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Asus Zenbook Duo 2024

227 points by zhyder 3y ago

bozhark 3y ago
Why does ASUS hate GPUs? They got rid of anything above a 4070 in the 2024 models of the G series. And this is a dual 120Hz OLED screen device powered by an Intel ARC integrated GPU?!
- FirmwareBurner 3y ago
  Have you seen the thickness and power bugdet of this laptop? How do you expect a 4070 to work inside that? It's for productivity, not for gaming, and for that the latest Intel iGPUs are more than enough.
  - blagie 3y ago
    Not for me! I started buying beefy GPUs when LLMs became a thing.
    - FirmwareBurner 3y ago
      You are not the targe demographic for such a laptop. There are other gaming machies with GPUs for your use case. Just add a portable USB-C display to them if that's what you were missing.
      - blagie 3y ago
        It's hard for me to say who the target demographic is, but I can say this is exactly the sort of device I'd want to buy, just in a slightly beefier version (4k displays). I might even give up the GPU for that. But I'd rather have a proper GPU. [1] Proper GPU: At least 16GB VRAM. Good compatibility. Don't care too much about speed.
- jwells89 3y ago
  Top end GPUs are too hot and power hungry to be practical for anything more portable than 3 inch thick “luggables”, which these days is a pretty niche category. Nvidia is gonna have to do better in the efficiency department.
  - Dalewyn 3y ago
    Nvidia's plenty efficient, it's just you still need monstrous power (and thus monstrous heat) to drive 4K 120fps with raytracing and CUDA and whatever other nonsense.
mingabunga 3y ago
Amazing alright, I'd buy it but just bought a Surface and have had a couple of Asus laptops in the past and they don't seem to last the distance.
- hiyer 3y ago
  I have an Asus from 2017 that still works great. I replaced the ram and ssd with higher capacity ones a couple of years back, but apart from that no repairs in the last 6+ years.
  - mingabunga 3y ago
    Sure, they always have the latest bleeding edge stuff. I'd definitely get this in the future though. Good yours has lasted
rebeccaboerio 3y ago
[dead]
bratao 3y ago
The hardware looks amazing. But I imagine from my experience with Asus that the software is subpar.
- maximus-decimus 3y ago
  How much custom software do you need for what's basically a dual monitor setup?
cpursley 3y ago
Hopefully it’s performance is better than it’s marketing page…
- Narishma 3y ago
  You're not kidding, it's unusably laggy and crashed my Firefox tab twice.
FirmwareBurner 3y ago
This is gonna be such a big deal when Apple invents it in 5 years. Can't wait for the MacBook Pro Duo.
- wslh 3y ago
  Right, I posted yesterday about using an iPad as a 2nd monitor for nomads [1]. I understand a cheaper alternative is using a USB-C external display. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38957035 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38957035
  - jwells89 3y ago
    I’ve used the pair of a 16” MBP and 12.9” iPad running Sidecar while traveling to great success. It’s a surprisingly good approximation of my dual 27” desk setup at home.
  - layer8 3y ago
    Asus announced a 17” portable (foldable) OLED monitor: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030378/asus-zenscreen-fold-oled-ces-2024 https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030378/asus-zenscreen-fo... Not cheap though.
    - dspillett 3y ago
      I've got a 14" lesser-named unit that does very well. Matches my Asus's main screen well enough and is far cheaper (you can get them at ~£80 on offer fairly regularly), works nicely off just USB-C (though has HDMI so it can be used that way instead with USB for just power). Drains the laptop's battery noticeably of course, but if I'm in a position to use it I'm usually near a plug.
      - abdusco 3y ago
        Where can I find this monitor? I have a 13-inch 2.5K monitor and its DPI is too for its size and macOS's fractional scaling doesn't work well. So I'm looking for better options.
f6v 3y ago
Does someone really find this practical?
- TillE 3y ago
  Being able to fold out a basically normal laptop into a dual-monitor setup when you want? I don't see anything impractical about that. Dave2D was really enthusiastic, fwiw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE
  - yonaguska 3y ago
    yep, I hate using a laptop as an actual laptop, hunched over and looking down at a screen. I carry around a portable laptop stand and keyboard now. If I'm going to actually do work, I'm just not willing to sacrifice my shoulders and back for the sake of convenience. And this gives me a second screen! the only flaw I see with this is that the keyboard can't be split into two pieces, but that's hardly a realistic expectation.
  - checkyoursudo 3y ago
    Surely only really on power though, right? Battery can't last that long with 2 screens...
- soneca 3y ago
  I use a stand alone USB-connected monitor as second screen when I travel. I would much prefer having to travel with only the notebook and have a vertical stack like this. I could only say for sure by trying it, but it looks very practical for my use.
jph 3y ago
I just saw this in the wild, and talked with the user, who programs 3D AR/VR content. I saw the dual screen in use with the top screen for a VR scene and the bottom screen for code. The user's interactions among the two screens and keyboard were seamless. The screen colors were vibrant and rich, even in bright light. Based on what I saw, I would definitely try it for typical office use or even for typical website programming. However, I saw a lot of graphics lag and chop in the VR scene rotations, and the user said the battery didn't last long enough to get through the day, so YMMV if you're considering developing 3D, AR, VR, etc.
- makeitdouble 3y ago
  Laptop of these specs won't last a day in general, and they'll also be power constrained in most running profile when straight on battery (you'll be out of power in a few hours if using the full extent of the GPU) Anyone planning to do 3D work in the wild with no power outlet should invest in a (heavy) 100W power bank. Also reliable 100+W chargers will cost an arm and a leg, same docking stations. It's definitely still on the cutting edge and you won't be managing it like a wimpy Macbook Air. Edit: I thought this one had a discrete GPU, but looking at the specs it's not and only needs 65W. Power consumption could be fine ?
  - speed_spread 3y ago
    You can buy GaN chargers of up to 180W nowadays, they weigh half as much as regular power bricks and are fairly affordable if you need them. You don't even need to cover the peak power usage and can go with a smaller charger covering regular usage and let the battery come to help when momentarily drawing more power (this is what I do with my Zephyrus G14 + 65W Voltme).
    - makeitdouble 3y ago
      I've been looking at charger delivering 130W on a single port (100W won't unlock the full GPU) and they're not that many. UGreen and Anker's offerings start at 70 bucks and they're not well reviewed. Docking stations start a triple that and Dell seems to be only reputable maker going these lengths. To complicate things, many chargers will tout 140+ watts, but only split on multiple ports. Single port output will often be capped at 100W.
henry_viii 3y ago
Congrats to Asus. I would love to have a laptop as a laptop when I need the portability but also a screen on a stand + wireless keyboard and touchpad when I want the ergonomics. Are there other products on the market right now that lets us detach the screen off the laptop and still use the keyboard and the touchpad wirelessly?
- WillAdams 3y ago
  Lenovo Yogabook 9i is the product which defined this class of device.
bsurmanski 3y ago
This would be amazing for Nintendo DS emulation
wilsonnb3 3y ago
I didn't see answers to this on the page, does anyone know if it can close with the keyboard on? Also, does the keyboard charge automatically when connected? Or does it have to be charged separately?
- notimetorelax 3y ago
  Yes, it can close with the keyboard on. See the review here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE
sxp 3y ago
A similar device is the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. The next gen model was shown off at CES and is coming out in a few months. That one also has a 180 degree hinge unlike the Asus model which can't be fully flattened. I've seen good reviews about the first gen model and might get the new one if I get a laptop this year. https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-series/yoga-book-9i-gen-8-(13-inch-intel)/len101y0028 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-seri...
- zhyder 3y ago
  I like that the Asus one converts faster to dual monitor mode with a built-in kickstand, and the keyboard has a touchpad.
  - jitl 3y ago
    Yeah the Asus looks more serious about work. The consumer Yoga line at Lenovo always seems an off to me.
    - drcode 3y ago
      The yogabook is very well made, very apple-like in fit and finish. Rounded-off corners everywhere, very sturdy, great daily driver. IMHO the Asus looks plasticky and flimsy in the videos I've seen so far, And when used in side-by-side mode it looks extremely asymmetric and goofy. (Disclosure: The included yogabook keyboard is a bit flimsy, not as nicely designed as the main laptop, not up to the same standards)
- cycomanic 3y ago
  Somewhat related, I've been eyeing the thinkbook twist (oled+eink screen)[1], but it's unlikely to run Linux I suspect otherwise I'd be all over it. [1] https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/5/23541379/lenovo-thinkbook-plus-twist-e-ink-oled-laptop&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjNz82qqdyDAxUpa_UHHRPqC-8QFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw1e6QwwjjHXXAo0MC9ujsMp https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1...
- blagie 3y ago
pca006132 3y ago
Would be nicer if there is a DE on Linux that supports these fancy screen configurations.
- rowanG077 3y ago
  Wouldn't most of them support it out of the box? I see nothing special here software wise. Just have the bottom screen emit hotplug events and use the standard multi-monitor configuration tools.
dspillett 3y ago
I have an earlier DUO model, one with the half-screen between the main and the keyboard. While shopping for a replacement for a laptop that had been dropped a few too many times, manic me bought it as a gimmick and when it arrived I feared it would just be that. I have found it genuinely useful in various ways though: during dev with various small utility tabs on the lower screen, messaging on bottom screen with full-screen video on top, smaller video and/or messaging on bottom with work on top, etc. Handy that you can easily turn it almost off too, to save battery when mobile. I still carry a 14" external (USB3) monitor for when at a desk. The extra half-screen is still useful in those circumstances, though, just not as much so. To make Windows11's taskbar less irritating (which it is even more so, if you can imagine that, with an extra screen under your primary) I recommend using something like ExporerPatcher or another shell improver/replacement.
- alok-g 3y ago
  Ditto for me all the way till ExplorerPatcher. I found the side trackpad less ergonomic, so use a separate (vertical) mouse.
- d3vmax 3y ago
  I have the Zyphreus Duo ( https://rog.asus.com/in/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-duo-16-2023-series/ https://rog.asus.com/in/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-du... ) with the touch screen in between the screen and the keyboard. Its perfect for todo/whatsapp/zoom/file explorer and I have an external screen/keyboard/mouse (so in total 2.5 screens). Perfect desktop replacement and a good gaming laptop. Mobility is limited due to battery life but it suits my needs.
  - dspillett 3y ago
    Mine is from the much lower-spec (and appropriately cheaper) ZenBook DUO range. The battery life is pretty darn good until I plug in the external screen, and still better than many laptops even then. It isn't often I'm away from a power socket for and needing to work, but when I am, it can be for a fair few hours. Gaming isn't something I find time for these days, so this model is much better value for this use pattern.
Havoc 3y ago
Has anyone had any luck using this form factor practically? Do the ergonomics and practicalities work out?
- WillAdams 3y ago
  I've been wanting one since before Lenovo dropped their Yogabook 9i. I'm hoping this will become a form-factor/product/class of its own. Currently, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 because it was the only computer I could find which: - had a Wacom EMR stylus - high resolution and large/expansive screen - full OS support (replacing a Samsung Galaxy Book 12, which I really wish Samsung had stuck with) I need to have a stylus so that I can draw/annotate/write, and I prefer a tablet form-factor (but will accept a convertible/foldable if need be) --- the thing which kills me is the keyboard is completely disabled when the screen is folded back --- it would be nice for the keys along one (or both) edges of the keyboard to be usable as programmable/modified keys for when one is drawing. Such a device with Wacom EMR will be an insta-buy for me. It's really nice to be able to go from taking a note on my phone or Kindle Scribe, to drawing/annotating on my Galaxy Book.
  - Havoc 3y ago
    Thanks for the feedback!
- drcode 3y ago
  Love my yogabook 9i, the best coder machine out there, as long as you aren't performance-bound. It is great to take to coffee shops because you don't look like those crazy people who take monitor stands and stuff to the coffee shop- It just looks 100% normal (even if you use the full bottom screen) But then at home I have enough screen size to feel like I'm working on a desktop. For coding, having the vertical break down the middle doesn't matter really, since you almost always want to work on two documents at the same time, anyway. Also, the device is very well made and sturdy (the external keyboard is a little flimsy unfortunately, but it's replaceable at least and at least looks nice)
  - 3y ago
elromulous 3y ago
[flagged]
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
gumballindie 3y ago
Imagine investing in hardware such as this, spending years to develop skill, creat art and have an ai bro steal it because that’s how everything work anyway then coming for your job. What a time to be alive.
crims0n 3y ago
I was really tempted by this but I hesitate to move my workflow over to Windows. I hear WSL has gotten pretty good, may be worth a shot.
- eloisant 3y ago
  Just get a USB-C portable monitor (e.g. Asus Zenscreen) and you can use it with any laptop.
vitiral 3y ago
Just a service announcement: you can get an external monitor that is charged and driven by a single USB-C for about $100 which weighs about a pound. Feels like it would get 90% of what I want out of a setup like this.
- jitl 3y ago
  I initially got a $100 one, but ended upgrading to an Asus model with a touch screen and built in battery. It can run everything (video and charging the display) over a single USB-C cable. I used to travel with it and sometimes a gaming desktop, but these days I use it around the house whenever I need a display & mouse for a server that doesn’t have a dedicated monitor. Just today I did a BIOS update with it. This is the one I got on Amazon in 2020, there might be better options in 2024: ASUS ZenScreen Touch Screen 15.6” 1080P Portable USB (MB16AMT) - Full HD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-glare, Built-in Battery, Speakers, Eye Care, USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, Smart Case, 3-Year Warranty https://a.co/d/cJKzQi8 https://a.co/d/cJKzQi8
  - nolongerthere 3y ago
    A regular 15.6” 1080p monitor from a no name brand costs 1/3 the price, crazy that touch adds so much to the price. Also you should ID affiliate links.
    - AH4oFVbPT4f8 3y ago
      How can you tell it's an affiliate?
      - bitcoinmoney 3y ago
        Coz you don’t know if it’s a real endorsement.
        AH4oFVbPT4f8 3y ago
        I get that, was more wondering if it was possible to tell if they were using an affiliate link based on the shortened url.
whatever1 3y ago
I just want the keyboard trackpad combo to use with my own PC/laptop. There are no such options out there.
- justsomehnguy 3y ago
  https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090 https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090
shuoli84 3y ago
The setup is neat, but, does it only support Windows? That is a big no-go for me..
neuromancer2600 3y ago
I've been on a Asus Zenbook for almost a year now and I must admit that I am extremely happy with it. I would seriously consider this one, if only I would have gotten used to dual screens. Since I am also using a desktop at home with a 32" 4k display I've really appreciated having everything on one screen.
intrasight 3y ago
I use this https://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-16mq70.adsu1-portable-laptop-monitor https://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-16mq70.adsu1-portable-lapto...
rahimnathwani 3y ago
If you already carry a an iPad in your laptop bag, but use Windows or Linux on your laptop, you can use the iPad as an external monitor using: - a cheap HDMI USB capture device ($5 from Temu) - a short HDMI cable to connect that to your laptop's HDMI output - a USB to lightning or USB to type C adapter (depending on your iPad model) - a free app to display the UVC camera input full screen, e.g. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/genki-studio/id6466343285 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/genki-studio/id6466343285 This isn't quite as convenient, but it's not much extra weight to throw in your bag.
- RockRobotRock 3y ago
  >a cheap HDMI USB capture device ($5 from Temu) I've tried a couple of these and the quality is pretty shitty. Maybe they've improved since then.
- conqrr 3y ago
  Can this be done on an Android tablet too like Samsung?
  - rahimnathwani 3y ago
    Probably, as long as your tablet supports an external webcam. You'll need an app to view the camera. Search Google for 'android uvc viewer'.
  - bentcorner 3y ago
    I've found it easiest to use something like deskreen. That way you don't need to rely on your tablet supporting hdmi input, you just need a browser. You'll need a hdmi dummy plug on your PC though.
  - staindk 3y ago
    Samsung tablets can act as second screens for windows PCs AFAIK. For Linux I've had some success with Microsoft's RD Client android app -> remote to Linux PC. I'm on gnome though, which has some experimental setting which allows you to set remote desktop clients to act as a new display instead of cloning your existing display.
smcleod 3y ago
Looks very tied to MS Windows which is more than a little off-putting in 2024.
yewenjie 3y ago
How's the (community provided, of course) Linux support for these niche laptops?
- alganet 3y ago
  https://linux-hardware.org/?view=computers&type=Notebook&vendor=ASUSTek+Computer&model=ZenBook+Pro+Duo+%28All%29 https://linux-hardware.org/?view=computers&type=Notebook&ven...
dudeinjapan 3y ago
I'm waiting for the Snapdragon X Elite to come out mid-2024. Probably will pick up a Lenovo.
yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago
For once I find myself grateful for a device probably having bad Linux support; my poor wallet would otherwise be in grave danger.
- tedk-42 3y ago
  No such thing as a poor wallet, only a poor person hehe
The_Colonel 3y ago
I was "meh" until I saw the 90 degree rotated dual tall screen setup. That seems genuinely useful for coding.
skrebbel 3y ago
Vaguely related question for the gurus: are all Windows (/ Linux) laptops still hopelessly behind Macbooks in terms of speed? (since Apple announced the M1 and followups I mean) I’m trying to figure out if a laptop like this one is worth the lower cpu speed
- lm-lux 3y ago
  to my knowledge, high end windows laptops are catching up and are even more powerful than Macs in terms of graphical compute power. However MacBooks are still the best for performance per watt and battery life.
- FirmwareBurner 3y ago
  ^low effort troll comment that breaks HN guidelines. You could have googled this and found your answer in 5 seconds(it's not something you need "gurus" for), instead of using your comment as an opportunity to call anything that's not M1 MacBook as being "hopelessly underpowered" but masquerading it as a question.
  - skrebbel 3y ago
    I disagree. When I google this I get content that mostly has an agenda. I’m not deep into this subject matter so I don’t know who to trust. On HN however, I get knowledgeable replies from people who enjoy this topic (thanks everyone!). For extra context, I’m a Windows fan and I currently use a Surface Pro. I’d prefer to keep using Windows (even despite the ad/telemetry crap MS is pulling) but not if an M3 cuts my Elixir/webpack build times in half wrt a new & fast Windows laptop. So no, nothing here was “masquerading” and you need to stop making such negative assumptions about people’s motivations. The replies tell me the difference isn’t that big at all, which is great to know. Thing is, when the M1 was announced HN and twitter and other geek sites were absolutely plastered with stories about how impossibly much faster it was, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to wonder whether that’s still the case.
    - FirmwareBurner 3y ago
      >When I google this I get content that mostly has an agenda. There are dedicated review sites that do objective testing and tell you everything you need to know about current HW performace. If you're short on time to browse through it all to catch up to speed on the current state of affairs, you can use a LLM to summarize things for you. There's also Reddit where people alredy asked and debated what you want to know.
Uptrenda 3y ago
I'd never buy an ASUS laptop. They've never made good laptops. It's not exclusive to ASUS. All 'consumer' tier laptops are cheap plastic, disposable, crapware. Business laptops are much better.
akkad33 3y ago
I have an early zen book pro with a touch bar screen and although the laptop is well built I never used the touch bar screen. If I were to do it again I'd spend a bit extra and get a Mac because I find Mac's have better battery lives
closetkantian 3y ago
Does anyone else think the copy and design on this webpage are really 'blah'? "Let's DUO it" is a terrible tagline, haha. I'm not an Apple fan, but they win by miles for stuff like this.
axegon_ 3y ago
Late 2020 I got an earlier model zenbook duo(back when the bottom screen didn't tilt. For a daily driver, it's a gimmick, but pretty useful on the go. While something like this won't be replacing my daily driver, I can definitely see myself using one more frequently than I am now. The BIG problem I faced was the fact that I am a full time Linux user and getting everything working was a pain in the ass. I kinda suspect this won't be any better. Still, seeing this and the NUC[1] Asus took over a few months ago, all I can say is, good job Asus! [1] https://rog.asus.com/desktops/mini-pc/rog-nuc/ https://rog.asus.com/desktops/mini-pc/rog-nuc/
deleted 3y ago
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Already__Taken 3y ago
We've had 10-point touch for well-over a decade now, but I really don't see the UI paradigm for multi-use has evolved. If I lay this down flat, what apps can 2 people use concurrently like whiteboards or diagrams? Even 2 instance's on the screens won't work because I've not seen much handle multiple concurrent drag-selection. What can I plug 2 mice into and get 2 mice cursors?
redder23 3y ago
No clue why everyone is so exited about things like this. Makes no sense to me at all. 2 screens in a stupid position, both super small. I think anyone is better of with a basic laptop with big screen. Just because its something "fancy" that had never been done b4 does not mean its good, practical or makes any sense. The screens are both forced into portrait mode for the only setup that would makes sense when stationery, its fucking stupid.
dusted 3y ago
That looks like a flimsy compromise between a real desktop setup and a practical travel computer.
teknopaul 3y ago
N.B. External screens that are flat as a pankake with hdmi ports can be got for 100€. I travel with dual screens: an aging Zenbook that is also flat as a pancake. I expect a fair few more years from this one before an upgrade. Top tech: highly recommended, & yes, no probs with Linux.
tastyminerals2 3y ago
I never understood why they keep manufacturing these platform locked monstrosities. I bet no Linux distro will properly support it. Once I made a mistake and bought MS Surface Book, which now is a magnesium brick that doesn't last a few hours without a power socket. I'd rather bought an intel based desktop for that money, at least it would age better. I find it strange to seriously consider any intel laptop these days for portable work.
- thfuran 3y ago
  What percentage of laptop users do you think ever even consider installing a different OS?
exabrial 3y ago
I wish there was a commercially backed [L]Unix based OS that had a UI as nice as OSX. I would jump ship in a heartbeat. Apple's hardware is just full of whiz bang useless crap that drive prices through the roof. The closet to fulling my dream is: https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-the-road-to-alpha https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-the-road-to-alpha And I truly hope it works out.
spenvo 3y ago
This is the first time in years that I've been interested in a Windows laptop. This writeup doesn't include price, but others do, like https://www.engadget.com/the-asus-zenbook-duo-is-a-stunning-dual-screen-laptop-with-seemingly-no-compromises-180017370.html https://www.engadget.com/the-asus-zenbook-duo-is-a-stunning-... . It starts at $1,499. It's also just 3 pounds, which is 0.5 lbs lighter than the 14" Macbook Pro. I really like this breakdown by TechChap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzBxLYTUuK4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzBxLYTUuK4, Dave2d's video is also good. The thing also comes with a pen with high sensitivity. It feels like this is priced as a loss leader for ASUS.
tremarley 3y ago
ASUS are leading high-end laptop market
willcipriano 3y ago
Finally can make this happen: https://www.reddit.com/r/greentext/comments/9yreo3/anon_has_a_gaming_laptop/ https://www.reddit.com/r/greentext/comments/9yreo3/anon_has_...
bertil 3y ago
This is the first model that I’ve noticed offers the one feature that I am really looking for in a laptop: an integrated keyboard and the included screen at eye level. Sure, that one has a first screen where the screen usually is (next to the keyboard), and that’s certainly useful. However, the possibility of not straining my neck is by far where most laptops fail. That’s why so many people use either one of those stands and separate keyboard, or a whole different screen and close and plug their laptop into a desk setup: better keyboard, sure, but it helps less than a well-positioned one; bigger screen, not sure that counts when you want to focus. I use a separate screen from time to time (for presentation, I either need a separate viewing angle or some remote screen sharing like Zoom works better that way). However, I initially bought those to set them up higher while traveling, and it’s practically impossible to do without a heavy stand. Hotel rooms or café tables don’t have the support I need. This model could. I’m very excited. Let’s hope the screens are light enough, the base heavy enough and the hinges sturdy enough to hold it all upright.
jwells89 3y ago
Not too interested in this as a Windows machine, but if it runs Linux well (which it seems like it should, being Intel with no dGPU) it’d be a neat Linux machine. When traveling recently I’ve used a 12.9” iPad in Sidecar mode with a 16” M1 Pro MBP and the combo is quite good. Will be interesting to see if having both screens integrated yields a significant advantage over having the two seaprate.
BotRainbowHood 3y ago
How about let's ZERO it? Just a bloody portable NUC? No monitor, no keyboard, no trackpad but in "notebook" form factor?
ronaldwood 3y ago
[dead]

227 points by zhyder 3y ago

Why does ASUS hate GPUs? They got rid of anything above a 4070 in the 2024 models of the G series. And this is a dual 120Hz OLED screen device powered by an Intel ARC integrated GPU?!

FirmwareBurner 3y ago
Have you seen the thickness and power bugdet of this laptop? How do you expect a 4070 to work inside that? It's for productivity, not for gaming, and for that the latest Intel iGPUs are more than enough.
- blagie 3y ago
  Not for me! I started buying beefy GPUs when LLMs became a thing.
  - FirmwareBurner 3y ago
    You are not the targe demographic for such a laptop. There are other gaming machies with GPUs for your use case. Just add a portable USB-C display to them if that's what you were missing.
    - blagie 3y ago
      It's hard for me to say who the target demographic is, but I can say this is exactly the sort of device I'd want to buy, just in a slightly beefier version (4k displays). I might even give up the GPU for that. But I'd rather have a proper GPU. [1] Proper GPU: At least 16GB VRAM. Good compatibility. Don't care too much about speed.
jwells89 3y ago
Top end GPUs are too hot and power hungry to be practical for anything more portable than 3 inch thick “luggables”, which these days is a pretty niche category. Nvidia is gonna have to do better in the efficiency department.
- Dalewyn 3y ago
  Nvidia's plenty efficient, it's just you still need monstrous power (and thus monstrous heat) to drive 4K 120fps with raytracing and CUDA and whatever other nonsense.

mingabunga 3y ago

Amazing alright, I'd buy it but just bought a Surface and have had a couple of Asus laptops in the past and they don't seem to last the distance.

hiyer 3y ago
I have an Asus from 2017 that still works great. I replaced the ram and ssd with higher capacity ones a couple of years back, but apart from that no repairs in the last 6+ years.
- mingabunga 3y ago
  Sure, they always have the latest bleeding edge stuff. I'd definitely get this in the future though. Good yours has lasted

rebeccaboerio 3y ago

[dead]

bratao 3y ago

The hardware looks amazing. But I imagine from my experience with Asus that the software is subpar.

maximus-decimus 3y ago
How much custom software do you need for what's basically a dual monitor setup?

cpursley 3y ago

Hopefully it’s performance is better than it’s marketing page…

Narishma 3y ago
You're not kidding, it's unusably laggy and crashed my Firefox tab twice.

FirmwareBurner 3y ago

This is gonna be such a big deal when Apple invents it in 5 years. Can't wait for the MacBook Pro Duo.

wslh 3y ago
Right, I posted yesterday about using an iPad as a 2nd monitor for nomads [1]. I understand a cheaper alternative is using a USB-C external display. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38957035 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38957035
- jwells89 3y ago
  I’ve used the pair of a 16” MBP and 12.9” iPad running Sidecar while traveling to great success. It’s a surprisingly good approximation of my dual 27” desk setup at home.
- layer8 3y ago
  Asus announced a 17” portable (foldable) OLED monitor: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030378/asus-zenscreen-fold-oled-ces-2024 https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24030378/asus-zenscreen-fo... Not cheap though.
  - dspillett 3y ago
    I've got a 14" lesser-named unit that does very well. Matches my Asus's main screen well enough and is far cheaper (you can get them at ~£80 on offer fairly regularly), works nicely off just USB-C (though has HDMI so it can be used that way instead with USB for just power). Drains the laptop's battery noticeably of course, but if I'm in a position to use it I'm usually near a plug.
    - abdusco 3y ago
      Where can I find this monitor? I have a 13-inch 2.5K monitor and its DPI is too for its size and macOS's fractional scaling doesn't work well. So I'm looking for better options.

f6v 3y ago

Does someone really find this practical?

TillE 3y ago
Being able to fold out a basically normal laptop into a dual-monitor setup when you want? I don't see anything impractical about that. Dave2D was really enthusiastic, fwiw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE
- yonaguska 3y ago
  yep, I hate using a laptop as an actual laptop, hunched over and looking down at a screen. I carry around a portable laptop stand and keyboard now. If I'm going to actually do work, I'm just not willing to sacrifice my shoulders and back for the sake of convenience. And this gives me a second screen! the only flaw I see with this is that the keyboard can't be split into two pieces, but that's hardly a realistic expectation.
- checkyoursudo 3y ago
  Surely only really on power though, right? Battery can't last that long with 2 screens...
soneca 3y ago
I use a stand alone USB-connected monitor as second screen when I travel. I would much prefer having to travel with only the notebook and have a vertical stack like this. I could only say for sure by trying it, but it looks very practical for my use.

jph 3y ago

I just saw this in the wild, and talked with the user, who programs 3D AR/VR content. I saw the dual screen in use with the top screen for a VR scene and the bottom screen for code. The user's interactions among the two screens and keyboard were seamless. The screen colors were vibrant and rich, even in bright light. Based on what I saw, I would definitely try it for typical office use or even for typical website programming. However, I saw a lot of graphics lag and chop in the VR scene rotations, and the user said the battery didn't last long enough to get through the day, so YMMV if you're considering developing 3D, AR, VR, etc.

makeitdouble 3y ago
Laptop of these specs won't last a day in general, and they'll also be power constrained in most running profile when straight on battery (you'll be out of power in a few hours if using the full extent of the GPU) Anyone planning to do 3D work in the wild with no power outlet should invest in a (heavy) 100W power bank. Also reliable 100+W chargers will cost an arm and a leg, same docking stations. It's definitely still on the cutting edge and you won't be managing it like a wimpy Macbook Air. Edit: I thought this one had a discrete GPU, but looking at the specs it's not and only needs 65W. Power consumption could be fine ?
- speed_spread 3y ago
  You can buy GaN chargers of up to 180W nowadays, they weigh half as much as regular power bricks and are fairly affordable if you need them. You don't even need to cover the peak power usage and can go with a smaller charger covering regular usage and let the battery come to help when momentarily drawing more power (this is what I do with my Zephyrus G14 + 65W Voltme).
  - makeitdouble 3y ago
    I've been looking at charger delivering 130W on a single port (100W won't unlock the full GPU) and they're not that many. UGreen and Anker's offerings start at 70 bucks and they're not well reviewed. Docking stations start a triple that and Dell seems to be only reputable maker going these lengths. To complicate things, many chargers will tout 140+ watts, but only split on multiple ports. Single port output will often be capped at 100W.

henry_viii 3y ago

Congrats to Asus. I would love to have a laptop as a laptop when I need the portability but also a screen on a stand + wireless keyboard and touchpad when I want the ergonomics. Are there other products on the market right now that lets us detach the screen off the laptop and still use the keyboard and the touchpad wirelessly?

WillAdams 3y ago
Lenovo Yogabook 9i is the product which defined this class of device.

bsurmanski 3y ago

This would be amazing for Nintendo DS emulation

wilsonnb3 3y ago

I didn't see answers to this on the page, does anyone know if it can close with the keyboard on? Also, does the keyboard charge automatically when connected? Or does it have to be charged separately?

notimetorelax 3y ago
Yes, it can close with the keyboard on. See the review here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE

sxp 3y ago

A similar device is the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. The next gen model was shown off at CES and is coming out in a few months. That one also has a 180 degree hinge unlike the Asus model which can't be fully flattened. I've seen good reviews about the first gen model and might get the new one if I get a laptop this year. https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-series/yoga-book-9i-gen-8-(13-inch-intel)/len101y0028 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-seri...

zhyder 3y ago
I like that the Asus one converts faster to dual monitor mode with a built-in kickstand, and the keyboard has a touchpad.
- jitl 3y ago
  Yeah the Asus looks more serious about work. The consumer Yoga line at Lenovo always seems an off to me.
  - drcode 3y ago
    The yogabook is very well made, very apple-like in fit and finish. Rounded-off corners everywhere, very sturdy, great daily driver. IMHO the Asus looks plasticky and flimsy in the videos I've seen so far, And when used in side-by-side mode it looks extremely asymmetric and goofy. (Disclosure: The included yogabook keyboard is a bit flimsy, not as nicely designed as the main laptop, not up to the same standards)
cycomanic 3y ago
Somewhat related, I've been eyeing the thinkbook twist (oled+eink screen)[1], but it's unlikely to run Linux I suspect otherwise I'd be all over it. [1] https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/5/23541379/lenovo-thinkbook-plus-twist-e-ink-oled-laptop&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjNz82qqdyDAxUpa_UHHRPqC-8QFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw1e6QwwjjHXXAo0MC9ujsMp https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theverge.com/2023/1...
blagie 3y ago

pca006132 3y ago

Would be nicer if there is a DE on Linux that supports these fancy screen configurations.

rowanG077 3y ago
Wouldn't most of them support it out of the box? I see nothing special here software wise. Just have the bottom screen emit hotplug events and use the standard multi-monitor configuration tools.

dspillett 3y ago

I have an earlier DUO model, one with the half-screen between the main and the keyboard. While shopping for a replacement for a laptop that had been dropped a few too many times, manic me bought it as a gimmick and when it arrived I feared it would just be that. I have found it genuinely useful in various ways though: during dev with various small utility tabs on the lower screen, messaging on bottom screen with full-screen video on top, smaller video and/or messaging on bottom with work on top, etc. Handy that you can easily turn it almost off too, to save battery when mobile. I still carry a 14" external (USB3) monitor for when at a desk. The extra half-screen is still useful in those circumstances, though, just not as much so. To make Windows11's taskbar less irritating (which it is even more so, if you can imagine that, with an extra screen under your primary) I recommend using something like ExporerPatcher or another shell improver/replacement.

alok-g 3y ago
Ditto for me all the way till ExplorerPatcher. I found the side trackpad less ergonomic, so use a separate (vertical) mouse.
d3vmax 3y ago
I have the Zyphreus Duo ( https://rog.asus.com/in/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-duo-16-2023-series/ https://rog.asus.com/in/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-du... ) with the touch screen in between the screen and the keyboard. Its perfect for todo/whatsapp/zoom/file explorer and I have an external screen/keyboard/mouse (so in total 2.5 screens). Perfect desktop replacement and a good gaming laptop. Mobility is limited due to battery life but it suits my needs.
- dspillett 3y ago
  Mine is from the much lower-spec (and appropriately cheaper) ZenBook DUO range. The battery life is pretty darn good until I plug in the external screen, and still better than many laptops even then. It isn't often I'm away from a power socket for and needing to work, but when I am, it can be for a fair few hours. Gaming isn't something I find time for these days, so this model is much better value for this use pattern.

Havoc 3y ago

Has anyone had any luck using this form factor practically? Do the ergonomics and practicalities work out?

WillAdams 3y ago
I've been wanting one since before Lenovo dropped their Yogabook 9i. I'm hoping this will become a form-factor/product/class of its own. Currently, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 because it was the only computer I could find which: - had a Wacom EMR stylus - high resolution and large/expansive screen - full OS support (replacing a Samsung Galaxy Book 12, which I really wish Samsung had stuck with) I need to have a stylus so that I can draw/annotate/write, and I prefer a tablet form-factor (but will accept a convertible/foldable if need be) --- the thing which kills me is the keyboard is completely disabled when the screen is folded back --- it would be nice for the keys along one (or both) edges of the keyboard to be usable as programmable/modified keys for when one is drawing. Such a device with Wacom EMR will be an insta-buy for me. It's really nice to be able to go from taking a note on my phone or Kindle Scribe, to drawing/annotating on my Galaxy Book.
- Havoc 3y ago
  Thanks for the feedback!
drcode 3y ago
Love my yogabook 9i, the best coder machine out there, as long as you aren't performance-bound. It is great to take to coffee shops because you don't look like those crazy people who take monitor stands and stuff to the coffee shop- It just looks 100% normal (even if you use the full bottom screen) But then at home I have enough screen size to feel like I'm working on a desktop. For coding, having the vertical break down the middle doesn't matter really, since you almost always want to work on two documents at the same time, anyway. Also, the device is very well made and sturdy (the external keyboard is a little flimsy unfortunately, but it's replaceable at least and at least looks nice)
- 3y ago

elromulous 3y ago

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deleted 3y ago
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gumballindie 3y ago

Imagine investing in hardware such as this, spending years to develop skill, creat art and have an ai bro steal it because that’s how everything work anyway then coming for your job. What a time to be alive.

crims0n 3y ago

I was really tempted by this but I hesitate to move my workflow over to Windows. I hear WSL has gotten pretty good, may be worth a shot.

eloisant 3y ago
Just get a USB-C portable monitor (e.g. Asus Zenscreen) and you can use it with any laptop.

vitiral 3y ago

Just a service announcement: you can get an external monitor that is charged and driven by a single USB-C for about $100 which weighs about a pound. Feels like it would get 90% of what I want out of a setup like this.

jitl 3y ago
I initially got a $100 one, but ended upgrading to an Asus model with a touch screen and built in battery. It can run everything (video and charging the display) over a single USB-C cable. I used to travel with it and sometimes a gaming desktop, but these days I use it around the house whenever I need a display & mouse for a server that doesn’t have a dedicated monitor. Just today I did a BIOS update with it. This is the one I got on Amazon in 2020, there might be better options in 2024: ASUS ZenScreen Touch Screen 15.6” 1080P Portable USB (MB16AMT) - Full HD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-glare, Built-in Battery, Speakers, Eye Care, USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, Smart Case, 3-Year Warranty https://a.co/d/cJKzQi8 https://a.co/d/cJKzQi8
- nolongerthere 3y ago
  A regular 15.6” 1080p monitor from a no name brand costs 1/3 the price, crazy that touch adds so much to the price. Also you should ID affiliate links.
  - AH4oFVbPT4f8 3y ago
    How can you tell it's an affiliate?
    - bitcoinmoney 3y ago
      Coz you don’t know if it’s a real endorsement.
      - AH4oFVbPT4f8 3y ago
        I get that, was more wondering if it was possible to tell if they were using an affiliate link based on the shortened url.

whatever1 3y ago

I just want the keyboard trackpad combo to use with my own PC/laptop. There are no such options out there.

justsomehnguy 3y ago
https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090 https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090

shuoli84 3y ago

The setup is neat, but, does it only support Windows? That is a big no-go for me..

neuromancer2600 3y ago

I've been on a Asus Zenbook for almost a year now and I must admit that I am extremely happy with it. I would seriously consider this one, if only I would have gotten used to dual screens. Since I am also using a desktop at home with a 32" 4k display I've really appreciated having everything on one screen.

intrasight 3y ago

I use this https://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-16mq70.adsu1-portable-laptop-monitor https://www.lg.com/us/laptops/lg-16mq70.adsu1-portable-lapto...

rahimnathwani 3y ago

If you already carry a an iPad in your laptop bag, but use Windows or Linux on your laptop, you can use the iPad as an external monitor using: - a cheap HDMI USB capture device ($5 from Temu) - a short HDMI cable to connect that to your laptop's HDMI output - a USB to lightning or USB to type C adapter (depending on your iPad model) - a free app to display the UVC camera input full screen, e.g. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/genki-studio/id6466343285 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/genki-studio/id6466343285 This isn't quite as convenient, but it's not much extra weight to throw in your bag.

RockRobotRock 3y ago
>a cheap HDMI USB capture device ($5 from Temu) I've tried a couple of these and the quality is pretty shitty. Maybe they've improved since then.
conqrr 3y ago
Can this be done on an Android tablet too like Samsung?
- rahimnathwani 3y ago
  Probably, as long as your tablet supports an external webcam. You'll need an app to view the camera. Search Google for 'android uvc viewer'.
- bentcorner 3y ago
  I've found it easiest to use something like deskreen. That way you don't need to rely on your tablet supporting hdmi input, you just need a browser. You'll need a hdmi dummy plug on your PC though.
- staindk 3y ago
  Samsung tablets can act as second screens for windows PCs AFAIK. For Linux I've had some success with Microsoft's RD Client android app -> remote to Linux PC. I'm on gnome though, which has some experimental setting which allows you to set remote desktop clients to act as a new display instead of cloning your existing display.

smcleod 3y ago

Looks very tied to MS Windows which is more than a little off-putting in 2024.

yewenjie 3y ago

How's the (community provided, of course) Linux support for these niche laptops?

alganet 3y ago
https://linux-hardware.org/?view=computers&type=Notebook&vendor=ASUSTek+Computer&model=ZenBook+Pro+Duo+%28All%29 https://linux-hardware.org/?view=computers&type=Notebook&ven...

dudeinjapan 3y ago

I'm waiting for the Snapdragon X Elite to come out mid-2024. Probably will pick up a Lenovo.

yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago

For once I find myself grateful for a device probably having bad Linux support; my poor wallet would otherwise be in grave danger.

tedk-42 3y ago
No such thing as a poor wallet, only a poor person hehe

The_Colonel 3y ago

I was "meh" until I saw the 90 degree rotated dual tall screen setup. That seems genuinely useful for coding.

skrebbel 3y ago

Vaguely related question for the gurus: are all Windows (/ Linux) laptops still hopelessly behind Macbooks in terms of speed? (since Apple announced the M1 and followups I mean) I’m trying to figure out if a laptop like this one is worth the lower cpu speed

lm-lux 3y ago
to my knowledge, high end windows laptops are catching up and are even more powerful than Macs in terms of graphical compute power. However MacBooks are still the best for performance per watt and battery life.
FirmwareBurner 3y ago
^low effort troll comment that breaks HN guidelines. You could have googled this and found your answer in 5 seconds(it's not something you need "gurus" for), instead of using your comment as an opportunity to call anything that's not M1 MacBook as being "hopelessly underpowered" but masquerading it as a question.
- skrebbel 3y ago
  I disagree. When I google this I get content that mostly has an agenda. I’m not deep into this subject matter so I don’t know who to trust. On HN however, I get knowledgeable replies from people who enjoy this topic (thanks everyone!). For extra context, I’m a Windows fan and I currently use a Surface Pro. I’d prefer to keep using Windows (even despite the ad/telemetry crap MS is pulling) but not if an M3 cuts my Elixir/webpack build times in half wrt a new & fast Windows laptop. So no, nothing here was “masquerading” and you need to stop making such negative assumptions about people’s motivations. The replies tell me the difference isn’t that big at all, which is great to know. Thing is, when the M1 was announced HN and twitter and other geek sites were absolutely plastered with stories about how impossibly much faster it was, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to wonder whether that’s still the case.
  - FirmwareBurner 3y ago
    >When I google this I get content that mostly has an agenda. There are dedicated review sites that do objective testing and tell you everything you need to know about current HW performace. If you're short on time to browse through it all to catch up to speed on the current state of affairs, you can use a LLM to summarize things for you. There's also Reddit where people alredy asked and debated what you want to know.

Uptrenda 3y ago

I'd never buy an ASUS laptop. They've never made good laptops. It's not exclusive to ASUS. All 'consumer' tier laptops are cheap plastic, disposable, crapware. Business laptops are much better.

akkad33 3y ago

I have an early zen book pro with a touch bar screen and although the laptop is well built I never used the touch bar screen. If I were to do it again I'd spend a bit extra and get a Mac because I find Mac's have better battery lives

closetkantian 3y ago

Does anyone else think the copy and design on this webpage are really 'blah'? "Let's DUO it" is a terrible tagline, haha. I'm not an Apple fan, but they win by miles for stuff like this.

axegon_ 3y ago

Late 2020 I got an earlier model zenbook duo(back when the bottom screen didn't tilt. For a daily driver, it's a gimmick, but pretty useful on the go. While something like this won't be replacing my daily driver, I can definitely see myself using one more frequently than I am now. The BIG problem I faced was the fact that I am a full time Linux user and getting everything working was a pain in the ass. I kinda suspect this won't be any better. Still, seeing this and the NUC[1] Asus took over a few months ago, all I can say is, good job Asus! [1] https://rog.asus.com/desktops/mini-pc/rog-nuc/ https://rog.asus.com/desktops/mini-pc/rog-nuc/

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Already__Taken 3y ago

We've had 10-point touch for well-over a decade now, but I really don't see the UI paradigm for multi-use has evolved. If I lay this down flat, what apps can 2 people use concurrently like whiteboards or diagrams? Even 2 instance's on the screens won't work because I've not seen much handle multiple concurrent drag-selection. What can I plug 2 mice into and get 2 mice cursors?

redder23 3y ago

No clue why everyone is so exited about things like this. Makes no sense to me at all. 2 screens in a stupid position, both super small. I think anyone is better of with a basic laptop with big screen. Just because its something "fancy" that had never been done b4 does not mean its good, practical or makes any sense. The screens are both forced into portrait mode for the only setup that would makes sense when stationery, its fucking stupid.

dusted 3y ago

That looks like a flimsy compromise between a real desktop setup and a practical travel computer.

teknopaul 3y ago

N.B. External screens that are flat as a pankake with hdmi ports can be got for 100€. I travel with dual screens: an aging Zenbook that is also flat as a pancake. I expect a fair few more years from this one before an upgrade. Top tech: highly recommended, & yes, no probs with Linux.

tastyminerals2 3y ago

I never understood why they keep manufacturing these platform locked monstrosities. I bet no Linux distro will properly support it. Once I made a mistake and bought MS Surface Book, which now is a magnesium brick that doesn't last a few hours without a power socket. I'd rather bought an intel based desktop for that money, at least it would age better. I find it strange to seriously consider any intel laptop these days for portable work.

thfuran 3y ago
What percentage of laptop users do you think ever even consider installing a different OS?

exabrial 3y ago

I wish there was a commercially backed [L]Unix based OS that had a UI as nice as OSX. I would jump ship in a heartbeat. Apple's hardware is just full of whiz bang useless crap that drive prices through the roof. The closet to fulling my dream is: https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-the-road-to-alpha https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-the-road-to-alpha And I truly hope it works out.

spenvo 3y ago

This is the first time in years that I've been interested in a Windows laptop. This writeup doesn't include price, but others do, like https://www.engadget.com/the-asus-zenbook-duo-is-a-stunning-dual-screen-laptop-with-seemingly-no-compromises-180017370.html https://www.engadget.com/the-asus-zenbook-duo-is-a-stunning-... . It starts at $1,499. It's also just 3 pounds, which is 0.5 lbs lighter than the 14" Macbook Pro. I really like this breakdown by TechChap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzBxLYTUuK4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzBxLYTUuK4, Dave2d's video is also good. The thing also comes with a pen with high sensitivity. It feels like this is priced as a loss leader for ASUS.

tremarley 3y ago

ASUS are leading high-end laptop market

willcipriano 3y ago

Finally can make this happen: https://www.reddit.com/r/greentext/comments/9yreo3/anon_has_a_gaming_laptop/ https://www.reddit.com/r/greentext/comments/9yreo3/anon_has_...

bertil 3y ago

This is the first model that I’ve noticed offers the one feature that I am really looking for in a laptop: an integrated keyboard and the included screen at eye level. Sure, that one has a first screen where the screen usually is (next to the keyboard), and that’s certainly useful. However, the possibility of not straining my neck is by far where most laptops fail. That’s why so many people use either one of those stands and separate keyboard, or a whole different screen and close and plug their laptop into a desk setup: better keyboard, sure, but it helps less than a well-positioned one; bigger screen, not sure that counts when you want to focus. I use a separate screen from time to time (for presentation, I either need a separate viewing angle or some remote screen sharing like Zoom works better that way). However, I initially bought those to set them up higher while traveling, and it’s practically impossible to do without a heavy stand. Hotel rooms or café tables don’t have the support I need. This model could. I’m very excited. Let’s hope the screens are light enough, the base heavy enough and the hinges sturdy enough to hold it all upright.

jwells89 3y ago

Not too interested in this as a Windows machine, but if it runs Linux well (which it seems like it should, being Intel with no dGPU) it’d be a neat Linux machine. When traveling recently I’ve used a 12.9” iPad in Sidecar mode with a 16” M1 Pro MBP and the combo is quite good. Will be interesting to see if having both screens integrated yields a significant advantage over having the two seaprate.

BotRainbowHood 3y ago

How about let's ZERO it? Just a bloody portable NUC? No monitor, no keyboard, no trackpad but in "notebook" form factor?

ronaldwood 3y ago

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