ОЛЕД & 'Алдер Лаке': 2022 Асус Зенбоок Прос Пацк Снага, заслепљујући екрани (понекад, два)

Asus is continuing its investment in both dual-screen laptops and OLED display technology, announcing two OLED-equipped models, the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED and the Zenbook Pro 16X OLED.

While these, of course, share OLED screen tech in common, they are different in form and purpose. We were able to get a private preview of each system from Asus’ Sascha Krohn, who (digitally) walked us through the design and feature set. Take a look at the video below, with written details following.

Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED: Two Sharp Screens in a Compact Package

Asus has seen success with its dual-screen laptops, which, at this point, it has released across different screen sizes and general laptop categories. We’ve recently reviewed another 14-inch Duo (without the “Pro” designation), as well as larger dual-screen creator laptops and gaming systems.

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That means Asus’ double-display design is pretty tried and true by now. But it still impresses each time. The second screen is a small, long display across the keyboard deck, which elevates toward you at an angle when the clamshell lid is pulled open. This allows you to see the screen better, and the open underside area improves cooling into the laptop's interior.

Combining the 14-inch size with the Duo Pro name means this model is aiming to be a portable but powerful machine for creative-media power users. This Intel Evo-certified machine measures 0.7 by 12.7 by 8.8 inches (HWD) and 3.74 pounds, respectable given the double displays.

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An unusual aspect to the panel in this model is that the main display measures 14.5 inches diagonally. Usually when we say 14 inches, it’s 14 inches exactly, as opposed to “15-inch”-class laptops that are actually 15.6 inches. This screen brings it more in line with that paradigm, to mean грубо 14 inches as its general size category. The footprint of the laptop itself between a 14-inch and 14.5-inch won’t be much different. 

The screen itself is in 16:10 aspect ratio, making for an unusual 2,880-by-1,800-pixel resolution. It’s a touch screen, and also features a 120Hz refresh rate in addition to the very vibrant OLED technology. The smaller display, the ScreenPad Plus, is 12.7 inches in a (very unusual given its shape) 32:10 aspect ratio at a 2,880-by-864-pixel resolution. 

You can check any of the reviews linked above for examples of what the ScreenPad Plus can do. In short, you can use it as you would a second monitor, dragging apps and files onto the lower screen. Obviously, the dimensions are a bit more limiting than the main display's, but on a laptop it’s difficult to complain. It’s useful to keep reference material, Spotify, or any number of other apps down there that you don’t need to focus on or work within most of the time.

Promising Parts: Intel H Series and Nvidia RTX Graphics at 14 Inches

Of course, you can’t be a “pro” laptop without powerful parts. Despite the 14-inch frame, the  Pro 14 Duo OLED uses potent 12th Gen H-Series processors in the form of the Core i7-12700H or the Core i9-12900H. Core i9 H Series, in particular, offers a very high level of performance (though the power cap will be limited in a smaller machine compared to a larger laptop). Asus promises high-end performance, regardless, in part thanks to its IceCool Plus thermal technology. But we will, of course, have to test the laptop ourselves when it becomes available.

On the graphics side, you can opt for up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, a respectable dedicated GPU for graphics work and gaming. Rounding out the professional feature set are the 32GB of RAM and the 2TB storage maximum capacities, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A port, an HDMI connection, an SD card reader, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth.

All told, a two-screen OLED laptop at this size with components that powerful is definitely a rarity. We look forward to reviewing the final system when it arrives this quarter starting at $1,999.99.

Zenbook Pro 16X OLED: One Roomy 4K OLED Screen

The Pro 16X is a bit more traditional, but it doesn't lack tools to excite professional creators. First, an overview: There is no dual display here, but the raised flap remains for the keyboard instead of an additional screen. It has the power for pros, as well as Asus’ unique, built-in wheel tool for content creation (more on both in a moment).

Let’s start with the size. The “16” in the name denotes an exactly 16-inch display (measured diagonally), and the laptop footprint is even more compact at 0.66 by 13.9 by 9.9 inches. It weighs 5.29 pounds, which isn’t nearly as light as the Duo 14 or many of today’s ultraportables, but it's a reasonably portable weight for a 16-inch creation machine. 

The display is 4K, and as mentioned, an OLED panel. Both of these should be very appealing to content creators and media editors; 4K is great for photo and video editing, and OLED panels are very vibrant and offer high color accuracy and deep blacks. They look amazing, too, but you can only really appreciate that in person, not through photos or videos.

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The angled keyboard is hard to miss, even if there isn’t a second display in its place. Typing at this angle is more comfortable, and the raised design means the laptop can maintain that open-air cooling the Duo systems use. The chassis also includes RGB lighting on either side of the keyboard, which can indicate status, performance mode, notifications, or a low-battery state at a glance.

The Asus Dial to the left of the keyboard is relatively new, and a hybrid of the full physical wheel used on Asus’ ProArt Studiobook 16 and the digital touchpad dial on the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED. It’s a dedicated physical space, but more of a flat dial than a turn wheel. 

This control can be used to cycle through shortcuts, change the volume, and swap tools and tool settings in Adobe applications. We’ve found them to be useful (though not essential) additions for creators. The touchpad is also upgraded, now a larger haptic pad with pressure sensors.

Superior Power for Creative Pros

That improved cooling is important, too, given the parts inside. This laptop can be equipped with a Core i7-12700H or Core i9-12900H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, up to 32GB of memory, and up to a 2TB SSD. 

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With the open vents and larger chassis than the 14 Duo, this model's GPU ceiling is higher and should generally sport superior power levels. Asus claims the CPU and GPU can run at 140 watts combined in performance mode due to the open cooling, improved fan blades, and a vapor chamber. This tier of power is for the creative pros out there who know they work with demanding tasks, like video editing, animation, and modeling.

On the connection front, you get a wide mix. The laptop features a 1080p webcam, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A port, an HDMI output, an SD card reader, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth.

The Zenbook Pro 16X OLED will start at $2,599.99. It launches this quarter (an exact date is not yet specified), so keep an eye out for our full review when available.