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Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Two-minute review
If ever there were a tale of two halves, it’s the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025). This dual-screen laptop-megatablet offers some of the most impressive mobile hardware currently available. It absolutely holds its ground with any of the very best laptops you can buy in 2025 in that regard.
That starts with its cutting-edge Intel Arrow Lake CPU, but just like last year’s 2024 model, this revised-for-2025 device really centers on its beautifully built chassis containing dual 14-inch OLED touchscreens, plus a clever wireless clip-on keyboard and a kickstand that adds an additional ergonomic flourish.
Yes, there are compromises in terms of the pure hardware. The otherwise similar best touchscreen laptops in 2025 offer a slimmer and lighter form factor, plus better battery life and outright performance. There are thermal limitations with this kind of design. But Asus has clearly put in some serious engineering legwork to realize this remarkable machine.
Then there’s the software side of the equation. For starters, Windows 11 has never been well optimized for touch input and a system like this only serves to highlight that shortcoming. Then there’s Asus’ own suite of touch optimized apps and features, all designed to make the most of the extraordinary dual-screen hardware.
You can see what Asus is trying to do, including a highly modular and user configurable touch control interface that in theory can be set up to suit almost any preference. You even get ready-made configurations for specific apps, be that content creation or media consumption.
However, in practice the learning curve is extremely steep, and even once you’ve scaled that peak, the results are a little patchy and a touch buggy. A slick, fully polished touch experience this ultimately is not. There’s a slight vibe of concept hardware or a design study going on here despite this 2025 model being a second generation product.
Some of that is thanks to Windows itself as ever being half baked, some of it is surely down to Asus. In the end, the reasons don’t matter, the result is at least occasional frustration. That doesn’t make the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) unbuyable, but especially for a machine this expensive it does make for some significant caveats.
If you’re willing to put up with some pain, there are rewards to be had. This system can do things that a conventional laptop can’t dream of. But in return you’ll have to accept aspects that feel clunky and unfinished to enjoy them.
Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? $1,699 (with 1TB SSD) / £2,099 (with 2TB SSD)/ AU$TBC
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK
At $1,699 in the US, the latest 2025 revision of the Asus Zenbook Duo is actually remarkable value when you consider that you’re getting dual OLED and a high-end version of Intel’s latest Arrow Lake laptop CPU, plus 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
It’s definitely a lot of mobile machine for the money. The £2,099 price in the UK looks like conspicuously poor value by comparison. That works out to $2,650, or thereabouts. Admittedly, the UK price includes 20% sales tax and you’re also getting the 2TB SSD on the UK version as reviewed here as opposed to the 1TB of the cheaper US model. But there’s still around $500 that’s gone missing in the translation from US to UK pricing.
All of which means that in the US the Zenbook Duo 2025 compares well with the likes of a high-spec conventional laptop like a Dell XPS 13 with the options maxed out, which is impressive, while in the UK you’re paying a very notable premium for the two-screen experience, more’s the pity.
Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Specs
The Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) currently comes in one configuration in the US and one in the UK. Further configurations should follow soon.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
ASUS Zenbook Duo 2025 (UX8406) |
ASUS Zenbook Duo 2025 (UX8406) |
|---|---|---|
|
Price: |
$1,699 |
£2,099 |
|
CPU: |
Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
|
Graphics: |
Intel Arc 140T GPU |
Intel Arc 140T GPU |
|
RAM: |
32GB DDR5 memory |
32GB DDR5 memory |
|
Display: |
2x 14.0-inch, 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, 400 nits, touch input |
2x 14.0-inch, 3K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, 400 nits, touch input |
|
Storage: |
1TB SSD |
2TB SSD |
|
Ports: |
2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack |
2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack |
|
Wireless: |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Camera: |
1080p webcam with Windows Hello |
1080p webcam with Windows Hello |
|
Weight: |
3.64 lbs (1.65kg) |
3.64 lbs (1.65kg) |
|
Dimensions: |
12.34 x 8.58 x 0.57 ~ 0.78 inches (31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm) |
12.34 x 8.58 x 0.57 ~ 0.78 inches (31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm) |
Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Design
Without question, the design and features of the Asus Zenbook Duo OLED (2025) really stand out. But, actually, it’s those dual OLED panels that really shine.
The screens are identical 14-inch OLED panels with 2,880 x 1,800 pixels each, a peak HDR brightness of 500 nits and simply eye-popping visuals. They also run at up to 120Hz, which is important not just for things like scrolling around web pages and documents, but also for ensuring that the touch input with the bundled Asus Zenpen 2 is responsive, precise and lag free.
Along with the main chassis you also get a clip-in wireless keyboard. Snapped into place, the Asus Zenbook Duo 2025 looks like a pretty conventional laptop, albeit a slightly portly machine compared to your usual thin-and-light machine. At over 1.6kg (3.5 lbs), it’s also heavier than many 15-inch systems, such as a MacBook Air 15.
Still, the key strokes feel much better than you’d expect for a clip-in board and it works wirelessly when you detach it, enabling all manner of intriguing ergonomic setups when combined with the dual screens.
Anyway, the basic form factor does come with some compromises. But it’s also beautifully put together with a lush alloy chassis, a very sturdy feeling hinge, plus a kickstand on the bottom slice that allows you to prop both screens up vertically.
That’s absolutely fabulous for some use cases, for instance running collaboration software, such as Slack or Teams or whatever video conferencing platform you use on the top screen and your documents and apps on the bottom screen. Going back to a single-screen laptop once you get used to the Zenbook Duo feels awfully constraining, that’s for sure.
Asus has also located a Thunderbolt port on both sides of the chassis, which is a welcome change from the otherwise physically pretty similar 2024 model that placed both ports on the same side. You also get a full-sized HDMI port and a headphone jack. This 2025 model has also been upgraded to Wi-Fi 7, so the lack of an ethernet socket is even less of an issue than before.
Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Performance
Cramming the latest Intel Arrow Lake CPU under an OLED screen was never going to be a recipe for absolutely peak performance. But it’s not just any Arrow Lake chip in this case, but the top spec Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU with 16 cores. Overall, this is a very powerful processor, though as an Arrow Lake model as opposed to Lunar Lake, it has a relatively weak NPU that doesn’t qualify for Windows Copilot+ AI assistant functionality, which is a bit of a frustration.
Indeed, there is a very strong case for this laptop being better suited all round to that Lunar Lake chip with its lower power footprint. The Zenbook Duo (2025) gets pretty toasty even under very light load and the fans are frequently audible. That said, with all cores ignited, this is a powerful portable with plenty of grunt for all but the most demanding tasks. Just expect some thermal throttling if you really lean on those CPU cores for long periods.
Asus Zenbook Duo (2025): Benchmarks – Laptops only
Here’s how the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 30787; Fire Strike: 8004; Time Spy: 3800
GeekBench 6: 2770 (single-core); 16082 (multi-core)
SSD sequential read / write: 5.2GB/s / 4.7GB/s
Handbrake 1.6: 7m 12s
CrossMark: Overall: 1955 Productivity: 1776 Creativity: 2299 Responsiveness: 1604
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm: 15.951ms average frame time
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 8 hours and 29 minutes
The Intel Arc 140T graphics is also pretty speedy for an integrated GPU. Don’t expect desktop-class gaming performance. But you can get a reasonable experience in most games at 1080p, albeit you’ll typically have to turn down a fair few settings.
The two OLED panels are also pretty much impeccable and offer a fabulous viewing experience, with good pixel density and fantastic colors and response. Rated at 400 nits, both screens are essentially identical and run at up to 120Hz for responsive touch input. In hardware terms, those screens are stunning.
The problems come with the software and interface ergonomics. Windows 11 simply isn’t well optimized for touch and while the Asus ScreenXpert software is absolutely crammed with features, tools and widgets for every possible need, there’s a steep initial learning curve getting used to both the various gestures for doing things like expanding windows across the two screen, bringing up items like the the various virtual keyboards and trackpads, and then getting app-specific toolbars setup and optimized.
Even when you have got a setup that you’re happy with, it can feel a little flaky as various items, for instance, can occasionally be obscured by the taskbar, touch controls can be unresponsive and some elements are well thought through. You’ll also notice little oddities, like the top screen only dimming slightly for a while before both screens shut down to save power.
After the initial delight of using a five finger gesture to expand a webpage across two screens fades, then, you’re left with an interface that can feel slightly like quite hard work. Moreover, the core dual-screen experience using the lower screen as a keyboard and trackpad is no substitute for physical input devices. You’re going to want to take that clip-on keyboard with you. The upsides, of course, involve a wealth of ergonomic options no normal laptop can match.
Asus Zenbook Duo 2025: Battery life
Battery life can be a concern with any single-screen OLED laptop, but with two screens? Yikes. Actually, the Zenbook Duo (2025) probably outperforms expectations.
In PCMark 10’s web test with the screens set to half brightness at the full 120Hz, the Zenbook soldiered on for eight and a half hours. Set the screens to 60Hz and merely watch some video and you may well see the Zenbook sail past the 10 hour mark.
For sure, conventional laptops can last longer. But that’s still a very good result and makes for usable near-enough all day battery life.
Should I buy the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025)?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value: |
In the US, the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) is actually solid value considering the incredible hardware you’re getting. In the UK, not quite so much. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design: |
The quality of the design and engineering is this laptop’s main highlight. It’s a gorgeous device with a pair of fantastic OLED panels. |
5 / 5 |
|
Performance: |
Cramming a high-performance CPU under an OLED screen isn’t ideal. But the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) makes a pretty good fist of it. |
4 / 5 |
|
Battery: |
OLED laptops don’t usually do all that well for battery life. With two OLED screens the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) isn’t the best, but it still manages to come close to all-day battery life. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Average Rating: |
The Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) certainly has some shortcomings when it comes to software and interface ergonomics. But it’s still an incredible dual-screen device. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also Consider
If our Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider…
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Dell XPS 13 (2025) |
|---|---|
|
Price: |
$1,999.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,998.50 |
|
CPU: |
Intel Core Ultra 9 288V |
|
Graphics: |
Intel Arc graphics |
|
RAM: |
32GB DDR5 memory |
|
Display: |
13.4-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 60Hz |
|
Storage: |
2TB SSD |
|
Ports: |
2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C |
|
Wireless: |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Camera: |
1080p webcam with Windows Hello |
|
Weight: |
2.70lbs (1.21kg) |
|
Dimensions: |
11.6 x 7.8 x 0.58 inches (29.5 x 19.9 x 1.48cm) |
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 |
|---|---|
|
Price: |
$1,649.99 / £1,599 |
|
CPU: |
Intel Core i7-1360P |
|
Graphics: |
Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
|
RAM: |
16GB DDR5 memory |
|
Display: |
14-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED, Touch, 100% DCI-P3, 400 nits, 60Hz |
|
Storage: |
1TB SSD |
|
Ports: |
2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4.0, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
|
Wireless: |
Wi-Fi 6E 11AX (2×2) & Bluetooth 5.1 |
|
Camera: |
1080p webcam with Windows Hello |
|
Weight: |
1.4kg (3.08 lbs) |
|
Dimensions: |
12.52 x 9.06 x 0.6 inches (15.2 x 318 x 230mm) |
How I tested the Asus Zenbook Duo 2025
I used the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) as my at-home and on-the-go machine for doing almost everything for a week. That means everything from basic web browsing to watching brain-rot content on YouTube and the usual collab’ tools and video conferencing. Oh, and getting more serious work done including image editing.
The latter was particularly interesting given the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025)’s dual touch screens and funky interface tools. That said, it was actually more mundane tasks, namely video conferencing and general work collaboration where the Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) really shines. Once you’ve got used to having a spare screen to have those tools running while retaining a primary display for your other actual work, you won’t want to go back to a single-screen laptop.
I essay that having been a laptop geek for about 20 years and assessing them professionally for about 15. Most laptops don’t move the game on or make you think that you might actually need it in your life. The Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) is far from perfect, but it’s novel enough to do just that.
First reviewed February 2025
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