Asus Zenbook Duo 14 UX482 review: Superb for creators, not so for writers

Business Standard Asus Zenbook Duo 14 UX482 review: Superb for creators, not so for writers

Asus has a wide portfolio of consumer laptops, some with a radical form factor and unique design language. Take for example the recently launched Asus Zenbook Duo 14 UX482.

Aimed at content creators, the laptop is a one-of-its-kind device with two screens – a fullfledged 14-inch fullHD resolution LED backlit touchscreen and a 12.65-inch IPS-level touchscreen of 1080 x 515 pixel resolution. The Asus Zenbook Duo 14 UX482 might not be the only laptop featuring a dual-screen but the implementation of a secondary screen here is practical and useful in more ways than one.

The second screen is connected to the primary screen through Windows Project. It means this one is no gimmick and can be used like any other second screen – you can duplicate the primary screen content on the secondary screen or use both together for an extended view. Besides, it is not necessary to always use both screens as each can be switched off independently. So, the basics are covered right.

As for utility, the second screen adds extra space which comes in handy to fit additional content that would otherwise be hidden behind the primary window or rest minimised on the taskbar. For example, you can open a Microsoft Word file on the second screen and a web browser on the primary one. Asus has done a thorough job to make the second screen as good as the primary one. The second screen supports split-view, just like the primary screen. Therefore, you can fit at least four windows (two on primary and two on secondary) and multitask without using the Alt+Tab key combination frequently.

Complementing the dual-screen set-up is the Asus ScreenXpert software, which gives the second screen some extra power. This software is available in the form of dock, which is like a taskbar but a powerful one. It can be placed on the left, right or bottom side of the second screen, and can auto-hide when not in use. Through this dock, you can adjust the brightness of the second screen, navigate open applications on both screens, enable/disable the physical keyboard, and manage other settings applicable to the second screen.

Through this software, the second screen can be used as a trackpad and for handwriting content.

The best use for the ScreenXpert software, however, is for content creators through its Control Panel. It turns the ScreenPad Plus into a customisable control deck, giving you sliders, wheels and buttons for commonly used tasks in the Adobe application suite – Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects and Lightroom. This feature scales the utility of the second screen for content creators all the way north.

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