35 Cons of the New ASUS Zenbook Duo (Review 2024)

Get ready, for a dive into the Asus ZenBook Duo today. While this laptop’s dual screen setup and unique features have generated a lot of excitement it’s important to acknowledge some downsides.

If you’re tired of reviews you’re in for an honest assessment. Let’s explore the disadvantages of the Asus ZenBook Duo in detail.

If you carefully weigh these drawbacks and still choose to purchase the product kudos, to you! You’re making a decision that you likely won’t regret!

No Tent Mode

One major downside is the absence of tent mode. Numerous contemporary laptops and 2 in 1 gadgets offer this feature that allows you to position the device in a V shape. It’s great, for presentations, movie viewing, or touch-based activities. Unfortunately, the ZenBook Duo lacks this feature, which is quite disappointing and restricts its flexibility.

Weight

Let’s talk about the weight. Weighing in at 1.65 kg the ZenBook Duo is quite hefty, for a device that’s meant to be easily portable. The dual screens contribute significantly to this weight. While the second screen is impressive carrying around a laptop can be inconvenient if you’re always on the go.

Concerns About Hinge Durability

Now onto the hinge. It’s supposed to withstand up to 25 kg of pressure. I have some doubts about its long-term durability. The constant opening and closing of the laptop could potentially weaken the hinge over time leading to stability issues, down the road. Definitely not something you’d want in your device right?

Limited Upgradability

Let’s talk about the possibility of upgrading—or lack thereof. While you do have the option to upgrade the SSD the process of accessing it is quite challenging. The disassembly steps are intricate and daunting which might discourage users from attempting it. This could be a drawback if you find yourself needing storage, in the future but feel uneasy about dismantling your laptop.

Fan Noise

The cooling system of this device works well but goodness is it noisy! When the laptop operates in high performance mode the fans can generate quite a racket. This noise can be incredibly distracting in environments like a library or during meetings.

Complexity of Dual-Screen Management

While multitasking across two screens may seem appealing in theory it can be quite cumbersome, in practice. Adjusting brightness and arranging windows on both displays can be time-consuming and frustrating when you’re aiming to work.

Keyboard Battery Life

The battery life of the keyboard is quite a hassle. When the backlighting is, on you only get an hour or two of usage before needing to recharge which can be frustrating and disrupt your workflow.

Keyboard Slipperiness

As for the keyboard itself, it tends to slide around on surfaces making it challenging to keep in place while typing. This can be especially bothersome when you’re trying to work at a desk or table.

Virtual Keyboard

Additionally, the virtual keyboard lacks, tactile feedback leading to discomfort during use. Typing on a keyboard just doesn’t offer efficiency or satisfaction as a physical one, which could pose a significant drawback if you engage in extensive typing tasks.

Brightness Variance

One of the screens may appear brighter, than the other causing a distraction and impacting the experience especially when engaging in tasks like design work or color matching that require precision.

Portrait Mode Stability

Using the ZenBook Duo in portrait mode can lead to instability, which might be frustrating when reading or coding in a position.

Lack of Lap Usability

The ZenBook Duo isn’t ideal for lap use due, to its dual-screen design and keyboard placement making it uncomfortable and awkward. This limits the laptop’s versatility in terms of where and how it can be used which is a bit disappointing.

Performance with Integrated GPU

The built-in graphics processor struggles when handling tasks such, as 3D rendering. If you work with programs you may notice a lack of performance which is not ideal for professional creative projects.

Shape and Portability

The unconventional shape of the ZenBook Duo requires handling. Its distinct design is not as convenient to carry around as laptops. It’s important to handle it with care to prevent any damage, which can be quite inconvenient.

Rubber Strips Protection

The rubber strips designed to protect the screens when closed may not provide protection under increased pressure. This could result in screen damage, which is a definite cause for concern.

Keyboard Placement

The keyboard placement at the front might feel unfamiliar and less ergonomic for some users. Adjusting to this layout may take some time. It might not be comfortable, for typing sessions.

Backlight Management

Managing the keyboard backlight manually is important, for conserving battery life. It does require a step that can be a bit inconvenient and easy to forget.

Port Limitations

Even though there are a variety of ports some users may still feel that the connectivity options are somewhat limited. Depending on your requirements you might find that the arrangement and types of ports provided are not entirely sufficient.

Battery Life Variance

The battery life of the laptop can vary significantly depending on how you use it. Engaging in demanding tasks or using screens can shorten the battery life making it less dependable for extended work sessions without access to a power outlet.

Lack of SD Card Reader

One downside is the absence of an SD card reader, which could be problematic for photographers and videographers who rely on this feature for file transfers. Using adapters instead may not be as convenient, as having a built-in reader.

Average Sound Quality

The speakers, on the ZenBook Duo are quite average in terms of quality. They lack bass, which might disappoint those who value notch performance.

Non-upgradable RAM

With 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM that cannot be upgraded the ZenBook Duo locks you into its memory setup. This could pose a problem if you require RAM down the line.

Battery Performance in Dual Screen Mode

When using screens the battery life is shorter offering around 5 hours of screen on time. This limitation could be an issue, for individuals needing battery performance during work or travel.

Limited Speaker Volume

Some users may find the speakers not loud enough. In surroundings, the volume might fall short impacting the audio quality experience.

Gap with Keyboard Attached

When the keyboard is attached there’s a gap that raises concerns, about how durable it’s. This gap could make the device appear sleek and might affect its long-term strength.

Potential Fragility

Some worries linger about the durability of the dual-screen mechanism and overall construction quality. The unique design may sacrifice long-term reliability with its moving parts.

Learning Curve

Getting accustomed to the modes and settings can be quite challenging. Mastering the device may require an amount of time which could deter those seeking simplicity.

Pre-production Unit

It’s important to mention that the unit under review is a production model. This means there may be discrepancies, in the product that could impact the accuracy of this review and the reliability of its conclusions.

Battery Life

Managing the battery life, between the 120Hz and 60Hz modes is crucial for saving power. It’s important to stay on top of adjusting these settings, which adds a layer of complexity.

Detachable Keyboard Issues

Dealing with the keyboard may present challenges in terms of convenience and usability. Quickly attaching and detaching the keyboard could disrupt your workflow.

Port Layout

The arrangement of ports may feel awkward due to the dual-screen design. The positioning of ports might not be intuitive causing inconvenience when connecting devices or peripherals.

Stability Issues

Additionally, it’s essential to consider how stable the device is when both screens are in use. The increased weight and unconventional design can make the laptop feel less steady, on surfaces. This could pose a problem if you frequently switch working environments and require a setup.

Software Compatibility

Dual-screen laptops such, as the ZenBook Duo often encounter issues with software compatibility. Not all apps are designed to work on a dual-screen setup leading to glitches and a less than smooth user experience. This can be especially frustrating if you depend on software, for your work or projects.

Heat Management

Another issue to consider is heat management. The dual screens and high-performance components produce an amount of heat making it challenging for the cooling system to dissipate efficiently. As a result, the laptop may become uncomfortably warm during prolonged use impacting both performance and comfort.

Price Point

Lastly let’s discuss the price point. The ZenBook Duo falls on the side of the laptop market. While you’re investing in features and modern design the drawbacks may make it difficult to justify the cost particularly when there are laptops available that offer superior performance or more features at a lower price point.

Conclusion

So that’s the gist of it. While the Asus ZenBook Duo has some cutting-edge features it also comes with its share of downsides that you should take into account. Issues, like durability and weight along with the complexities of handling screens and a slippery keyboard bring to light the intricacies and compromises of using this device.

It’s essential to balance these aspects with your requirements and preferences to determine if the ZenBook Duo is truly the fit, for you.

Nevertheless, after considering these drawbacks you still decide to go and purchase the product well done! You’re making an informed choice. You won’t be disappointed with your decision.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNlFWy4Cu40&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hqh8cqb0cM&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hteat1dy0uQ&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wHTu6S5e0g&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JysBcRb0V-c&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Cr73w8CJE&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJfR3pcG1Y&pp=ygUbbmV3IEFzdXMgWmVuQm9vayBEdW8gcmV2aWV3