The ASUS Zenbook Duo bought a implausible redesign for CES 2026

The ASUS Zenbook Duo was simply one in all my favourite laptops of 2024 because it was the primary dual-screen pocket book really value shopping for. However now at CES 2026, ASUS has given the second-gen mannequin an entire revamp with virtually all of the upgrades and tweaks I’ve been hoping for.

Like the remainder of the Zenbook line, the 2026 Duo is getting ASUS’ Ceraluminum therapy on its lid, backside and kickstand, which not solely seems to be nice however it provides an additional little bit of sturdiness and scratch resistance. There’s additionally an improved magnetic latch system and Bluetooth connection for its removable keyboard to assist maintain it charged up and paired extra reliably. Nonetheless, the largest improve is ASUS’ all-new “hideaway” hinge. Not solely does it permit the system to unfold flat towards a desk, it additionally massively shrinks the hole between the laptop computer’s two 3K 144Hz Lumina Professional OLED shows to simply 8.28 mm. That’s a discount of 70 % in comparison with the earlier mannequin and it makes the thought of utilizing a twin display laptop computer simply that rather more seamless and interesting than earlier than.

One other necessary improve is that regardless of having a considerably bigger 99Whr battery (up from 75Whr on its predecessor), the general footprint of the second-gen Zenbook Duo is definitely 5 % smaller than earlier than. That makes it noticeably extra compact with out sacrificing on weight or thinness, which is staying just about the identical at 3.6 kilos and 0.77 to 0.9 inches thick (relying on the place you measure). Connectivity stays glorious as properly, with ASUS together with Wi-Fi 7, two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 connector and even a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack. And for all of the artists on the market, the Zenbook Duo additionally helps stylus enter through the ASUS Pen 3.0, so you’ll be able to simply detach the wi-fi keyboard and use both display as a built-in drawing pill. That mentioned, it’s at the moment unclear if the stylus comes included or not.

In the meantime on the within, the Zenbook Duo options both an Intel Core Extremely 7 355 or Extremely 9 386H chip with as much as 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. On prime of that, ASUS elevated the Duo’s TDP to 45 watts, which is one other notable bump up over the unique. So not solely does it have a bigger battery, its efficiency is getting a giant enhance as properly, particularly when mixed with the a lot improved onboard graphics from Intel’s newest built-in Arc GPU.

I do know lots of people on the market nonetheless aren’t satisfied that twin display laptops have to be a factor, and that’s completely OK. However because the form of one that appears like they’re lacking a limb after I’m touring and away from my two screens at residence, the second-gen Zenbook Duo appears like a serious refinement of an already nice concept. It’s bought an even bigger battery, quicker efficiency and a vastly streamlined design with out gaining any bulkiness or weight. Out of the entire laptops I’ve seen at CES 2026, that is the one I most want I might seize and begin utilizing immediately.

The one potential concern is that ASUS has but to launch pricing for the brand new Zenbook Duo or say when it’ll go on sale. So right here’s hoping it received’t break the financial institution when it arrives someday later this yr.