchpad |
| Audio | Built-in speakers Smart amplifier technology Built-in microphone Harman Kardon certified Dolby Atmos® certified |
| Battery | 75 Wh |
| AC adapter | 65 W adapter Output: 5V~20V, 65 W Input: 100~240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz universal |
| Dimensions | 31.3 x 21.7 x 1.46 cm (without Bluetooth® keyboard) 31.3 x 21.7 x 1.99 cm (with Bluetooth® keyboard) 31.3 x 20.9 x 0.51 – 0.53 cm (Bluetooth® keyboard) |
| Weight | 1.35 kg (without Bluetooth® keyboard) 1.65 kg (with Bluetooth® keyboard) |
This article was written with the support of ASUS
