The original Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo turned heads with its unique secondary screen above the keyboard – a design I vividly remember spotting, almost camouflaged, in the background of *Spider-Man: No Way Home*. But the latest iteration throws convention out the window, replacing the keyboard entirely with a second, full-sized 16-inch OLED touchscreen.
This isn’t just a laptop; it’s a portable powerhouse. Beneath those stunning displays lies the “Next Gen” Intel Core Ultra processor and a formidable Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics card. Up to 64GB of RAM and a lightning-fast 2TB Gen5 SSD, with remarkably easy access for upgrades, complete the picture of a machine built for extreme performance.
Asus isn’t positioning this as a purely gaming device, despite its incredible specs. While dual screens can aid streaming or provide quick access to guides, the true potential lies in its versatility as a mobile workstation. The dual OLED panels, boasting a crisp 3K resolution, are designed to empower creators and developers.
The innovative design extends beyond the screens themselves. A sturdy, fold-out kickstand and a wireless keyboard/touchpad offer unparalleled flexibility. Imagine coding, editing, or designing with the laptop in standard mode, both displays visible, side-by-side, or even flat on a table with stylus support. It can even fold back on itself, potentially allowing two users to view the same screen.
However, one proposed mode – a “tent” configuration for multiplayer gaming – feels less practical. Windows 11 currently limits input focus to a single window, hindering true simultaneous interaction across both screens. While niche scenarios might exist, it’s unlikely to revolutionize cooperative gameplay.
Surprisingly, this dual-screen behemoth isn’t as bulky as one might expect. At just 0.77 inches thick and weighing 6.28 pounds, it’s comparable in size to many traditional mid-sized gaming laptops. It even packs a 90-watt-hour battery, though demanding use of both screens will likely yield a runtime far shorter than the advertised 12 hours of video playback.
Predicting a price tag is a challenge. A year ago, a starting price around $3500 might have seemed reasonable. Considering current market conditions and component costs, a significantly higher investment is likely required. Prepare to budget as if purchasing a well-used vehicle – and hope for the best.
