Dual-screen laptops of various types, sizes and use cases are getting more popular over time, as their fans appreciate their refreshingly sophisticated form factors and extra real estate.
Their novelty might give way to staying power over the next four years, according to market research group Technavio.
It now estimates that the market for dual-screen machines grew by 3.67 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in 2023, in accordance with a similar compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.79 per cent until 2027.
Those rates might be as good as might be expected given the prevailing economic conditions and are estimated to drive said market's value up by $535.26 million by 2027.
That growth might be driven by a preference for larger (15 inches or greater) laptops and by specific regions such as APAC, projected to account for 29 per cent of shipments until 2027.
Then again, Technavio believes that the dual-screen PC's reputation as a battery hog might hold it back a bit.
Nevertheless, their potential advantages are especially valued among gamers in the new report, although such laptops are also increasingly pitched at creators and office workers.
Laptops with secondary displays are a fast-emerging niche of the PC market and are, according to the latest market analysis, particularly valued by gamers for their multi-tasking potential.
Their demand is projected to enjoy a steady upward trajectory over the next four years, driving the worth of their segment up by over half a billion dollars in the process
Accordingly, Asus Lenovo, HP and are named among the most prominent in this market at present.
The Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 14 is one such product that is already selling in the Kenyan market.
With its unique dual-screen design, powerful performance, and innovative features, it caters to the needs of professionals, content creators, and multitaskers.
This writer did a comprehensive review of Zenbook Pro Duo 14 to determine its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
The Zenbook Pro Duo 14 boasts a sleek and premium design that exudes elegance and sophistication. The celestial blue finish, diamond-cut edges, and precision-engineered ErgoLift hinge contribute to its visually appealing aesthetics.
The primary display is a 14-inch 4K OLED panel, which delivers exceptional color accuracy, sharpness, and contrast.
Meanwhile, the secondary ScreenPad Plus, a 12.6-inch touch display, provides a seamless extension to the primary screen, allowing for enhanced multitasking and productivity.
Performance and Hardware Powered by Intel’s latest 11th-generation processors and paired with up to 32GB of RAM, the Zenbook Pro Duo 14 exhibits formidable performance capabilities.
Whether you’re editing videos, rendering complex 3D models, or running resource-intensive applications, this laptop can handle it all with ease.
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU further amplifies its prowess, enabling smooth graphics rendering and gaming experiences.
The fast PCIe NVMe SSD storage ensures quick boot times and rapid data access.
The laptop's ScreenPad Plus provides endless possibilities, acting as an extension to the main display or as a separate workspace altogether.
Content creators can edit videos on the primary screen while simultaneously previewing the timeline on the secondary screen.
Gamers can enjoy an immersive gaming experience with real-time statistics and chat windows displayed on the ScreenPad Plus.
The software optimization ensures a seamless transition between the screens, enhancing overall productivity and creativity.
The Zenbook Pro Duo 14 offers a comfortable typing experience with its full-sized keyboard, complete with decent key travel and satisfying feedback.
The inclusion of a palm rest helps alleviate wrist strain during prolonged typing sessions.
The ScreenPad Plus, equipped with a stylus, allows for precise and intuitive input, making it ideal for digital artists and designers.
However, the positioning of the touchpad on the right side of the keyboard might take some getting used to, especially for traditional laptop users.
Asus has equipped the Zenbook Pro Duo 14 with an array of connectivity options.
It features Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ensures fast data transfer and versatile connectivity.
Additionally, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 6, providing faster wireless internet speeds and more stable connections.
Given the powerful hardware and dual-screen setup, battery life becomes a crucial consideration.
The Zenbook Pro Duo 14 impresses with its 92Wh battery, offering a respectable battery life of around 6-8 hours with regular usage.
However, when engaged in demanding tasks, the battery life understandably decreases.
The laptop’s cooling system, comprising multiple heat pipes and dual fans, effectively dissipates heat and prevents thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance.
The laptop compares well with its peers in the market like HP Elite x2, Elitebook X360 and Lenovo's Yoga Book C930.
While the laptop’s high price tag may deter some potential buyers, users have billed it for efficiency.
