ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 14 UX8406MA-OLEDI9IG Review: Dual Screen Powerhouse

ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 14 UX8406MA-OLEDI9IG Review: Dual Screen Powerhouse

Table of Contents

Introduction

The ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 14 UX8406MA-OLEDI9IG is a captivating laptop that pushes the boundaries of productivity and creativity. It boasts a unique dual-screen setup, powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, making it a formidable contender for professionals and creative individuals seeking a powerful and versatile machine.

Features

The Zenbook Duo OLED 14 is loaded with features designed to enhance your workflow and elevate your creative pursuits.

Dual-Screen Experience

The highlight of this laptop is undoubtedly its dual-screen setup. The main display is a stunning 14.0-inch 3K OLED touch screen, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a crisp viewing experience. The secondary screen, known as the ASUS ScreenPad Plus, is a 12.6-inch touch screen positioned above the keyboard, providing ample space for multitasking and creative control.

Powerful Performance

Under the hood, the Zenbook Duo OLED 14 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, which is a significant leap forward in performance compared to previous generations. Paired with 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 2TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD, this laptop handles demanding tasks with ease, from intensive video editing to complex 3D modeling.

Intel Arc Graphics

The Zenbook Duo OLED 14 features Intel Arc Graphics, which provide a solid boost for creative workflows. While it might not rival dedicated graphics cards for gaming, it handles casual gaming and creative tasks like image editing with commendable performance.

Battery Life

The laptop is equipped with a 75WHrs battery, providing a respectable battery life for daily tasks. However, the power demands of the dual-screen setup and powerful hardware can shorten battery life when running resource-intensive applications. It’s wise to carry the 65W AC Adapter for extended use.

Performance

The Zenbook Duo OLED 14 delivered exceptional performance in my tests. It effortlessly handled demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking with multiple applications running concurrently.

Productivity Tasks

For productivity tasks, the dual-screen setup is a game-changer. I could easily work on documents, spreadsheets, and emails on the main screen while referencing information or controlling media on the ScreenPad Plus. The secondary screen significantly enhanced my multitasking capabilities, making me more efficient and productive.

Creative Work

The 3K OLED display is a joy to work with for creative projects. Colors are vivid and accurate, and the touch screen makes navigating design software a breeze. The ScreenPad Plus becomes an extension of the creative canvas, offering additional controls for photo editing, video editing, and digital art. The stylus support adds another layer of precision for those who prefer a more natural drawing experience.

Gaming

While not designed for high-end gaming, the Zenbook Duo OLED 14 can handle casual games and some mid-range titles at moderate settings. The Intel Arc Graphics provide a noticeable improvement over integrated graphics solutions, allowing for smoother gameplay.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unique dual-screen setup for enhanced multitasking
  • Stunning 3K OLED main display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
  • Powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor for demanding tasks
  • Ample RAM and storage for seamless workflow
  • Intel Arc Graphics for decent gaming and creative tasks
  • Stylus support for creative applications
  • Excellent build quality and premium design

Cons

  • Battery life can be limited under heavy workloads
  • The ScreenPad Plus can sometimes be distracting
  • Can be bulky and heavy compared to traditional laptops
  • Price is on the higher end of the market

Final Verdict

The ASUS Zenbook Duo OLED 14 UX8406MA-OLEDI9IG is an impressive laptop that offers a unique and powerful dual-screen experience. Its exceptional performance, stunning display, and thoughtful features make it a compelling option for professionals and creatives seeking a versatile and innovative machine. However, its hefty price tag and limited battery life under heavy workloads are factors to consider. Ultimately, whether it’s the right choice for you depends on your specific needs and budget.

Specifications

Feature Specification
Color Inkwell Gray
Operating System Windows 11 Home (ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business)
Processor Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 185H 2.3 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.1 GHz, 16 cores, 22 Threads); Intel® AI Boost NPU
Graphics Intel® Arc™ Graphics
Neural Processor Intel® AI Boost NPU
Display 14.0-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, 400nits, 500nits HDR peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1,000,000:1, VESA CERTIFIED Display HDR True Black 500, 1.07 billion colors, PANTONE Validated, Glossy display, 70% less harmful blue light, Touch screen, (Screen-to-body ratio)91%, With stylus support
Memory 32GB LPDDR5X on board Max Total system memory up to:32GB
Storage 2TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD
I/O Ports 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 2x Thunderbolt™ 4 supports display / power delivery 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Keyboard & Touchpad Soft Keyboard, 1.4mm Key-travel, Precision touchpad
Camera FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello
Audio Smart Amp Technology Built-in speaker Built-in array microphone harman/kardon (Premium) with Cortana support
Network and Communication Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth® 5.3 Wireless Card (*Bluetooth® version may change with OS version different.)
Battery 75WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
Power Supply TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100-240V AC 50/60GHz universal
Weight 1.65 kg (3.64 lbs) Weight of system: 1.35 kg Weight of keyboard: 0.30 kg
Dimensions (W x D x H) 31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm (12.34″ x 8.58″ x 0.57″ ~ 0.78″)
Built-in Apps MyASUS ScreenXpert
MyASUS Features System diagnosis Battery health charging Fan Profile Splendid Tru2Life Function key lock WiFi SmartConnect Link to MyASUS TaskFirst Live update ASUS OLED Care AI Noise Canceling
Microsoft Office 1-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers. Credit card required.
Military Grade US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard
Ecolabels & Compliances EPEAT Gold Energy star 8.0 RoHS
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 IR webcam with Windows Hello support
Included in the Box Sleeve Stylus (ASUS Pen SA203H-MPP2.0 support) * Included accessories vary according to country and territory. Please check with your local ASUS retailer for details.
Disclaimer This product has only been tested for compatibility with the Windows 11 operating system, and may encounter compatibility issues if Windows 10 or older OS versions are installed.
OLED