Asus announces new top model ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED notebook
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At the purely virtual CES 2021, Asus presented new versions of its ZenBook Pro Duo, which is equipped with a double display. The top model now comes with OLED screens.
The Asus Zenbook Pro Duo, which was first presented at the 2019 Internationale Funkausstellung, comes on the market in a completely redesigned version. The most noticeable innovation is likely to be the OLED displays that Asus is using instead of the previous IPS panels.
So let’s stay with the display equipment for now. The ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED with the type designation UX582 comes with a 15.6-inch touch screen in 16: 9 aspect ratio, which has a resolution of 4K UHD, i.e. 3840 x 2160 pixels.
This is supported by the so-called Screenpad Plus above the keyboard. This is a secondary 4K touch display that works seamlessly with the main 4K OLED HDR display. Asus has improved the automatic lifting of the second display when it is opened. At the new angle of 9.5 degrees, the second display should reduce glare more efficiently and thus be easier to read.
The trend is towards a second display – says Asus. (Image: Asus)
The ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED is powered by either an i7 or an i9 processor from the Comet Lake H series. The Comet-Lake-H was designed by Intel for particularly power-hungry notebooks. The CPU is supported by up to 32 gigabytes of DDR4 memory and a maximum of one terabyte M2 SSD.
On the GPU side, Nvidia’s brand new RTX 3000 Mobile based on the modern Ampere architecture is used, here in the version of the RTX 3070. The whole notebook is Nvidia as a studio notebook, as well as Pantone-validated and should therefore be completely particularly suitable for use in creative areas. The DCI-P3 color space is 100 percent supported. The monitor is certified according to Vesa-DisplayHDR-True-Black, an HDR standard especially for OLED screens.
The Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED has two Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C ports, an HDMI 2.1, a USB 3.1 Type A and an audio combo jack. The USB-C ports support data transfers with up to 40 Gbit / s as well as power delivery and display port. This allows users to connect an external 8K display or two 4K UHD displays. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are used for communication.
The large battery with 92 watt hours of energy content contributes to the relatively high weight of the device of 2.4 kilograms. At 359 x 249 x 21.5 millimeters, the Zenbook Pro Duo 15 is not one of the most compact in its class.
A double display can also be more compact: ZenBook Duo 14
As before, Asus also offers its double display solution in a more compact form. Asus has renovated the ZenBook Duo 14 according to the specifications of the Evo platform, which guarantees interested buyers to acquire a device that is also up to date in every detail.
Asus uses 14 Intel Core processors of the 11th generation with integrated Iris-Xe graphics in the Zenbook Duo. In addition, Asus relies on an Nvida Geforce MX 450. The processor units are supported by up to 32 gigabytes of LPDDR4x RAM and an M2 SSD up to a terabyte in size.
The 14-inch IPS touch display only has a full HD resolution. It is also Pantone-validated, supports the sRGB color space 100 percent and delivers a maximum brightness of 400 nits. The second display, angled at seven degrees, also has a full HD resolution.
The 70 watt hour battery should power the Zenbook for up to 17 hours. It is charged via the USB-C connection, which can be done with any power supply unit according to the Power Delivery standard. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are also used in the smaller Zenbook Duo.
There are two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A-3.2, a standard HDMI, a combo jack and a micro SD card slot available. The USB-C ports support Power Delivery and DisplayPort. With a bandwidth of 40 Gbit / s, users can connect an external 8K display or two 4K UHD displays.
Screenxpert 2: software provides benefits in the second display
The new version of the Screenxpert software is particularly interesting for users of Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Premiere Pro and After Effects. This allows the second display to be personalized in order to simplify creative work processes. For example, brush sizes, saturation or layer opacity can be controlled in supported apps.
The Duo Zenbooks are also compatible with a stylus. Above all, Asus sees the second display below as an ideal surface for writing or drawing.
Prices and availability
- The ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED should reach German retailers in the course of the first quarter of 2021 and be available at prices starting at around 4,000 euros.
- The ZenBook Duo 14 is expected at the same time. It should be available from around 1,700 euros.
