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ASUS Zenbook Duo (UX 8406) 2025 Review: Key Specifications
| Key specs | Value |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 285H |
| NPU | Intel AI Boost |
| Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (integrated) |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Screen size | 2x 14in |
| Screen type | OLED |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1800 x 2 |
| Max refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Colour gamut (measured) | 98% P3 |
| Brightness (measured) | 366 nits |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm audio |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 31.35 x 21.8 x 2 cm |
| Weight | 1.65 kg |
Design and Build
Very little has changed on the outside of the ASUS Zenbook Duo. It still has the chunky plastic and aluminium build quality, the same pattern of lines on the lid, and is slightly thicker and heavier than you’d expect from a Core Ultra laptop – the extra screen hidden under the keyboard accounts for that, and we’re thankful that OLEDs are thinner than IPS panels for this reason (though the screens here are still a little reflective). It’s the same charcoal grey, and has the same flap on the back that keeps the screens upright when you’ve detached the keyboard.
Performance
None of this is to say that you can’t run creative apps on the Zenbook Duo. You absolutely can throw InDesign layouts around, build up intricately layered creations in Photoshop, edit video in DaVinci Resolve (though our testing with that app failed while rendering a 100Mbps, 4K, HEVC video file, which may have been too much for it – the laptop was still receiving firmware and driver updates during our testing, so it’s possible a future download could improve stability here) and lots more besides. It will just take a little longer than something with an Nvidia chip in it.
Battery Life
The ZenBook Duo 2025’s battery life comes out at 10h 16m in our looping video test – that’s two hours less than the previous generation’s score, but it will still keep you going all day, especially if you use power-saving features or let it go to sleep at lunchtime. This test was only using one screen, so you may see the endurance dip if using both.
Price
This is an expensive laptop, coming in at $1,799.99/£2,099 at the time of writing. You could pick up two of the base-price MacBook Airs for the same cost, or many other entries on our big list of the best laptops for graphic design. Perhaps a massive gaming desktop would feel like a better use of the cash (or more)? When you’ve got it set up and are working away, enjoying the extra screen space from a portable machine, it feels like good value in a way that few other machines do. You’re getting something unusual, something that stands out, something that works well, and which is well designed and built. And that’s priceless.
Who is it for?
If you like to show off in a coffee shop then this is the perfect machine. It will undoubtedly draw admiring glances and penetrating questions from fellow laptop connoisseurs. Mostly, it’s for those who feel constricted by the current batch of laptops with screens that, despite being bright, colourful and high-res, are held back by their singularity. If your work needs regularly spill over onto a second monitor, then having an extra one you can take with you makes a whole lot of sense. You can always use it in standard laptop mode if you’re feeling shy.
Should I buy it?
Buy it if:
- You need the screen space
- You want to be the centre of attention
- You want something that feels different
Don’t buy it if:
- You need more GPU power
- Or want a Copilot+ machine
- Or a Mac
Also consider
- Other laptops with similar specifications
- Other laptops for graphic design
FAQs
Q: Is the ASUS Zenbook Duo a good laptop for graphic design?
A: Yes, it is suitable for graphic design, but it may not be the best option due to its limited GPU power.
Q: Is the ASUS Zenbook Duo expensive?
A: Yes, it is a high-end laptop with a price tag of $1,799.99/£2,099.
Q: Is the ASUS Zenbook Duo worth it?
A: Yes, it is a unique and well-designed laptop that offers excellent screen space and performance, making it worth the investment for those who need it.
