One of the crucial shocking issues concerning the Zephyrus Duo is that when closed, it would not actually look that completely different from one in all ASUS’ common gaming laptops, like Zephyrus G16. It is undoubtedly a contact thicker at 0.98 inches (in comparison with 0.7 inches for the G16) and it is considerably heavier too (6.2 kilos vs 4.3 kilos). However you continue to get a really acquainted design with a single slash throughout its lid (however with out the embedded LEDs) and a boxy, minimalist chassis with subtly rounded corners. That mimicry continues on the within, the place the Duo seems practically indistinguishable from a typical clamshell because of its RGB-lit keyboard and completely huge touchpad. Nevertheless, in case you look intently, you’ll discover some small variations, just like the presence of audio system positioned on the perimeters of its body as an alternative of the everyday up-firing audio, and a side-mounted energy button.
The Zephyrus Duo’s true type solely begins to emerge after you understand that its keyboard is just held on by magnets. You possibly can yank it off to disclose a second 16-inch 3K OLED show an identical to the one up prime. It is time to prepare for trouble and make it double. In clamshell mode, you need to use the higher show for gaming whereas the decrease half turns into a spot to maintain widgets (information, climate, and many others.), stash additional browser tabs or show a digital keyboard and/or mousepad. ASUS well included helpful gestures like touching the title bar on an app earlier than sending it to the opposite display with a flick of your finger. Whereas I did discover that a few keys felt barely mushy, for a removable keyboard that measures simply 5mm thick, you continue to get a pleasant bounce with ample key journey. And since ASUS included a row of pogo pins on the underside fringe of the laptop computer, the keyboard robotically recharges whenever you reattach it.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Nevertheless, the true magic occurs whenever you fold out the Duo’s built-in kickstand and prop the entire system as much as create a stacked dual-screen all-in-one with its indifferent keyboard laying flat out in entrance. The one factor you will really want to deliver is a mouse, as a result of as massive as its touchpad is, it is nonetheless not a correct various to a indifferent pointer. From right here, you’ll be able to proceed gaming on the highest display, whereas the underside serves as a second monitor for Discord, guides, walkthroughs or another app (or apps) you want. It is a veritable gaming fortress that you may nonetheless fold up and simply stash in a backpack.
The principle downsides to the Zephyrus Duo’s design, apart from its additional bulk, are that its followers can get noisy beneath load. It would not include assist for Thunderbolt 5 or a devoted Ethernet jack both, the latter of which might turn out to be useful for demanding aggressive avid gamers. Fortunately, ASUS’ six speaker setup is surprisingly boomy, permitting it to simply drown out the whirring when you do not really feel like carrying headphones. In the meantime, the remainder of its connectivity is kind of ample, because the Duo helps Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, full-size HDMI, a combo 3.5mm audio jack, an SD card reader and a complete of 4 USB ports (two Thunderbolt 4 and two USB3.2 Sort-A).
