It takes time to understand new designs. But even so, I’m still wondering why the ZenBook Duo didn’t have a bigger impact on the market after ASUS released its first true dual-screen laptop two years ago. Notebooks like this offer the kind of screen space you typically only get from a dual-monitor setup, but in a much more compact form factor that you can easily take on the road. It could be that people were wary of purchasing an unfamiliar design, short battery life or a first-generation product – these are all understandable concerns. However, now that ASUS has completely redesigned the ZenBook Duo for 2026, the company has addressed practically all of those barriers to entry, while also making it an even more reliable machine for those who could use more display space. Which, in my experience, happens to almost everyone.
editor’s Note: The 2026 ASUS ZenBook Duo is expected to be available for pre-order in late February, with general availability scheduled for March.
ASUS/Engadget
- Two gorgeous OLED displays
- More compact design than the original
- surprisingly good battery
- unique form factor
- a little expensive
- no sd card slot
- Stylus not included in US
design
For the new model, ASUS didn’t mess with the basic layout of the laptop too much. Instead, the company polished and tightened everything, resulting in a system that weighed nearly the same (3.6 pounds) while reducing its overall size (12.1 x 8.2 x 0.77 by 0.92 inches) by five percent. Crucially, you still get a built-in kickstand on the bottom and a detachable keyboard that you can move wherever you want. It also has a good number of ports, including two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A 3.2 jack, HDMI 2.1, and a combo audio port. That said, I do wish ASUS made room for some sort of SD card reader, though given the ZenBook Duo’s unique design, I understand why it didn’t build one in.
The ZenBook Duo’s detachable keyboard gives users plenty of flexibility when it comes to using both of the laptop’s displays. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
One of the ZenBook Duo’s most significant design upgrades is the new “Hideaway” hinge that reduces the gap between the laptop’s two screens. Not only does this make using the laptop in dual-screen mode easier and more enjoyable, but it also allows the entire system to be laid flat on a table, which is good for drawing or sharing your screen with someone sitting across from you. The sad thing is that the ZenBook Duo is compatible with the upcoming ASUS Pen 3.0, but it is not included (at least in the US). So if you want one, be prepared to pay extra.
Another small but appreciated improvement is the new pogo pin below the lower display, which provides a more secure and reliable way to hold the laptop’s detachable keyboard up. In my experience, even after running several tests that drained the Duo’s battery completely, I never had to charge the keyboard on its own. It was smart enough to always draw power from the main system in the background, though it also has a built-in USB-C port for power. On the other hand, if you’re not afraid to type on the Glass, you can still use the bottom screen as a keyboard and touchpad, or as a place to display widgets for news, weather, performance, and more.
It shows
As someone who loves dual-monitor desktops, I can’t say enough how nice it is to have the same built-in functionality on a laptop. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
The most striking feature of the ZenBook Duo remains its dual displays, and now for 2026, they look better than ever. Both OLED panels have a 2,880 x 1,800 resolution along with a 144Hz refresh rate, while also covering 100 percent of the DCI-P3 spectrum. And while its nominal brightness of 500 nits is fine for SDR content, ASUS compensates for this with peaks of up to 1,000 nits in HDR. And to make both screens even more pleasing, ASUS managed to reduce the size of their bezels to just 8.28mm. This is a 70 percent reduction from the previous model, so you now have even less hindrance to making full use of these screens.
Display
The ZenBook Duo can be configured with a range of new Intel Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 processors, including the X9 388H chip used in our review unit. For general use and productivity, the laptop is super smooth and responsive, though that should be no surprise given Intel’s latest top-of-the-line mobile CPU. However, for those seeking maximum performance, some of the benchmark numbers are not as impressive as you might expect. That’s because ASUS has limited the Duo’s TDP (thermal design power) to 45 watts—which is less than the chip’s 80-watt turbo power limit.
The rear kickstand adds a little bulk, but it’s better than none at all, like Lenovo’s Yoga Book. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
In PCMark 10, the ZenBook Duo achieved a score of only 7,153, while the Dell XPS 14 achieved a score of 9,651, despite it having a lower-end Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor. That said, in other tests like Geekbench 6, the Duo had no trouble coming out on top with a multicore score of 17,095 versus the Dell’s 9,651.
Another pleasant surprise is that because the Duo’s chip comes with Intel’s advanced Arc B390 integrated GPU, this thing has plenty of gusto for playing games, let alone editing videos or other similar tasks. In alden ring At 1,920 x 1,200, the ZenBook maintained a relatively stable framerate between 55 and 60 fps on high settings, which is great considering this thing doesn’t have discrete graphics. This means that as long as you don’t mind messing around a bit with the game options, you should be able to play new AAA games without any trouble.
battery life
The left side of the ZenBook Duo features a full-sized HDMI connector along with a USB-C port and a backup USB-C jack for charging the detachable keyboard. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
You would think that a laptop with two displays would be super power hungry. However, by increasing its cell capacity from 75WHrs to 99WHrs, ASUS has made the ZenBook Duo’s stamina (or lack thereof) a complete non-issue. In PCMark 10’s Modern Office Rundown test, the laptop lasted 18 hours and 33 minutes in single-screen mode. Granted, that’s about four hours less than what we got from MSI’s Prestige 14 Flip AI+, but considering it’s the longest-lasting notebook we’ve tested so far, I’m not upset. When compared to ASUS’s own ZenBook A14 (18:16), things are basically useless, which I guess is a win for the Duo, since the A14 is meant to be an ultralight system with an emphasis on portability and longevity.
Obviously, battery life suffers when you’re using both displays. However, when I reran my battery test with its two displays turned on, the Duo still impressed with a time of 14:23. That’s more than enough to give you the confidence to set this thing in dual-screen mode, even if there’s no outlet close to you. Thankfully, for those times when you need a power adapter, ASUS’s cable-on charging brick is quite compact, so carrying it around isn’t a chore.
wrap up
The ZenBook Duo’s battery life is so good that you won’t always need its power brick. Thankfully, when you do that, ASUS’s 100-watt adapter is relatively compact. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
I believe that one day people will eventually love typing on the screen with a laptop just like they do with a smartphone. However, even if you’re not willing to make that leap just yet, the ZenBook Duo still has all its bases covered. Its detachable keyboard gives you a pleasant experience while freeing up the bottom of the notebook as a second display. This allows you to get something similar to a traditional dual-monitor desktop, but in a chassis that you can easily take on the road without any major compromises.
The 2026 ZenBook Duo combines a compact design with strong performance, plenty of ports, and surprisingly good battery life. Sure, it’s a little heavier than a typical 14-inch laptop, but its two screens make up for the slightly added weight and thickness. The Duo’s remaining drawback is its price, and starting at $2,100 (or $2,300, according to reviews), it certainly isn’t cheap.
However, when you consider that a similarly equipped rival like the Dell XPS 14 costs just $50 less for a single screen, the price difference is negligible. Alternatively, if you opt for a more affordable ultraportable and then work up to a decent third-party portable monitor, you’re still looking at a package that costs between $1,500 and $1,800. Also, that setup is quite heavy and it is more annoying to carry around. So while the ZenBook Duo may be an unconventional choice right now, it has all the tools to deliver unmatched portable productivity and I don’t think it will be too long until the masses catch on.
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